Happy Friday!
This afternoon I saw something really weird. I had strolled down to the RTA to renew my licence (as had half of western Sydney). While awaiting the production of said licence, a lady past the first flush of youth and of distinctly Inland Proletariat culture (let the reader understand) was having her photo taken for her licence. This is usually a simple process: sit in the chair, watch the lens, count to three, and your likeness is enshrined on Official Documentation for the next few years. We all know these photos are never our best. In fact, most of us take perverse pleasure in demonstrating how bad they can be to friends and family. Anyway, this particular lady (egged on by her friends) was being a little bit picky regarding her photo. In fact she asked for at least five retakes before the RTA official put her foot down and wouldn't allow any more. I didn't know you could do that!!! I thought that once that photo was taken, that's it, no Ifs Buts or Maybes so long as it meets the official criteria.
I'm the first to admit that I don't make the best photographic subject in the world. I'd prefer most photos of me to be burnt/deleted as soon as they are taken. But sometimes photos have to be taken - weddings, birthdays, first days of school, enbalming parties, etc. You have to take this sort of thing on the chin, smile for the camera and move on. Like many things. You don't always get a second go.
I must admit feeling frustrated with this woman at the RTA. Why does she think that she deserves a better picture on HER licence than the rest of us have on ours? Is it vanity or selfishness? What if all of us wanted six goes to get it right?
But was it that I was more upset with myself for not vetting my own photo? We get so few chances to 'have another go' in life, do we begrudge others when they get a chance? Is that why it is hard to forgive a Christian brother or sister when they hurt us. Jesus says that if a brother come to us seven times in one day begging forgiveness we are to forgive them seven times (Lk 17:3-4). I usually need at least a day to cool off after an argument with someone, whether I am in the right or the wrong. But we are called to a life of Radical Forgiveness. How often do I fall short...
Friday, September 18, 2009
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Whose Prayerbook?
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you.
On top of filling my mind with modern Roman Catholic moral theology and avoiding a Luke 23 eis-egesis (what you have to do when a passage of Scripture defies all analysis), I have, like many of my Third Year colleagues, been preparing for a Liturgy exam. Front and centre is the tradition of the Anglican Prayerbook, its history and theology. As someone who has come from a sort-of R.C. family I find this sort of thing fascinating. This has been helped by outstanding lectures from Mr Keith Condie, a highlight of the year.
But, as we all know, you don't get good marks by simple regurgitation, so I have been picking away at an Anglo-Catholic history of the Prayerbook for a different perspective. [note to my contemporaries: Make good use of the Free Book table at the MTC Library. Most of it is raving heresy, but there be gold in them thar hills!] A certain canon of Peterborough (probably now long deceased) lays his cards open in a rather vulgar fashion. Significant attention and praise is given to the 1549 book, while the chapter on the 1552 book (the most Reformed of all the Prayerbooks) is entitled 'A Victory for the Extremists'. I was shocked to discover that the Holy Communion service from that particular book is 'a liturgical mostrosity' and that Thomas Cranmer was little more than a wimp, unable to stand up to those nasty bullies from Zurich.
This little book, while now over 60 years old, contains arguments that still have currency in ecclesiological and liturgical discussion. The way that we meet and the language that we use can be very powerful statements about who we and what we believe. If you see someone at a Bledisloe Cup match dressed head to foot in green and gold there are no prizes for guessing who they are barracking for. You don't have to ask them what they think about the Wallabies as its written all over them.
I am not a Cranmer expert. I have read a few Homilies for help with exams/essays, and what I have read gives me confidence that he truly was the strong Reformer I was always taught that he was. Was he cautious? Yes. Did he want to avoid all-out religious war in England? Yes. Does this mean that we have to describe his churchmanship as Broad or even Closet Catholic? No.
In the sweet shop of Christianity, Anglicans are the Assorted Chocolate-Coated Nuts. On the outside we can look fairly similar (if we're on our best behaviour!) but our centre of faith may look and taste quite different. No better place is this seen than the Prayerbook Wars. Everyone wants to claim ownership, both of the Book and of its principle author. No-one is REALLY happy with the 1662 Book. It is not as Reformed as it could be, nor as Catholic as it could be. Those of us who fall on the more Reformed side are happy things aren't as bad as they could be. The Catholics deplore the loss of tradition still present in 1549 and are bitter about the perceived victory of the 'extremists' over Cranmer's original intentions.
So whose Prayerbook is it, the Puritans' or the Papists'? The reality is neither, for Cranmer was neither. We have to remember that the Prayerbook is NOT the same as Scripture. There is a lot of Scripture IN it, but it was never a 'pure' text. It is the work of Assorted Nuts, and is continued to be used and abused by Assorted Nuts. Cranmer would have wanted all his work to be judged by the standard of Scripture, for it is there that we find who we truly are. Our liturgy must come from our understanding of the Gospel, not the other way around. So often in this topic reference is made to systematic considerations rather than biblical ones. Of course, these two are not always in conflict, but it would be nice if sometimes the Assorted Nuts could judge the Prayerbook by the Lord who continues to speak through His Word rather than appealing to the Thomas Cranmer who speaks no more.
Currently Reading: The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson.
Currently Listening To: 'O Death' by Ralph Stanley
On top of filling my mind with modern Roman Catholic moral theology and avoiding a Luke 23 eis-egesis (what you have to do when a passage of Scripture defies all analysis), I have, like many of my Third Year colleagues, been preparing for a Liturgy exam. Front and centre is the tradition of the Anglican Prayerbook, its history and theology. As someone who has come from a sort-of R.C. family I find this sort of thing fascinating. This has been helped by outstanding lectures from Mr Keith Condie, a highlight of the year.
But, as we all know, you don't get good marks by simple regurgitation, so I have been picking away at an Anglo-Catholic history of the Prayerbook for a different perspective. [note to my contemporaries: Make good use of the Free Book table at the MTC Library. Most of it is raving heresy, but there be gold in them thar hills!] A certain canon of Peterborough (probably now long deceased) lays his cards open in a rather vulgar fashion. Significant attention and praise is given to the 1549 book, while the chapter on the 1552 book (the most Reformed of all the Prayerbooks) is entitled 'A Victory for the Extremists'. I was shocked to discover that the Holy Communion service from that particular book is 'a liturgical mostrosity' and that Thomas Cranmer was little more than a wimp, unable to stand up to those nasty bullies from Zurich.
This little book, while now over 60 years old, contains arguments that still have currency in ecclesiological and liturgical discussion. The way that we meet and the language that we use can be very powerful statements about who we and what we believe. If you see someone at a Bledisloe Cup match dressed head to foot in green and gold there are no prizes for guessing who they are barracking for. You don't have to ask them what they think about the Wallabies as its written all over them.
I am not a Cranmer expert. I have read a few Homilies for help with exams/essays, and what I have read gives me confidence that he truly was the strong Reformer I was always taught that he was. Was he cautious? Yes. Did he want to avoid all-out religious war in England? Yes. Does this mean that we have to describe his churchmanship as Broad or even Closet Catholic? No.
In the sweet shop of Christianity, Anglicans are the Assorted Chocolate-Coated Nuts. On the outside we can look fairly similar (if we're on our best behaviour!) but our centre of faith may look and taste quite different. No better place is this seen than the Prayerbook Wars. Everyone wants to claim ownership, both of the Book and of its principle author. No-one is REALLY happy with the 1662 Book. It is not as Reformed as it could be, nor as Catholic as it could be. Those of us who fall on the more Reformed side are happy things aren't as bad as they could be. The Catholics deplore the loss of tradition still present in 1549 and are bitter about the perceived victory of the 'extremists' over Cranmer's original intentions.
So whose Prayerbook is it, the Puritans' or the Papists'? The reality is neither, for Cranmer was neither. We have to remember that the Prayerbook is NOT the same as Scripture. There is a lot of Scripture IN it, but it was never a 'pure' text. It is the work of Assorted Nuts, and is continued to be used and abused by Assorted Nuts. Cranmer would have wanted all his work to be judged by the standard of Scripture, for it is there that we find who we truly are. Our liturgy must come from our understanding of the Gospel, not the other way around. So often in this topic reference is made to systematic considerations rather than biblical ones. Of course, these two are not always in conflict, but it would be nice if sometimes the Assorted Nuts could judge the Prayerbook by the Lord who continues to speak through His Word rather than appealing to the Thomas Cranmer who speaks no more.
Currently Reading: The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson.
Currently Listening To: 'O Death' by Ralph Stanley
Saturday, September 12, 2009
Ponyo
Last night I did something that I don't do very often - I went to the movies. It isn't that on principle I dislike paying exorbitant amounts to squeeze seats that are a mite too small, eating overpriced sweets and having my ears bombarded to the point of deafness. The general problem is that 95% of all the movies out there are absolute garbage. And for all you movie snobs, that includes the ones released through Dendy and similar 'arthouse' chains. However, when Hayao Miyazaki releases a new fillum I will always be good for a ticket. So She Who Must Be Obeyed and I trudled off to see 'Ponyo', and we were certainly not disappointed!
'Ponyo' is the story of a little boy (Sosuke) and a goldfish (Ponyo). However, this is no ordinary goldfish, but is instead the daughter of an eccentric sea wizard and a beautiful goddess. When Sosuke rescues Ponyo in the sea shallows they form a special bond. Though her father brings her back to the sea castle, Ponyo has powers of her own and is determined to return to her friend. She escapes, and using her powers to transform into a human girl, goes to live with Sosuke and his mother. However, this upsets the delicate balance of nature, and Sosuke will have to make a very serious decision before things return to normal.
Some of the traditional Miyazaki themes are present - concern for the environment, the innocence of childhood, the magical world beyond the ordinary, and the strength of the feminine. However there are some differences to the usual patter. In 'Ponyo' the magical child stumbles into the real world rather that the other way. There is still the presence of transport and machinery, but Miyazaki has simplified the theme to focus on Sosuke's love of ships, something that many little boys (and those of us who once were) could relate to.
The film is beautifully animated. Miyazaki has deliberately avoided computer-generated animation, preferring to rely on hand-painted cells. This gives the film a timeless air, but also makes it easy on the eye. The characters, even the sea wizard, are very likeable. The sea creatures are wonderfully drawn and Miyazaki appears to want to draw his viewers to recognize that there is a magical world under the sea. Those who see parallels with Disney's 'Little Mermaid' aren't imagining things.
So, who would like this film? There is something there for everyone, but I would not be nervous about taking the under-10 crowd to this. Unlike 'Spirited Away' or 'Howl's Moving Castle' there are no dark spiritual forces to frighten the little ones. In style it is closest to 'Kiki's Delivery Service'. Overall, a most delightful film. Make sure that you get to see it on the big screen while you can!
'Ponyo' is the story of a little boy (Sosuke) and a goldfish (Ponyo). However, this is no ordinary goldfish, but is instead the daughter of an eccentric sea wizard and a beautiful goddess. When Sosuke rescues Ponyo in the sea shallows they form a special bond. Though her father brings her back to the sea castle, Ponyo has powers of her own and is determined to return to her friend. She escapes, and using her powers to transform into a human girl, goes to live with Sosuke and his mother. However, this upsets the delicate balance of nature, and Sosuke will have to make a very serious decision before things return to normal.
Some of the traditional Miyazaki themes are present - concern for the environment, the innocence of childhood, the magical world beyond the ordinary, and the strength of the feminine. However there are some differences to the usual patter. In 'Ponyo' the magical child stumbles into the real world rather that the other way. There is still the presence of transport and machinery, but Miyazaki has simplified the theme to focus on Sosuke's love of ships, something that many little boys (and those of us who once were) could relate to.
The film is beautifully animated. Miyazaki has deliberately avoided computer-generated animation, preferring to rely on hand-painted cells. This gives the film a timeless air, but also makes it easy on the eye. The characters, even the sea wizard, are very likeable. The sea creatures are wonderfully drawn and Miyazaki appears to want to draw his viewers to recognize that there is a magical world under the sea. Those who see parallels with Disney's 'Little Mermaid' aren't imagining things.
So, who would like this film? There is something there for everyone, but I would not be nervous about taking the under-10 crowd to this. Unlike 'Spirited Away' or 'Howl's Moving Castle' there are no dark spiritual forces to frighten the little ones. In style it is closest to 'Kiki's Delivery Service'. Overall, a most delightful film. Make sure that you get to see it on the big screen while you can!
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Take This Job And Shove It!
George Burns (age 90): Retire? How can I retire? Who's going to provide for my grandmother?
Beloved acolytes, the past few days I have been musing about Retirement. A rather strange pastime, some would say, for a man who is still training for his life's vocation. Or should that be 'vacation'? I digress...
The Fourth Estate have been trumpeting about the 'mandatory retirement' of Father Bob Maguire. Under the rules of the Catholic Church, Fr Bob has reached the age where he must offer to resign his parish position, though his bishop may defer his acceptance if there is a case that it is in the best interest of the parish ministry to do so. Fr Bob, in his iconic way, is kicking up a stink about the rules, refusing to serve notice, and settling in for a seige with apparent backing from his flock.
But as one man is refusing to pack it in, another bunch of blokes is throwing off their retirement. Again. Yes, the bloated corpse of Cold Chisel is 'coming out of retirement' once again. In other words, yet another quick trip around the country's bigger sheds belting out some now very shop-worn tunes, flogging off as many commemorative t-shirts as humanly possible, until finally the band members can stagger home with their pockets lined to fund their unprofitable 'artistic' projects for the next five years or so before we have to see it all again.
So, retirement. As I head towards a life in Christian ministry it is possible that I may be Coming In To The Office for some considerable time yet. My dear old dad managed to throw away the ties for a life by the beach before his 46th birthday. Appealing as that may be, I have deliberately chosen a path that makes that option next door to impossible. But even if it were possible, would it be right? I've decided to ask these questions of myself before I begin full-time ministry so I know what expectations are appropriate to have.
There are, as I see it, two major dangers when thinking about ending a ministry career. The first is racing out the door too early, being so focused on what you can do after 'work' can be over for good that poor choices are made, pastoral responsibilities bungled, other people left in the lurch, and ending up planting begonias when you should still be out sowing the word. The second is hanging on too long, putting all of yourself into a ministry to the point at which no-one can imagine getting along without you. In this scenario your whole self worth gets tied up with your work, and there is a fear that the ministry will fall in a heap the moment you clear out your desk.
We unfortunately don't have a Biblical Theology of Retirement. Most servants of the Lord end up either dying naturally or being killed by their enemies. 1 Samuel 3:1-2 suggest that the reason that not many visions were seen in Israel at that time was that the eyes of Eli the priest were 'weak'. Maybe we have it there: mandatory retirement for all pastors who can't pass an eye exam!
Maybe the issue is that, at one level, ministers of the Gospel participate in a work which is already finished. Jesus' cry in John 19:30 was not just a full-stop to his earthly ministry, but also the summing up of the whole purposes of God. Our eschatology matters at this point. Has Jesus done everything or has he lifted us up the 99 steps and asks us to take the last one? To be clear, I don't think that we should be semi-Pelagians!
I feel both liberated and strengthened as I ponder this. The Lord demands faithful obedience, but we are not meant to be like the slaves in Egypt. Six days we work, one day we rest. But our rest is found in Jesus, which is enjoyed both Now and Later. In an episode of 'Are You Being Served' Young Mr Grace declared that he would work until he dropped, at which point he fell over. The Lord spare me from such a mindset! I don't believe that I have to 'die in harness', as Rumpole would put it, in order to have done justice to the calling I have received. But there is such work to be done, and joyous work too! Every breath I take is a breath of service, but I think a few years with the grandchildren will be just another step.
Beloved acolytes, the past few days I have been musing about Retirement. A rather strange pastime, some would say, for a man who is still training for his life's vocation. Or should that be 'vacation'? I digress...
The Fourth Estate have been trumpeting about the 'mandatory retirement' of Father Bob Maguire. Under the rules of the Catholic Church, Fr Bob has reached the age where he must offer to resign his parish position, though his bishop may defer his acceptance if there is a case that it is in the best interest of the parish ministry to do so. Fr Bob, in his iconic way, is kicking up a stink about the rules, refusing to serve notice, and settling in for a seige with apparent backing from his flock.
But as one man is refusing to pack it in, another bunch of blokes is throwing off their retirement. Again. Yes, the bloated corpse of Cold Chisel is 'coming out of retirement' once again. In other words, yet another quick trip around the country's bigger sheds belting out some now very shop-worn tunes, flogging off as many commemorative t-shirts as humanly possible, until finally the band members can stagger home with their pockets lined to fund their unprofitable 'artistic' projects for the next five years or so before we have to see it all again.
So, retirement. As I head towards a life in Christian ministry it is possible that I may be Coming In To The Office for some considerable time yet. My dear old dad managed to throw away the ties for a life by the beach before his 46th birthday. Appealing as that may be, I have deliberately chosen a path that makes that option next door to impossible. But even if it were possible, would it be right? I've decided to ask these questions of myself before I begin full-time ministry so I know what expectations are appropriate to have.
There are, as I see it, two major dangers when thinking about ending a ministry career. The first is racing out the door too early, being so focused on what you can do after 'work' can be over for good that poor choices are made, pastoral responsibilities bungled, other people left in the lurch, and ending up planting begonias when you should still be out sowing the word. The second is hanging on too long, putting all of yourself into a ministry to the point at which no-one can imagine getting along without you. In this scenario your whole self worth gets tied up with your work, and there is a fear that the ministry will fall in a heap the moment you clear out your desk.
We unfortunately don't have a Biblical Theology of Retirement. Most servants of the Lord end up either dying naturally or being killed by their enemies. 1 Samuel 3:1-2 suggest that the reason that not many visions were seen in Israel at that time was that the eyes of Eli the priest were 'weak'. Maybe we have it there: mandatory retirement for all pastors who can't pass an eye exam!
Maybe the issue is that, at one level, ministers of the Gospel participate in a work which is already finished. Jesus' cry in John 19:30 was not just a full-stop to his earthly ministry, but also the summing up of the whole purposes of God. Our eschatology matters at this point. Has Jesus done everything or has he lifted us up the 99 steps and asks us to take the last one? To be clear, I don't think that we should be semi-Pelagians!
I feel both liberated and strengthened as I ponder this. The Lord demands faithful obedience, but we are not meant to be like the slaves in Egypt. Six days we work, one day we rest. But our rest is found in Jesus, which is enjoyed both Now and Later. In an episode of 'Are You Being Served' Young Mr Grace declared that he would work until he dropped, at which point he fell over. The Lord spare me from such a mindset! I don't believe that I have to 'die in harness', as Rumpole would put it, in order to have done justice to the calling I have received. But there is such work to be done, and joyous work too! Every breath I take is a breath of service, but I think a few years with the grandchildren will be just another step.
Monday, September 7, 2009
From Little Things...
Greetings, my public!
Last week I received a letter from a Mrs Trellis of North Wales, suggesting that I might like to put my occasional thoughts out to the world on this new and exciting medium called a 'blog', which apparently is quite cutting edge and may soon prove very popular. This was indicative of the many thousands of letters I receive every week...from Mrs Trellis.
But seriously folks, this is not just an excercise in stealing old jokes (RIP Humphrey Lyttleton). With that in mind, I'd like to welcome all readers to my new blog, The Starry Crown. Anyone who can tell me where the name comes from will win the prize of Eternal Glory...or possibly a pair of socks. This blog is certified HeartSmart and lo-GI. Able to be taken with water, but please refrain from driving for 30mins subsequent.
This will be a place where I can ramble on subjects theological, political, sociological, psychological, gastronomical, ethnomusicological, ad nauseum. Those looking for consistently serious, cutting-edge theological discussion will not find it here. Blogs such as that do exist, several written by Moore College faculty, to which I am happy to direct you if that is your bag. The authors are not likely to be any saner than I am, but many of them have a thing called a 'PhD', which is a slip of paper that allows the bearer to cloak nonsensical and incoherent ramblings with a modicum of academic gravitas. I reject this reality and substitute my own, for so long as it may prove financially advantageous to do so. Some days I may wrestle with important theological and exegetical issues. Other days I might consider social justice and moral issues, the role of Government, upcoming elections, historical trivia, the state of the Anglican Communion, and so forth. Or you might be treated to a CD review, a recipe, a cute pet story (for instance, this morning at 5:30am my cat threw up on the bedroom floor), a joke (What do cows do on the weekend? They moo the lawn!), blah blah blah.
Anyhoo, such is a start. The media sensation this first post will cause will probably be tremendous, and I will have to spend the best part of the day fighting off the scum of the Fourth Estate who shall want to crown me The Voice Of His Generation, demanding that I endorse a new carbonated sugar beverage and appear at a new book opening or restaurant signing. I shall tell them that I am an artist, an Ar-teeeeeeeest! I shall tell them that I cannot be bought, that I have Integrity and a Following who Believes In Me...so they can double their offer or go home!!! Ooooh, all that lovely money.......
Currently Reading: 'Junky' by William Burroughs
Currently Hearing: 'Lydia The Tattooed Lady' by Groucho Marx
Last week I received a letter from a Mrs Trellis of North Wales, suggesting that I might like to put my occasional thoughts out to the world on this new and exciting medium called a 'blog', which apparently is quite cutting edge and may soon prove very popular. This was indicative of the many thousands of letters I receive every week...from Mrs Trellis.
But seriously folks, this is not just an excercise in stealing old jokes (RIP Humphrey Lyttleton). With that in mind, I'd like to welcome all readers to my new blog, The Starry Crown. Anyone who can tell me where the name comes from will win the prize of Eternal Glory...or possibly a pair of socks. This blog is certified HeartSmart and lo-GI. Able to be taken with water, but please refrain from driving for 30mins subsequent.
This will be a place where I can ramble on subjects theological, political, sociological, psychological, gastronomical, ethnomusicological, ad nauseum. Those looking for consistently serious, cutting-edge theological discussion will not find it here. Blogs such as that do exist, several written by Moore College faculty, to which I am happy to direct you if that is your bag. The authors are not likely to be any saner than I am, but many of them have a thing called a 'PhD', which is a slip of paper that allows the bearer to cloak nonsensical and incoherent ramblings with a modicum of academic gravitas. I reject this reality and substitute my own, for so long as it may prove financially advantageous to do so. Some days I may wrestle with important theological and exegetical issues. Other days I might consider social justice and moral issues, the role of Government, upcoming elections, historical trivia, the state of the Anglican Communion, and so forth. Or you might be treated to a CD review, a recipe, a cute pet story (for instance, this morning at 5:30am my cat threw up on the bedroom floor), a joke (What do cows do on the weekend? They moo the lawn!), blah blah blah.
Anyhoo, such is a start. The media sensation this first post will cause will probably be tremendous, and I will have to spend the best part of the day fighting off the scum of the Fourth Estate who shall want to crown me The Voice Of His Generation, demanding that I endorse a new carbonated sugar beverage and appear at a new book opening or restaurant signing. I shall tell them that I am an artist, an Ar-teeeeeeeest! I shall tell them that I cannot be bought, that I have Integrity and a Following who Believes In Me...so they can double their offer or go home!!! Ooooh, all that lovely money.......
Currently Reading: 'Junky' by William Burroughs
Currently Hearing: 'Lydia The Tattooed Lady' by Groucho Marx
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)