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Darin+
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
It Means What It Says
At seminary, my Old Testament professor Robert Wilson summarized the interpretation of The Song of Songs as follows: It means what it says. Now, in the face of the deconstruction of the Scriptures that generally obtained at Yale Divinity School, this was a refreshingly simple reflection on God's Word Written.
A reminder that, even for the most rigorous student of the Scriptures, the plain sense of Scripture must be taken seriously - even when it's inconvenient to do so. This is a pertinent reminder for the Anglican Communion in the current kerfuffle - and the quote below from Kierkegaard is timeless (thanks Christopher Johnson for the excerpt:
"The matter is quite simple. The Bible is very easy to understand. But we Christians are a bunch of scheming swindlers. We pretend to be unable to understand it because we know very well that the minute we understand, we are obliged to act accordingly. Take any words in the New Testament and forget everything except pledging yourself to act accordingly. My God, you will say, if I do that my whole life will be ruined. How would I ever get on in the world? Herein lies the real place of Christian scholarship. Christian scholarship is the Church’s prodigious invention to defend itself against the Bible, to ensure that we can continue to be good Christians without the Bible coming too close. Oh, priceless scholarship, what would we do without you? Dreadful it is to fall into the hands of the living God. Yes it is even dreadful to be alone with the New Testament."
AMEN!
Darin+
A reminder that, even for the most rigorous student of the Scriptures, the plain sense of Scripture must be taken seriously - even when it's inconvenient to do so. This is a pertinent reminder for the Anglican Communion in the current kerfuffle - and the quote below from Kierkegaard is timeless (thanks Christopher Johnson for the excerpt:
"The matter is quite simple. The Bible is very easy to understand. But we Christians are a bunch of scheming swindlers. We pretend to be unable to understand it because we know very well that the minute we understand, we are obliged to act accordingly. Take any words in the New Testament and forget everything except pledging yourself to act accordingly. My God, you will say, if I do that my whole life will be ruined. How would I ever get on in the world? Herein lies the real place of Christian scholarship. Christian scholarship is the Church’s prodigious invention to defend itself against the Bible, to ensure that we can continue to be good Christians without the Bible coming too close. Oh, priceless scholarship, what would we do without you? Dreadful it is to fall into the hands of the living God. Yes it is even dreadful to be alone with the New Testament."
AMEN!
Darin+
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Milestone
Frank Lockwood (Bible Belt Blogger) has posted an absolutely fascinating note. The Assemblies of God has eclipsed the Episcopal Church in membership and (by a significant amount) Sunday attendance. In fact, there are more people worshiping at AoG churches on WEEKDAY nights than on Sunday mornings in TEC. Amazing.
http://biblebeltblogger.com/index.php/religion/assemblies-of-god-eclipses-episcopal-church
Darin+
http://biblebeltblogger.com/index.php/religion/assemblies-of-god-eclipses-episcopal-church
Darin+
Saturday, July 18, 2009
Aftermath
Well, the 76th General Convention of TEC is over. Having left TEC just before Easter this year, I observed this event from "outside". As someone not directly invested in the outcome(s) of this gathering, I nonetheless found myself following the developments with some interest and not a little emotional attachmment.
As I was reflecting on the scriptures for this past Sunday morning, I couldn't help being moved by the timeliness of Jeremiah's words and the gospel lesson from Mark. The clear challenge to faithful shepherding that Jeremiah gives, and the compassion that Jesus shows on the crowd because "they seemed as sheep without a shepherd" both awakened a sense of sadness in me for the people of TEC. The prophet utters words of condemnation and woe to shepherds who lead God's people astray - my mind quickly went to those bishops who (perhaps out of what they view as genuine faithfulness...) are leading people away from Christ's reconciling love. Jesus shares the compassion of God's heart for those who are lost and wandering - my mind quickly went to the people of Nineveh, who didn't know their right hand from their left (another prophet, Jonah, tells us). While others opine about TEC from a place of bitterness or anger (and maybe due to very real personal experiences, mind you), I find myself speaking from a place of compassion. And, yes, sadness.
You see, I still love the Episcopal Church. The Episcopal Church became a home for me, a real welcome place, as a graduate student seeking a deepening of faith in Jesus Christ. The Episcopal Church, as an Anglican expression of Catholic faith, was a connection to the wider family of Christian people that I didn't clearly have a sense of in my youth or childhood. The local church was the Church, as far as I knew or was concerned. Trinity Church in Iowa City became my connection to the Anglican Communion, which I also grew to love in time. Though I have left TEC, my heart still aches for what I found there. Not least of which gifts I received would be my wife - without whom I cannot imagine life continuing. I still love the Episcopal Church. And I definitely love the people in it. Many of my friends are still there, and seeking to be faithful.
At this General Convention, I saw the church and the people that I love take more steps away from the worldwide family of Anglican Christians. More than that, steps away from Scripture, Tradition, and even Reason as Richard Hooker articulates it. I heard the Presiding Bishop equate heresy with the individual's confessional faith in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. I saw the church eliminate the Evangelism Office while funding litigation against men, women, and parishes seeking to follow the Lord. I heard bishops speak out of both sides of their mouths, rather than speaking clearly about the Gospel. I witnessed a church expressing complete theological incoherence (thanks, Kendall Harmon for the term), rather than genuine comprehensiveness within the boundaries of Christian teaching. And all that I saw, heard, and witnessed increased my sadness for the future of TEC as a faithful expositor of the saving Gospel of Jesus Christ. There may continue to be faithful outposts of true hope in Christ, but these will certainly become few and far between.
As the outworkings of this General Convention begin to become clear(er), my prayer is that Jesus Christ will become known, worshiped, and adored by more people because of the witness of faithful disciples of His. Perhaps some who cannot in conscience remain in TEC will find an ACNA parish nearby. Perhaps some who leave will find another faithful family of Christian believers. Perhaps some will stay in TEC, as Jeremiah was called to stay in Jerusalem, and preach "no peace" while others cry "peace." May God add His blessing to all who genuinely seek obedience to His will and purposes, as they have been revealed completely and finally in the person of Jesus Christ His only Son.
Pax et bonum,
Darin+
As I was reflecting on the scriptures for this past Sunday morning, I couldn't help being moved by the timeliness of Jeremiah's words and the gospel lesson from Mark. The clear challenge to faithful shepherding that Jeremiah gives, and the compassion that Jesus shows on the crowd because "they seemed as sheep without a shepherd" both awakened a sense of sadness in me for the people of TEC. The prophet utters words of condemnation and woe to shepherds who lead God's people astray - my mind quickly went to those bishops who (perhaps out of what they view as genuine faithfulness...) are leading people away from Christ's reconciling love. Jesus shares the compassion of God's heart for those who are lost and wandering - my mind quickly went to the people of Nineveh, who didn't know their right hand from their left (another prophet, Jonah, tells us). While others opine about TEC from a place of bitterness or anger (and maybe due to very real personal experiences, mind you), I find myself speaking from a place of compassion. And, yes, sadness.
You see, I still love the Episcopal Church. The Episcopal Church became a home for me, a real welcome place, as a graduate student seeking a deepening of faith in Jesus Christ. The Episcopal Church, as an Anglican expression of Catholic faith, was a connection to the wider family of Christian people that I didn't clearly have a sense of in my youth or childhood. The local church was the Church, as far as I knew or was concerned. Trinity Church in Iowa City became my connection to the Anglican Communion, which I also grew to love in time. Though I have left TEC, my heart still aches for what I found there. Not least of which gifts I received would be my wife - without whom I cannot imagine life continuing. I still love the Episcopal Church. And I definitely love the people in it. Many of my friends are still there, and seeking to be faithful.
At this General Convention, I saw the church and the people that I love take more steps away from the worldwide family of Anglican Christians. More than that, steps away from Scripture, Tradition, and even Reason as Richard Hooker articulates it. I heard the Presiding Bishop equate heresy with the individual's confessional faith in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. I saw the church eliminate the Evangelism Office while funding litigation against men, women, and parishes seeking to follow the Lord. I heard bishops speak out of both sides of their mouths, rather than speaking clearly about the Gospel. I witnessed a church expressing complete theological incoherence (thanks, Kendall Harmon for the term), rather than genuine comprehensiveness within the boundaries of Christian teaching. And all that I saw, heard, and witnessed increased my sadness for the future of TEC as a faithful expositor of the saving Gospel of Jesus Christ. There may continue to be faithful outposts of true hope in Christ, but these will certainly become few and far between.
As the outworkings of this General Convention begin to become clear(er), my prayer is that Jesus Christ will become known, worshiped, and adored by more people because of the witness of faithful disciples of His. Perhaps some who cannot in conscience remain in TEC will find an ACNA parish nearby. Perhaps some who leave will find another faithful family of Christian believers. Perhaps some will stay in TEC, as Jeremiah was called to stay in Jerusalem, and preach "no peace" while others cry "peace." May God add His blessing to all who genuinely seek obedience to His will and purposes, as they have been revealed completely and finally in the person of Jesus Christ His only Son.
Pax et bonum,
Darin+
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
A Fresh Start
A long time ago, a priest started a blog... That would be last November, and the priest would be me. Guess I'm not really good at keeping up with this kind of thing, but am going to try and do better. I've entitled this posting "A Fresh Start" for a few reasons.
First, it is the first of a renewed effort to keep up on my postings. There aren't too many folks who even know I've started this, so it won't mean much to anyone but me for now. Anyway, I'm going to try and be a regular poster. I'm going to try and be fairly regular in posting sermons from Sunday services at St. David's, and occasional reflections on things going on in the world - nearby and far away.
Second, this effort begins shortly after my return from the ACNA Provincial Assembly in late June. The experience was transformative - prayer and worship overflowed as GOd brought new life to the Anglican mission for the Gospel of Jesus Christ in North America! I'll not soon forget the feeding I received there, and hope to be a vessel of the grace God is pouring out through this new fellowship of faithful Christians on the continent.
Stay tuned for my reflections on the soon-to-be-concluded General Convention of TEC. Purely an outsider's point of view.
Pax et bonum
Darin+
First, it is the first of a renewed effort to keep up on my postings. There aren't too many folks who even know I've started this, so it won't mean much to anyone but me for now. Anyway, I'm going to try and be a regular poster. I'm going to try and be fairly regular in posting sermons from Sunday services at St. David's, and occasional reflections on things going on in the world - nearby and far away.
Second, this effort begins shortly after my return from the ACNA Provincial Assembly in late June. The experience was transformative - prayer and worship overflowed as GOd brought new life to the Anglican mission for the Gospel of Jesus Christ in North America! I'll not soon forget the feeding I received there, and hope to be a vessel of the grace God is pouring out through this new fellowship of faithful Christians on the continent.
Stay tuned for my reflections on the soon-to-be-concluded General Convention of TEC. Purely an outsider's point of view.
Pax et bonum
Darin+
Saturday, April 18, 2009
Alleluia! Christ is Risen!
Easter blessings to all! This blog has been idle since a first posting in November of 2008 - best-laid plans... My hope is to keep it going now, with more regular contributions and links to items of interest.
This Easter season will be a time of new perspective for me. On Maundy Thursday, I received word that my request for transfer into the Province of the Anglican Church of Uganda had been accepted. After 9 years of ordained ministry in the Episcopal Church of the United States of America, or TEC as the organization now wishes to be known, I have found a new, if temporary home. Temporary, as I look forward to the establishment of the Anglican Church in North America this June. I was delighted to read of the positive response of the GAFCON Primatial Council yesterday to the developments here in the U.S. as well as in Canada.
I'll attach below the words I sent to the clergy of the Diocese of Iowa on this past Thursday in the Octave of Easter:
Dear Sisters and Brothers,
Alleluia! Christ is risen!
I've started and stopped this email several times already, so this is
far from a perfect collection of words or thoughts I need to share
with you all. Many of you I have known for decades already, from the
time I came to Iowa City in 1989 for graduate school at the
University. Some of you I have barely had a chance to know, and some
not at all.
I wish to share with you that as of Maundy Thursday, I have been
received into the Province of the Church of Uganda as a priest. My
decision to request a transfer into this sister province of the
Anglican Communion comes at the end of many years of discernment.
This has been a very difficult decision, one that comes with
considerable risk and not a little cost to me personally. I do not
wish to offer a defense of my choice here, except to say that it was a
choice of conscience, borne of what I believe to be an action of the
Holy Spirit.
My recent ministry in the diocese has been perhaps a matter of
controversy - at least a matter of discussion on many levels. I
appreciate those of you who have been direct with me in your counsel
and questions - you have challenged me to a place of integrity, and
for that I am grateful.
To be clear - marcia remains a priest of the Diocese of Iowa, and I
expect you will see me on occasion at events where I accompany her. I
support her completely in her calling to remain in the diocese, as she
supports me in my calling away. This has been a challenging time of
mutual discernment for us, and we have grown both as individuals, as
well as husband and wife together. We continue to pray for God's
guidance as we step forward into the future God has in mind for us.
In this season of the celebration of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ
from the dead, I rejoice in the sure knowledge that God will bring joy
out of mourning, and life out of death. I depart your fellowship with
a heavy heart. My hope is that we continue to pray for one another as
men and women seeking to be faithful to God as He has revealed Himself
to us in the person of Jesus Christ. To Him alone be all the glory.
Yours in the Risen Lord,
Darin+
I have received mostly kind and prayerful responses from many of my former colleagues in the Diocese of Iowa. Bishop Alan Scarfe of the diocese has been quite generous in his dealings with me, as well. I thank them all for their manifold graciousness.
In the Risen Lord,
Darin+
This Easter season will be a time of new perspective for me. On Maundy Thursday, I received word that my request for transfer into the Province of the Anglican Church of Uganda had been accepted. After 9 years of ordained ministry in the Episcopal Church of the United States of America, or TEC as the organization now wishes to be known, I have found a new, if temporary home. Temporary, as I look forward to the establishment of the Anglican Church in North America this June. I was delighted to read of the positive response of the GAFCON Primatial Council yesterday to the developments here in the U.S. as well as in Canada.
I'll attach below the words I sent to the clergy of the Diocese of Iowa on this past Thursday in the Octave of Easter:
Dear Sisters and Brothers,
Alleluia! Christ is risen!
I've started and stopped this email several times already, so this is
far from a perfect collection of words or thoughts I need to share
with you all. Many of you I have known for decades already, from the
time I came to Iowa City in 1989 for graduate school at the
University. Some of you I have barely had a chance to know, and some
not at all.
I wish to share with you that as of Maundy Thursday, I have been
received into the Province of the Church of Uganda as a priest. My
decision to request a transfer into this sister province of the
Anglican Communion comes at the end of many years of discernment.
This has been a very difficult decision, one that comes with
considerable risk and not a little cost to me personally. I do not
wish to offer a defense of my choice here, except to say that it was a
choice of conscience, borne of what I believe to be an action of the
Holy Spirit.
My recent ministry in the diocese has been perhaps a matter of
controversy - at least a matter of discussion on many levels. I
appreciate those of you who have been direct with me in your counsel
and questions - you have challenged me to a place of integrity, and
for that I am grateful.
To be clear - marcia remains a priest of the Diocese of Iowa, and I
expect you will see me on occasion at events where I accompany her. I
support her completely in her calling to remain in the diocese, as she
supports me in my calling away. This has been a challenging time of
mutual discernment for us, and we have grown both as individuals, as
well as husband and wife together. We continue to pray for God's
guidance as we step forward into the future God has in mind for us.
In this season of the celebration of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ
from the dead, I rejoice in the sure knowledge that God will bring joy
out of mourning, and life out of death. I depart your fellowship with
a heavy heart. My hope is that we continue to pray for one another as
men and women seeking to be faithful to God as He has revealed Himself
to us in the person of Jesus Christ. To Him alone be all the glory.
Yours in the Risen Lord,
Darin+
I have received mostly kind and prayerful responses from many of my former colleagues in the Diocese of Iowa. Bishop Alan Scarfe of the diocese has been quite generous in his dealings with me, as well. I thank them all for their manifold graciousness.
In the Risen Lord,
Darin+
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