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Tim Goode is a residentiary canon in York Minster, having previously spent all his time since ordination in 2009 in parish ministry in Southwark Diocese. Tim was elected to General Synod in 2015, and joined the Archbishops’ Council in 2021, where I got to know him. He is a charming man, and we have always … Continue Reading
What do you think if someone says “Samaritan”? John Hudghton writes: Mention the word Samaritan and your understanding may be shaped by Revd Chad Varah and the listening Samaritans in Britain. Similarly, there are numerous other charitable humanitarian organisations sharing the same name world-wide who may produce the same effect. We also know Jesus told … Continue Reading
The Sunday lectionary gospel reading for Lent 2 in Year A is Nicodemus’ meeting with Jesus in John 3.1–17. The epistle is Romans 4.1-5 and 13-17. The video discussion of the epistle is here, and of the gospel reading from John 3 here. Both are also linked at the end. Although we are supposed to … Continue Reading
The lectionary for Lent 2 in Year A is Romans 4.1-5, 13-17. The structure of Paul’s argument here is complex, but the main idea is simple: Abraham is father of both Jews and Gentiles, and the order of events in his life teaches us about the nature of grace. He trusted God as was justified, … Continue Reading
Last summer, with a little help, I reimagined how Synod would look to Anthony Trollope and Raymond Chandler, whom I had been reading at the time. Now that the dust has settled from Synod in London last week, it is worth reflecting with some humour on the proceedings. One of the debates on Thursday was … Continue Reading
Last Sunday, I was invited to preach at Oriel College, Oxford, by the Chaplain, Dr Robert Wainwright. All services in the chapel follow the Book of Common Prayer. This year is the 700th year of the foundation of the college, which was originally called House of the Blessed Mary at Oxford, and so the sermon … Continue Reading
Today is the start of the liturgical season of Lent, and it has traditionally been a period of particular spiritual discipline for Christians. Though the Didache (from the end of the first century) recommends fasting for anyone preparing for baptism, this probably wasn’t settled as a pattern until the Council of Nicea in 325. A … Continue Reading
As we enter the season of Lent on Sunday, the lectionary for the First Sunday in Lent in Year A is of course Matt 4.1–11. The epistle for this Sunday is apt: Paul’s contrast in Romans 5.12–19 between the power of Sin and Death at work for those who are ‘in Adam’ contrasted with the … Continue Reading
The epistle for Lent 1 in Year A is Romans 5.12–19. Paul draws a series of striking contrasts between what it means to be ‘in Adam’, as fallen humanity under the power of Sin and Death, and what it means to be ‘in Christ’, given the gift of life and under the power of Grace. … Continue Reading
Yesterday in Synod, we spent five hours (yes, five!) on what is likely to be the final debate on the Living in Love and Faith process (LLF), the Church of England’s damaging and divisive debate on sexuality launched by Justin Welby in 2017. Following what was widely seen as a volte face by the House of … Continue Reading
Is the Church Commissioners’ proposal for a ‘reparations’ fund (Project Spire) for ‘Justice, Healing, and Repair’ based on historical facts? Will it ‘repair’, or in fact divide us further? Is there a clear ethical argument, and have they followed clear and transparent processes in proposing this? The two videos here comprises four addresses given at … Continue Reading
Ian Paul: theologian, author, speaker, academic consultant. Associate Senior Research Fellow, Kirby Laing Centre for Public Theology; Associate Minister, St Nic's, Nottingham; Managing Editor, Grove Books; member of General Synod and Archbishops' Council. Mac user; chocoholic. Tweets at @psephizo
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Gospel commentary index Lectionary Year A
Andrew Goddard Bible biblical interpretation Biblical literacy biblical theology Christmas Church of England culture discipleship discussion doctrine eschatology evangelism gay General Synod Grove guest Hermeneutics History hope interpretation James Blandford Baker Jesus John's gospel Justin Welby leadership lectionary Luke Luke's gospel Matthew ministry mission New Testament Paul politics preaching Revelation same sex marriage same sex unions sexuality theology video Year A Year B Year C
