The Madness of Sarah Mullally ?

There are calls for the current Archbishop of Canterbury, Sarah Mullally, to resign over her disastrous decision to give the Hubert Walter award to a prominent Muslim cleric from Pakistan who supports sharia law and vile blasphemy laws which are used to persecute Christians in Pakistan. He also supported Bin Laden. The treatment and persecutions of Christians in Pakistan are horrendous. They have been well documented by Open Doors and Barnabas Aid. The Pakistan legal system is woefully corrupt, and mobs have killed Christians.

The appearance of the wife of this Muslim leader dressed in a fully covered body by Burka is an insult to Lambeth Palace's Christian values and tradition.

This award to the Bin Laden supporter was at the time of the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks. He has not been known for acts of reconciliation and building bridges. He has never condemned jihadism, Islamic terrorism. On his watch Christians have been suffering painful persecution. His track record is dreadful.

 

What a failure of judgment. 

Does Hell exist?

 I have been thinking about death recently and what happens when we die. Memento more. It is poignant in view of those dear friends and colleagues from my youth and student days who are no longer here, being dead and in eternity. Some have died recently.

There are those who claim to have had experiences of the afterlife, glimpses of paradise and heavenly encounters, angelic visitations.  I have reservations about these claims, but hope that folk have their reservations in a mansion prepared by the Lord, as mentioned in John 14:2-3. These abodes must be magnificent. Another relevant passage would be 1 Corinthians 2:9-10.  Deep mysteries above and beyond our pay grade?

So do those who are lost, those rejected by God, (who says Depart from Me, you cursed), send folk to hell?  It would appear so, according to Jesus' teaching on Gehenna in the Gospel. It is a place of torment, Luke 16:33, weeping and wailing, gnashing of teeth, (Matthew 13:32) deep regret and separation from God. Jesus spoke uncomfortable words about eternal fire, unquenchable fire, outer darkness (Matthew 25:30).  

How could there be outer darkness if there is eternal fire? Well if you are blind you would know that there could be darkness even when there could be fire all around you. The spiritually blind in hell would be aware of their torment in the eternal fire in that dreadful darkness.

Some years ago I wrote in a journal, Hell exists.  It is not a torture chamber constructed by a despot. It is a place of regret, of weeping and wailing, of sadness and despair. It is a place where sins and the consequences of sins are felt, experienced and painfully known. It is a place where the sinner understands and realizes their folly, stupidity and failure. The people of Hell gnash their teeth when they see their sins and selfishness destroying them. Hell is hopelessness, existing without God.

Now I may be wrong about Hell. I may see this important issue incorrectly. But I believe that it is in the Gospel message,  that we are all  hell deserving sinners that Christ has come to seek and to seek, to redeem us and keep us away from the dreadful end. By His grace He has brought salvation, eternal life to all who respond to Him in repentance and regeneration by the Holy Spirit. Ephesians 2:8-10. John 3:16.

For me, the crucial question is, where will you spend eternity?

What happens when Christians die?

 I recently saw the funeral service and thanksgiving for the life of Dr Max Turner on YouTube. I remember Max when he was strict librarian at London Bible College in the 1970s, when I was an undergraduate.

I read much later his theological writings on Luke/Acts, the Holy Spirit and charismatic issues. Spendid scholarship.

As a New Testament scholar Max was magnificent, so I was particularly interested to hear his views on the afterlife when they were shared at the service on 3 September. His daughter read from his message given at a funeral for a relative.

Max believed that when a Christian dies they go to paradise, "the Eden garden of peace...all awaiting our resurrection...before that explosive day of resurrection. "  Quoting from Martin Luther, Max believed that we shall rise in a moment and be with Him for ever...not knowing how we came into death in that glorious peace.

Deep serene sleep, that wondrous sleep, total rest would therefore be experienced.  Some would call this soul sleep until the Great Day of the Lord, Yom Yahweh.

Did the Charismatic Movement of the late 20th Century fail?

 I once discussed this question with an elderly Canon of the Cof E. His answer at that time was that the charismatic movement failed to be charismatic enough, in failing to allow the Holy Spirit to bring more charisma, more spiritual gifts and graces. It failed at times to be genuinely charismatic and truly manifest the power and the provision of God.

Sadly the charismatic movement produced some leaders who were self serving and self aggrandizing. It is also produced some Word of Faith hucksters who preached prosperity theology and also some tele-evangelists who made false claims about healings, miracles and how wealth should be acquired.  Some leaders associated with the charismatic movement abused their positions of authority and influence. There were sexual scandals, false prophecies and wicked manipulation of young people. The horror stories and evidence of these sad scandals and sexual sins are recorded on YouTube videos.  These vile acts were perpetrated by well established preachers and prophets.

Some people began to identify as post charismatic because they had been harmed by their experience of charismatic Christianity. They were clearly scarred emotionally and spiritually. The wounds were deep and devastating.  It spelt disaster for some of these high profile preachers and prophets.  There is still a lot of fall out and ongoing problems as a result of these malignant ministries.

Despite the damage and these disasters in the charismatic movement, there are thousands of Christians throughout the world who can testify to the value, benefits and blessings of charismatic renewal, genuine charismatic experience.  They would say that the Holy Spirit has led them in spiritual realms, into a deeper reality of Christian living. This may be manifested in spiritual gifts, in healing, in holiness and a closer walk with the Lord, and often a new boldness in sharing and declaring their faith, power to live the Christian life as God intended. 

Holy Communion is more than a remembrance

 Holy Communion, also known as the blessed sacrament, the Lord's supper, is more than remembering that Jesus Christ died for us. It is far more than reflecting on what he accomplished on the cross at Calvary. 

It is fellowship with God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit in participating in a love feast, a time of celebration.

In the Holy Communion service, the Eucharist, the giving of thanks, there should be:

confession

contrition

connection.

But there may not be because the service of Holy Communion is rushed, rapidly conducted without due care and attention, without due diligence.

According to Corinthians, the Eucharist, the Lord's supper should never be taken lightly or without discernment.  It is for God's people to participate in a holy event, a sacrament, a divine encounter, a proclamation. 1 Corinthians 11: 23-34 explains the majesty of this mystery, this sacrament of grace.

Continued on 12 September 

To expand the three points, confession, contrition and connection, I would say that they come together in communion, in fellowship, in koinonia with the triune God. His children are welcome to the table of blessing. It is a time of worship and wonder, when we are able to participate in a holy event, a divine encounter.

God is holy and almighty, a consuming fire and faithful Lord. Therefore He should be approached with reverence and awe. Confession is appropriate. We should confess our sins and seek His forgiveness, knowing that He is faithful and just in cleansing us from all unrighteousness through Christ Jesus. 1 John 1:9 applies. Some find the words of the General Confession helpful, even necessary.

That brings us to contrition. This is more than being sorry for our sins. Criminals in prison are sorry for the mess that they have done and the pain that it has caused family, friends and fellow criminals, but there is no repentance or contrition. And this can be true of people at church, who may have no intention of changing their lives, habits, harmful devices and desires. Contrition means a commitment to change and putting away everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. Hebrews 12:1.

So the third point is connection. Do we in Holy Communion connect with God? Are we in fellowship with Him? Do we find intimacy and enjoy the amazing grace, hesed, abundance and benefits of His love. 

I shall conclude with the words of Lord in Revelation, the Apocalypse, 3:19-20

Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest, and repent.

Look here! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come right in and I will dine with him, and he with Me.

Authority in the church: where does it come from?

 I have often pondered the question of where does authority come from in the church?

It raises the old chestnuts about male authority, leadership, eldership, bishoprics, overseers, management, hierarchy etc.

Some would argue that the main issue is biblical authority. Others would put tradition as normative. Many would say that God is the ultimate authority and we should therefore find out what His will is on all matters of authority.

So we get into the issues of interpretation, understanding texts, established rules and regulations, what is considered best practice, historical precedence or tradition.

Now I would argue that authority comes with wisdom, knowledge and ability, especially when there is evident talent, gifts (spiritual, natural and acquired through skills). Some people have charisma, a self assurance and confidence in their ability that gives them authority. Strong personalities often gravitate into leadership positions, and the loudest voices of the determined wish to control and command. This becomes a problem when status, money and influence/connections influence the church agenda. I would argue that this is unhealthy because leadership in the church should be related to spirituality and a godly life.

In some churches the control and the agenda are managed by an elite, an oligarchy.  Sometimes a diaconate or eldership can be controlled by a small group of like minded people, usually dominated by men, who ensure that only those who agree with their views have any say or influence in the church. In some case this leadership could be mainly under the control of a few family members and relatives. 

In some non-conformist leadership teams the positions of authority are in practice only open to folk in certain professions and positions in the community.  The diaconate would be the preserve of the senior managers, the solicitors, professional middle classes and above, officer class and people who have high status or standing in the community. Some church livings were in the gift of the local or even far away lord and lady of the manor, the dean of a college, a guild or some generous benefactor, as I understand it.  Worldly, carnal considerations therefore contaminate the church leadership.  

I wish to argue for leadership in the church according to spirituality, lives without reproach, and with the talents, skills, abilities to move hearts and minds in and into the Kingdom of God.  Authority would come from those who possess, those who have been recognized by God's people , to have these gifts.  

Those who exercise spiritual gifts and graces have an authority from God, because their gifts and graces have the touch, power, authority and energy of the Holy Spirit. Sometimes the counterfeit can occur, but the test of time and the fruits of ministry will show what is genuine, sincere, spiritual (the work of the Holy Spirit).  Jesus will be uplifted and glorified. The results may not be apparent in time but they will be revealed in eternity.  The questions is: does this ministry produce work, fruit of eternal quality?

If someone is gifted and highly talented in teaching the Word of God, with an established theological education, according to some traditions, that does not give them authority to preach or minister, especially if they are female.  I know of some churches where the men would walk out if a woman went into the pulpit. It is fine for her to give a testimony or share an experience of spiritual growth but under no circumstance should she preach or expound the Bible, even if she has written books and published papers of theological significance. So if a man as a preacher in the pulpit  read from this woman's work and passed it off as his sermon then that would be allowed, would it not?  Some would say this is unacceptable because it is in effect "sermon theft," something that CH Spurgeon was accused of when he used another man's sermon.  There have been many cases of preachers using, and abusing, the sermons of other preachers without acknowledging the fact.

So back to the questions of authority.  I contend strongly that authority in church leadership comes with spirituality, gifts and graces of the Holy Spirit, manifested with wisdom, knowledge and evidence of divine blessing. Is there fruit, evidence of spirituality?

It often comes with respect and integrity.  Sometimes this takes years to acquire and develop. Authority is undermined if there is mendacity, dishonesty, greed, deviance and pride. Ministries have collapsed when certain evil deeds have come to light. The position that they once held dear has been removed and their authority with their established status is taken away. Certain high profile leaders in the USA have been exposed by investigative journalists and bloggers. The hypocrisy is sometimes incredible. Certainly amazing and troubling.

In some churches they are sacked and disgraced. In other churches they can be reassigned and hidden way in some low profile position, a college library or Craggy Island (Father Ted) type situation.  Cover ups can occur and damage limitation.  It may amaze God's people how far some organizations and church groups will go to preserve reputations and ministries in which a great deal of money, time and energy have been invested.

Does authority collapse or disappear when someone has committed a serious sin, such as adultery, fornication/lascivious sex, sexual deviance such as sex with minors,  rape, fraud, unprovoked physical violence, to name some of them? It seems that when reproach, reprobate behaviour and reprimands are forthcoming then there must be removal from ministry, often indefinitely with no chance of restitution to positions and places of access to the flock. Restitution is an important issue when there is repentance and true contrition.  Can the reproach and loss of respect and reputation be restored again?  Tough question and a soul searching exercise for the church.

John Bunyan is a great example of incarnated authority. He was not an educated man by colleges or academic intuitions, but wonderfully self educated and learned in the Word of God, in puritan theology.

He did not have a license to preach or to officiate in the established church. In fact, he fell foul of the ecclesiastical and secular authorities and was imprisoned for his non-conformity.  Religious leaders were instrumental in the crucifixion of Christ.  And religious leaders in the Anglican Church persecuted Bunyan. He suffered for his faith, his testimony to the truth of God's Word, in the face of religiosity. Yet he did not compromise and kowtow to those in authority. This authority was certainly not godly, gracious or good for our land.  

Bunyan was a Baptist preacher without formal theological training, yet he wrote magnificent literature, ministered to a small flock in the Bedford area and was recognized for his pastoral gifts, his ability to move hearts and minds.  When he preached folk were born again by the work of the Holy Spirit and brought closer to the Saviour. Bunyan advanced the Kingdom of God. He had true godly authority, an authority from God that is appreciated to this day.

Into the Hall of Shame?

 When it comes to red cards, serious vicious fouls, yellow cards, there is one football player who is the prime offender, certainly when it comes to La Liga and Champions League games.  He had been accused of employing the dark arts during tackles and physical contact on the pitch.  Dare we mention his name?  Some of his offences during games are legendary and offensive. He was a leader and won many battles, many trophies, and he was lucky, which is necessary in sport. But was he a good sport who played fair?