Michael Curry & the Royal Wedding. A star-turn offers the world ‘Christianity-lite’.
The world is rightly talking about Michael Curry’s wedding sermon. It was a ‘tour-de-force’. He is very good at preaching. But it also offers us all an insight into the dramatic difference between the two kinds of Christianity that are at odds with each other in the Anglican Communion.
We will call them for the moment, ‘Christianity-max’, and ‘Christianity-lite’. Continue reading “Michael Curry & the Royal Wedding. A star-turn offers the world ‘Christianity-lite’.”
Meghan Markle, Justin Welby & The Use And Abuse Of Baptism.
The Archbishop of Canterbury has announced that he is going to baptise (and confirm) Meghan Markle at a private ceremony in a private chapel at Kensington Palace, very soon.
Ms Markle has let it be known that she is becoming an Anglican out of respect for her future grandmother-in-law, and her position as Supreme Governor of the Church of England. Continue reading “Meghan Markle, Justin Welby & The Use And Abuse Of Baptism.”
‘Operation Opra’: Secular self-righteousness – a mixture of morality, hypocrisy and revenge.
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.”
The personal story behind the consecration of Gavin Ashenden as missionary bishop; Published by ‘Christian Today.’
The article published by Christian Today
Dr Gavin Ashenden, who was a chaplain to the Queen from 2008 until he resigned earlier this year, was consecrated a bishop in 2013 while he was still a chaplain to the Queen, Christian Today can reveal. Continue reading “The personal story behind the consecration of Gavin Ashenden as missionary bishop; Published by ‘Christian Today.’”
Choosing between Jesus and Mohammed.
I need to put the record straight. It’s all too easy for clergy to suffer from pomposity.
I’m often describe as the Queen’s chaplain, whereas in fact there are droves of us; 36 in total. The Royal ecclesiastical household is a busy place. But the mistake, usually a press mistake is good for headlines. “THE Queen’s chaplain has said”..sounds hugely important in a headline, and it is very misleading.
And it happened again this week. THE Queen’s chaplain condemns reading of the Koran in cathedral. It was ‘a’ chaplain. I am in fact very much in favour of people reading the Koran. There are some beautiful and moving passages about loving God and being generous; and blood curdling ones about punishing and killing people who misbehave. But there is a time and a place. Continue reading “Choosing between Jesus and Mohammed.”