Patrick Henry Reardon on the Hebrew roots of the Eucharist Arguably the most important component of the Bible's Flood story is the Lord's covenant with Noah. Indeed, it is in respect to Noah that the expression ‘covenant’ (b’rith) first appears [...]
Anne Gardom visits two Exhibitions under the same roof Four hundred years ago England and Spain signed a treaty which brought to an end nearly a hundred years of hostilities. James I and Philip III wanted an end to the [...]
John Edmonson with new evidence on regional courses At the July 2003 General Synod, the debate on the Hind Report was opened with the hope that Synod would be able to engage directly with some of the serious issues surrounding [...]
The Clergy Discipline Measure 2003 is on our statute books but is not yet fully implemented. One wag has suggested that this is because the bishops, too, are subject to its provisions, but others speak of the preparatory work needed [...]
Original righteousness Blessed are they who hunger and thirst after righteousness, for they shall be filled (Matthew 5.6). Righteousness is a spiritual hunger when the soul realizes the need of it: ‘My soul has desired thee’ (Isaiah 26.11). It needs [...]
Margaret Laird on Renaissance, Resurrection and the celebration of Life The Great Forty Days of Easter provide us with ample opportunity to ponder upon what is meant by 'Life' in this context. The Prayer Book Collect for Easter Day explains [...]
Nick Turner on civil partnership, gay sex and tax avoidance Lord Alfred Douglas’s memorable phrase, ‘the love that dare not speak its name’, referred to a silence imposed by the prejudice meted out against gays. It was assumed that tolerance [...]
ONE of the functions of a spiritual director is to help an individual develop, review and maintain a rule of prayer. ‘Rule’ is perhaps too legalistic a term; it is sometimes more helpful to think in terms of patterns. It [...]
George Austin on the good, the bad and the difference Forget the virtual church of the Diocese of Oxford, removing the need to attend Sunday worship; forget the Canterbury parishes’ free tickets for Mel Gibson’s The Passion, encouraging atheists to [...]
Geoffrey Kirk asks whether church First Schools still serve a useful purpose Church schools are in demand. Every Chair of Governors knows the extent to which parents are prepared to perjure themselves to see their children admitted. He also probably [...]