http://writewithcourage.libsyn.com/gavin-ashenden
It has always seemed strange to me that once the gay community won their freedom to marry in civil law, as well having gained legal protection in civil partnerships, they should move onto the offensive and attack the rights of Christian clergy and churches to retain their own distinctive definition of marriage.
After all, the gay community understandably pitched their case to the rest of society saying, “look this is how we are – these are our values- please respect us and allow the law to reflect and affirm our life styles and convictions. Continue reading “Gay marriage and conscience clauses (published in Jersey where conscience clauses are being debated)”
There was something magnificent about Oprah Winfrey at the Golden Globe awards.
She commanded the whole room, perhaps as she stood there with the cameras on her, she commanded the whole media-connected world; by turn chat show host, enraged mother figure, avenging angel, future president even. She combined a range of roles all at once that dominated the stage she stood on, and the imaginations she had burst in on. Continue reading “‘Operation Opra’: Secular self-righteousness – a mixture of morality, hypocrisy and revenge.”
https://www.eternitynews.com.au/good-news/how-would-you-answer-the-question-what-is-sin/
While four-letter words get all the attention, Christians struggle more with some three letter words. “Sin” for example. This word trapped Tim Farron, a public Christian who led the UK Liberal Democrats during last year’s election. On the campaign trail, Farron was asked: “Is gay sex a sin?” He prevaricated, finally answering “no”, and later resigned as the party’s leader.
Farron has recently recanted to a Christian radio station, Premier, saying he should have answered “yes.”
“The thing is, you can’t argue people into a relationship with God.” – Gavin Ashenden
In the wake of the Farron turn-around, London talkback host Ian Dale asked Gavin Ashenden, missionary bishop and former chaplain to the Queen: “So, what is sin to you?”
A tale of two live Arcbishops, one dead bishop and the practice of hypocrisy.
Welby, Carey and Bell.
Hypocrisy is found when you apply one rule for others to their detriment and a different one for yourself.
The case of the accusation of Bishop George Bell has uncovered a nasty side to the Church of England, and for that matter, to Lambeth Palace. Continue reading “Justin Welby must apologise or resign.”
The Choice facing the Archbishop of Canterbury
http://www.anglican.ink/article/gavin-ashenden-looks-choices-face-our-archbishops-canterbury
THOSE WHO DO NOT LEARN FROM HISTORY….
In Germany in the 1930’s, the seed of fascism was taking root. It grew ferociously fast. Some parts of the Church saw what was coming and stood against it. They became known as ‘the Confessing Church’. Other parts of the Church cooperated with the secular agenda of the new regime, hoping to buy political credit and claiming it gave them an invaluable influence. Continue reading “The Choice facing the Archbishop of Canterbury”
“ ’Play Nicely on Twitter’-
Advice from the Last Archbishop of Canterbury?”
Schisms and Anathemas
In 1054, the way you expressed the deepest disapproval for a theological opponent was to slap a bull of excommunication on his altar. Continue reading “HERESY AND EQUALITY IN THE CHURCH © Gavin Ashenden”
The newly appointed bishop of Gloucester, + Rachel Treweek, has had to ask the Queen not to write to her as a ‘Reverend Father in God’. She returned the document addressed to her. The scribes have not caught up yet . She is not a father. This has been the time-honoured way of addressing Christian bishops down the ages, but it stops now for the Church of England.