tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7484369930916568646.comments2023-06-05T20:18:03.405+10:00ξενίζοντα: strange thingsGeoff Thompsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01568321832243503832noreply@blogger.comBlogger103125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7484369930916568646.post-13638560739836493452022-10-14T09:08:17.060+11:002022-10-14T09:08:17.060+11:00Thanks for this balanced and appropriately nuanced...Thanks for this balanced and appropriately nuanced response, Geoff. It is a pity it wasn’t published, though sadly not surprising.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7484369930916568646.post-9425975712566262872019-06-20T08:35:07.041+10:002019-06-20T08:35:07.041+10:00Coming from a Buddhist background, it was the bigg...Coming from a Buddhist background, it was the biggest news that people talked about a God with personality... or personalities!Amelia Koh-Butlerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00445583740261659628noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7484369930916568646.post-64082723695701127432019-06-16T15:41:58.697+10:002019-06-16T15:41:58.697+10:00Glad it was helpful, Craig.Glad it was helpful, Craig.Geoff Thompsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01568321832243503832noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7484369930916568646.post-41221276733776998812019-06-16T08:06:09.679+10:002019-06-16T08:06:09.679+10:00This is great, Geoff! Very helpful for me personal...This is great, Geoff! Very helpful for me personally as well as professionally. Thanks.Craighttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13795408499811638707noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7484369930916568646.post-62766180017261902852019-06-15T11:47:01.012+10:002019-06-15T11:47:01.012+10:00Thanks Geoff. Timely and challenging!Thanks Geoff. Timely and challenging!John Squireshttps://johntsquires.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7484369930916568646.post-20185006038161588182019-06-11T10:02:25.410+10:002019-06-11T10:02:25.410+10:00As someone who was around in 1977 I remember how f...As someone who was around in 1977 I remember how for many lay people at least this was to be an exciting precursor to future union with other mainstream churches - which was the point of calling ourselves Uniting. At least the Canadians were honest enough to called themselves United. Not many would have foreseen our continuing embrace of liberalism and the media's agenda. No doubt euthanasia will be next on the agenda.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7484369930916568646.post-58724039242042114542019-05-23T08:11:04.637+10:002019-05-23T08:11:04.637+10:00A couple of us were watching the results come up w...A couple of us were watching the results come up while at the Queensland Synod meeting.<br />A friend at the end of the night said, "I wish I could live in a compassionate Australia, but that isn't going to happen."<br /><br />Our Norman and Mary Miller Lecturer for the evening was a professor of Political History, who made the very good point that there are many politicians who are warm, friendly and compassionate but are overcome by a kind of insanity in the public sphere an turn into belligerent nasty fighters Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03633670482885418468noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7484369930916568646.post-40182202734882725972019-05-22T14:59:51.017+10:002019-05-22T14:59:51.017+10:00I agree with your post. Let us all work together t...I agree with your post. Let us all work together to uplift those who are struggling and downtrodden.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02778094368728557783noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7484369930916568646.post-90369481654966255362019-04-06T15:18:18.960+11:002019-04-06T15:18:18.960+11:00Do we acknowledge “one another in love and joy as ...Do we acknowledge “one another in love and joy as believers in our Lord Jesus Christ”? What a wonderful question you pose! Given the levels of hostility apparent over the life of the UCA, and most especially whenever we've attempted to talk about matters sexual, it might be tempting to answer in the negative. However, in the main, my experience has been positive. Most often, I've been greeted in love and joy as a believer. Even when I've preached such heretical things as unconditional love and the acceptance of people from other faiths. Truly, the UCA has been a good home to have.One point of the compasshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18011874383535619133noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7484369930916568646.post-5738273024478739812018-09-23T12:55:55.082+10:002018-09-23T12:55:55.082+10:00Glad it was helpful, David. There's much good ...Glad it was helpful, David. There's much good stuff in the JCCU's materialGeoff Thompsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01568321832243503832noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7484369930916568646.post-18259396354729449272018-09-22T17:07:38.791+10:002018-09-22T17:07:38.791+10:00I've come back to this post a couple of times ...I've come back to this post a couple of times now, including now while I'm reflecting on the 'first table' of the Decalogue. It's a very helpful word. Thanks Geoff.David Fotheringhamnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7484369930916568646.post-64192392917391098812018-05-14T17:51:20.500+10:002018-05-14T17:51:20.500+10:00Great address Geoff. Funny, real, and lovely landi...Great address Geoff. Funny, real, and lovely landing in Scripture - Steve Taylorspirit2go teamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04275018079934031322noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7484369930916568646.post-52220830600464429022018-05-07T10:47:48.511+10:002018-05-07T10:47:48.511+10:00Thanks, Dave, for your response. I respect the fac...Thanks, Dave, for your response. I respect the fact that you've come to that conclusion and honour your resolve to live accordingly. The real-life situations (such as yours) which lie behind these debates are full of struggle, nobility, faithfulness and ambiguity. To a large extent I accept that the onus is one those like me who make the kind of arguments I have to make their case against the tradition. That's why I keep working away at this and will continue to listen to voices such as your own even if I am still committed to a different position. Shalom.Geoff Thompsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01568321832243503832noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7484369930916568646.post-68707012731665713732018-05-05T15:33:47.381+10:002018-05-05T15:33:47.381+10:00Hi Geoff,
As a gay and convinced Christian I'v...Hi Geoff,<br />As a gay and convinced Christian I've come to a different conclusion.<br />I haven't always led a celibate life (I try!) but never believed that gay is good in God's eyes.I'm just not convinced by those contemporary readings which assert e.g. that the Genesis story is about hospitality rather than unlawful sex, and that Paul was essentially on about male temple prostitution. The plain words of scripture seem very abstruse to me. It would be comforting to find an instance of a loving same sex intimate encounter which was met with biblical approval. Alas, the opposite is the case as far as I can see.<br />Maybe I am suffering from what some call 'internalised homophobia' but I don't think so. I am deeply sympathetic to others in the same situation- including some I know who are untroubled by my qualms.<br />I certainly think the church should be inclusive - and probably I am not the only one in the congregation I attend who is similarly inclined. It's good that the early church opened itself to the outsider Gentiles - though no doubt they afterwards at least attempted to follow a new way of life.<br />This is an issue I wrestle with most days - by prayer, reading and reflection. I have much to thank God for but accept my wisdom is limited. Perhaps when I stand before my Maker and Judge he may say 'Sorry Dave, but you mis-heard me' and I will be chastened - though I expect, still loved. DaveDavenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7484369930916568646.post-89905865560714758312017-10-31T21:12:21.570+11:002017-10-31T21:12:21.570+11:00Thanks Neil. Thanks Neil. Geoff Thompsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01568321832243503832noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7484369930916568646.post-50569805494517625432017-10-31T10:29:25.264+11:002017-10-31T10:29:25.264+11:00Thanks, Geoff, for the unearthing of Luther's ...Thanks, Geoff, for the unearthing of Luther's phrase, "the alien righteousness of God." It suggests no contamination with our self-righteousness. Jenny and I have just been to a Lutheran renewal weekend hosted by our son, Stephen's church in Toowoomba. One of the sessions was specifically celebrating Luther and this anniversary. Not surprisingly, the speaker was emphasising the place of experience of God in Luther's thinking in the face of much expression of faith limited to the mind rather than the whole self - I've struggled for the right words here! <br /><br />NeilNeil Simshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14440453585097649200noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7484369930916568646.post-50562573747487247542017-10-24T12:19:53.186+11:002017-10-24T12:19:53.186+11:00Thank you for a measured, thoughtful and cogent pi...Thank you for a measured, thoughtful and cogent piece: an encouraging example of public theology at its incisive, intellectually rigorous best. Heartening that the Guardian actively sought increased theological content...Fionanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7484369930916568646.post-7265871732812940972017-10-23T19:45:11.781+11:002017-10-23T19:45:11.781+11:00Thanks for the feedback. I agree,Kim, that Abbott ...Thanks for the feedback. I agree,Kim, that Abbott and his fellow crusaders are easy targets, but your image of 'creature-eating fish' captures nicely why the critique is necessary. This is especially so in Australia at the moment where so much of the theology that is in the public realm is mostly coming from quite unsophisticated opposition to Same Sex Marriage. I"m not sure, Pamela, of the connection you draw with the maxim of the separation of church and state. <br /><br />Geoff Geoff Thompsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01568321832243503832noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7484369930916568646.post-58949229926552632642017-10-23T10:13:58.728+11:002017-10-23T10:13:58.728+11:00A very good piece too. Well done Geoff, and well d...A very good piece too. Well done Geoff, and well done too to the good folk at the G.Jason Goroncyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10569402183837939248noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7484369930916568646.post-58164089372613839032017-10-23T08:57:54.267+11:002017-10-23T08:57:54.267+11:00I've just read the article. Abbott is right (...I've just read the article. Abbott is right (or at least I think he's right) about some things: euthanasia for example. He reads the Bible from his perspective which is what we all do. I read somewhere that the Bible actually reads us. I am no fan of his opinions about climate change and other important matters. Former PM's can contribute meaningfully to public discussions though. Sometimes the maxim about church and state being better separate can be appropriate, don't you think.Pamelahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05815263209123614682noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7484369930916568646.post-76807102997761501092017-10-23T03:05:52.747+11:002017-10-23T03:05:52.747+11:00Great stuff.
Of course offering a theological cri...Great stuff.<br /><br />Of course offering a theological critique of Bible-citing leaders with an ideologically-driven agenda is like shooting fish in a barrel -- except that these fish are creature-eating sharks. So an article well done. And, yes, good on the <i>Guardian</i> for publishing it.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15489409381009363165noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7484369930916568646.post-86033906753143971932017-06-22T20:32:55.026+10:002017-06-22T20:32:55.026+10:00Thanks Geoff. Helpful reflections and useful links...Thanks Geoff. Helpful reflections and useful links to relevant resources. I appreciate your consideration of this ��<br />JohnJohnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04942914532546594200noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7484369930916568646.post-81113988283403507022017-06-22T18:15:05.292+10:002017-06-22T18:15:05.292+10:00Thanks Rod. No I don't think a Book of Confess...Thanks Rod. No I don't think a Book of Confessions and a contemporary confession of our own are mutually exclusive. If we did pursue the latter I'd hope we'd intentionally listen to and appropriate other contemporary confessions in the process of doing so. Catechism? Not sure. I'd prefer to invest our energy in a confession and make that our teaching tool. Geoff Thompsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01568321832243503832noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7484369930916568646.post-803620366757031312017-06-22T10:05:05.326+10:002017-06-22T10:05:05.326+10:00Thanks Geoff. Stimulating the church as usual. I t...Thanks Geoff. Stimulating the church as usual. I think a Book of Confessions would be a useful pedagogical tool. Would that rule out the UCA developing a Confession of its own for our time and place?<br /><br />But on a different tangent, would a Catechism be a more useful tool? Is such an enterprise possible in the 21st century Western culture and our ecclesiological environment? Rod Horsfieldhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15332933030290966740noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7484369930916568646.post-3208135597937144032017-05-31T16:16:47.569+10:002017-05-31T16:16:47.569+10:00You can't blame me for the purchases, Rod! The...You can't blame me for the purchases, Rod! There's probably won't be another one in this series for a while, so your bank account can take a breather. But I'm glad that you're finding the posts helpful. Geoff Thompsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01568321832243503832noreply@blogger.com