I was asked to write a proper preface for the bicentenary of the first Christian service in Aotearoa New Zealand. That service was on 25 December 1814 and is described by Samuel Marsden here. Ruatara, the Maori, Nga Puhi, chief in partnership with Samuel Marsden, Anglican priest, brought the Gospel. This was followed by the
Marsden Ruatara Proper Preface Read More »
This year is the bicentennial celebration of the first Christian service in Aotearoa New Zealand. It was led by Rev. Samuel Marsden in partnership with Ruatara. In my thesis (Chapter I, page 4) I write about this being the first recorded celebration of Holy Communion in this land. Here is the account from Samuel Marsden’s
Samuel Marsden Christmas Day 1814 Read More »
Sister Anne recently commented on a blog post here on Religious Life. I promised to explore the website of her Quaker Monastery Community. I now encourage you to do the same. I am taken by the quote they point to (and here on their facebook page): “The adventure of the Christian life begins when we
There is an unusual line in our NZ Lectionary booklet (image above) through the Sundays of the Easter Season: “The reading from Acts must be used each Sunday in Eastertide”. It is unusual and surprising to find the word “must” in NZ liturgical resources. Does anyone know: what is the source of this particular “must”ness?
Acts is compulsory? Read More »
A few things I have been reading around the web… Penal Substitution Theory Penal imagery represents one of the most serious deformations of Christian thought, a sad detour for theology. That it has now passed into fixed dogma within some circles should be of great concern to all Christians. Those who hold to this dogma
Many will know that Stephen Colbert is taking over for David Letterman as Late Show host. As host of The Colbert Report Stephen Colbert presents a persona of a devout, conservative Roman Catholic. It has often fascinated me when people cannot distinguish Stephen Colbert from his The-Colbert-Report persona. These, presumably, will get quite a surprise
Stephen Colbert’s Best Religion Clips Read More »
I believe in the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen. Which is our resurrection body? Will you look identical to how you did when you died? Or the body you had at your peak of vitality? So if you met someone at one age, you won’t recognise them in heaven because they
