As usual at this time of year (and also other times of the year) I spot debates about how we are redeemed (“soteriology”). The debates can get heated. And do. People can get pretty heated about theories of creation also. I believe in the Creator; which means I believe we are created. I trust and
I believe in Jesus Read More »
The people and presiding priest gather in the Lord’s name The objective of the Gathering of the Community, as this title suggests, is to gather those assembled into a community. This prepares them to hear what the Spirit is saying in the Proclamation, and to celebrate the Eucharist. The Gathering in A New Zealand Prayer
Celebrating Eucharist
Chapter 6 – The Gathering of the Community Read More »
As a community renews its understanding of baptism, of all having a ministry because of their baptism, and of the Eucharist as the community meal of all the baptised (including infants and children), then such a community usually finds that it needs to reorder the liturgical space which it has inherited. Baptism is now normally
Celebrating Eucharist
Chapter 4 – The Worship Environment Read More »
A book such as this draws a wide range of responses from those who lead and shape liturgy. Leading liturgy can be a very personal activity in which a lot of personal belief and effort is invested. This means the material contained in this book works within a tension. The tension is to clearly present
Celebrating Eucharist –
Introduction Read More »
Short version: Coincidentally, in my last couple of sermons, I have been including reflections about “belief”. Please, pretty please (with a cherry on top!) do not use “belief” to mean merely “I accept this to be correct”. Do not use “belief” as in “I believe that the planet Pluto exists” – say: “I accept that
A month ago I asked for suggestions for freshening this site. I received good, helpful, positive suggestions. I have been able to implement most ideas. Some are beyond my and others’ expertise. Some improvements will continue as time allows. I spent more than three full days of my holidays working on the site’s functioning. I
Is the Pope serious?! Or has the Vatican PR machine merely given up being concerned about even attempting to prevent publicity gaffes in the current administration? Are the half a billion women Roman Catholics mostly silently compliant? How are the world’s three-quarters of a million nuns and religious sisters reacting? Benedict XVI is, apparently, the
the other friends of Jesus Read More »
Jesus: The cold case by Bryan Bruce (Random House New Zealand Ltd 2101) 272pages $40 Warning: don’t read this book at the breakfast table. If you know anything about the subject at all you will be constantly in danger of either choking on your corn flakes or spraying them all over the table! As I
One of my followers on twitter, a university professor, in response to my recent post about Richard Dawkins pointed me to an article by Michael Ruse. Michael Ruse is an atheist. He is a philosopher of biology. Ruse is well known for his arguments against “Intelligent Design”. But Ruse holds that it is possible to
Michael Ruse v Richard Dawkins Read More »
As Richard Dawkins (the famous antitheist) tours down under to evangelise the masses he seems to have been taken completely by surprise by the uprising of many of his own disciples who are refering to him and people central to his Foundation as [language alert] “utter twat” a “suppurating rectum. A suppurating rat’s rectum. A
