Scripture and same sex relationships

A excellent article by Randall Balmer concerning selective use of scripture with regards to same sex relationships.

In last Sunday's sermon which will be posted shortly I spoke of the pick and mix approach that is often used towards Leviticus. Balmer puts it well;


But what I find disingenuous on the part of those who use this to condemn gays and lesbians is that these same people appear to ignore some of the other proscriptions in the Levitical tables.

If you are going to take Leviticus as your warrant for condemning homosexuality, then it seems to me you should be prepared to advocate capital punishment for adultery and to enforce the prohibitions against wearing clothing with mixed fabric content and against the interbreeding of cattle – all of which appear in the same Levitical tables.

I do not deny that there are real discussions to be had regarding sexuality. However, as I tried to explain on Sunday, we need to use scripture in a consistent rather than an arbitrary manner.

Clyde and a vision of church

To my delight Clyde is back and I shall be linking to him once again.

Furthermore, he is worshipping at Thad's Church I just love their Statements of Mission, Vision and Values.

Just read them:

Mission

To bring the love of Jesus to the lives of people in positive, practical and transformative ways

Vision

A community of all kinds of people committed to living the love-spreading, difference-making life that Jesus calls us to lead

Values

We live love-spreading, difference-making lives
We are called to be blessers not cursors
We will be courageous enough to engage God’s work and act
We are building the kingdom, not a church
We are hospitable, safe and accessible
We believe that there is no such thing as scaring or bullying people into heaven
We believe you can’t practice God’s love alone
We lead by serving
We know that love is reflected in love
We are Monday-Saturday followers of Jesus, who worship on Sunday


So much better than the sex policeman rubbish that has been in the news recently!

Back and a taste of football

I am back in harness. I feel a fair bit better although still under 100%. The next few days promise to be very busy and so blogging will be light but still at atime when football referees are getting a bashing, here's a treat;

Light blogging

Having struggle for the last few weeks with tension and depression, I have decided to take this week off to spend with the children who are on half term. I fully expect to be back at work on Saturday. As a result of these things, blogging in the next few days will be light or even non existent.

Methodist blogs weekly roundup

With thanks to Alan Bevere for this ministry.

Plenty to enjoy and sometimes to argue with!

"Jesus loves Osama" - "Are you having a laugh?" A Sermon for Epiphany 7

Out in Australia, for once the churches are eclipsing the cricketers in the media. The reason is not just that the Poms aided by the New Zealanders have dented Australia’s sense of invincibility. It is as much about a controversy that currently surrounds some Baptist churches.

You see, a number of Baptist churches have recently displayed billboards that proclaim the message, “Jesus loves Osama.” Not surprisingly, there has been a reaction.


Continued

Communion hymn from Kim

Let’s have a meal, let’s have a feast!
Come one and all, from great to least:
the food and drink have been prepared,
the Lord provides and all is shared.

Let’s have a meal, let’s have a feast!
This table cannot be policed:
it’s not the church’s, it’s the Lord’s,
it’s spread for free, not for reward.

Let’s have a meal, let’s have a feast!
From “us” and “them” we’ve been released:
no strangers here, for all are friends,
no need to hide, deride, defend.

Let’s have a meal, let’s have a feast!
Join hearts and hands, and pass the peace:
Christ turned the cheek and walked the mile,
now all to each are reconciled.

Let’s have a meal, let’s have a feast!
Let grace abound, let joy increase!
And as we take the bread and wine,
let who we are be re-defined.


This is a wonderful Comunion hymn by Kim Fabricius. I also like the proposed tune of "Truro" which is where I did my secondary education.

I shall be contacting Kim with a view to using this hymn for our Communion service in Bideford on March 4th

You lift me up - A sermon for Epiphany 6

Several years ago, I went with my wife to see my cousin Keith play the part of Henry Higgins in “My Fair Lady.” Based on George Bernard Shaw’s play “Pygmalion”, one of its endearing characters is Alfred P. Doolittle. This father of the central figure Eliza, admits to being one of the “undeserving poor.” As he puts it;

“I ask you, what am I? I’, one of the undeserving poor; that’s what I am. Think of what that means to a man. It means that he’s up against middle class morality all the time. If there’s anything going, and I put in for a bit of it, it’s the same story: “You’re undeserving; so you can’t have it.”

Continued

Methodist blogs weekly roundup

With belated thanks to the splendid Alan Bevere.

Enjoy!

They get miserable younger these days

Enjoy!

Rule for public speaking

I love this story from Mandrake in the Daily Telegraph;

Michael Buerk was called upon to say a few words after a luncheon at the London Capital Club, in the City, last week. The 60-year-old BBC presenter stood up and told guests: "Hegel said that no man should speak for longer than he can make love." Buerk then sat down.


In the spirit of Michael Buerk, I suspect that my sermon next Sunday will be rather on the short side.

Let's all buy peerages

We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to Sell honours openly and use the money to complement the national lottery's good causes. To make them accessible to all we suggest a starting price of a pound a peerage.

If you agree with this petition instigated by Mark Thomas, then sign up on Downing Steet's website.

Then I can become Lord Overdrawn!

Hymn for the Irregular

Blest is the Man Whose Bowels Move

Isaac Watts, 1674-1748

1. Blest is the man whose bowels move,
And melt with pity to the poor;
Whose soul, by sympathizing love,
Feels what his fellow saints endure.

2. His heart contrives for their relief
More good than his own hands can do;
He, in the time of gen'ral grief,
Shall find the Lord has bowels too.

3. His soul shall live secure on earth,
With secret blessings on his head,
When drought, and pestilence, and dearth
Around him multiply their dead.

4. Or if he languish on his couch,
God will pronounce his sins forgiv'n;
Will save him with a healing touch,
Or take his willing soul to heav'n.



Actually it is a great hymn but the changes in language since Watts was alive, make it hard to sing with a straight face

Church on fire

Perhaps this should happen to more of our sermon scripts!

Effect of Government's gambling policy

Cartoon by Dave Walker.


And that dear reader is what the Government wants people to do with their money and their lives!

Next time a Labour MP lectures you on responsibility, just throw up!

Called to serve - A sermon for Epiphany 5

Several years ago after being accredited as a Methodist local preacher, along with others who had recently been accredited or who were nearing that point, I was invited to visit the then Chair of the Cornwall District. I cannot deny that I went somewhat reluctantly. After all I expected a sort of talk on how to be good Methodists. Surely there would be warnings about conducting ourselves in a responsible fashion, keeping our distance from strong drink and wild women, and of course the warning to be careful not to teach anything contrary to our doctrines or at least to beware of the paths that might lead us into heresy.

Well to my relief, we got none of that stuff. Instead we were challenged to become the awkward squad. We were told that as the younger preachers in the District we should be those who saw it as our duty to challenge the status quo. Where we had a vision of what might be, we were told to state it and if ignored to state it louder. And where we felt concern at the realities we encountered, we were told to challenge them and if ignored to challenge them all the louder.

I went home quite joyful. I never knew that Methodism could be such fun although on at least one occasion I was to get myself close to being disciplined as a preacher for taking the advice a little too enthusiastically.


Sermon continued