Monthly Archive for February, 2009

Gmail… ooops

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Published
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bcg
on 24 February 2009
in Sci & Tech
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Gmail ErrorOoops – Gmail has a major server error, not just on Gmail itself, but also on Gmail for Apps.  The web is afire with complaints, and the BBC are reporting it here.  For the latest status updates, the Gmail help and status page is here.

This must be a pretty major error, as it appears to be affecting pretty much everyone – except that I can read my emails on my iPod!  I have no problems connecting there.  The trouble is, of course, I think this may be affecting delivery of emails too – although I can see my inbox, there's no new mail.  Of course it could just be a slow day...

Incorporation ‘in Christ’ and Justification

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Published
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bcg
on 17 February 2009
in Bible, Reviews and Theology
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I am currently reading Tom Wright's latest book, 'Justification: God's plan and Paul's vision'.  I am about a fifth of the way through, and so far it is typical Wright: engaging, well-written and thought-provoking.

The back cover quotes someone as saying that he 'out-Reforms' the popular 'neo-Reformed' writers in America.  Wright's starting position is that we should not privilege tradition over Scripture – even the Reformed tradition.  He critiques contemporary evangelicalism for failing to be critical enough of its own tradition in the light of Scripture.

One of the areas he highlights as particularly lacking, is that of 'incorporation'.  This is one of Paul's main themes (just count how many times he uses the phrase 'in Christ', let alone the number of times he relies on the concept) yet it is one of the least developed in contemporary evangelical theology (argues Wright).

I would agree with him whole-heartedly.  He says that incorporation (among others) is one of the main themes, of which the evangelical definition of justification is a part.  His book is therefore making explicit his position, attempting to look at what Paul actually said, rather than what the Reformed tradition says he said.

This is a bold move, but if there is anyone who can pull it off, it's Tom Wright.  Methodologically, he's spot on.  It has been one of my constant frustrations that there is an implicit 'correct' and 'sound' interpretation and understanding of the New Testament, far beyond the basic and fundamental non-negotiables of the Christian faith (e.g. Jesus' resurrection) – especially when this 'correct' interpretation (in my view) ignores the Old Testament, or treats it simply as the backdrop, rather than as the way of understanding what Paul is really talking about.

I am looking forward to reading the rest of Wright's book – and will no doubt post a full review when I'm done.

U2 – ‘Get on your boots’

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Published
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bcg
on 11 February 2009
in Reviews
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'Get on your boots' is the new single from U2's next album, 'No line on the horizon', which is due to be released shortly.  I've just been listening to it on the radio – and I have to say it sounds pretty bad. It's more like an album-padding song than a single. If it's the best song on the album, then I'm guessing the album is going to be pretty poor.

Which is a shame because I love U2!  Let's hope they're bluffing us all...

Calvin on Ceremony

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Published
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bcg
on 3 February 2009
in Bible, Church and Quotations
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Writing on John 4.20, Calvin writes that error lies in 'the confusing of different ages':

Later generations devote themselves to the examples of the fathers, not thinking that a different law of action has been enjoined on them by the Lord.  We can ascribe to this ignorance the huge mass of ceremonies with which the Church under the Papacy has been buried.  Immediately after the beginning of the Church they began to sin in this way from a foolish and undue affectation of Judaism.  The Jews had their sacrifices; and therefore, that Christians also might not be without a show, the rite of sacrificing Christ was invented. ... This madness later broke out more strongly and spread beyond all bounds.

Therefore, that we may not fall into this error, we must always heed the following rule: Incense, lights, sacred vestments, altar, vessels and ceremonies of this kind were formerly pleasing to God; and the reason was that nothing is more aceptable or precious to Him than obedience.  We must therefore regard what He enjoins us in the Gospel, so that we may not unthinkingly follow what the fathers observed under the Law.  For what was then a sacred observing of the worship of God would now be a wicked sacrilege.

John Calvin, John 1-10 (trans. THL Parker), Paternoster (Carlise, 1995): p.96-97.

The Anglican Church tries to hold together those who lean towards a more Roman Catholic practice of worship, and those who lean towards a more Protestant/Reformed simplicity.  Many of us regard this as acceptable, that ceremony is a 'matter of indifference'.

However, here Calvin sees it to be a matter of great significance.  He argues that if we 'unthinkingly follow' what was commanded of our fathers, and in so doing ignore what we are commanded to do, we are guilty of 'a wicked sacrilege'.

Calvin's argument is that the practice of ceremony, with 'Incense, lights, sacred vestments...' etc, belongs to a former time, and is not now commanded.  In fact (if I understand him correctly) it distracts us from what is enjoined in the Gospel, and so is a matter of disobedience, not indifference.