What is it with Giles Fraser, comment writer for the Church Times? Why is it that he consistently makes up a new religion for himself and calls it “Christianity”?
His latest this week is a classic example. Moaning on about the recent CEEC Covenant Fraser accuses evangelicals of wanting a “new new testament”. Nasty us.
In response, the gentle and irene Fraser tells us,
Well, I don’t want a new new testament. I’m a baptised believer who wants to gather round the table with others. Open table fellowship was a hallmark of Jesus’s ministry. Anything more restrictive is an insult to orthodoxy.
Perhaps Fraser doesn’t have this part of Luke’s gospel in his bible:
Luke 13:22 He went on his way through towns and villages, teaching and journeying toward Jerusalem. 23 And someone said to him, “Lord, will those who are saved be few?” And he said to them, 24 “Strive to enter through the narrow door. For many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able. 25 When once the master of the house has risen and shut the door, and you begin to stand outside and to knock at the door, saying, ‘Lord, open to us,’ then he will answer you, ‘I do not know where you come from.’ 26 Then you will begin to say, ‘We ate and drank in your presence, and you taught in our streets.’ 27 But he will say, ‘I tell you, I do not know where you come from. Depart from me, all you workers of evil!’ 28 In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when you see Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God but you yourselves cast out. 29 And people will come from east and west, and from north and south, and recline at table in the kingdom of God. 30 And behold, some are last who will be first, and some are first who will be last.”
Of course, it could just be that Fraser is right after all, but then that would make Jesus’ words an insult to orthodoxy. What do you think?
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