I reader recently passed along a short video clip in response to the posts regarding baptism. I just could not miss the opportunity to share the clip with you.
Be sure to watch out for the second child being baptized. He is a hoot!
Previously I shared an old practice and use of baptismal salt as a part of the rite of baptism. (See: Holy Baptism - The Salt Of Baptism) Recently I have had the privilege of performing baptisms of two adults and was thus given the opportunity to think and preach about baptism and especially adult baptism. In my research I was able to delve into the nature of the baptismal rite and especially the differences between the 1928 Book of Common Prayer and the revised 1979 BCP. During the revision of the 1928 Book of Common Prayer there were many who charged that the new revision was a change in our theology - our understanding of how God interacts with the world. AND THESE CHARGES WERE CORRECT! Read the rest of this entry » » » »
From time to time I have a reader respond to an article and feel a further clarification is necessary. Recently, a former parishioner wanted to challenge something I had said regarding the nature of the Real Presence as understood by Anglicans. I have attached my response to him:
Dear John,
I really enjoyed talking with you the other day and yes, you have been included in our prayer list for each Sunday until such time as you tell me to remove your name.
In response to your questions and follow-up to our discussion. Not only physical science but also our reason informs us that the bread and wine do not actually become bodily flesh or blood cells. Read the rest of this entry » » » »
I guess something of a follow-up is necessary given some of the responses to my post about ‘regifting.’ [See: 'Regifting' For Christ] It appears the concept of ‘regifting’ makes some Episcopalians uncomfortable given the gift of Jesus Christ being once and for all. I don’t want to go into the theological implications of the Book of Revelation and the promise of the Second Coming and therefore want to focus of Jesus Christ as God’s gift to all believers and to the world.
The gift of Jesus Christ, having been received, is to be shared. This is what we pray at the end of every Eucharist when we, in our thanksgiving prayer, ask that we be ‘send us into the world in peace, granting us strength and courage to love and serve you’ and ‘send us out to do the work you have given us to do, to love and serve you as faithful witnesses of Christ our Lord.’ Read the rest of this entry » » » »
In my previous post [See: Co-Creators With God - Naming] I offered an explanation as to the ancient Hebrew understanding about ‘naming’ especially in light of Genesis 2:20 when, after the whole of creation, God brought before Adam “all the wild animals and all the birds of the air to see what he would call them and whatever Adam called each living creature, that would be its name.” (NRSV) The implications of this ‘naming’ concept has a vital role to play in our relationship to and with God and is significant for understanding our relationship with God’s creation. Read the rest of this entry » » » »