Lent Talk 2019 at Banstead United Reformed Church.
What I believe.
Nobody lives in a vacuum.
I have to be honest and acknowledge that my faith and Christian understanding has been shaped by the culture I was born into and subsequently grew up in. Another significant factor was my Theological education at Manchester University. This was a classic liberal protestant training.
I was born 21 years after the end of WWII. I grew up in the Cold War years to see the Iron Curtain come down in 1989. The fraught sectarianism of the West Coast of Scotland also impacted my life. No doubt there are many other influences that shaped the person I am and the belief that I hold.
A core aspect of my faith is that the Bible should not be used to hurt or oppress people. That a careful and disciplined approach should be used when applying scripture to modern day discipleship.
What do the following have in common? “Israel” “Michael” “Emmanuel” and “Rachel”.
Of course, they end in the root “el”.
In some parts of the Church they talk about the purity and uniqueness of the Christian faith. That assimilation was not part of our story. That we cannot be “tainted” by outside influences.
Approximately two thousand years before the birth of Hebrew nation there were many gods called “Els”. The history around this is a bit complex other than to say that when the Hebrew’s moved towards monotheism “El” became a singular as to a opposed to a polytheistic identification.
Google the “god El” and you will find numerous pictures of Phoenician gods going by that name.
So, you see that even in the title Emmanuel there are echoes of ancient deities from thousands of years ago,
Therefore, we have to be honest about our “spiritual” history and how the Holy Spirit moves. This is just one example of the complexities of faith when you embark on a serious theological understanding.
Many of you will know that following the decision of the Church Meeting after prolonged period of discussion we are registering our church for the solemnisation of Same Sex Marriage.
While I have received support from some of the churches in the village there is also profound opposition to what we have done.
At one level this is a generational issue. My mother is dead set against such a notion of same sex marriage. My children cannot see what the fuss is all about.
Sectarianism is all about division brought about firm and fixed views. I grew up watching the violence in Northern Ireland being relayed almost every night on the 6 pm BBC TV News.
I cannot be convinced that such violence is helpful. The fear and loathing that underpins the convictions that “we” are right and “they” are wrong can cause no end of human suffering.
This has been my experience in the “Gay Issue”. I have come across a great deal of people who are hurting, who are frightened to be honest with themselves and their loved ones. I fail to see how God is glorified in such an atmosphere of distrust.
Again, it was a combination of what I was seeing with my own eyes pastorally combined with rigorous academic study at University that changed my mind about this issue.
Maybe I am wrong on this. Perhaps the Church Meeting made a mistake.
I do believe that we are to love God, ourselves and each other. Sectarianism operates in the realm of black and white. Faith and belief often finds me the grey area juggling with contradictions as I try to discern the truth.
Finally, many of you have been very kind to me following the sudden death of my younger brother Andrew. A few weeks ago, along with my Mum I conducted his funeral in Whitehaven.
After the service I was asked how I managed to do the funeral without crying?
Reflecting, on this question I asked myself if I had been cold or indifferent to the fact that it was my brother’s funeral?
I did cry on the morning when I heard of his death but I have always been convinced that death has been overcome by Jesus. I believe that to understand our world you need to have bridge into heaven.
It fashionable these days to talk about “Thin Places” where heaven and earth meet and people are made aware of the unique presence of God.
I have always seen Holy Communion as a Thin Place. When we break Bread and share Wine, emotionally and spiritually I am aware of the great Cloud of Witness of those who have gone on before us into Heaven. That those who have died before us are “there” too at the Communion Table.
I just “know” that I will “see” my brother again. To me he is not lost but there.
This is what I believe.
John Gordon 9.03.2019
What I believe.
Nobody lives in a vacuum.
I have to be honest and acknowledge that my faith and Christian understanding has been shaped by the culture I was born into and subsequently grew up in. Another significant factor was my Theological education at Manchester University. This was a classic liberal protestant training.
I was born 21 years after the end of WWII. I grew up in the Cold War years to see the Iron Curtain come down in 1989. The fraught sectarianism of the West Coast of Scotland also impacted my life. No doubt there are many other influences that shaped the person I am and the belief that I hold.
A core aspect of my faith is that the Bible should not be used to hurt or oppress people. That a careful and disciplined approach should be used when applying scripture to modern day discipleship.
What do the following have in common? “Israel” “Michael” “Emmanuel” and “Rachel”.
Of course, they end in the root “el”.
In some parts of the Church they talk about the purity and uniqueness of the Christian faith. That assimilation was not part of our story. That we cannot be “tainted” by outside influences.
Approximately two thousand years before the birth of Hebrew nation there were many gods called “Els”. The history around this is a bit complex other than to say that when the Hebrew’s moved towards monotheism “El” became a singular as to a opposed to a polytheistic identification.
Google the “god El” and you will find numerous pictures of Phoenician gods going by that name.
So, you see that even in the title Emmanuel there are echoes of ancient deities from thousands of years ago,
Therefore, we have to be honest about our “spiritual” history and how the Holy Spirit moves. This is just one example of the complexities of faith when you embark on a serious theological understanding.
Many of you will know that following the decision of the Church Meeting after prolonged period of discussion we are registering our church for the solemnisation of Same Sex Marriage.
While I have received support from some of the churches in the village there is also profound opposition to what we have done.
At one level this is a generational issue. My mother is dead set against such a notion of same sex marriage. My children cannot see what the fuss is all about.
Sectarianism is all about division brought about firm and fixed views. I grew up watching the violence in Northern Ireland being relayed almost every night on the 6 pm BBC TV News.
I cannot be convinced that such violence is helpful. The fear and loathing that underpins the convictions that “we” are right and “they” are wrong can cause no end of human suffering.
This has been my experience in the “Gay Issue”. I have come across a great deal of people who are hurting, who are frightened to be honest with themselves and their loved ones. I fail to see how God is glorified in such an atmosphere of distrust.
Again, it was a combination of what I was seeing with my own eyes pastorally combined with rigorous academic study at University that changed my mind about this issue.
Maybe I am wrong on this. Perhaps the Church Meeting made a mistake.
I do believe that we are to love God, ourselves and each other. Sectarianism operates in the realm of black and white. Faith and belief often finds me the grey area juggling with contradictions as I try to discern the truth.
Finally, many of you have been very kind to me following the sudden death of my younger brother Andrew. A few weeks ago, along with my Mum I conducted his funeral in Whitehaven.
After the service I was asked how I managed to do the funeral without crying?
Reflecting, on this question I asked myself if I had been cold or indifferent to the fact that it was my brother’s funeral?
I did cry on the morning when I heard of his death but I have always been convinced that death has been overcome by Jesus. I believe that to understand our world you need to have bridge into heaven.
It fashionable these days to talk about “Thin Places” where heaven and earth meet and people are made aware of the unique presence of God.
I have always seen Holy Communion as a Thin Place. When we break Bread and share Wine, emotionally and spiritually I am aware of the great Cloud of Witness of those who have gone on before us into Heaven. That those who have died before us are “there” too at the Communion Table.
I just “know” that I will “see” my brother again. To me he is not lost but there.
This is what I believe.
John Gordon 9.03.2019
