Abortion ‘buffer zones’, free speech and religious freedom
“Governments around Australia are showing a sudden enthusiasm for introducing restricted ‘zones’ around clinics offering abortions, in order to prevent protestors from operating in those areas. Tasmania has introduced such legislation…”
– Neil Foster looks at some of the ethical and legal implications of ‘buffer zone’ legislation. Where does freedom of religion fit in?
New TEC Presiding Bishop to be installed
Bishop Michael Curry will be installed as Presiding Bishop in the Episcopal Church’s Washington National Cathedral on Sunday. It appears to be an exercise in multi-faith spirituality.
The order of service is available at this link.
Is God a She?
“As Christians, we cede power to God. We give up the claim to run our own life, and submit to him as our Lord. That is our basic relationship to him: we are creatures and disciples. …
I found it noteworthy that Mrs Treweek … asserts her right to be addressed as she wants to be addressed, so that Her Majesty the Queen herself has to comply in her writs. … Should we not extend the same courtesy to God as Bishop Rachel insists upon for herself?”
– Church Society’s Dr Lee Gatiss responds to statements by Bishop Rachel Treweek, that Christians should use male and female pronouns when referring to God.
(Photo: Diocese of Gloucester.)
‘Good Disagreement’ — Book review
“As a collection of informative and thought provoking essays the book is outstanding …
However some questions arise which are not answered in this book. For example, the issue of what is adiaphora and what is non-negotiable is discussed, but no answer is provided on what are the key doctrines, and who decides them. If those who come to a different conclusion and still claim the name ‘Anglican’ can’t be ‘chucked out’ (Archbishop Welby’s phrase), does that essentially mean there are no boundaries, there are many ‘truths’ or ‘integrities’, and is that ecclesiologically credible? As has been said, an outcome of respectful ‘walking apart’ is mentioned but not explored at all.”
– At Anglican Mainstream, Andrew Symes looks at a book produced to help everyone in the Church of England get on together.
‘God is not a he or a she’, says first female bishop to sit in House of Lords
“God should not necessarily be seen as a masculine figure, according to the UK’s first female bishop to sit in the House of Lords on Monday. ‘God is not to be seen as male. God is God,’ said Rachel Treweek, bishop of Gloucester, who is to be inaugurated in parliament.
While acknowledging that many Anglicans would profoundly disagree, Treweek said the Church of England should use both male and female pronouns when referring to God…”
– Story from The Guardian. (Photo: Diocese of Gloucester.)
See also: Is God a She?
‘The Episcopal Church has come a long way’
“The Episcopal Church has come a long way in the last 10 years. We are no longer consumed by internal conflict over various social issues…”
– Few would disagree with TEC Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori’s assessment as she leaves office.
Related: The Sydney Lambeth Decision Briefing (2008 – and much has happened since then!)
GAFCON Chairman’s Pastoral Letter October 2015
Speaking of the meeting of Primates called by the Archbishop of Canterbury for January 2016, GAFCON Chairman Eliud Wabukala writes:
“I believe this will be an historic meeting unlike anything that has gone before. There is now a shared realisation that the time for dialogue is over and there must be a decision that will settle the future direction of the Communion and free us from being dragged down by controversy and confusion.”
– Read his full October 2015 Pastoral Letter here.
Global South Primates — Cairo Communiqué
The Global South Primates have released a Communiqué after their meeting in Cairo, October 14–16.
“While we were disappointed that the general Global South Conference in Tunisia was cancelled at the last minute due to security reasons, we are immensely grateful to God who blessed this rescheduled Primates Meeting in Cairo.”
– Read their full Communiqué via the Anglican Communion News Service.
George Conger at Anglican Ink also has the Communiqué with some commentary.
Sydney Synod reaffirms marriage
“A capacity-crowd at the Sydney Synod has voted for a re-affirmation of marriage as between a man and a woman and called for all Australian Christians to respectfully engage in the public debate on redefining marriage.
‘If we don’t do this – what will our silence say?’ argued Tara Sing [pictured], who spoke as seconder of the reaffirmation motion…”
– Read the story at SydneyAnglicans.net.
Will revisionism save the C of E? We’re about to find out
Anglican Mainstream’s Andrew Symes writes about elections to the Church of England’s General Synod, and the election of The Rev Andrew Foreshew-Cain as a representative for the Diocese of London –
“In February 2014 the Bishops’ post-Synod statement reiterated that the Church of England cannot bless same sex relationships nor change its doctrine of marriage.
Specifically an appeal was made to clergy in same sex relationships (which were supposed to be “celibate” anyway) not to take advantage of the forthcoming change in law (March 2014) to get married, because this would cause confusion about the Church’s teaching.
Two clergy who defied this ruling became focal points for media interest: Jeremy Pemberton and Andrew Cain. What are we to make of the fact that the latter has become part of the decision making and governing body of the organisation whose teaching and practice on a crucial matter he has rejected?”
– Read it here.
Liberalism and the Church of Scotland
David Robertson, minister of St. Peter’s Free Church in Dundee, has been reflecting on the direction of the Church of Scotland. (Ten Reasons Why the Church of Scotland is in Decline – March 20, 2015.)
As a result, he was recently invited to take part in a public conversation with a prominent Church of Scotland minister.
The full transcript of the only recording (mp3 file) is both disturbing in what it reveals of classic liberalism, and most encouraging in David’s example in speaking the truth.
Bishop of Stockholm wants crosses removed, directions to Mecca added
“The Bishop of Stockholm has proposed a church in her diocese remove all signs of the cross and put down markings showing the direction to Mecca for the benefit of Muslim worshippers…”
– Story from Breitbart.com. Image: Wikipedia.
‘Turnbull Govt victim of abortion lobby push to silence Troy Newman’
“The Australian Christian Lobby has expressed concern that the Turnbull Government has acted hastily at the request of the abortion lobby to deny a visa to an American pro-life advocate…
‘Australian taxpayer money funds Planned Parenthood operations in the Asia-Pacific region and Mr Newman’s visit promises to shed light on the abortion provider’s murky activities.’…”
– strong words from the Australian Christian Lobby, who have also launched a petition calling on the Immigration Minister to reverse the decision to deny Mr Newman a visa.
From Bible Society Australia:
The SMH is reporting, “Counsel for the Commonwealth gave the undertaking not to immediately remove Mr Newman at a hearing in Melbourne before High Court justice Geoffrey Nettle on Thursday evening, at which counsel for Mr Newman sought to have the decision to bar him from Australia overturned.”
On Thursday afternoon Immigration Minister Peter Dutton agreed to not deport Newman for 24 hours.
Eternity understands the matter will be decided this afternoon.
Update: What the Aussie Media has not told you about Troy Newman – John Sandeman.
Rod Thomas consecrated Bishop of Maidstone
“On Wednesday [23rd September], in a service led by Justin Welby at Canterbury Cathedral, Rod Thomas was consecrated as the Bishop of Maidstone. … He has been appointed to enable conservative evangelicals to flourish in the Church of England…”
– Report from Susie Leafe, the Director of Reform, via Anglican Mainstream.
See also: Rod Thomas responds to questions for the ReNEW Conference last month (video).
‘Anglican Church concerned gay marriage would force Christian wedding suppliers to cater for same-sex couples’
“Conservative elements within Australia’s Anglican Church want new laws giving devout Christians the right to discriminate against same-sex couples, as the Federal Government pushes ahead with plans to hold a national plebiscite on the issue of gay marriage. …
The synod of the Anglican Church’s Sydney diocese will next month consider a report from a senior bishop which argues that wedding service providers should have the “religious freedom” to refuse to cater for gay couples.”
– Report on ABC Radio’s The World Today.
What we believe
The message at the heart of Christianity is really quite simple…