Beijing is one thing, but this kind of thing is another altogether. People forget that the rule of the Dalai Lama in Tibet (and I'm not just talking about the present holder of the title, but in general) has both secular and theocratic aspects. If the Tibetans abandon Buddhism, they abandon the Dalai Lama. That's …
Losing the Church Property, or Why the Romanians Don’t Tithe
The fallout (and for the true Anglicans, the agony) of the California Supreme Court's decision to uphold trusts based on the Dennis Canon--and thus facilitate the retention of parish property by the Diocese of Los Angeles and TEC--has generated a lot of comment, some of which has linked back to this site (thanks!) One of …
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Isaiah 40:31
This week's podcast has a decidedly "homemade" sound to the production, but the song is both beautiful and different from the usual version. It's Isaiah 40:31, written by Dr. James Stocks and rehearsed by the band of The Answer is Jesus Christ Coffeehouse in 1975. Take a listen of this very popular verse of Scripture …
Confidence in–and Fanaticism About–Public Education
Phil Hoover took exception to my characterisation that the Obamas' decision to put their girls in Sidwell Friends School was a vote of "no confidence" in public education: It is not a “no confidence” vote for the public school. What it is: a realistic and safe choice for these two beautiful little girls who need …
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The Two-Edged Sword of Central Property Ownership of Churches
Tomorrow the California Supreme Court will render its decision on a series of cases regarding the secession of several parishes from TEC. Needless to say, it's a nail-biter for everyone. Anglican Cumudgeon has been covering this saga in detail (he doesn't do it any other way) but what interested me was a comment from the …
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Malia and Sasha Obama: Back to the Friends School, and a Vote of “No Confidence” for Public Education
It seems that the Obamas, having brought the horde of Clintonistas on board their administration, are following the Clintons in another way: they're enrolling their daughters Malia and Sasha at the Sidwell Friends School in Washington. The Clintons were criticised for their decision to send Chelsea there, as people felt it was a vote of …
Reply to Kevin Walker on Salvation, the Nature of the Church and N.T. Wright
Kevin Walker had an excellent post on The Language of Salvation, which dealt with a passage from N.T. Wright. His response to my comments was as follows: Thanks for commenting Don. I just started reading N.T. Wright, and I'm enjoying his work. My only beef is, like you said in your comment, that he almost …
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The Nature of the Change We’re About to Get
Reminds me of the change that took place towards the end of second century Rome: We are apt to wonder to-day at the great political and national developments that have altered the whole aspect of Europe since the French Revolution, and to reflect rather idly on their rapidity. Yet the past has its own stories …
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Anglican Calendar Script Updated
It's been a while, but the Anglican Calendar Script--a popular feature of the site--has been updated. Two changes have been made: A bug which prevented the correct reporting of the First Sunday in Christmas has been fixed. The whole series of celebrations around the turn of the year (Christmas, Circumcision, Epiphany) is the trickiest part …
My Life, and a Challenge for Missional Ministers
I'm kicking off the New Year with the song Ma Vie (My Life), from the album De l'abondance du coeur, la bouche parle (For what fills the heart will rise to the lips) by the French group Les Reflets. It is in French, but the version podcasted has video that goes with my piece When …
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Positive Infinity 