What Kind of God do you believe in?
Summary of a sermon preached at St Mary Abbots, Kensington on Sunday 30th May 2010
Trinity Sunday.
Epistle was Romans 5.1-5
The questions: what kind of a God do you believe in ? – is increasingly asked.
What’s more, it is an increasingly difficult question to answer.
The context in which the question is asked includes:
General rise in secularism
A defensive mindset for Christianity in general
Pluralism – lack of basic Christian identity
The great science v Christianity debate
We are still too inward looking as a church.
The Trinity is about going back to basics:
When we say “I believe in one God”, which we will shortly in the Creed – what are we saying?
St Paul in this passage from Romans – reminds us that one of the easiest starting points for answering the question – what kind of God do you believe in? – is
God the Father
God the Son
God the Holy Spirit
Through God the Father – love is revealed
Through Jesus the Son – peace is offered
All because the Holy Spirit has been poured out for us.
We say the Creed now as an act of rededication in the God in whom we believe – three in one and one in three.
Monday 31 May 2010
Sunday 30 May 2010
Eurovision
For goodness sake - someone get us out of this.
I watched it last night out of sheer curiosity that anything this bad can really be taken seriously.
And, from and island with great musical traditions, how can the UK year after year produce such a load of tosh?
A Eurovision song has eurovision components and our songs just don't have them?
Last?
It's a joke.
We should really get out.
(By the way, i heard the German song in Austria last week and because I like Lily Allen - I also like this one!)
I watched it last night out of sheer curiosity that anything this bad can really be taken seriously.
And, from and island with great musical traditions, how can the UK year after year produce such a load of tosh?
A Eurovision song has eurovision components and our songs just don't have them?
Last?
It's a joke.
We should really get out.
(By the way, i heard the German song in Austria last week and because I like Lily Allen - I also like this one!)
Friday 28 May 2010
Cycle Hire Scheme London
Just heard a great interview with Ken Livingstone and Transport for London on LBC about the upcoming Cycle Hire Scheme for London.
First, I think it's a brilliant idea and will almost certainly have a go.
But the implications of implementing such a scheme are enormous - as the interview suggested.
There were lost of contrasts which the Parisien scheme where they learnt to theri cost how man people walked up to Monmartre and then took a bike down - so there were never any bikes at the top of the hill.
The bikes are also so well designed that they are not really worthg stealing at all.
It's going to be a good scheme to watch unfold.
First, I think it's a brilliant idea and will almost certainly have a go.
But the implications of implementing such a scheme are enormous - as the interview suggested.
There were lost of contrasts which the Parisien scheme where they learnt to theri cost how man people walked up to Monmartre and then took a bike down - so there were never any bikes at the top of the hill.
The bikes are also so well designed that they are not really worthg stealing at all.
It's going to be a good scheme to watch unfold.
Thursday 27 May 2010
The Shipping News Annie Proulx
Just ploughed through Annie Proulx's major classic (I believe that is the right phrase for it now) The Shipping News.
Our church book club is studying it in July and I read it whilst in Austria.
You can smell the cold air of Newfoundland and the dominance of fish and boats throughout its pages.
Quoyle, played in the movie based on this novel by Kevin Spacey, takes a job on a local newspaper and what I will always remember about this book is one of the opening chapters where the essence of writing a good news story are laid out to the new journalistic recruit.
It's so good - you could use it in any media training seminar.
This is a good beach read if you don't mind the thought of cod pies and lobster salads.
It;s the story of triumph over endurance, difficult children, the power of the sea - and ultimately - the power of the written word.
Our church book club is studying it in July and I read it whilst in Austria.
You can smell the cold air of Newfoundland and the dominance of fish and boats throughout its pages.
Quoyle, played in the movie based on this novel by Kevin Spacey, takes a job on a local newspaper and what I will always remember about this book is one of the opening chapters where the essence of writing a good news story are laid out to the new journalistic recruit.
It's so good - you could use it in any media training seminar.
This is a good beach read if you don't mind the thought of cod pies and lobster salads.
It;s the story of triumph over endurance, difficult children, the power of the sea - and ultimately - the power of the written word.
Friday 21 May 2010
Rediscovering Austria
After the Oberammergau Passion Play we moved swiftly into Austria for 5 days of exploration and relaxation.
We arrived in Strobl - a quaint little village not far from Salzburg sitting on the edge of a fresh water lake and surrounding by mountains.
Unfortunately, as news of 26 degrees in London permeates our rain drenched boots - the conistent lack of sunshine, dank winter-like wet ness and the swirling mists on the mountains disguise the true beauty of this extraordinary country.
Austria is stunningly beautiful. So well kept. The air is special and the water fresh.
The food is tasty - if heavy for this time of year - and the beer excellent.
Austria is a place to chill: to reconnect; to find nature.
I'll be back.
We arrived in Strobl - a quaint little village not far from Salzburg sitting on the edge of a fresh water lake and surrounding by mountains.
Unfortunately, as news of 26 degrees in London permeates our rain drenched boots - the conistent lack of sunshine, dank winter-like wet ness and the swirling mists on the mountains disguise the true beauty of this extraordinary country.
Austria is stunningly beautiful. So well kept. The air is special and the water fresh.
The food is tasty - if heavy for this time of year - and the beer excellent.
Austria is a place to chill: to reconnect; to find nature.
I'll be back.
Monday 17 May 2010
Oberammergau Passion Play 2010
The 2010 Oberammergau Passion Play opened this week and it was both an immense privilege and an exercise in endurance to sit through the magnificent efforts of the villagers.
Since 1633, every ten years, the community in this superb village have produced a vivid portrayal of Jesus’ last days – though modern efforts are predictably more commercial, organized and glossy than in previous generations.
The weather for the opening in the “open air” stadium on Saturday was foul – freezing cold driving winds for almost 7 hours in pretty upright seats with hardly any leg room could be regarded as a penance. But by Sunday the clouds had cleared and the cold was nothing a thick blanket couldn’t deal with.
Over 1000 local residents take part in the drama. They play on stage, sing, have a place in the orchestra or work behind the scenes.
Many of the local men look distinctly middle eastern because they have grown their hair and beards.
What works at Oberammergau is the sense of space – the context of the passion – the doves and camels and horses and sheep – all adding to the sense of harsh reality.
And the actual scene of crucifixion is also very moving – with atmospheric lighting.
My main reservations about the overall experience concerns first, the pace of the production and then the theological interpretation applied to the blending of the four Gospel accounts. The portrayal of Judas and Pilate needs a lot of discussion. Someone should start a blog on this.
The production is very slow: it has no movement. Instead the principal characters and chorus saunter on and off as if there is no concern other than to get to the next scene. Only rarely does an actor show some sense of light and shade in movement and the choreography of the chorus which introduces each tableaux and act needs urgent revision. It is soporific.
I think it is because that it is delivered in German throughout the almost 7 hours that an English ear starts to raise pertinent questions about some of the important dialogue.
“What is Mary going on about?,” I found myself asking in the 6th hour as the Mother of our Lord had huge chunks of dialogue to deliver at the point of crucifixion: “It’s him. It is my son. It is my Jesus. Ah, I see you this way, led to death like a criminal between criminals. Lord, why have you hidden yourself in the clouds; no prayer pierce them. You have turned him into scum and garbage among the nations.”
This kind of made up dialogue with no biblical precedent eventually starts getting to even the most liberal of theologians as the seat becomes more uncomfortable and the wind howls around your legs.
But let’s be positive. A passion play almost fully booked between May and October attracting 4000 people every performance from all over the world is a great thing – a massive boost to our post Christian culture.
Each and every one of those taking part do their utmost to depict the eternal truth of the life of Jesus.
It just could be a bit tighter and move with a bit more vivacity. But I’ve been to Oberammergau and I will always remember the experience for many different reasons.
Since 1633, every ten years, the community in this superb village have produced a vivid portrayal of Jesus’ last days – though modern efforts are predictably more commercial, organized and glossy than in previous generations.
The weather for the opening in the “open air” stadium on Saturday was foul – freezing cold driving winds for almost 7 hours in pretty upright seats with hardly any leg room could be regarded as a penance. But by Sunday the clouds had cleared and the cold was nothing a thick blanket couldn’t deal with.
Over 1000 local residents take part in the drama. They play on stage, sing, have a place in the orchestra or work behind the scenes.
Many of the local men look distinctly middle eastern because they have grown their hair and beards.
What works at Oberammergau is the sense of space – the context of the passion – the doves and camels and horses and sheep – all adding to the sense of harsh reality.
And the actual scene of crucifixion is also very moving – with atmospheric lighting.
My main reservations about the overall experience concerns first, the pace of the production and then the theological interpretation applied to the blending of the four Gospel accounts. The portrayal of Judas and Pilate needs a lot of discussion. Someone should start a blog on this.
The production is very slow: it has no movement. Instead the principal characters and chorus saunter on and off as if there is no concern other than to get to the next scene. Only rarely does an actor show some sense of light and shade in movement and the choreography of the chorus which introduces each tableaux and act needs urgent revision. It is soporific.
I think it is because that it is delivered in German throughout the almost 7 hours that an English ear starts to raise pertinent questions about some of the important dialogue.
“What is Mary going on about?,” I found myself asking in the 6th hour as the Mother of our Lord had huge chunks of dialogue to deliver at the point of crucifixion: “It’s him. It is my son. It is my Jesus. Ah, I see you this way, led to death like a criminal between criminals. Lord, why have you hidden yourself in the clouds; no prayer pierce them. You have turned him into scum and garbage among the nations.”
This kind of made up dialogue with no biblical precedent eventually starts getting to even the most liberal of theologians as the seat becomes more uncomfortable and the wind howls around your legs.
But let’s be positive. A passion play almost fully booked between May and October attracting 4000 people every performance from all over the world is a great thing – a massive boost to our post Christian culture.
Each and every one of those taking part do their utmost to depict the eternal truth of the life of Jesus.
It just could be a bit tighter and move with a bit more vivacity. But I’ve been to Oberammergau and I will always remember the experience for many different reasons.
Sunday 16 May 2010
Oberammergau 2010 Day One
Saturday
A simple journey from London Heathrow via Lufthansa to Munich Airport. Greeted locally and then we took a top notch coach from the airport to the Village where the clouds were heavy and the rain pouring. It was cold too as the clouds continued their firm grip on the pointed hills which surround this quaint fairytale-like village.
We were driven to local guest houses where arranagements to eat and relax were in place along with our waiting tickets for the Passion play which opens tonight (press night) and which will show to the general public (us) for the first time tomorrow (Sunday).
My home for two nights was to be the Christine Magold appartments in Kleppergasse. Can't be more central than this. Mr Magold, or at least I think it was him, was washing the car with a jet wash in the garden despite the heavy rain and Magold Junior was keen to welcome us.
The room is excellent - clean, well appointed and - wait for it - very warm.
There was time for some relaxation, evening prayer and then as super dinner of carrot and ginger soup;, salmon with rice and fresh fruit salad swilled down with two glasses of strong German white wine.
10pm and bed already? I'mafraid so. It's raining and it's the PassionPlay tomorrow.
A simple journey from London Heathrow via Lufthansa to Munich Airport. Greeted locally and then we took a top notch coach from the airport to the Village where the clouds were heavy and the rain pouring. It was cold too as the clouds continued their firm grip on the pointed hills which surround this quaint fairytale-like village.
We were driven to local guest houses where arranagements to eat and relax were in place along with our waiting tickets for the Passion play which opens tonight (press night) and which will show to the general public (us) for the first time tomorrow (Sunday).
My home for two nights was to be the Christine Magold appartments in Kleppergasse. Can't be more central than this. Mr Magold, or at least I think it was him, was washing the car with a jet wash in the garden despite the heavy rain and Magold Junior was keen to welcome us.
The room is excellent - clean, well appointed and - wait for it - very warm.
There was time for some relaxation, evening prayer and then as super dinner of carrot and ginger soup;, salmon with rice and fresh fruit salad swilled down with two glasses of strong German white wine.
10pm and bed already? I'm
Sunday 9 May 2010
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