Hey now baby, get into my big black car. I’m a political Bishop and I practice what I preach.

Anglican bishops do like to pontificate on politics. A whole bunch of them are ganging up on poor old Gordon Brown and telling him he is doing a rotten job. Normally, nothing would give me greater pleasure than hearing the leader of a socialist government being excoriated; but in this case, the pot is calling the kettle black. If the bishops were not doing such a bad job themselves, more of the populace would be Christian and wouldn’t need the government interfering in their lives.

” And the devil took him up and showed him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time, and said to him, “To you I will give all this authority and their glory, for it has been delivered to me, and I give it to whom I will.” Luke 4:5.

Jesus resisted the temptation to further his kingdom through worldly power; Anglican bishops seem to have more trouble with that particular temptation. Politics is about the exercise of earthly power and the Anglican clerical elite seem all too willing to dive in. It’s hard not to get the impression that they are more comfortable with politics than faith  – more comfortable with social engineering than individual redemption.

Clergy  are as entitled as anyone else to comment on social issues; they would probably claim that their position infuses their meanderings on the social issues of the day with special import; it doesn’t. The implication that being theologically astute – I’m optimistically assuming that at least some western bishops fall into this category – is a qualification that lends insight on how to solve our economic woes and bring prosperity to the Third World is as likely as it being needed to remove someone’s appendix.

The bishops would like us to believe that a particular political slant naturally flows from a Christian perspective; but that is quite wrong. If it were not, all Christians would have the same politics, and obviously they don’t. After all, Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan, George W Bush, Bill Clinton and Barack Obama are – or were – all Christians.

And Cardinal Cormac Murphey O’Conner has his own view.

What is it about Durham?

First we had Bishop David Jenkins:

DAVID JENKINS, the former Bishop of Durham who survived a storm in the 1980s when he questioned the literal truth of the resurrection, has been banned from preaching in two of his local churches for swearing in the pulpit.

Jenkins, 81, was barred after using the words “bloody” and “damn” in a sermon. The ban came after complaints from members of the congregation.

Obviously he is a bloody idiot; and where did he get that damn name?

And now we have Tom Wright floundering in a bog of incoherence:

“The last four months, have done, in economics, what September 11 2001 did in the world of power: provide a moment when the abstract analysis offered by postmodernity suddenly became concrete.”

Perhaps it is something in the Durham air that befuddles the mind.

The Totalitarianism of Equality

It seems that the UK government is determined to bring its pernicious brand of equality hell to 80 year olds:

Home for retired missionaries loses grant – because it won’t ask residents if they are lesbians

Brighton & Hove Council told the home to ask pensioners four times a year about their sexual orientation under its ‘fair access and diversity’ policies, which stem from New Labour equality laws.

Phil Wainwright, director of human resources for Pilgrim Homes, said he was told by the council the home had to ask residents if they were lesbian, gay, bisexual, heterosexual or ‘unsure’, even if they objected. Many of the elderly rebelled, however, and the home wrote to the council saying residents did not want to participate.

Mr Wainwright said: ‘There was a strong feeling among people in the home that the questions were inappropriate and intrusive. They felt they had come to Pilgrim Homes because of its Christian ethos and were upset they were not protected from such intrusions.’

Contrary to 21st Century neo-pagan superstition, there is only one path to God: through Jesus Christ. There are many paths to hell, though, and this one is paved with government sponsored egalitarian fascism; as Theodore Dalrymple observes:

Equality of opportunity is a thoroughly nasty and totalitarian concept. It is the demand that no one should start (or continue) life with any advantages relative to another. But how could such a condition actually be achieved? Leaving aside genetic differences, which must persist until all hereditary endowments can be made precisely the same, and which for the time being must be accepted even though they are unfair (not unjust, although most people nowadays seem to have difficulty distinguishing between the two), the only way environmental factors affecting opportunities can be made equal is by social engineering on a scale that would make North Korea look like a paradise of laissez-faire.

Bulging with accomplishments

Unintended humour department:

[Katie] Jordan tries hard to beat New Year bulge with a seafront workout.

She already has a number of accomplishments under her belt including several books, two perfumes and an underwear range.

No wonder there is a bulge.

B minor Mass: Laudamus te

From Bach’s B minor Mass, Karl Richter.

Tom Wright immanentizing the eschaton.

Tom Wright is doubtless a clever fellow and a respected theologian; like many theologians, though, when it comes to politics he exhibits a characteristic naivety:

The one thing we must not do is try to rebuild the modern ‘home’ in the same form. The Western economic systems have provided riches for the few and poverty for the many, locally and especially globally. Governments that can bale out rich banks and businesses are refusing to do the same for entire nations that have been rendered poor, and often homeless, by the systems which have made us rich in the first place. The usual excuses against debt remission (‘they were irresponsible; they must learn to pay their bills; they were led by corrupt fraudsters’) are now laughably hollow. Our western institutions have behaved no better.

Tom obviously doesn’t think much of capitalism; he appears to want to throw it out and start again. Western economic systems are suffering the consequences of having the underpinning ethical principles of Christianity ripped from under them. This is the real cause of our current financial crisis: self-interest unmolested by any sense of right and wrong. Contrary to what Tom Wright claims, Western economic systems are the only ones that have consistently produced wealth for all who are a part of them. If the bishop of Durham really wants to help, he could start by persuading his friend Rowan to stand up for the truth of the Gospel instead of joining him in whining about how naughty the banks have been.

Banks are run by people; Jer. 17:9 (The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?) applies to bankers just as it does to everyone else; Jesus came to free us from such wickedness. It’s a bishop’s job to remind us of that not to reform institutions; making more Christian bankers is a better bet for a bishop than this compulsive diagnosing of problems in areas where he has no expertise.

The utopia that Tom appears to be seeking is one that will only arrive with the eschaton; all human attempts to establish an early version have resulted in an earthly hell. I doubt that the efforts of this politician-manqué would fare much better.

Tom, if you want things to improve, forget the politics and get on with the really important job of making disciples.

Announcing the 2008 Canadian Anglican Awards…

for dowfart of the year.

This year’s runner up:
Bishop Michael Bird for his burgeoning Napoleon complex and for persistently suing the pants off anyone who gets in his way.

And the prize goes to:
Archbishop Fred Hiltz for giving -

“a continued commitment to the greatest extent possible to the three moratoria — on the blessing of same-sex unions, on the ordination to the episcopate of people in same-sex relationships and on cross-border interventions — until General Synod 2010.”

While simultaneously cheering on the dioceses of Ottawa, Montreal, New Westminster and Niagara for proceeding with same-sex blessings. And all done with aplomb and no hint of shame or embarrassment.

Honourable mentions:

• Rev. Ephraim Radner for his ability to use so many words to say so little.
• Bishop Cyrus Vance for trying to keep a roster of traitors.
• The whole diocese of Niagara for ruining “Amazing Grace” for everyone.
• Bishop Michael Ingham for trying to get rid of the most famous evangelical theologian alive today.
• Archbishop Rowan Williams for proposing Sharia law in the UK while being unable to maintain any order whatsoever in the church he is pretending to run. Yes, I know he’s not Canadian, but I’m being inclusive.
• Everyone at the ACI for changing the word “trajectory” into a theological term and then overusing it to the point of wearing it out.

Odd Jobs

Nova Scotia Scott tagged me so that I could bore everyone with a list of jobs I’ve had. I admit, after an early, unfulfilled yearning to be a train driver, my ambition was to live as a tantrel; but things rarely work out as one hopes.

“It’s simple. Just list all the jobs you’ve had in your life, in order. Don’t bust your brain: no durations or details are necessary, and feel free to omit anything that you feel might tend to incriminate you. I’m just curious. And when you’re done, tag another five bloggers you’re curious about.”

Counting traffic for the city.

Ice-cream vendor – on a bike.

Cataloguing school health data for the NHS.

Teaching computer languages at a community college.

From then on – that’s the last 40 years or so – I’ve been paid by various companies to fiddle around with their computers, mostly mainframes and networks. Many of my compatriots are either retired, dead or senile, but the alluring prospect of retiring myself recedes a little more each year.

A Solzhenitsyn Symposium

An interesting discussion on the significance of Alexander Solzhenitsyn. This summary is from Theodore Dalrymple:

It seems to me that we have asked three fundamental questions:

i) What is the literary standing or status of Solzhenitsyn?

ii) What was his political effect in practice, in the Soviet Union and the West.

iii) Did or do his less attractive opinions detract from one or both of the above?

Let us take the first question first. Will anyone, other than specialists in Soviet and Russian history, read him in a hundred years’ time, for what he tells us about the human condition sub specie aeternitatis? Here it seems to me that he will be in what Somerset Maugham called the first rank of the second-raters (where he put himself). I am reminded of Trigorin’s self-proclaimed epitaph in The Seagull: He was a good writer, but not as good as Turgenev. But it seems unfair to criticize every writer because he is not as good as someone else. Which of us would ever put pen to paper if he were to be compared all the time with Shakespeare? But we wouldn’t want there to be only Shakespeare.

It seems to me undeniable that he had a great effect in the Soviet Union and the West. It is possible of course that this tells us more about the West than about Solzhenitsyn. It seems to me also undeniably true that he told us nothing that we could, and should, have know before. But as Gide remarked, everything has been said before, but it has to be repeated. Solzhenitsyn confronted western intellectuals with evidence in such a way that they could not deny it any longer, and surely he deserves credit for that. The fact that some people suffered even more than he does not make him any the less of a brave man – far braver than I, for example.

Finally, his undoubtedly unsavoury opinions on some subjects. Can he match Dostoyevsky for the viciousness and stupidity of his anti-Semitism, however? Surely not. But who thinks that Dostoyevsky’s insights into human psychology and the real wellsprings of revolutionism are any the less valuable for that? Also, it seems to me that some charity is in order regarding Solzhenitsyn’s age when he espoused Putinism. Not only is judgment sometimes impaired with age, but so too does the fight go out of some people, especially those who have suffered in their own flesh and blood.

In summary: Great as a man? Yes. Flawed? Yes. Of the first rank as a writer? Possibly not. Which of us on the panel equals him?

Have yourself a Mahmoud little Christmas

The UK’s unerring instinct to self-destruct:

Iran’s Ahmadinejad to give alternative Christmas message

Jewish groups were up in arms today when it was revealed that Channel 4’s “alternative” Christmas Day broadcast is to be delivered by President Ahmadinejad of Iran.

Mr Ahmadinejad’s speech will go out at 7.15pm, four hours after the Queen’s traditional Christmas Day message is broadcast on the main channels. His message is a spiritual one but includes some more nakedly political elements – including the implicit claim that if Jesus Christ were alive today, he would oppose US hegemony.

“If Christ was on Earth today undoubtedly he would stand with the people in opposition to bullying, ill-tempered and expansionist powers,” Mr Ahmadinejad will say in a speech to be shown in Farsi with English subtitles.

“If Christ was on Earth today undoubtedly he would hoist the banner of justice and love for humanity to oppose warmongers, occupiers, terrorists and bullies the world over. If Christ was on Earth today undoubtedly he would fight against the tyrannical policies of prevailing global economic and political systems, as He did in His lifetime.”

Where does Mahmoud get this nonsense: when Jesus was on earth the first time, it was the fact that he didn’t fight against political tyrannies that upset many of his potential followers.

And when Christ comes to earth again it will actually be like this:

Then I saw  heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! The one sitting on it is called  Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and makes war.  His eyes are like a flame of fire, and on his head are many diadems, and he has a name written that no one knows but himself. He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood, and the name by which he is called is The Word of God. And the armies of heaven, arrayed in fine linen, white and pure, were following him on white horses. From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and  he will rule them with a rod of iron. He will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty. On his robe and on his thigh he has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords. Rev 9:11-16.

I wouldn’t want to be in the shoes of someone who is determined to destroy Israel.

Nativity scene sensitivity

From the Telegraph.

Priest puts mosque in Nativity scene.
The miniature mosque, complete with a minaret, was included in the skyline of Bethlehem in the nativity scene at Father Bonzani’s Our Lady of Providence church in the northern port of Genova.
[…..]
But Father Bonzani said that his nativity scene was designed to send a message of inter-faith harmony. “I included the mosque as a sign that we should have more dialogue with the Muslim faith. I do not have any regrets. At the end of the day the most important thing to focus on here is the Holy Family. I have only one had one complaint from within the parish and that’s it.”

I enjoy reading stories like this since any time I feel a pull towards Rome, I can recall them and remind myself that the Roman Catholic potty-priest contingent is every bit as daft as its Anglican counterpart.

The Nativity – Bach Sinfonia from Christmas Oratorio

Diocese of Niagara: St. Hilda’s Stooge Number 3

The diocese is running through priest-squatters for St. Hilda’s at an embarrasing rate. First there was Brian Ruttan Parish Terminator, then Martha Tartarnic Dizzy Blonde, and now the latest is Rev. Sue-Ann Ward,  presently vicar at Christ’s Church Cathedral, Hamilton.

The Reverend Sue-Ann Ward has been appointed Diocesan Administrator at St.Hilda’s, Oakville, effective January 1, replacing Rev. Martha Tatarnic.

One wonders why the latest victim was chosen: it is, of course, all about how things appear in court, so perhaps this is the reason:

Sue-Ann’s first project has become the Jamesville Breakfast Club, nurturing children of three local schools. “The principal at St. Mary’s [Elementary School] made us aware of the need, and asked for support. Now we feed sixty plus children and a handful of adults every morning!” A large sign welcomes all, and the local crossing guard even comes early to enable the children to arrive safely.

St. Hilda’s ANiC feeds and evangelises over 100 school children every Friday. I am sure the diocese of Niagara will be quick to point to Sue-Ann’s record in the ensuing court case – with the intent of claiming that she could assume our ministries.

But St. Hilda’s has a congregation that helps run the ministries – a congregation that won’t be there for Sue-Ann. Perhaps she will do a Martha and import a pseudo-congregation. Hubby is Rev. Jeff Ward, rector at St. Luke’s, Palermo; I wonder if he and his wife will be doing the NPS (Niagara Parishioner Shuffle)?

Welcome Sue-Ann, enjoy the orange carpet.

P.S. Do the honourable thing and resign now.

Jesters do oft prove prophets

Nine Lessons and Carols for Godless People

An eternity of atheism stars Ricky Gervais, Robin Ince and Richard Dawkins at Bloomsbury Theatre.

“I’ve started to drift towards a belief in God, creationism and intelligent design,” said Lee, who looks rather like a chubby choirboy. “When I look at something as complete and intricate and detailed as Professor Dawkins I think, ‘Surely that can’t just have happened by chance.’”

The best joke of the evening was also true.

The Anglican Church of Canada’s version of a Christmas truce.

Peace and joy from the ACoC

Call for a Christmas Truce

We are now approaching Christmas, a world festival of peace.

At this time many Christians and even persons of other faiths will be encouraged by the birth of Christ, the Prince of Peace, to review and strengthen relationships. It is consequently expected that family ties will be renewed, communities will gather for fellowship, strangers will be welcomed, the marginalised included and the oppressed set free. Where relationships are strained or hostile it is expected that dividing walls will come down and healing will take place through forgiveness and reconciliation.

The diocese of Niagara continues to refuse to negotiate with the Niagara ANiC churches outside of the courts, something even their own lawyer is recommending. Instead, in the spirit of a Christmas truce, the diocese of Niagara will see ANiC in court again on December 23rd. Makes you wonder how bad things would be without a truce, doesn’t it?