tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33440633.post419066969077583440..comments2023-03-28T23:50:17.723-04:00Comments on Old First: Watching the EpiscopaliansOld Firsthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02450204955608047437noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33440633.post-40849047049319459672007-09-12T18:19:00.000-04:002007-09-12T18:19:00.000-04:00Dan, as you know from endless discussions at Bob's...Dan, as you know from endless discussions at Bob's Lake, my denomination (United Church of Canada) is way ahead of the Anglicans. In fact, we've scarcely been able to talk about anything else for the last thirty years except the sex lives of our clergy. Those who think of themselves as orthodox guardians of Christian tradition within the UCC have contributed to this by simply not being able to shut up about it. I'm wondering if Augustine might teach us something here through his steadfast opposition to the Donatists. Unlike you, I haven't met Gene Robinson, but like you I think that Spong's urbane unbelief is a far greater danger to the church because it is rooted in such a sense of moral and intellectual superiority. Augustine knew that the church was in deep do-do if it made the character and morals of the pastor the determining factor in the efficacy of the church's ministry. Those old, old controversies might still shed some light on what we are going through today.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33440633.post-2234439872971107342007-09-11T07:36:00.000-04:002007-09-11T07:36:00.000-04:00Yes, James, I think you make a good point.DanielYes, James, I think you make a good point.<BR/><BR/>DanielOld Firsthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02450204955608047437noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33440633.post-17127166051343191852007-09-10T22:24:00.000-04:002007-09-10T22:24:00.000-04:00Amen and Amen!I sometimes wonder (both about our A...Amen and Amen!<BR/><BR/>I sometimes wonder (both about our Anglican brothers and sisters and ourselves in the RCA) whether the arguments over sexuality and the clergy are really about the sexuality, or if we are just looking for an excuse to argue. I think back to when you and I were both in New Brunswick Classis, and cannot imagine us having such discussions over ministers' sex lives (when I do imagine it, given the crowd that was in that Classis back then, I begin to giggle).<BR/><BR/>Just as some congregations seem to have perpetual financial crises because it is easier to worry about money than answer God's call to ministry, so it is, I think, with some of the diocesan and denominational fretting about sexuality. It's easier for us to argue about this than to be barefaced in the presence of God, living as the Church. When we actually dare to do that, as with the preachers you heard up north, all the other nonsense falls away.James Brummhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02670250095165980708noreply@blogger.com