| Author |
Message |
M. Berry
Guest
| | Posted on Saturday, September 04, 2010 - 10:33 am: |   |
I WOULD like to address a statement made in an article ‘Understanding Islam’ which was printed on the Religion page in the Guernsey Press on 7 August.
The following is a quotation from part of the article in which a ‘teacher of religion’ was quoted as saying ‘There’s a huge oppression of women in some Islamic society, there’s no doubt about it, but think about Christian oppression of women. It’s been 2,000 years and we still don’t have a woman bishop.’etc.
It would have been wise for the teacher of religion to have checked the teaching of the Bible before making the above statement regarding Christian oppression of women.
As a Christian I found it offensive as it challenges God’s sovereign choice of male leadership and His teaching regarding a woman’s role in the church.
The qualifications needed for the office of a bishop are clearly taught in the scriptures as being specifically for a male. (1 Timothy 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-9). No provision is made in the scriptures for a woman to serve in the capacity of a bishop (1 Timothy 2:11-14; 1 Corinthians 14:34-37) which would also include that of pastor or elder as the textual evidence indicates that all three terms are synonymous (1 Peter 5:1-2; Acts 20:17, 28; Titus 1:5, 7). I would also add that no provision is made for a man to serve as a bishop either, without the necessary qualifications.
Sadly, we are living in a day when changing God’s order for male and female roles is being promoted and accepted as normal. From the beginning of time God’s word has been challenged and has continued to be challenged up to this present day. Unless we are able to recognise the source of these challenges and are able to say ‘it is written’ there will be compromise. The end does not justify the means as even Moses, the meekest of men, had to learn.
Christianity basically is for all people who have come to the realisation that they sin because they are sinners and need help. Their forgiveness, reconciliation and strength to live a Holy life comes through the Trinity, Father, Son and Holy Spirit and their handbook on how to live is the Bible.
The scriptures are revered as the inspired word of God and to be adhered to.
For those who can’t support these basic truths of Christianity in my opinion would be better fitted for a religion of their own choice and belief and to leave Christianity alone.
M. BERRY (Mrs). |
Rev L. G. H. Craske
Guest
| | Posted on Monday, August 16, 2010 - 02:52 pm: | |
THE conversation with my friend, the Rev. Linda Le Vasseur (Religion page, 17 July), leaves your readers with the notion that until 1994, when the Church of England first ordained women as priests, there had been no opportunity for the ministry of women, except to preach in the Methodist Church.
To preach is to teach and to accept such a misconception denounces the memory of such teachers as the 7th century Hilda, Abbess of Whitby, and the 16th Teresa of Avila. It neglects the office of deaconess established in the Church of England in 1861 enabling women to teach in church, read the services of morning and evening prayer, an example followed by the Methodists in 1888, and ignores the later permission to preach at the Holy Communion. It also sweeps away the beginnings of the excellent teaching of divinity and church history in English girls’ public and grammar schools of the last century.
Toward the end of the 19th century, women were still being denied university degrees.
Men could say in all seriousness that a woman’s brain was less in weight than a man’s, therefore she could not be capable of high academic attainment.
The only way to refute such reasoning was to give them the opportunity of showing that they were.
Under the Ecclesiastical Licences Act of 1533, the Archbishop of Canterbury has the right to grant degrees. These are called Lambeth degrees. Archbishop Randall Davidson made good use of this power and instituted the training and examination for the Lambeth Diploma, with its purpose of providing highly competent women teachers of theology of a standard approximating to that of the honours school at the universities. This he did after the persistent pressure of two remarkable and formidable women, Gladys Bevan, who belonged to a circle of daughters of academic families known as ‘The Ladies of Westminster’ and Margaret Benson, the gifted daughter of the previous archbishop. Margaret had told Archbishop Davidson of her deep concern at the backward condition of theological knowledge among people well educated in other respects and the quality of the Scripture teaching given in schools, and the fitness of those to whom is was entrusted. The study was done under the direction of tutors at the universities of Oxford, Cambridge and, in particular, King’s College, London, which had been holding ‘lectures for ladies’ since 1871.
On 11 October 1906, the first five women received the diploma from the Archbishop in Lambeth palace chapel and six months later the same five received his ‘licence and authority to teach sacred theology’.
The present description of the vocation of Holy Orders as ‘a career’, the prospects within it ‘for promotion’, the inordinate emphasis on ‘management skills’, the necessity for ‘leadership’ among ordinands when one would balk at a whistle to follow any of them ‘over the top’, the thought of the bishop as ‘the boss’... all these things would have horrified those ladies.
Deplorable too would have been thought the use of ‘misogynist’ and ‘black crows’ (a term used by Hitler of the Jesuits, on account of their clothing, when they resisted his racial laws), of those whose conscience will not permit them to accept the ordination of women to the priesthood and episcopacy. Those earlier trials of intellectual perplexity and attainment among godly women and their understanding of the nature and history of the Church of England would have given them sympathy for those who believe this is an unilateral action, which does have the consent of the wider Catholic Church – that it will finally make non-conformists of us all, that it nullifies our canon law in its assertion that we ‘belong to the true and apostolic Church of Christ’ and gives embarrassment to hear the claim in the Declaration of Assent made by a priest at the institution into a parish that the Church of England is ‘part of the one holy, catholic, and apostolic church’ and that its ‘teaching is grounded in Scripture’.
THE REV. L. G. H. CRASKE. |
E. Mauger
Guest
| | Posted on Thursday, July 22, 2010 - 02:55 pm: | |
ALL Guernsey residents must by now be fully aware that the island is in financial difficulty and needs every penny it can obtain through tax or rates payments.
Will any deputy please explain why the haemorrhage of our money to the Church of England via the parish rates is allowed to carry on year after year without these payments being contested? The amount of money taken from residents over the years amounts to millions of pounds, and these payments should be stopped immediately.
Perhaps the hierarchy from the local Church of England will explain why they can afford to pay a pension to their clergymen of £57,040 annually plus rent-free accommodation, yet my wife and I have to survive on less than a third of that amount and still have no option but to pay our rates that benefit the clergy and their churches.
Could it be that this is against our human rights and should be investigated? Deputies, will you please note.
E. MAUGER |
Paul Le Page
Guest
| | Posted on Monday, July 12, 2010 - 01:59 pm: | |
I WOULD like to encourage L. B. Pipet that there remains plenty life in the Guernsey church. Although (in contrast to the growing churches in Africa and Asia) fewer people are attending worship in Guernsey these days, resurrection is one of God’s specialities and even now he is growing new buds from a supposedly dying branch.
By way of illustration, new congregations have started in recent years: The Love was birthed by some good friends only last year, Church on the Rock (formerly King’s Church) began just over 25 years ago and is still going strong with a vibrant, multicultural membership, St Andrew’s Methodist did not close as such, its people moved to Les Camps, which is now one of the most vibrant churches on the island.
Furthermore, the annual New Wine and quarterly ‘Love Guernsey’ gatherings at St Sampson’s High and Beau Sejour unite hundreds of Christians, young and old, to worship from many denominations.
The Bible teaches that the Church is not a building, it is the people of God. Acts 7:48 says ‘the Most High does not dwell in houses made by hands.’
I hope I have gone some way to reassure your correspondent that despite the closure of a few buildings, Christianity remains alive and kicking on our island.
PAUL LE PAGE. |
L. B. Pipet
Guest
| | Posted on Saturday, June 26, 2010 - 10:34 am: | |
DURING my lifetime, these places of worship have closed. Why?
St Paul’s (sunken garden); Victoria Road Chapel; Forest Catholic Church; Forest Baptist Church; Sion Chapel; Morley Chapel; St Andrew’s Mission Hall, Bailiff’s Cross; Torteval Mission (later Dolls House, Salem); Salvation Army, St Sampson’s Bridge; Brock Road Chapel; St Andrew’s Chapel; St Barnabas; Fort Road Garage (not sure); Le Douit d’Israel; Carmel Sunday School; Forest Sunday School (and maybe others).
L. B. PIPET. |
M. Berry
Guest
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 22, 2010 - 03:51 pm: | |
I WOULD like to respond with a Christian perspective to a 'Roffey writes' article, which was published in the Guernsey Press on 8 June, concerning how far Guernsey people have come - Sunday opening, legalisation of homosexuality, abortion and much more, etc.
I do hope people with different opinions reading this letter will show respect in allowing a level playing field for another opinion without the abusive language that has been so prevalent in the past. Perhaps a standard of decency could be set by Guernsey to the rest of the world, which is also in sore need of reform.
Having had its roots in Christianity for hundreds of years, Guernsey is a Christian island and is also subject to a Christian monarch. As a Christian, I would like it to stay that way, as I believe the scriptures to be inspired by God and one of His greatest gifts to mankind, and His precepts the only sound foundation on which society should be built, bringing peace and security to its people when put into practice.
I have found it heartbreaking to see Christianity being undermined by secularism and the Christian ethos of the island changing, for there was a time when doors could be left unlocked, when Town was a pleasant place to be at night, when children were schooled in the love and laws of God and taught how to pray, when marriage was considered honourable and life sacred. Seemingly blind to our utter dependence on our Creator for our very existence, 'we don't do God' has become extremely fashionable with the resulting lawlessness and evidence of man's independent impotence.
We have come a long way in a short time but sadly I believe we are travelling in the wrong direction. Guernsey needs to change course and once again walk humbly with her God. We are still living in a day of God's mercy and grace and in love His invitation of reconciliation to Himself is still available. The Trinitarian work of redemption, which unites us to God and delivers us from the penalty of sin, the power of sin and finally, when life on Earth is over, the presence of sin is the greatest love story that mankind will ever hear and the greatest gift he will ever be offered.
I hope Guernsey will see secularism for what it is and change direction, building once again on the sound foundation of her Christian faith and trusting the one who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life for her future.
MRS M. BERRY. |
L. B. Pipet
Guest
| | Posted on Thursday, June 17, 2010 - 02:27 pm: | |
RELIGION entered my home uninvited. Re. this letter, the writer withheld his address. He sounds a very sad man.
I am not religious, but I am a Christian.
He says he is Church of England. Well, let me tell you what a Church of England minister said when a Sunday school teacher collected some children from a States housing estate. 'We do not want children from States housing estates.'
She replied, 'Well, you better find a new Sunday School teacher.'
That was a minister from St Saviour's Church, who had recently been in India.
My firm renovated the rectory. Occasionally we would have a chat and he once told me, 'You know your Bible very well,' and would shut up. I've had people from different religions in my house. I'd make them a cup of tea and provide biscuits, some even from America. All happy people.
I think I have been in every church, mission, chapel, the Kingdom Hall, Salvation Army church, the Chapel of Rest, even the Little Chapel at Les Vauxbelets.
I know people will not always agree, but at least let us be friends, make the world a good place to live in.
I have a relative who is a reverend. Even his dog was friendly. Good dog.
L. B. PIPET. |
L. B. Pipet
Guest
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 02, 2010 - 03:23 pm: | |
I THINK it's good for Jehovah's Witnesses to be rebuilding their Kingdom Hall. They pay rates to their parish and people are not asked to contribute to their expenses.
A lot of money has been spent on maintaining the Town Church (thousands of pounds) and the expense is added to St Peter Port residents' ratepayers.
My grandparents and parents would answer a knock on the door, as I do also.
They are pleasant people and do not force their religion on to you.
I can remember, as a child, when the Methodist minister would call occasionally, have a chat with my grandmother and mother, say a little prayer and then say goodbye.
How many worshippers in the Castel Church or St Peter Port actually live in the parish? They are mainly upper class and, as my father would say, a clique.
As Mr Besnard would say, if you pray, you pay.
L. B. PIPET |
V. Richer
Guest
| | Posted on Monday, May 10, 2010 - 12:25 pm: | |
INFINITENEXUS (Guernsey Press Opinion, 16 April) seems very bothered by Bible literalists, quoting many texts which give a harsh picture of God, in his eyes.
Would he/she choose not to take the 10 commandments literally? Or pick and choose perhaps? We see only too clearly what ignoring them brings to society - a breakdown in the family, law and order flouted.
Again, does the writer choose to ignore Jesus coming to Earth as a man and dying on a cross for the sins of the world? This includes mine and theirs.
Yes, there are many things in the Bible I don't understand yet. But what I do know is that we Christians serve a living God, whose nature is always to have mercy - as in the case of the woman caught in adultery: 'Let him who is without sin cast the first stone.'
Today, people get healed in Jesus' name, and delivered from addictions, as was promised in the Bible. Just a little food for thought, infinitenexus.
P.S. Lack of discipline for children today has a lot to answer for.
V. RICHER. |
Vic Richer
Guest
| | Posted on Monday, May 03, 2010 - 11:36 am: | |
TO Joanne Huxster and others who've been having a go at Roy Sarre, I say: 'Don't shoot the messenger.' He's only standing up for his principles - or rather God's - after all.
Yes, in Roy's church there are sinners - that's so in every one. Jesus said, 'I have come not for the righteous but sinners.'
So gays feel life's hard because of discrimination - do they really believe being a heterosexual is a walk in the park? Tell that to the woman whose husband has deserted her for a newer, younger model, or a victim of rape. Should the man responsible defend himself by saying 'that's the way I was made, attracted to women?'
Gay or straight, we all need God's grace and help to become what He wants us to be. Let's rejoice that Jesus died for every sinner, which means you and me.
VIC RICHER |
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