Priest ‘ruins Christmas’ for kids
A Catholic priest has been criticised by parents in a city in northern Italy for telling their children that Father Christmas does not really exist. …
– ‘Shocking’ story from BBC News about telling the truth.
The Future of Jesus – Peter Jensen
Last week Steve Austin on ABC Radio in Brisbane interviewed Archbishop Peter Jensen on ‘The Future of Jesus’.
Audio of the interview is available on the ABC Brisbane website.
(Photo of Steve Austin: ABC Radio.)
Archbishop of Jos appeals for help to address losses
“We are slowly settling down to accept the difficulties we are in and to ask for grace to be able to move forward. We are extremely sad that our members were killed for no other reason than that they were Christians, and that many Christians lost their businesses and homes simply because they are Christians.
It is utterly sad that the reason for these attacks is being said to be political. …
For the records, let me point out the following:
1. It should be pointed out that there is no record that Christians have ever begun a crisis or been the ones to initiate violence. …”
– Anglican Mainstream has this report from Archbishop Ben Kwashi about the violence in Jos.
(Photo: Church of Nigeria.)
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.)
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.)
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.)
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.”
Short and Packer honoured
Distinguished Anglican theologian JI Packer and the Rev David Short have been appointed honorary clerical canons of Sydney’s St Andrew’s Cathedral.
Both Dr Packer and Mr Short had their licenses removed by the Canadian Anglican leadership when their church, St. John’s Shaughnessy in Vancouver, voted to realign with the Province of the Southern Cone. …
– Russell Powell reports at SydneyAnglicans.net
Episcopal Diocese of L.A. officially condones the blessing of gay unions
The bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles has announced that church leaders can bless the unions of same-sex couples as a matter of policy.
The Rt. Rev. J. Jon Bruno, whose diocese encompasses Los Angeles County and five other Southern California counties, made the announcement Friday during a diocesan convention in Riverside. …
– Report from The Los Angeles Times.
Archbishop Peter Akinola interviewed by Nigerian media
“I saw a card with the inscription, season greetings, and I said what season? Winter season or rainy season? If we are celebrating Christmas, then we are celebrating Christmas season, not any other season but the birth of the Christ.
Christ is the centre, and purpose and essence of Christmas celebration, so if you remove Christ from the card and the greeting, then, what are you people talking about? To the ordinary person, it is a harmless thing but if you look at the background, and you see what is happening around, then you will know it is not ordinary. It is part of the game of the anti-Christ to remove Christ and not only that, to remove all Christian emblems from public domain.…”
– Published in The Nigerian Tribune, this interview with Archbishop Peter Akinola covers GAFCON, the church in Nigeria, the church in the West, and celebrating Christmas.
What we believe
The message at the heart of Christianity is really quite simple…