The debate over gay marriage is commonly presented as a choice between including permission for homosexual and marriage and something called ‘traditional’ marriage.
However, we may ask what is ‘traditional’? It sounds like an attempt to steal the argument by a definition that implies outdatedness. Besides, which tradition is being referred to and at which time and place? It seems that ‘traditional’ is in the eye of the beholder. And thus in this present debate a straw image of ugly, domineering, patriarchal marriage can be constructed, labelled ‘traditional’ and then subjected to disposal.
Is it time to ditch the word ‘traditional’ and its vague historical reference?
Instead, let’s reconsider the Biblical ideal of marriage as a mutual, equal, permanent and exclusive heterosexual union formed under God. Maybe that’s more updated than ‘traditional’.
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Please sir, I want some more!
I went to a church service recently as just one of the crowd.
The welcome was warm, the building inviting, the seating comfortable and there was a good cross-section of people creating a positive atmosphere.
We were called to order and the service began. The music was well presented, with competent musicians, a non-intrusive song leader, singable tunes and solid lyrics. The kid’s talk was a little self-indulgent by the presenter but, once again, Biblically solid.
The sermon was announced as the first in a series that would take the congregation through a particular book of the Bible. It was well enough presented (and with good slides to watch) and not unfaithful to the text. But I’m not sure what the take-away was: what was I to know, believe or do in the coming week? We heard about the context and structure of the book, a summary of a scholarly issue, the breakup of the coming series and what the home groups were to do with it in the coming week. But I heard nothing much to feed me then and there.
I went away with certain warmth from the gathering but still hungry. It was like being at a meal where you are served starter snacks, shown the menu and then served nibbles with coffee, but no main.
Meanwhile I was reading ‘The Work of the Pastor/ by William Still. Still may overstate his case that the main and (almost) only work of the pastor is to feed God’s sheep with God’s word. However, his point is well made for any age and certainly for the ‘Sunday light’ mode that seems now widespread. What else he does, a pastor needs to feed the hungry ones.
In the words of Oliver: ‘Please sir, I want some more.’
The welcome was warm, the building inviting, the seating comfortable and there was a good cross-section of people creating a positive atmosphere.
We were called to order and the service began. The music was well presented, with competent musicians, a non-intrusive song leader, singable tunes and solid lyrics. The kid’s talk was a little self-indulgent by the presenter but, once again, Biblically solid.
The sermon was announced as the first in a series that would take the congregation through a particular book of the Bible. It was well enough presented (and with good slides to watch) and not unfaithful to the text. But I’m not sure what the take-away was: what was I to know, believe or do in the coming week? We heard about the context and structure of the book, a summary of a scholarly issue, the breakup of the coming series and what the home groups were to do with it in the coming week. But I heard nothing much to feed me then and there.
I went away with certain warmth from the gathering but still hungry. It was like being at a meal where you are served starter snacks, shown the menu and then served nibbles with coffee, but no main.
Meanwhile I was reading ‘The Work of the Pastor/ by William Still. Still may overstate his case that the main and (almost) only work of the pastor is to feed God’s sheep with God’s word. However, his point is well made for any age and certainly for the ‘Sunday light’ mode that seems now widespread. What else he does, a pastor needs to feed the hungry ones.
In the words of Oliver: ‘Please sir, I want some more.’
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Five words from a new teacher
As I am formally installed as a theological college lecturer I make the following observations that express how I approach this post.
1. Regret.
Left to my will, I would have remained a pastor in Singapore to the end of my days. This was the calling that I learned to love and in a setting that gave me great joy. Thus I come to the teacher’s post with a measure of regret at that which was, but which is now no more. I do not come because I chose this post, but because God placed me here.
2. Thanks.
There is a lifetime of experiences, opportunities and especially people that lie behind this appointment. Each has contributed a part of the whole, like the threads of a tapestry. The greatest debt is due to the people who have provoked, stretched, tested and disagreed with me: friends, colleagues, fellow Christians. But most of all it is family that have given me space and support in the twists and turns of life. Chief among these is my wife Glenda who is remarkably patient and generous towards me.
3. Integration.
I will teach at two ends of the spectrum within PTC: the department of Christian thought and the department of ministry and practice. This suits my nature well. It also sits well with a distinctly Biblical and reformed world view. To paraphrase Kant: theology without action is empty and action without theology is blind. In that sense I seek to teach within the PTC vision to foster integration between the different classes within the college and between the classroom and the ministry actions of students and graduates.
4. Responsibility.
It is a great privilege to be a teacher in a theological college. But also a great responsibility to the students, to the college and to the Church that owns it. Before and beyond that is a sense of responsibility to the Lord of the church, his gospel and his mission. I thus pledge myself to strive for faithfulness to him in all my teaching and actions in this post.
5. Commitment.
I said above (point 1) that I come to the post against my will and with a measure of regret. However, I acknowledge the clear and evident will of God that has marked me for this post and brought me here. And so I join my Lord and pray: ‘your will not mine be done’. Because I recognise that it is God’s will that brings me to this post I give myself to it in a very positive way and pledge my energy, hard work, enthusiasm and indeed love for this post.
(Response delivered at my setting apart as the lecturer in ministry and practice at Presbyterian Theological Centre Burwood on 9 February 2011.)
1. Regret.
Left to my will, I would have remained a pastor in Singapore to the end of my days. This was the calling that I learned to love and in a setting that gave me great joy. Thus I come to the teacher’s post with a measure of regret at that which was, but which is now no more. I do not come because I chose this post, but because God placed me here.
2. Thanks.
There is a lifetime of experiences, opportunities and especially people that lie behind this appointment. Each has contributed a part of the whole, like the threads of a tapestry. The greatest debt is due to the people who have provoked, stretched, tested and disagreed with me: friends, colleagues, fellow Christians. But most of all it is family that have given me space and support in the twists and turns of life. Chief among these is my wife Glenda who is remarkably patient and generous towards me.
3. Integration.
I will teach at two ends of the spectrum within PTC: the department of Christian thought and the department of ministry and practice. This suits my nature well. It also sits well with a distinctly Biblical and reformed world view. To paraphrase Kant: theology without action is empty and action without theology is blind. In that sense I seek to teach within the PTC vision to foster integration between the different classes within the college and between the classroom and the ministry actions of students and graduates.
4. Responsibility.
It is a great privilege to be a teacher in a theological college. But also a great responsibility to the students, to the college and to the Church that owns it. Before and beyond that is a sense of responsibility to the Lord of the church, his gospel and his mission. I thus pledge myself to strive for faithfulness to him in all my teaching and actions in this post.
5. Commitment.
I said above (point 1) that I come to the post against my will and with a measure of regret. However, I acknowledge the clear and evident will of God that has marked me for this post and brought me here. And so I join my Lord and pray: ‘your will not mine be done’. Because I recognise that it is God’s will that brings me to this post I give myself to it in a very positive way and pledge my energy, hard work, enthusiasm and indeed love for this post.
(Response delivered at my setting apart as the lecturer in ministry and practice at Presbyterian Theological Centre Burwood on 9 February 2011.)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)