By now you will have seen something about “the Gospel of Jesus’ Wife”. Here’s how the smh reported it, A previously unknown scrap of ancient papyrus written in ancient Egyptian Coptic includes the words “Jesus said to them, my wife,” – a discovery likely to renew a fierce debate in the Christian world over whether Jesus […]
Andrew Brown over at the Guardian thinks he has a grasp on how it’s all looking, Next Wednesday, four women and 15 men on the Crown Nominations Commission will gather for two days of prayer and horsetrading to replace Rowan Williams as archbishop of Canterbury. We know who they are, and when they will meet – but […]
One of the issues that has arisen here in Australia in the last week of debate over homosexuality has been the question of health outcomes for homosexuals compared to the population at large. Before I begin a review of the topic and then move to some arguments of my own I thought it important to […]
I had the great privilege and, as it turned out, pleasure, to be in the studio audience for the ABC‘s live panel show Q&A. The panel last night included ArchBishop Peter Jensen who was set against “comedian” Catherine Deveny and a number of other panelists who faded away into relative insignificance given the “dialogue” that would develop (and by […]
This is going to be a lengthy one. Pour yourself a long drink and settle down. Another reactionary frenzy of criticism of the Anglican Diocese of Sydney is underway here in Australia, triggered by some minor changes to wedding liturgy. I’ll let the Sydney Morning Herald, that bastion of objective reporting when it comes […]
A useful editorial from The Australian (my emphasis), AMONG its “reasons why marriage equality matters”, the Australian Marriage Equality lobby group lists “growing support in Australia and around the world” – an argument that implies public opinion deserves to be respected. But, unfortunately, the group showed scant respect for the democratic process when it slammed Immigration […]
Willy Taylor, Rector of St Helen’s Bishopsgate in London took the opportunity this past Sunday of a break between sermon series to preach on the key issue of gender, authority and sexuality. 45 minutes well worth watching or listening to (audio here) h/t ACL
Exacting church discipline is a vital part of the life of the church, both in the congregation and in the wider denomination. Calvin famously regarded discipline as the third mark of a healthy church (Institutes IV.12) alongside the preaching of the word of God and the administration of the sacraments. The Biblical demand for this practice […]
The ongoing “gay marriage” debate is interesting not only in it’s own right but also (I wonder if more importantly) because (as I’ve pointed out before) it serves as a profoundly accurate barometer for how our society conducts debate on big issues. A good example of this dynamic is an article in this weekend’s smh, “Parents […]
Warning – some spoilers As the Ouldlets get oulder I, once again, get to enjoy watching a film or two as we take long intercontinental flights, such as last Thursdays 8 hour hop from Singapore to Sydney. On the advice of a good friend I started with 500 Days of Summer, which I can heartily […]
