The musings of an ordinary sort of God-bothering curate and educator from Yorkshire, God's own country.
Sometimes I think I am in a parallel universe as I ponder why some Christians seem so wilfully theologically illiterate.
"Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things." Philippians 4.19
"Work out your salvation with fear and trembling." Philippians 2.12
As Luther himself said ... "Before the Holy Spirit can come to the rescue, there must be a struggle in the heart. Let no one imagine he will receive the Spirit in any other way." - Epistle Sermon, Pentecost Sunday (Lenker Edition, Vol VIII, pages 11-16)
And the Lord spoke again. "Thinkest thou not of those people again for they are smug and self-satisfied and for their stubborness and hardness of heart I have set my face against them and they shall wither and die in this land for lo, they are surpluss to requirements and their ministry will be no more. But the people of Rowan, even though they face great trials, will flourish and grow and you shall be amongst my people there."
In addition, us Anglicans are able to draw freely from Martin Luther's theology whenever we want! Best of all worlds. (I'm sure you've read the warnings on the CofE tin.)
And so the Disciple Jack who, quite frankly, had becometh a tad bored with constantly hearing "Martin Luther doth say such and such", and "Martin Luther doth do such and such", and "Martin Luther hath stayed in and washed his hair" that he almost wonderest what Jesus was for. (But he kept all this close to his heart for fear of igniting the wrath of the Pharisees, whose wrath could be great and very petty and could screweth him if he steppeth out of line for thay had already smitten his reputation with falsehood and rumour more than once).
"Aha, the people of Rowan lookest indeed a decent bunch. I may, at last, lay me down by green pastures and worry no more that I speak not the language of the German Monk. Praise be to God." Let he who has ears hear. (And she obviously - for the Disciple Jack wast nothing if not inclusive.)
Hmmmm. And which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it? Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him, Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish.
And the disciple Robert saith unto Jack, Rejoice, and be glad, for your reward is great in the Kingdom of heaven.
And there was a great weeping, wailing, and gnashing of teeth among the Lutherans who realised what they had lost, and a great rejoicing among the Anglican people of the Lord, for their joy knew no bounds.
That would be so typical of the Church of England, Russ. I have waited patiently for 52 years to be given the top job, but I wouldn't be at all surprised if the Church turned round and, instead of me, appointed some trendy, young newbie like Sir.
Oh my! Too funny. Who's Jack?
ReplyDeleteAnd the Disciple Jack said "Right-ho then Lord" and off he went(est).
ReplyDeleteMimi: just some poor guy I know who's been jerked about by the Lutherans here. You may have heard the tale.
ReplyDeleteYay!!!. . . I think.
ReplyDeleteAs Luther himself said ... "Before the Holy Spirit can come to the rescue, there must be a struggle in the heart. Let no one imagine he will receive the Spirit in any other way."
ReplyDelete- Epistle Sermon, Pentecost Sunday (Lenker Edition, Vol VIII, pages 11-16)
Seems fairly apt to the ongoing journey ....
And the Lord spoke again. "Thinkest thou not of those people again for they are smug and self-satisfied and for their stubborness and hardness of heart I have set my face against them and they shall wither and die in this land for lo, they are surpluss to requirements and their ministry will be no more. But the people of Rowan, even though they face great trials, will flourish and grow and you shall be amongst my people there."
ReplyDeleteBecause the Lutherans of this land couldst not organise a piss-up in a wine gourd.
ReplyDeleteTherefore Jack laughed within himself, saying, "After I am waxed mature, shall I have pleasure?"
ReplyDeleteAnd the Lord replied, "It is the CofE of which we talk. Let us not get silly here."
ReplyDeleteIn addition, us Anglicans are able to draw freely from Martin Luther's theology whenever we want! Best of all worlds. (I'm sure you've read the warnings on the CofE tin.)
ReplyDeleteAnd so the Disciple Jack who, quite frankly, had becometh a tad bored with constantly hearing "Martin Luther doth say such and such", and "Martin Luther doth do such and such", and "Martin Luther hath stayed in and washed his hair" that he almost wonderest what Jesus was for. (But he kept all this close to his heart for fear of igniting the wrath of the Pharisees, whose wrath could be great and very petty and could screweth him if he steppeth out of line for thay had already smitten his reputation with falsehood and rumour more than once).
ReplyDelete"Aha, the people of Rowan lookest indeed a decent bunch. I may, at last, lay me down by green pastures and worry no more that I speak not the language of the German Monk. Praise be to God." Let he who has ears hear. (And she obviously - for the Disciple Jack wast nothing if not inclusive.)
Go west young man. Otherwise it will be out of the frying pan and into the fire with you.
ReplyDeleteA sound pilgrimage, methinks.
ReplyDeleteHmmmm. And which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it?
ReplyDeleteLest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him, Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish.
And the disciple Robert saith unto Jack, Rejoice, and be glad, for your reward is great in the Kingdom of heaven.
And there was a great weeping, wailing, and gnashing of teeth among the Lutherans who realised what they had lost, and a great rejoicing among the Anglican people of the Lord, for their joy knew no bounds.
ReplyDeleteThank you all for the smiles and methinks the Anglicans got the better man.
ReplyDeleteHoly oxgoads, is this for real? About time you woke up and smelt the frankincense. Alleluia!
ReplyDeleteBesides, when Rowan finally succumbs to a surfeit of eyebrows, the CofE will need a man of broad experience to turn to . . . and who better than you?
PS - What renzmqt said!
That would be so typical of the Church of England, Russ. I have waited patiently for 52 years to be given the top job, but I wouldn't be at all surprised if the Church turned round and, instead of me, appointed some trendy, young newbie like Sir.
ReplyDeleteAye, MP, the first shall be last and the last shall be first. Pity, that.
ReplyDelete