Bosco Peters John Cleese – Church of JC Capitalist
Frank Cranmer Law & Religion UK The Church of England and legislative reform orders
Colin Coward My Faith
Peter Hitchens Mail Online Send Not to ask for Whom the Bell Tolls. It Tolls for Thee. Thoughts on a Injustice “Wait for it – a new disclosure on the Bell case”
Philip Jones Ecclesiastical Law Baptism: Sin, Sacrament, Sacrilege and Salvation
The article on baptism is an interesting summary, well worth reflecting upon, especially by those of us who belong to an established church with a relationship to the whole nation, churched and unchurched. I love the fact that in the foundation story of Israel, everyone was delivered through the Red Sea: the young, the old, babies, children, doubtless people without mental capacity through age or other reason… that archetypal ‘baptism’ was provided for the whole nation, regardless of their faith, or lack of it. And to me, that is an expression of the profound truth that God acts first. God… Read more »
Colin: “I believe that the quality of our relationships is fundamental to the call to healing and common life, living alongside and working with people, as transparently as possible, engaged with, praying with, exploring truth with, journeying on the Way with as it evolves over a lifetime.” Amen. People talk about doctrine and some try to demand uniformity, or an institutional imperium (like the Covenant…) But actually, common life and unity has to be *lived* and *shared* in relationship. God the Holy Trinity, after all, is fundamentally and radically relational. It is the very nature of the eternal household of… Read more »
When does an event become a saga? When it’s personal, for one thing. Peter Hitchens is driven and determined but that doesn’t necessarily make one’s viewpoint right. The Bell case may be many things to Peter, I can’t really say.
I am certain Colin Coward’s piece (which ought to be read in conjunction with hid blog posts either side) will resonate with many on TA. I see it very differently. For me, contemplative prayer involves two key components. Firstly, revelation. Secondly, discernment. Is the revelation from God, auto-suggestion, or is it from the great deceiver? Pieces which talk of revelation without balancing discernment worry me. It is a problem by no means limited to liberals. The thing is, revelation can occur in an instant. Discernment tends to require significant work over a period of time and, crucially, it involves testing… Read more »
Cool article on Baptism: it illustrates both how important and how silly discussing – or arguing – about the sacraments can be.