Thursday, March 31, 2011

Controversial

The good people of Warbleton and Bodle Street Green have requested a session on Predestination, Free Will, the Sovereignty of God and all that jazz.

And I'm thinking we also ought to have a session on Women Bishops as I think our PCCs are soon to be called upon to discuss the matter.

Controversial stuff. But important and lots of fun too!

Calvin: all human action is futile

Continuing the theme of the previous post of intelligent people saying stupid things, a presenter on Radio 4 this week introduced Calvin as teaching the futility of all human action. Of course, Calvin taught no such thing. He very clearly upheld the significance and responsibility of human action. He was a very active man himself and his actions achieved much, under God.

Dawkins: Don't be a barbarian - read Bible

The eminent and outspoken atheist, Prof Richard Dawkins has said:

...of the King James Bible.


We are a Christian culture, we come from a Christian culture, and not to know the King James Bible is to be, in some way, barbarian. (for the full quote see here)

It is, however, one of the most absurd things that I have ever heard that he goes on to say that "religion should not be allowed to hijack this cultural resource". "Highjack"? Come on, Dicky! Are you seriously arguing that the King James Bible is not inherently, essentially, primarily religious? I think this comment shows that Mr Dawkins is willing to say anything, however ridiculous, to oppose "religion".

HT: Kip

Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Science has disproved Christianity

To say that science has disproved Christianity is a bit like saying cookery has disproved roast dinners. Science is a method. Christianity is one of the possible outcomes to which science helps to direct us, if used rightly. The proof of the pudding is in the eating. And Christianity (or roast dinners) may need to be understood and assessed by rather different methods from science (or cookery technique). Taste and see that the LORD is Good.

Thursday, March 10, 2011

Astronauts & archeologists

What I learnt at Deanery Chapter today:

As we get older, we tend to go from being like astronauts to being like archaeologists.

In our youth, we tend to be keen to explore new worlds, to launch off into the future.

As we get older, we come to care more about the past, about our history and roots.

Hardship

Hardship tends to make people bitter or better.

The Good Book

I bet A C Grayling's so-called Secular Bible won't be half as good as the real thing.

There's a fine line between ambition and hubristic blasphemy.

The blurb talks about it: "going back to traditions older than Christianity, and far richer and more various"

We shall see!

In Christ are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and kowledge (Col 2:3).

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom (Proverbs 9:10).

Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out! "Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counsellor?" "Who has ever given to God, that God should repay him?" For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be the glory for ever! Amen. (Romans 11:33ff)

Melyvn Bragg on KJV

On the Telly: Sat 8pm BBC 2 - The King James Bible: The Book that Changed The World

At the Charleston Festival

The Book of Books

Melvyn Bragg

Wednesday 25 May 3.30pm Tickets £12

Four hundred years old and still one of Britain’s biggest exports, the King James Bible has a turbulent history: the 300 year fight to get it translated; the grisly deaths of many of the scholars involved; the drama of the Reformation and the extraordinary life of William Tyndale. Even those unfamiliar with the Authorised Version will use many of its 257 phrases in everyday conversation. Melvyn Bragg discusses the impact of the King James Bible on everything from English language and literature to modern life. Melvyn Bragg, broadcaster, novelist and Life Peer, has had a significant influence on our cultural landscape.

Wednesday, March 09, 2011

Bibles suitable for children

I am taking a weekly primary school assembly. I've used both the Good News Bible and the New International Version there. Some friends were suggesting easier English / Child-friendly versions and I wanted to preserve this alphabet soup Note To Self for further digestion:

CEV
New Century Version / Inernational Children's Bible
NLT
NET Bible - " may be the best combination of readability and accuracy in English today"

Tuesday, March 08, 2011

An Order of Service for Ash Wednesday Communion

For a situation where the congregation will use copies of The Book of Common Prayer, but where you want to do lots of seasonal stuff:

Welcome & introduction (Common Worship: Times & Seasons, p223)

Scripture sentences (T&S, p220)

The Collect for Purity (BCP, p237)

“Let us pray for grace to keep Lent faithfully.”

The Collect for Ash Wednesday (BCP, p84)

Hymn 1: 156 Come Down, O Love Divine

The Litany (BCP, p30)

Reading (1): Isaiah 1:10-18

Reading (2): Luke 15:11-end

Sermon

Creed (BCP, p240)

Hymn 2: 135 Rock of Ages, Cleft For Me

Invitation to Confession (T&S, p212)

Introduction to Confession & Confession (BCP, p251)

Ashes (T&S, p230)

Absolution (& ? Comfortable Words) (BCP, p252)

The Peace (T&S, p231)

Eucharist (BCP, p252ff) – Seasonal Preface (T&S, p232) omitting Gloria

The Lord’s Prayer in its traditional form (BCP, p257)

Prayer after Communion (T&S, p233)

Hymn 3: 212 He Who Would Valiant Be (offering?)

Reading from Matthew 6:16-18 and an exhortation to wash!

Seasonal Blessing (T&S, p235)

Thursday, March 03, 2011

How's the PhD going?

:)