De Omnibus Dubitandum Est.

If you've missed me, I have to apologise. I have started writing two essay sized blogs, one on the Magisterium and one on the pastoral teaching of the Church regarding SSA, and I've just kept researching and adding more information. Part of the problem is I find all this so interesting! I wanted to post quickly about the awful spectacle of the Church of England Synod last week. **THE FACE OF THE SYNOD** If this bloke (above) was looking for attention, he has certainly got it, most of the mainstream media has selected him as "the face of the synod". Everyone is saying that the Anglicans agreed to bless same sex marriage, but that is not in fact accurate. Despite the inaccuracy, I do think it is what the machinations ultimately will result in. For the sake of accuracy as much as anything else, this is the wording of the final controversial motion as amended: "That this Synod, recognising the commitment to learning and deep listening to God and to each other of the...

Stephen Cottrell is the man currently pretending to be the Archbishop of York. He is a Leigh boy like myself, but one who has risen to lofty heights by going along with whatever way the wind is blowing currently ( see this post from ten years ago ). He has written a piece in the Telegraph , which I had hoped would communicate something of the Gospel to the country as we enter the season of hope and anticipation which is Advent. This is what we got: Two thousand years ago, a family took part in a census. Over the coming weeks in schools, churches, high streets, and venues across this country, the Christmas story that began with Mary and Joseph’s journey for a census will be enjoyed and celebrated by millions of people. But of what story are we a part? What story do we want to tell about ourselves? The UK census gives us a particular and important snapshot of the identity of our nation, decade by decade. Interpreting the story of trends, values, perceptions, and identities that underli...

This weekend Bishop Thomas' Pastoral statement on the Same Sex Couples Marriage Bill was read out in all Brentwood parishes. Here is the contents: As you will be aware, lat week saw the publication of the same sex marriage Bill. There is no doubt that every national government is at liberty to legislate on how marriage is celebrated in a particular country and as to its legal consequences there. However, no government anywhere has the right to re-define or change the essential nature of marriage itself. This is because marriage both comes from God, as revealed through the Scriptures, and is equally a fundamental part of universal natural law. We have all heard that exemptions are being promised for religious bodies unable to accept this proposed change in the Law. But there are serious questions as to how effective these exemptions would be in the long term since they could be challenged in the Courts or indeed changed by Parliament itself in the future. As a result, ther...

This is stunning: Eisegesis (from Greek εἰς "into" as opposed to exegesis from ἐξηγεῖσθαι "to lead out") is the process of interpreting a text or portion of text in such a way that it introduces one's own presuppositions, agendas, and/or biases into and onto it. The act is often used to "prove" a pre-held point of concern to the reader and to provide him or her with confirmation bias in accordance with his or her pre-held agenda. Eisegesis is best understood when contrasted with exegesis. While exegesis draws out the meaning from a text in accordance with the context and discoverable meaning of its author, eisegesis occurs when a reader imposes his or her interpretation into and onto the text. As a result, exegesis tends to be objective when employed effectively while eisegesis is regarded as highly subjective. Stephen makes his argument using Gal 3:28, which, as I noted yesterday , seems to be considered Biblical basis for the case for women...