Bozhe!Bozhe!Exploring life, identity and theology as a progressive Independent Catholic Articles
All Is Not Lost - Welcome 2008
2008-01-04 11:02:00 No, I've not abandoned you!A belated Nativity post will appear soon; a timely Theophany post is also coming. Also my community is participating in this year's Clergy Letter Project by producing a video exploring issues of science and religion (that won't appear until the second week of February).So, "What did baby Jesus bring you?"One of my presents is a new computer bible program - it's FAB! We got it from Die Deutsche Bibelgesellschaft - the publishers of such useful tools as the Nestle-Aland Greek NT and Rahlfs Septuagint (by the way if you are wanting to purchase these don't buy them in a bookshop either in the US or here in the UK - save money, buy it directly from Die Biblegesellshcaft, American customers will save close to 2/3 and UK buyers will save up to half).You can also order it directly from Accordance - but the combination of modules is very different, so you might save money by looking at both sites. The Accordance site includes a module for the NAB (catholic Bib... More About: Lost , 2008
O.K. . . . . T.M.I !
2007-12-18 10:03:00 Under the heading: "Modesty in brawls" I found this curiosty -"If, when two men are fighting, the wife of one intervenes to protect her husband from the other's blows by reaching out and seizing the other by his private parts, you must cut off her hand and show no pity." - Dt. 25.11-12 (NJB)Typical me - I had to ask - does the LXX text use a euphemism for "private parts", does it say "private parts" or does it use a more . . . "technical" term like genitals? The greek text in fact uses didumun that is to say if she reaches out and takes in her hands the "twins" of the other . . . I'd say that falls under the category of euphimism.
Communion & War - A Question For Reflection
2007-12-06 11:26:00 There is an interesting post at The Anglican Scotist which while I confess I've not finished reading it, and it is (obviously) related to a point of Anglican thought; and not being an Anglican I feel it would be rude to intrude; but it started me thinking . . . .The basic question is related to a consequence of the Iraq war: ". . . if the Iraq war is not a just war, should participants in its violent acts be barred from the Eucharist under the rubric banning notorious sinners from the Altar?"The post - talking about the ban of notorius sinners is well worth the read. But I'm interested in looking at this from an OC/IC context - so I'm slightly re-framing the question.According to tradition, and indeed the Apostolic canons (can. 27) if an ordained person commits and act of violence he is to be stripped of his orders (but interestingly enough - not excommunicated because it is not right that someone be punished twice for the same offence). The logic here is that when struck Jesus d... More About: Question , Social Justice , Reflection
"God's Publisher" gone digital
2007-12-05 18:15:00 When he was alive, it is said that J.P. Migne the prolific publisher of greek patristic material and the famous "PG" or Patralogia Grecae was nick-named God's Publisher . For those interested in playing with original source material in the original language PG is an invaluable resource - sadly one that is both out of print, rare, and very expensive if you happen to find a couple of volumes.But lo! Yonder star! I've been waiting for a while now for PG to be made avaliable in digital form. A few years ago someone started to offer a digital version which was extortionately expensive. I don't know if its the same concern or no but you can buy it now on 16 DVD's or on a personal hard-drve from these folks. I've done some digging and most of the universities that have the digital format seem to be getting it from here. Alternatively for $40 you can buy it from a Ukranian supplier whose web page suggests that this is perhaps not up to spec (and thus no link will be found here - grin).N... More About: Digital
Come Let Us Worship . . . .
2007-12-05 13:54:00 This morning I stumbled upon an interesting post exchange at Rev. Thomas McKenzie?s place talking about worship . . . . it got me thinking about how we understand worship in our own OC/IC context. What do each of us bring to the experience; how is our unique brand of the Christian faith expressed in our worship?Before I invite you to jump in an share your thoughts ? I figure its only fair that I should drop a few ideas in your lap (my own play and exploration with his thread) to start with.One thing that I found odd in this exchange is the idea that worship is a moment when we, in the words of Phil Wilson ?step away from ourselves and focus completely on God and the wonderousness of His presence.? At first I thought I understood this ? then I realised that I did not understand it the way he understood it (I think?) and then. . . .What is ?worship? to me?One element that is certainly there ? and that I think both men pointed to directly and indirectly is that worship is doxological. ... More About: Worship
"It's a Girl!"
2007-11-27 11:01:00 So - according to the temple preists of the goddess Market Research it's the annual festal season. This used to be a fixed feast but of late it has been shifting and becoming a movable feast - that must naturally terminate on the historic date because then its the leave taking of the feast (also known as the January Sales) which lasts until February when the goddess decress that the next festal cycle begins in honour of St. Valentine.Here in London the minions of the Goddess were so ecstatic at being able to serve her this year that they actually pushed the envelope for the festal season that little bit further and started laying out the decorations the first week of October! (sigh)Anyway, last night G and I were having a moment of remembrance (enjoying the memory of this wonderfully imagined ad) I thought I would share it - and see what theological reflection it inspires. More About: Girl
Indie Voices Archive Update
2007-11-27 10:26:00 So, what's happening over at the archive?Well, we've got one interview that is in the works, and about three that are being arranged. We have two interviews that need to be edited (still!), and we have started approaching possible interviewees for the next round.We'll be arranging and conducting interviews up to the Feast of St. Nicholas (6 Dec) and resume after Theophany (7 Dec). We're going to use the time in between to finish those outstanding edits, and finish the site re-design.If you or anyone you know is an OC/IC believer and would like to participate by being interviewed - please do not hesistate to get in touch (use the SKYPE link in the sidebar, or visit the Archive to use other methods of contact). More About: Indie , Update , Hive
Marian Puzzle - Feast of the Presentation II
2007-11-23 11:54:00 As we are still in the Feast of the Presentation I got to thinking about a train station. Yes, a train station. Every journey I make into the centre of London I pass "Ladywell" station. Some weeks ago I commented to G that I bet it was named for a well or spring associated in some way with the Theotokos - sure enough - records going back as far as the 15th century show a well (now demolished) dedicated to Mary.A "well" you might ask? Sure as early as the fifth century Mary is associated with wells and fountains. More than likely it is a link between the idea of her surper abundant grace and the traditional pagan image of springs and groves with springs being associated with "the graces" that is to say these were beautiful and refreshing places. What is more - Mary as early as the fourth century is closely associated with the image of Paradise - from where all natrual graces flow into the World including the four rivers.Mary is clearly associated with "places" generally - interesting... More About: Puzzle , Marian , Maria
Feast: Entrance of the Theotokos Into the Temple
2007-11-22 11:41:00 One of the bigger feasts (it lasts a week) and like many Marian feasts; the Feast of the Presentation is rooted in the 2nd century apocryphal Protoevangelion also known as the Infancy Gospel of James.As early as Origen this text has been treated as being "canonical by tradition" rather than having been included in the "official" canon of scripture. It's popularity is evidenced in the fact that very early examples exist in over 11 languages.Here is an excerpt - relating to the beginning of the Feast (7.4-9):"When the child turned three years of age, Joachim said, 'Let's send for the undefiled Hebrew daughters. Let them each take a lamp and light it, so the chid won't turn back and have her heart captivated by things outside the Lord's temple.' And this is what they did until the time they ascended to the Lord's temple.The priest welcomed her, kissed her, and blessed her: 'The Lord God has exalted your name among all generations. In you the lord will disclose his redemption to... More About: Temple , Tran , Entrance , Temp
Stand Up, Be Counted - Countering Fundamentalism In Our Faith
2007-11-22 11:03:00 Yesterday I found, in my in-box an invitation to participate in something called the "Clergy Letter Project". After doing some digging I thought it was worth endorsing and sharing. The project is designed to counter the frightfully alarming growth of "Christian" fundamentalists attempting to impose variations of creationism upon us. Since our OC/IC heritage emerged in part supporting developments in modern scholarship I think it's a good cause and encourage everyone to check out the site and see how your local community can join the campaign.My local London community benefits from having a Scientist - I think we'll put together a video for Evolution Weekend 2008.On a lighter note - You may remember some time ago I posted on the opening of the Creation Museum in Petersburg KY - if you need a laugh, John Spalding's article is well worth the read. More About: Fundamentalism , Faith , Stand Up , Stand , Stand-Up
Late Antique Pagan Theory Determines Contemporary "Christian" Theology - Bu
2007-11-20 11:15:00 Yesterday the leader of the Roman Catholic community in England and Wales spoke out against an upcoming reform that would allow lesbian women access to IVF treatment. Decrying it as ?profoundly wrong? and a move to undermine the traditional family ? namely the role of fatherhood, Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O?Connor joins the Anglican Bishop of Rochester Michael Nazir-Ali in opposing the bill. Nazir-Ali?s comment that boys, in particular, require the benefits of parents of both genders so that they can learn to properly relate to other males was, in addition to being astonishingly offensive to any sensible person of faith, exceptionally ignorant and naïve.I'm not a fan of IVF treatment - but not for any religious reason - I think that there are too many children already who need to be adopted, brought into loving homes, given the stability and support of friends, and family - thus, I think it is more important that resources ought to be expended on supporting and encouraging this avenue... More About: Christian , Theology , Theory , Social Justice , Contemporary
Correction
2007-11-19 12:28:00 I've just realised that there has been a problem with the link to the Tertullian Project - a very nice complimentary resource to NPNF at the Christian Classics Etherial Library. The problem link is now correct. More About: Rect
Prayer: Words & One Liners
2007-11-14 12:41:00 This morning I happened to be looking through a collection of prayers published by the WCC some years ago and came across a lovely Armenian prayer at morning:From the East to the West, rom the North and the South, all nations and peoples bless the creator of creatures with a new blessing. For he made the light of the sun rise today over the world.O congregations of the righteous, who glorify the Holy Trinity in the morning of light, praise the Christ, the morning of peace, together with the Father and the Spirit; for he as made the light of his knowledge shine over us.G looked at it and wryly commented: "its nice, if you like that sort of thing . . . . its a bit. . . . too religious" - he grinned."Erm . . . . Ok . . . " I said, " . . .but um . . . . it is a prayer afterall."Trying not to burst out in giggles G then said: "Yeah, but what's wrong with - morning God. Ta!" That says it all and its much less wordy."True - I said - and have been thinking about the conversation ever since... More About: Prayer , Words , Liners
The Collar - Distinctiveness & Extremism
2007-11-08 13:30:00 Two weeks ago we started a discussion on the security and symbolism of ?the collar? this lead to some interesting discussion on not only the use of the collar but also the use (in our movement) of inflated clerical titles (see the great posts on this over at John?s, Tim?s and David Kling?s). The emphasis thus far has been on clericalism ? but what about a more general exploration of symbols of faith?Yesterday?s Guardian had an article about a Sikh schoolgirl being excluded from school because she wore the Kara, an iron bangle that reminds devout Sikhs of their duty not to sin. The symbolism is wonderful ? a sinful act is often committed with the hands, thus the Kara is the last thing one sees before acting upon a sinful idea; a moment of reflection, a stepping back from the brink.This is not an isolated occasion ? indeed there have been a whole raft of reported instances, across the spectrum of faith in the past couple years when individuals have been expelled, fired, or suspended. ... More About: Extremism , Collar , Remi
Fun With The Eucharist
2007-11-06 13:44:00 This was fun. Obviously these quizzes have their limitations but I was truthfully surprised at this result. Eucharist ic theologycreated with QuizFarm.com You scored as OrthodoxYou are Orthodox, worshiping the mystery of the Holy Trinity in the great liturgy whereby Jesus is present through the Spirit in a real yet mysterious way, a meal that is also a sacrifice. Orthodox 100%Calvin 75%Zwingli 50%Catholic 44%Luther 31%Unitarian 0% More About: Char , Hari
Pause
2007-11-05 13:12:00 I've been away.I'm back now.Yipee!Visit my "other" blog to find out more - some stuff is already posted. More About: Pause
And What of the Laity . . . .
2007-10-25 10:30:00 Last week we started a great conversation (which continues) on the symbols, and ministry of ordained OC/IC service. In the course of that conversation, naturally, we also started to talk about the symbols and charism of the laity. I think, especially given our community's pre-disposition toward ordaining more or less everything, that that conversation deserves a full airing.Lyngine has started us off with some great observations in the comments of last weeks conversation - I'm reproducing them here in the hope that it will kick start a more in-depth exploration.Lyngine writes:"The charism of being laity goes beyond having the time and energy available that is not taken up by sacramental duties required in ordained life. The issue goes deeper and hits at the intrinsic nature of being laity. Because as laity, I hold no official power or authority within my local community and because it's fairly common knowledge that I have no intention of ever seeking ordination--and therefore wil...
Is Priesthood Always Public - Part I
2007-10-24 12:37:00 The other day when we were discussing the symbolism of ?the collar? John asked: ?Is priesthood always a public office? I'll give you that historically that has been the case most of the time..... but what about monastic priests (e.g. Carthusians) with no public ministry? Or hermit priests in the desert or on Mt Athos??At the time I answered quickly ?yes the priesthood is absolutely a public office? and promised to explain myself more fully later. I?ve been playing with this now for a few days it will take a few postings but I?m going to begin an attempt at an explanation. This is not a systematic approach and is in no particular order ? this by way of asking for your patience whilst I hap-hazardly cobble my thoughts together.John?s example of monks is interesting. Asceticism is first and foremost an individual spiritual discipline. The ascetic withdraws from ?the World? to persue a life dedicated to transcendence. This is a private, personalised discipline that was quickly drawn in... More About: Public , Part , Priesthood , Always
850 is a Magic Number
2007-10-18 12:33:00 We only need $850 to fully fund three grass roots education projects in three deprived areas in Virginia, Chicago, and Washington DC. If fully funded these projects directly help over 150 students! You can choose which of the tree projects you want to support by clicking here.****OK . . .I'm soo mathematically challenged its not funny! $850 will complete the challenge and in the right combination fully fund one project and bring the other two that much closer to completion.Also, I mentioned to a few folks in emails that one of the projects was in Philly - my shame is not yet complete - I was looking very closely at an interesting project in Philadelphia, but trying to do a geographical, and age spread went with Chicago instead - which like DC has one of the worst public school systems in the US and really needs the help of committed teachers, and people like you (now I'm sounding like a PBS show . . .sorry). More About: Magic , Social Justice , Number
Great Exchange - Thoughtful Ideas - Local Landmark
2007-10-18 09:52:00 If you've not been following the wonderful exchange of ideas on this post from the other day I invite you to join in. Some of the issues raised I'm hoping to move from the comment section into the main space here (I've already written a post inspired by this exchange here)It's an interesting post for another reason - its 15 comments and counting are a mini record here at the blog - I think the average maximium number of comments is 9. Thanks Lyngine, Chris, John & Tim for the many thoughtful comments and thought provoking insights - I look forward to more from you and other regulars & visitors in the future. More About: Ideas , Great , Exchange , Local , Landmark
"Leadership" - A corollary of the collar
2007-10-17 10:27:00 Lyngine in her comment on yesterday's post hit on something that I had in the back of my mind as I typed my response to John's post last night and that, simply put, is "leadership"; how do we understand leadership in our very de-centralised, diverse, and even chaotic OC/IC context? Who are our leaders? How do we cultivate and recognise leadership?Lyngine pointed to the very moving example of the recent demonstrations of Burmese monks - who are now paying a heavy price for their visibility and symbolism - I had to ask myself could we accomplish a similar thing in our OC/IC context? My gut instinct must sadly admit the answer is "No" because it is very difficult to get a substantive group of OC clergy in the same room to agree on a common cause without there being at least two who jump ship to join another synod, one schism, three ordinations, a consecration, and some fool jumping up & down shouting I'm the Grand Poobah, oh, and then we all sit around a table eating our own you... More About: Leadership , Collar , Coll , Leader
"The Collar" - Security Risk & Witness
2007-10-15 10:24:00 Fr. Chris over at Even the Devils Believe and my partner pointed me in the direction of the following two reports in the Telegraph, and on the BBC.I found that reading the media reports annoyed me - aside from reporting errors - the Telegraph for example asserts that the author of the report Nick Tolson, claims that "there would be no attacks on clergy if they heeded the advice" when in fact Mr. Tolson clearly and repeatedly states the opposite - that there is nothing that can totally eliminate the risk, but there are wise steps one can take to greatly reduce the probability of being attacked because you are viewed as an easy target (i.e. a clergy person). There was the assumption in these reports that we are somehow a class exempt from the daily experiences of the society around us. There was no acknowledgement for example of the fact that, at least here in the UK, we live in an increasingly un-civil society, and that the natural corrolary of this is a rise in violence generally - ... More About: Security , Witness , Risk , Collar , Coll
A Challenge To My Fellow OC/IC Readers
2007-10-05 19:56:00 The vast majority of readers here at Bo?e! hail from the US. Which, when you consider the number of OC/IC folk in the US compared with here in the UK makes sense. Thanks to a recent blurb on Blogger I've been put on to a neat grass roots program that funds educational projects in the US. Offering a way our OC/IC community can get invovled, and help others outside the bounds of our immediate local ministries and congregations.Every year during the great feasts (Pascha, Theophany, Transfiguration) I highlight both here and on my other web pages, one or more charities that help people on the ground with basic needs. In the past I've focussed on the developing world, and women affected by war. This time, I've turned my attention to the "developed" world - the US where in some areas the functional illiteracy rate is astounding. My mother works in a high school in rural Pennsylvania where many of her students are barely able to write their own name. I lived in DC for nearly 10 years an... More About: Readers , Social Justice , Challenge , Halle
Help Spread the Word Please
2007-10-05 11:53:00 Greetings all!I'd like to ask you to help spread the word about the Indie Voices Archive.The project has taken shape, and is gaining momentum. We've got a cycle going of a period of conducting interviews then a period of editing & arranging the next round. People appear to be enjoying the results - most of the interviews posted to date are fast reaching, or have already exceeded 100 downloads. If I'm right this does not include the number of times that the file is viewed "in-line" on the site.Now that I'm fairly certain that the project is going to sustain itself, I'm looking at ways of promoting it, and making sure it is as useful as possible for our community, and for those outsiders who have an interest in knowing more about us.One of the easiest ways to spread the word is if you would kindly include a link to the project on your sites and blogs. This URL (http://mysite.orange.co.uk/gracecatholic /archive.htm) takes visitors directly to the opening page.The site will soon... More About: Word , Spread
New At The Archive
2007-10-04 15:34:00 One down, two to go!We've added the newest interview to the Indie Voices Archive , you can here it by clicking here. There are two more interviews to finish editing of the most recent round, and I've begun inviting people to participate and arranging interviews for the next round to take place later this month and into November. More About: Hive
OC/IC Artists & Craftspeople
2007-09-25 11:52:00 A while back I wrote this post on Christian art. I had cause to re-visit it this morning, while looking over this year's re-design of my local community's web page. It has got me thinking: where are our OC/IC artists and craftspeople: painters, carvers, jewellers, embroiderers, writers, poets, musicians - the people who through their creativity offer something of the spirit for everyone else?I would like to add a page of links either here, or on one of my other web pages, of OC/IC artists - hopefully with images of examples of their work. If you, or someone you know is an OC/IC believer and an artisan - whose art and creativity is shaped by, and reflects our faith and tradition - please pop a comment on this post and point the rest of us toward your work. More About: Artists , Artis
London Community Updated
2007-09-24 20:20:00 We've just finished our annual re-fit of the London community page and invite you to browse around a bit. I'd appreciate it if you could tell me if there are any glitches for your particular browser. More About: Community , Unit
New At the Archive . . .
2007-09-21 18:42:00 You can hear the newest addition to the Indie Voices Archive by clicking here. There are three more interviews - including a video one - on the editing table. I've been ill the past week or so and that has slowed progress rather dramatically (ugh).Anyway, this newest addition is from a layperson's perspective (collective cheering!) I'd like to see more of these please, it ensures that the project is as representative as possible. More About: Hive
Latest Poll - What is "catholic"?
2007-09-20 12:32:00 19 readers participated in this month's poll. I was surprised by some of the results. For example, an overwhelming number of participants understand "catholic" as meaning "universal". I expected that in our OC/IC context more people would have viewed it in terms of a particular church. The, sacramental, Roman, and "orthoxy" options are interesting because unlike the other two these are rooted in popular perception rather than historic theology/definitions. I expected that the number of those choosing Roman would have been higher - but that could merely be a relfection of the make up of those visiting the blog - from what I can gather the majority of "regulars" here are OC/IC folk."Universal" vs. "Particular" hmmmm . . . . I'm a "particular" kinda guy myself, I'm not a fan of "universal" because it leads to some pretty whacky theology, and ideologies. Earlier this year I wrote a post on my own thoughts on why I prefer "particular" over "universal" - but I'm interested to know how... More About: Poll , Catholic
New At the Archive . . .
More articles from this author:2007-09-12 12:36:00 Just a quick announcement - we've begun a second "phase" of the Indie Voices Archive Project which will collect what we're calling "contemporary outside perspectives" - that is articles, and media reports of OC/IC communities and activities. These outsider views are just as informative as our insider stories and discussions.This phase needs your help though - links to videos, PDF files, radio interviews, news paper articles and so on are greatly appreciated. More About: Hive 1, 2, 3, 4 |
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