Our nature lies in movement; complete calm is death. Blaise Pascal I caught up with an old friend a few years ago over coffee. He confided in me that he wasn’t sure if he believed in hell any more. He was a church leader with an evangelical background. He didn’t seem concerned. After all, he [...]
Category Archives: 5. Decay
A case study in decline
6 July, 2010 – 7:32 PM
There is nothing more important to the vitality of a movement than it’s commitment to its core beliefs. Dynamic movements hold both orthodoxy (core beliefs) and engagement with the culture in creative tension. About a year ago my denomination (Baptist Union of Victoria) reappointed its New Testament professor, Dr Keith Dyer. The appointment was supported [...]
Neither “Progressive” nor “Christian”
6 July, 2010 – 1:25 AM
Earlier this year the Common Dreams conference drew together people from Australia, North America and the South Pacific to Melbourne, to explore ways that ”progressive religion” can contribute positively to the common good. I’ve just listened to a two part series on “Progressive Christianity” based around interviews with keynote speakers and participants. The interviews are [...]
Those wobbling bishops
2 July, 2010 – 9:04 PM
The Ugly Vicar explains the dynamics of how church leaders come to undermine the very beliefs and values they are called to uphold. Note the public silence of key moral issues until they build a consensus to change rules and regulations. The only effective response to this undermining of the Christian faith? — radical principled [...]
Why this deafening silence?
1 July, 2010 – 10:06 AM
But the intent of the same-sex ‘ ‘sacred union ceremony” at Brunswick Uniting Church was fairly clear: vows and rings were exchanged, there were prayers and blessings, and a multi-tiered white cake to aid post-service celebrations.
The Uniting Church of Australia has come a long way in the last 30 years since it was formed out of the union of Methodist, Presbyterian and Congregational churches.
A lost cause
19 December, 2009 – 8:49 PM
In 1927 Robert Wilder resigned and returned to the mission field. He was the first and last of the founding leaders. The Student Volunteer Movement continued to distance itself from the missionary ideals that had launched it. At the 1928 SVM convention in Detroit, Sherwood Eddy publicly repudiated the founding vision of the movement: “The [...]
Wishing you a “progressive” Xmas
18 December, 2009 – 9:45 AM
A “progressive” Anglican church in Auckland, New Zealand has erected a billboard depicting Mary looking dejected after unsatisfying sex with Joseph. The huge ad shows the unhappy couple in bed accompanied by the slogan: “Poor Joseph. God was a hard act to follow.” In the fresco-style work, Joseph looks down red-faced while an anguished Mary [...]
When “nice” is a health hazard
4 December, 2009 – 1:58 AM
I recently encountered a group of denominational leaders who held views on biblical authority and sexual ethics that were diametrically opposed to the vast majority of their members and churches. How is such a situation sustainable? Easily. Most of the members are unaware of the views shared by their denomination’s leadership. The conspiracy of silence [...]
Why Episcopalian decline matters
2 December, 2009 – 2:24 AM
New York Times: How many members of the Episcopal Church are there in this country? Bishop Schori: About 2.2 million. It used to be larger percentagewise, but Episcopalians tend to be better-educated and tend to reproduce at lower rates than some other denominations. Roman Catholics and Mormons both have theological reasons for producing lots of [...]
A new faith for the 19th century
16 September, 2008 – 9:18 AM
Francis Macnab. Photo: John Woudstra Posing for photographs in front of a 19th century church organ, Francis Mcnab proclaimed a new faith for the 21st century. Apparently a new faith was necessary because the old faith (orthodox Christianity) no longer works. Out goes Abraham—a concoction. Out goes Moses—a mass murderer. Out goes the 10 Commandments—one [...]
