That is, if he takes his own words seriously: No, Tyler was a victim -- not of an inner disturbance of depression or mental illness--but of an external and in part religiously inspired disdain and hatred of gay people. Despite the progress we're making on achieving equality under the law and acceptance in society for …
Katharine Birbalsingh: Maybe Our Next Tennessee Commissioner of Education?
For Americans who are unfamiliar with this British drama, Katharine Birbalsingh is the British deputy headteacher of an Anglican school in London who "outed" herself as a conservative and spoke passionately about the shortcomings of the educational system in the UK (many of which are shared here, as Michelle Rhee has found out) at a …
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Blessing the Animals, and Must the Rector Search Committee Have Its Own Chaplain?
I still don't get this: Two congregations will celebrate the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi with a blessing of the animals. The Episcopal Church of Bethesda-by-the-Sea invites pets and their owners to the celebration Oct. 3. The procession into the church will begin at 8:45 a.m., with the service starting at 9 a.m. Coffee …
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Charity vs. Justice Work: The Difference Is Important
The Lead, quoting William Sloane Coffin, puts the question clearly: Had I but one wish for the churches of America I think it would be that they come to see the difference between charity and justice. Charity is a matter of personal attributes; justice, a matter of public policy. Charity seeks to eliminate the effects …
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What do you expect us to do with it, give it to the poor?
This priceless anecdote, from a recent conversation re confirmation on StandFirm: Another move, no LCMS (Lutheran Church Missouri Synod), no CRC (Christian Reformed Church), but an invitation to teach Adult Bible Class at the Episcopal Church (dismal failure; Episcopalians generally have little interest in reading, mush less studying, the Bible). This was before the 1979 …
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Priest-in-Charge, Pastoral Woes and Authority in the Church
I found intriguing Elizabeth Kaeton's piece on priests-in-charge. It was interesting because it's one of those rare posts (in this case from a liberal) which transcends the left-right divide that defines just about everything these days. For my Evangelical readers, if you're interested in the whole business of "priest-in-charge" you'll need to read her post. …
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Take the Celebration to the People
As many of you know, for me, in one sense, this is it: at the end of August, I will be leaving as Ministries Coordinator of the Church of God Department of Laity Ministries. Next week is our General Assembly in Orlando, in many ways the place where I will make my parting "social." As …
The Government Leans on the Church of England for Jeffrey Johns
Damian Thompson's list for why Dr. Jeffrey John (the openly gay CoE clergyman who may become Bishop of Southwark) is a good one, but this item especially caught my eye: David Cameron apparently supports Dr John’s candidacy. Nothing could underline Cameron’s right-on credentials more effectively than supporting the episcopal ordination of a Left-wing gay priest. …
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Katharine Jefferts-Schori: Pushing People Towards the Margins
If you are given the opportunity to talk long and frequently long enough, you will blurt out the truth, as Episcopal Church Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts-Schori did in New Zealand: Disagreement with The Episcopal Church about gay bishops is one thing: but why have those two ordinations provoked such intense antagonism? Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori …
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Rufinus on the Canon of Scripture
From his Commentary on the Apostles' Creed (36-38): Whence also the Apostle says, "All Scripture given by inspiration of God is profitable for instruction." And therefore it seems proper in this place to enumerate, as we have learned from the tradition of the Fathers, the books of the New and of the Old Testament, which, …
Positive Infinity 