How to play piano in church
“Most of us start off life as classically trained solo pianists. So when we turn up to church and are asked to play from chord charts, and improvise, and play in group, we often don’t know where to start.
So we are proud to present a free set of video piano lessons designed to cover everything you need to get yourself up to speed on chords, improvisation and playing in a band.”
– Garage Hymnal’s Andy Judd with a resource for aspiring church musicians that’s worth checking out.
Christianity and the Tolerance of Liberalism
Brand new from The Latimer Trust in the UK:
Christianity and the Tolerance of Liberalism: J.Gresham Machen and the Presbyterian Controversy of 1922–1937 by Lee Gatiss.
At the beginning of the last century a more liberal way of interpreting Christianity began to grow in popularity. Traditional believers in many denominations are currently reaping the fruit of a failure to heed the stark warnings about liberalism given at that time by American theologian J. Gresham Machen (1881-1937). Much of what happened in the Presbyterian Church of which he was a part will sound eerily familiar to Anglicans today.
This book examines key battlegrounds in the conflict between conservative, liberal, and so-called ‘moderate’ Christians in the early 20th Century – training for ministry, the denomination’s attitude towards money, and competing notions of mission.
Machen’s principles eventually led him to leave both his seminary and his denomination to create new institutions. But did Machen get it right about how to combat liberalism? Even while we acknowledge his theological insight, should we also be wary of repeating his mistakes?
Lee Gatiss is Associate Minister of St. Helen’s, Bishopsgate in the City of London and Editor of The Theologian: The Internet Journal for Integrated Theology at www.theologian.org.uk.
The book can be ordered from The Latimer Trust.
Bishop faces rebellion over women clergy
“A senior bishop is facing a rebellion from his clergy over his attempt to create a haven for opponents of female priests. …
One senior cleric in the diocese has accused the bishop of trying to establish a refuge for anti-women priests. He claimed that the decision to block the appointment of a new bishop who would ordain women was an attempt to create a haven for traditionalists opposed to female priests.”
– From The (UK) Telegraph. (Note the growing use of the word “traditionalist”.) Photo: Diocese of Chichester.
Anglicans give Christmas a multicultural makeover
It may have become traditional for angels, three wise men and the baby Jesus to play a starring role in the festive season.
But now Hindu snowmen, a Chinese dragon and a Jewish temple are also to be included in an attempt to make the celebrations more inclusive of Britain’s diverse communities. …
… However, some traditionalists warned that making Christmas multicultural and multi-faith threatened to undermine the Christian message.
– Story from The (UK) Telegraph. (Image: Westminster Abbey.)
The Tragedy of the faux-Evangelicals
Matt recently pointed us to a post by Christina Rees, chair of the women’s ordination pressure group WATCH (Women and the Church). The piece by Rees is one of several in the last week for the Guardian newspaper’s “Comment is Free” section.
Last week the question was raised “What should evangelicals believe?” This is, of course, a key question. Much of the fracturing amongst those who are opposed to the innovations of TEC and others in the Anglican Communion comes about because this simple question cannot be answered clearly. …
– David Ould writes at Stand Firm.
Battle within the Diocese
“A congregation on Binghamton’s southside will remain in its church, for now.
The Church of the Good Shepherd broke free when the Diocese of Central New York decided to embrace homosexuality.
Action News reporter Erik Burling was in court as both sides made their case to claim the church…”
– from WBNG News, New York. See also this earlier post.
Religion in schools to go God-free
Victorian state primary school students will soon have an alternative — religious education lessons taught by people who do not believe in God and say there is “no evidence of any supernatural power”.
The Humanist Society of Victoria has developed a curriculum, which the State Government accreditation body says it intends to approve, to deliver 30-minute lessons each week of “humanist applied ethics” to primary pupils. …
– The Age.
Britain heading for a “massacre of carols” this Christmas
Traditional Christmas carols are being wrecked by politically correct vicars who are altering well-known words because they think their congregations will not understand them or will find them offensive.…
– Ruth Gledhill writes at Times Online. (Photo: Times Online.)
The Pope a Protestant?
About once a week, the Bishop of Rome, Benedict XVI (Joseph Ratzinger), holds a “general audience” in St Peter’s Square in which he gives instruction (catechesis) to Roman Catholics. In three of the more recent of these catechetical audiences he has sounded themes that might be taken as Protestant. …
On 19 November, as part of a larger series on Paul’s theology, he gave the first of two brief addresses on justification. …
… doubtless many readers will be tempted to stop reading and to rejoice that the Reformation is over. … That would be a mistake.
– R. Scott Clark, Professor of Church History and Historical Theology at Westminster Seminary California, looks at the Pope’s teaching in its context – at The Heidelblog.
(Image: The Vatican website.)
Robert Gagnon responds to Newsweek
Dr. Robert A. J. Gagnon of Pittsburgh Theological Seminary has written a lengthy reply to the Newsweek article (see earlier links: Newsweek goes for Gay Marriage, and Sola scriptura minus the scriptura).
Dr Gagnon’s response analyses and dismantles the Newsweek argument. Well worth reading. PDF file (direct link) at www.robgagnon.net.
(Photo: Pittsburgh Theological Seminary.)
Presiding Bishop taps Episcopal lawyers to fund TEC lawsuits
“According to the Executive Council minutes from February and October 2008, they have pulled $900,000 in trusts just to re-establish the three dioceses – San Joaquin, Pittsburgh and Ft. Worth – that have seceded from TEC.
There will not be enough money to litigate the AMiA, CANA, Southern Cone, Kenya parishes still in their buildings, said the source. …”
– Story from VirtueOnline. (Photo: Episcopal Life Online.)
The Secularisation of the Church
… As The Times [London] reported the story:
The Church of England should be open for use by people of any religion or none, like a hospital, says Dr John Sentamu, the Archbishop of York.
There is a strong case for regarding the Church as a public body that does not exist simply to serve believers, he argues. Whether or not most people attend regularly is irrelevant.
This is a strange and pathetic vision of the church. No longer the assembly of believers, the church is now defined merely as a public utility.…
– Al Mohler comments. (Photo of Archbishop Semantu: Archbishop of York’s website.)
Derek Kidner (1913–2008) with the Lord
From Justin Taylor –
“I’ve heard confirmation that OT scholar Derek Kidner has gone to be with the Lord. The memorial service was held last Friday.
Kidner, an ordained Anglican priest, held the following positions:
- Curate of St. Nicholas, Sevenoaks (1941-1947)
- Vicar of Felsted (1947-1951)
- Senior Tutor at Oak Hill Theological College (1951-1964)
- Warden of Tyndale House in Cambridge (1964-1978)
He was known for his engaging, insightful, and accessible work on the Old Testament.”
(Image: cover of Derek Kidner’s Bible Speaks Today commentary on Ecclesiastes, 1976.)
Rector’s Journal: Failed negotiations, email exchanges, an ambush…
Matt Kennedy outlines his church’s interaction with the TEC’s Diocese of Central New York.
“On Friday December 12th, 2008, the Diocese of Central New York will attempt to takeover both the property and the assets belonging the Church of the Good Shepherd. …”
– at Stand Firm.
Sydney Standing Committee ‘warmly welcomes’ new Province
Anglican Diocese of Sydney
Media Release 8 December 2008
The Standing Committee of the Diocese of Sydney has welcomed the creation of the Province of the Anglican Church in North America.
At its December 8 meeting, the committee passed the following resolution –
“Standing Committee, noting that a provisional constitution for the Province of the Anglican Church in North America was adopted on 3 December 2008, warmly welcomes the creation of the new Province, and sends our greetings to the faithful men and women who have taken this significant step forward in gospel mission, and assures them of our prayers for God’s blessing on the Province as it works to make Jesus known and as it represents orthodox North American Anglicans in the councils of the Anglican Communion.”
What we believe
The message at the heart of Christianity is really quite simple…