The Arrow's Path

Please pardon the public service announcement...but daylight savings time ends tonight! Remember to set your clock back or else you will be at church mighty early in the morning...

YHWH's Paradox and the “J” Source's Intent The classic analysis of Genesis 22 is simply recounted in the brief summary that Abraham's faith is put to the trial when God commands Abraham to sacrifice Isaac. While faith does play an important role in the life of Abraham (for certainly had Abraham had no faith, Abraham would have been lost to history and forgotten), an analysis via source criticism would suggest that the Yahwist writer (the so-called “J” source) by his inherent themes would have himself considered the major theme of the trial of Genesis 22 to be not one of the general faith of Abraham but more rightly a paradox, a drawing of Abraham into a contest of having to choose to follow God's Word or God's Word. As will be addressed, faith alone is inadequate to solve the paradox. The trial, in light of the “J” sources general themes, must be labeled as one simply of obedience and not faith. Source criticism studies the bible to determine the source and to ask...

Well, things may come to a head next week as the Bishops of all Africa meet to discuss the Windsor report. They may break away from Canterbury. I think in reality though, they will come up with one last round of diplomacy. Please pray for them all. http://www.churchnewspaper.com/news.php?read=on&number_key=5741&title=African%20bishops%20meet%20to%20ponder%20Windsor%20Report

Its that time again, sisters and brothers! Your favorite blog game show...Heresy of the Week! This week's winner: Monarchianism Monarchianism was a term coined by Tertullian for the heretics who were vague about defining Christ's relationship to God while still maintaining God's monarchy. Erring in one direction were those who thought Jesus was the random chap God picked out to be "son" on earth. This was called adoptionism. In the other direction but still under the same umbrella, were the Modalists, who said there was only one being of God. This God used differing "modes" at different times to fulfill his purpose. He was called at various times Father, or at other times Son, or at other times Holy Spirit, depending on the circumstances. Tertuillian combated this by saying Jesus was at once Jesus of Nazareth and Jesus the Living God. He coined the term Trinity and began what would become the final Christian understanding of Father, Son, and Ho...

The sound you are hearing is, in fact, hades freezing over Red Sox win World Series! As much as I do not like the Boston Red Sox, I tip my hat to the BoSox for lifting the mythical curse of the Bambino. Coming back from 3 down to the Yankees to win the ALCS, And tonight...in style I might add...3-0. "3" was Babe Ruth's playing number. The Curse is Over. Congrats Bean Town

For my fellow Tolkien fans, I render up this website: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/3948165.stm Science marches on...to middle earth

Before I begin my rant, check out this (from the official website of the Episcopal Church) http://www.episcopalchurch.org/41685_52038_ENG_HTM.htm Am I the only one completely horrified by this? More to follow when the smoke in my room clears ---UPDATE--- Apparently, the minister who posted the above heretical pagan rite under the guise of "inclusive language" and feminist christianity was forced to remove the link and recant after a public outcry. To read more, click here: http://titusonenine.classicalanglican.net/index.php?p=3154

Some people were wanting to see my outline for the little oral report/lecture I gave on Deconstructive Biblical Criticism. If you need my secondary resources on this, just leave a comment. So, without further ado, Ask and you shall receive: I. Where did Deconstructive Criticism originate? In the 1960's, the French philosopher Jaques Derrida coined both the term Deconstruction and the methodological criticism itself. This came as an outgrowth of the philosophy of Friedrich Nietzsche that desire of the writer and the reader for the certainty (or orthodoxy) of meaning results in the repression and subversion of other possible meanings. Deconstruction also reflects and draws upon de Saussure's theory of Structuralism, which held that language was a collection of signs in which meaning is transient and arbitrary and therefore uncertain (Although Deconstructive Criticism departs from de Saussure's insinuation that goes beyond “uncertainy of meaning” into the realm of “unknowa...

Well, for todays thought, I thought I would pull out something a little weird. It comes from...get this name...Honorius Augustodunensis, a mysterious monk from the 12th century, probably residing at the monastery/hermitage at Regensburg. He is believed to have written an encyclopedia of scientific knowledge of his day: "There is no other authority than truth proved by reason; what authority teaches us to believe, reason confirms us by its proofs. What the evident authority of scripture proclaims, discursive reason proves; even if all the angels had retained in heaven, man and all his posterity would nevertheless been created. For this world has been made for man, and by world I understand the heaven and the earth and all that is contained in the universe. man's exile is ignorance, his homeland is science..." Yes, folks, I am not kidding...that was a 12th Century monk. Talk about a man ahead of his time. Sounds like he'd fit right into PostModern Episcopalianism....

As part of my Gospel Mission I class, we had to visit a church of a different denomination in small groups. My small group got assigned to Trinity United Church of Christ on 95th street, on the South Side of Chicago. There were four people in the group, and we split it up. 2 went to the morning service and two of us (including myself) went to the evening 6PM service. Having only been to one Congregationalist service before, it was quite different. It was quite the charismatic service, although there was no speaking in tongues. It was sort of odd, as it felt evangelical in a sense, and they had an "altar call." I did not know UCC people did that sort of thing.The music was quite loud, but well done. About what you would expect from a truly African church. By African, I don't mean necessarily African-American, I mean real African, most were immigrants or 1st generation descendants of immigrants. So, needless to say, they had beautiful colors and african garb in the wome...

Evanston, IL: In a downpouring fall day, the Seabury Western Saints, though much improved over last year's stomping of 35-7, lost to Nasotah House Black Monks in the Lavabo Bowl flag football rivalry 22-21. Last minute referee mistakes made the contest another hotly contested classic in the long running rivalry. The Lavabo Bowl is the annual football contest between the two Episcopal seminaries. Seabury is in Evanston, IL north of Chicago. Nasotah House is located about 3 hours north in the Wisconsin area. Only in America between 2 Episcopal seminaries, can the name "Lavabo Bowl" be both for a football bowl game name. (A lavabo bowl is the liturgical bowl which holds holy water.) Pre-game festivities included a 10AM mass in the Seabury Chapel, followed by an incensing and blessing of the field by Rev. Dr. AKM Adam , in full Anglican clerical garb, bringing the other flag football game between Northwestern intramural teams to a standstill at the spectacle of high c...

Hail the Empire! Here's one for you (Funny what you don't hear on American network news): http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/3948329.stm

From the news of the "it has to be true because no one could think this up" file: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/3946771.stm

This thought comes from Poeman, one of the Early Desert Fathers of the 3rd Century. The Early Desert Fathers were the precursors to Christian monaticism. "Poeman said, 'If a man sins and denies it, saying, 'I have not sinned!' do not correct him or you will destroy any intention he has of changing. If you say, 'do not be cast down, my brother, but be careful about that in the future.' you might move his heart to repent."

An idea I have been toying with is the idea of doing a bit of teaching in the form of a Christain Heresy of the Week. This week, despite the tempation, we are not going to look at the iconclasm of Luther's Toilet (see below), or as I have dubbed it Toiletism. Oh my, clergyman humor, you gotta love it! But seriously, this week we look at Marcionism, named after...huh huh...Marcion, of whom little is known as after being labelled a heretic, most of his own work was burned or lost. Marcionites, who had some Gnostic tendencies, believed the world to be evil because the God of the Old Testament-the God of the Jews- was an evil and vindictive God, creator of evils, lustful for wars and self contradictory. Christ was sent by the more powerful God of Goodness to rescue us. Marcion taught the rejection of the Old Testament in its entirety, all the gospels except Luke, and all epistles except the works of Paul, as it was the work of a perverted, evil God. Marcion is important,...

This theological news just in...we've hit a new low: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/3944549.stm

Today's thought is actually a prayer for the Mission of the Church. This seems appropriate in light of all the hoohah this week from Lambeth. It comes from the Book of Common Prayer, pg 816-817. Without further ado, here is your Thought of the Day... "Everliving God, whose will it is that all should come to you through your Son Jesus Christ: Inspire our witness to him, that all may know the power of his forgiveness and the hope of his resurrection, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen." That, sisters and brothers, is what we must keep sight of. Whatever happens in the Anglican Communion, whether we chose to live together or apart, this is what its all about. Grace and Peace...Goodnight

Though my rant yesterday emphatically declared I would not talk politics on this blog, I wish to clarify that I will stoop, at my discretion, to commentate on sports from time to time. Ideally, I will only do this if I can work it into some theological scheme. So here it is...so, uh, theological theme...proof miracles can happen...uh, yeah, that is it. Please realize I am saying this tongue in cheek (Please forgive me, Mr. Bonhoeffer): http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2004/baseball/mlb/specials/postseason/2004/10/21/bc.bba.alcs.ap/index.html

A friend (who shall remain nameless) IM'ed me earlier today with a link that I could put on my blog here concerning an electoral college map. Even though it was a non-partisan thing, I do want to make clear that I believe Christ transcends petty American politics. And as such, I will not be posting anything political on this blog. It is theological in origin and I wish to keep it that way. Ministers and politics do not good bedfellows make. (On second thought, ministers and anyone do not good bedfellows make.)

If this one does not give you pause, i do not know what will: "In conversation with him one day I said, 'Mahatma Gandhi, I am very anxious to see Christianity naturalized in India, so that it shall be no longer a foreign thing identified with a foreign people and a foreign government, but a part of the national life of India and contributing its power to India's uplift and redemption. What do you suggest we do to make that possible?' "He very gravely and thoughtfully replied, 'I would suggest, first, that all of you Christians, missionaries and all, must begin to live more like Jesus Christ. Second, I would suggest that you must practice your religion without adulterating it or toning it down. Third, I would suggest that you must put your emphasis on love, for love is the center and soul of Christianity. Fourth, I would suggest that you study the non-Christian religions and culture more sympathetically in order to find the good that is in them, so that you...

I responded earlier to something my friend Josh wrote in a comment. I just feel I need to rant a bit more about where I am now and what really scares me about the whole Eames thing. My big diatribe yesterday, which looking back today I realized was like 4 double spaced pages worth of stuff (I wish exegesis pages came that easy), I think really beat around the bush as to what scares me so much about the Eames Report. I thought and prayed about it, and what scares me to the bone is the fact that when the Eames Report fails, the communion will break, not in half, but shatter into dozens of small little fragments like a clay pot thrown to the floor. Essentially, this is how I see the whole Lambeth thing playing out. The Windsor report goes to the appropriate committees (or as I call them, Anglicanism's perverse gift to the world, the gift that keeps on giving) which will ultimately result in action from the Primates at Lambeth. The Primates, most of whom are from the Global South...

From the Episcopal News Service wire: "[ENS, London/New York] --A London video interview with Presiding Bishop FrankGriswold offering his response to the Windsor Report is now available on the ENSWeb site. Also posted there in three segments is full coverage of the October 18London news conference at which the Windsor Report was released to the public.The video reports can be accessed on-line at: http://www.episcopalchurch.org/3577_51516_ENG_HTM.htm

In inaugurating this new blog, I have been contemplating some daily or weekly tidbits I can through in from time to time. This is sort of a Thought of the Day kind of thing, if you will. (I am also planning a Classic Heresy of the Week teaching blurb, but that will be for another day). "Christians who are content with faith, and do not use reason to build upon it, are again a child who is forever content on milk alone..." -Clement of Alexandria, 2nd Century CE Today's thought comes from Clement of Alexandria, who was a highly educated pagan convert who died in AD 216. He is the patron saint of teachers. His Feast Day is December 7th.

Likewise on the other side of the coin, Conservative Anglican primates intend to "add teeth" the the Windsor Report, according to: http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2004/142/26.0.html This is exactly what the Eames Commission was supposed to avoid, that is, turning this into a theological vendetta. The were supposed to come up with a moderate solution(s) that everybody (well, let me rephrase that into vast majority of Anglicans) could live with. Instead, they fudged with this "Good Chap" report, which will lead to the one thing they were supposed to avoid: vindictive schism and further polarization. I have to say, this is most distressing. I guess all we can do is pray.

Before reading this post, read my Preliminary Reactions to the Eames Report below. That having been said, I had no more than finished that blog and went to dinner, only to return to find this little nugget: http://www.fosters.com/october_2004/10.19.04/news/ap_vt1019a.asp To recap it, essentially the Episcopal diocese of Vermont announcing that they would still continue to bless civil unions, even over the explicit warnings for a moratorium as outlined by the Eames Report. As I said below, the Eames report is toothless, as it lives in a anglotopian world where everyone wants to reach a concensus and be happy. As this illustrates, without stern measures, liberal elements are still going to keep right on doing what caused the crisis to begin with and we are right back to where we were before the Eames commission even began.

Thoughts on the Eames Commission Report I have been pondering the impact of the Eames commission report for some time now and what it might say, etc. Being at a somewhat liberal Episcopal seminary, there was much anticipation and collective wringings of hand. Likewise, on the other side, I knew some of my brethren Conservatives were smelling blood and going into, what I can only describe as a “burn the heretic” frenzy. Now that it is here, I have to say that I think it is, frankly, pretty weak. I read on some blog (I think was virtuosityonline.org) which described the report as “underwhelming.” I would personally describe it as a theological tempest in a teapot. (Seeing as this in a church of the English tradition, I find that analogy especially appropriate.) Essentially, as far as I can determine when reading the entire thing, I came to the inescapable conclusion “How English!” Frankly, I get the picture of the Eames Commission sitting around drinking Earl Grey tea, going, “Now apo...

The Windsor Report came out yesterday concerning the future of the Anglican Communion. Again, more on this later. However, if you want to read the report or other statements on it, check out this site: Windsor Report And even if you don't read it, please pray. I fear the Anglican communion may be about to shatter. I hope not, but this is reality in a broken world...

Greetings, Some friends of mine who are not Anglican have asked me about some resources on the web about the Episcopal Church and the worldwide Anglican Communion. So, here are some resources you might surf if you are interested (or if you have specific questions, you can ask me.) I have them listed in order of importance. Official Sites: The Anglican Communion (Canterbury, England) The Official Website of the Episcopal Church USA Society of St. John the Evangelist (My friends at the monastery) Cowley Church publishing (Publishing house of SSJE) Episcopal Relief and Development (official missions page) United Thank Offering Seabury Western Theological Seminary Some unofficial sites: The Lectionary Page Lectionary Study Page Online Daily Office Anglicans Online Online Versions of the Book of Common Prayer An online Christian library (check it out, its amazing) Church of England newspaper Finally, some interesting orthodox blogs: Virtuosity Onl...

Greetings in Christ, sisters and brothers: This is a new experiment I am creating. Ironically, it comes on a day which has caused much angst amongst my fellow Anglican brethren, as the Eames Commission Report was released this morning. For those of you who are not Anglican, let me summarize by saying it was the much anticipated report of an independent commision within the church to see what can be done to keep the Anglican communion together in light of the consecration of V Gene Robinson as an openly gay bishop in New Hampshire last year. Since this is the opening of my new blog, let us not concern ourselves with that issue yet. I will save that for another day. (Truth be told, I am still digesting the 100 page report.) I would prefer to open this blog by saying the following explainatory note. The name I chose for the website was costlygrace.blogspot.com; I had no choice with the blogspot name as it is a free blog site, so I guess I am stuck with it. However, the term costly ...