I have just purchased a copy of Bishop Tom Wright’s new book, Virtue Reborn, and the opening chapter is really good. I can’t wait to read the rest. This volume is a sequel to Simply Christian and Surprised by Hope, in which he addresses what many of us would call sanctification, and which he refers to as Christian character or virtue.
What makes the opening chapter so good is how relevantly he addresses the current situation. With all the issues surrounding the global financial crisis, Tom Wright’s brief analysis of that collapse is very apposite and helpful, not to mention his excellent illustration from the world of rugby. Here’s a sample, which may whet your appetite for the entire volume. Read more…
The metrical version of Psalm 24 is an appropriate item of praise for Palm Sunday. In the older version of the psalter, the two stanzas which cover verses 7-10 of the psalm were traditionally followed by a third stanza that (in a slightly unPresbyterian style?) contained lots of Hallelujahs and Amens. When I first sang it, the third stanza seemed a bit out of place.
The second half of the psalm represents a song that was probably sung at one of the great temple feasts, perhaps the festival of New Year when God’s people celebrated his enthronement as king of the world. It is an antiphonal song that was sung by two choirs. One choir would be approaching the temple is solemn procession, carrying the sacred ark or some other symbol of God’s presence. They would be chanting and singing: “Lift up your heads, O you gates; be lifted up, you ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in.”
The other choir from within the temple precincts sings back: “Who is this King of glory?” And the first choir responds: “The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle.” Read more…
Hans Küng is a Swiss Catholic priest, a controversial theologian, and a prolific author. Küng claims to remain “a Catholic priest in good standing”, but the Vatican has rescinded his authority to teach Catholic theology.
Though he had to leave the Catholic faculty, he remained at the University of Tübingen as a professor of EcumenicalTheology, serving as Emeritus Professor since 1996. In spite of not being allowed to teach Catholic theology, neither his bishop nor the Holy See has revoked his priestly faculties.
He has commented on the child abuse scandal in his own characteristically lucid way here. It is, as my friend Carl Trueman described it, “vintage Kung”. I have quoted the article in full below the fold.
In his typically thought-provoking way, Bishop Tom Wright says that it’s time the church re-thought the way it celebrates Easter. It is the greatest Christian festival of the year, and yet many churches struggle to give Easter the significance it deserves in their calendar of activities.
“Easter week itself ought not to be the time when all the clergy sigh with relief and go on holiday. It ought to be an eight-day festival … with lots of Alleluias and extra hymns and spectacular anthems. Is it any wonder that people find it hard to believe in the resurrection of Jesus if we don’t throw our hats in the air? Is it any wonder we find it hard to live the resurrection if we don’t do it exuberantly in our liturgies? Is it any wonder the world doesn’t take much notice if Easter is celebrated as simply a one-day happy ending tacked on to forty days of fasting and gloom? It’s long overdue that we took a hard look at how we keep Easter in church, at home, in our personal lives, right through the system. And if it means rethinking some cherished habits, well, maybe it’s time to wake up.” (Surprised by Hope, p268)
Typically, Presbyterians don’t focus on the church year or the ecclesiastical calendar, and we don’t normally make a big deal about Lent or Palm Sunday. Good Friday and Easter Day are more prominent. But compared with the emphasis that we give to Christmas, our celebration of Easter seems less than half-hearted. The over-full Christmas programme means that most ministers struggle to come up with a series of sermons, children’s talks and carol service epilogues that are fresh and new each Christmas season. In a typical advent season, I have counted six or seven different occasions when I have had to reflect publicly on the Christmas story of the incarnation. The Advent season is such a challenge to my creativity.
But in biblical terms, if you leave the Christmas story out, all you lose is two chapters at the beginning of Matthew and Luke. That’s not to say that the incarnation and virgin birth are unimportant doctrines. However, if you leave Easter out, you finish up without a New Testament. Christianity and the gospel make no sense apart from the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ. So why do we not give it greater prominence? Read more…
If I was ever of a mind to use visual material in a service of worship, or a rap for that matter, then this might just be on my list! It will thrill some people and irritate others, but it certainly makes a good theological point that has been debated for many centuries. Methinks if John Calvin were around today, he might just tap his foot to this one!
I have just purchased a copy of Bishop Tom Wright’s new book, Virtue Reborn, and the opening chapter is really good. I can’t wait to read the rest. This volume is a sequel to Simply Christian and Surprised by Hope, in which he addresses what many of us would call sanctification, and which he refers to as Christian character or virtue.
The metrical version of Psalm 24 is an appropriate item of praise for Palm Sunday. In the older version of the psalter, the two stanzas which cover verses 7-10 of the psalm were traditionally followed by a third stanza that (in a slightly unPresbyterian style?) contained lots of Hallelujahs and Amens. When I first sang it, the third stanza seemed a bit out of place.
