Several great articles and links on the Fulcrum (Evangelical Anglicans) website at the moment - all worth some time:
- Best of all is a complete transcript of the Archbishop's 6th December interview on FiveLive with Simon Mayo (himself a practising Christian and ex-Churchwarden). Some really good things in there and a good way to cut through the fog that develops when people talk about Rowan Williams and his views. A very sure-footed and positive interview.
- They link, too, to the new Archbishop of York (John Sentamu) writing in the Telegraph earlier this week about Christmas:
...the rest of the article is worth a read too.The first Christmas may seem long ago and far away, but is actually remarkably contemporary. Jesus was born into a country under a foreign occupying power where taxation was high and inflation was raging. Justice was spasmodic and acts of terror common. Political and religious groups were divided by intrigue. There was a huge gulf between the "haves" and the "have-nots". The picture we all have in mind of the baby in a manger, with Mary and Joseph and "no room for them in the inn" resonates with those the world over who experience lack of care, unconcern, brutality and being forever pushed to the margins.
In that poignant portrait of a baby lying in a cattle drinking trough, we have a snapshot of the everlasting and all-powerful God, coming to visit us in clothes of powerlessness and humility. The picture has no caption, but speaks volumes: it tells us that God is approachable because He has made the first move; that He is so concerned for our eternal welfare He will pay this price to be alongside us and lead us to our ultimate destiny. What was true in Bethlehem then, is true now in Bristol, Brisbane, Barbados and the world over, until the end of time. Its significance knows no bounds.
On a completely different note (and rather less seasonal, though no-less relevant) is Bishop Tom Wright (Bshp of Durham) writing to his clergy in the diocese about the new Civil Partnerships act and the CofE's stance on it. It's a well explained piece (as you'd expect from Tom Wright) and if you're interested in a clear statement of where we stand (and a rather better explanation of the significance of the legislation itself than we get from the media) then it's a good place to start. Bear in mind that it was intended for the clergy only and for one particular diocese, so needs to be read in that context.
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