Category - bible

Whose mission is it anyway?

Simon Barrow — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 16:21:32 +0100

Some section of the Anglican Communion are convinced that only their narrow vision of what is permissible in faithfulness to the Christian message is adequate, says Simon Barrow. But they are confounded by the biblical texts they claim loyalty to.

Gordon Brown given copy of Poverty and Justice Bible

staff writers — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 09:39:43 +0100

Gordon Brown has been presented with a copy of the Bible which highlights passages which refer to social justice. Chief Executive of Bible Society, James Catford, presented a copy of during a visit to Downing Street.

Bible should liberate not enslave women, say theologians

Ecumenical News International — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 00:18:33 +0000

The Bible needs to be re-read from the viewpoint of women so as to shatter "institutionalised patriarchy", which is reinforced by "conservative" biblical interpretation, says a leader of a prominent group of women theologians.

Binding the church and constraining God

Savi Hensman — Mon, 11 Feb 2008 19:40:17 +0000

In a paper carefully analysing the popular use and misuse of biblical and doctrinal language about God and Church, Savitri Hensman shows that inflexible, one-sided, naïve or ideological conceptions of God in sections of the Christian tradition can reinforce domineering models and practices in the Church – which is in fact supposed to be a creative vehicle of Jesus’ broken body in the world, not a defensive fortress. God is not confined by rules set by humans and our institutions, she argues, however powerful they may be by earthly standards. In the biblical tradition, God is at work outside as well as within institutions, including those that claim to be about God’s business. Liberation, reformation and healing will continue to happen even if, at first, they are not acknowledged by the authorities (ecclesial and otherwise); and in time truth will break through our illusions. This paper is highly relevant to issues being discussed in and beyond Anglicanism, concerning its disputed future, and in other sections of the worldwide Church. It makes specific reference to the debate about an Anglican Covenant in the run-up to the Lambeth Conference 2008. It may also give those outside the Church a better understanding of how language and tradition is being applied and misapplied within very diverse Christian communities during a time of considerable upheaval and anxiety, both inside and outside the Church.

Savi Hensman

Shifting Evangelical opinion on sexuality

Press Office — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 09:51:31 +0000

Simon Barrow, co-director of the religion and society think-tank Ekklesia, which has argued that an inclusive stance towards lesbian and gay people is compatible with the historic commitments of ma

Leading Evangelical bishop calls for fresh approach to sexuality row

staff writers — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 09:35:29 +0000

Bishop of Liverpool James Jones has called for a change of heart among Evangelicals in the bitter argument about sexuality, Scripture and authority. But he has not fully sanctioned same-sex relations, as some media reports have suggested.

Bible rethink on corporal punishment gathers pace around the world

staff writers — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 08:02:05 +0000

Outdated language used to justify corporal punishment of children is set to be removed from new translations of the Bible in Norway. Church leaders have given the green light to the proposal, put forward by the Norwegian Ombudsman for Children

On possibly being a political junkie

Johan Maurer — Mon, 14 Jan 2008 19:14:59 +0000

Actual sea changes in politics come rarely, but they do come, so don't let cynicism make you a functional reactionary, says Johan Maurer, who particularly wishes that the evangelical Christian community would be released from hero-worship and grasped by a biblical vision of social justice.

Christ is an unwanted gift for the religious

Simon Barrow — Tue, 25 Dec 2007 00:10:01 +0000

Whether we love or hate Christmas, we know all about it. But the same may not be true of the coming of Jesus, says Simon Barrow. In Christ, God radically disrupts religious 'business as usual'.

Website launched to compare Qu'ran and Bible

staff writers — Fri, 07 Dec 2007 08:55:23 +0000

In a move believed to be the first of its kind, Dutch broadcasting companies Radio Netherlands Worldwide and IKON in Hilversum yesterday launched the integral texts of the Bible and the Qu'ran alongside each other on one website.