Here begins an “as I feel like it” attempt to share reflections on a variety of ponderings from the past week. Some items may be current; others may be fresh encounters of the old.
Anglican worship
Two friends kindly alerted me to this essay. Gillis Harp does his usual wonderful job of cutting to the chase.
Anglo-Catholic accretions of pre-Reformation practices have soured the Protestant witness of Anglicanism. I find it intriguing that some Anglo-Catholics want to dismiss the concerns of evangelical churchmen by declaring things “adiaphora.” It seems they only want to dismiss the Protestant characteristics of Anglicanism as adiaphora, while insisting the ritualist trappings are essential.
I disagree with Dr. Harp that ashing is indifferent. It was ten years ago that I was castigated for “throwing out” the Advent wreath at the congregation I pastored. The Second Book of Homilies provides much to consider when reflecting on biblical elements of worship and the bedecking of churches. We’d do well to uphold biblical principles of worship instead of appealing to ascetic tastes tainted by the corruption of our sin-splattered hearts.