Jonathan, thank you for your heartfelt contribution. How appropriate on the day when the lectionary gives us St Luke’s account of Pentecost, in his book of Acts.
The Church and the BBC are going along the same track, using the lowest common denominator to connect with people. This is so wrong, insulting people’s minds, and their wish to grow in every way possible.
The full beauty and depth of our liturgy feeds us in our daily journey.
The BBC is the biggest contributor to art and culture in Britain. I don’t think Fr Bish’ s comparison with it to the Church is meant as a criticism. I’m sure the BBC would produce more worthwhile religious programmes if there were a call for them. But since the Church is the equivalent of Radio 2 only, most people wouldn’t listen. It’s the Church – not the BBC – which has made religion boringly monochrome.
Jonathan Bish’s piece – quite wonderful, should I suggest be read alongside the discussion on the 8 August thread with contributions from Froghole and Andrew about the (unnecessary) polarisation between buildings and “evangelism”. At the risk of boring you all, I repeat some points I made there, for they are pertinent. I weep and despair at the way in which the CoE ignores the numinous (images, sounds, sights, smells, atmosphere) that needs no words in favour of the kitchen sink that uses only words in the mistaken and patronising belief that the wo/man on the Clapham omnibus can’t handle mystery.… Read more »
For me, Jonathan Bish’s piece ties in with Stephen Stavrou’s article posted here on August 1st. The use of language is so revealing, and jargon is rampant.
Yes indeed, Shamus. I’d forgotten that one. So many resonances and connexions.
ACI
3 years ago
‘”Would I have stayed if I’d turned up to an ordinary C of E parish? Probably not. I would have dismissed the Church as lacking credibility, intellectually flabby, and a club for do-gooders.” Ouch.
Jonathan, thank you for your heartfelt contribution. How appropriate on the day when the lectionary gives us St Luke’s account of Pentecost, in his book of Acts.
The Church and the BBC are going along the same track, using the lowest common denominator to connect with people. This is so wrong, insulting people’s minds, and their wish to grow in every way possible.
The full beauty and depth of our liturgy feeds us in our daily journey.
Fr John Emlyn
The BBC is the biggest contributor to art and culture in Britain. I don’t think Fr Bish’ s comparison with it to the Church is meant as a criticism. I’m sure the BBC would produce more worthwhile religious programmes if there were a call for them. But since the Church is the equivalent of Radio 2 only, most people wouldn’t listen. It’s the Church – not the BBC – which has made religion boringly monochrome.
Jonathan Bish’s piece – quite wonderful, should I suggest be read alongside the discussion on the 8 August thread with contributions from Froghole and Andrew about the (unnecessary) polarisation between buildings and “evangelism”. At the risk of boring you all, I repeat some points I made there, for they are pertinent. I weep and despair at the way in which the CoE ignores the numinous (images, sounds, sights, smells, atmosphere) that needs no words in favour of the kitchen sink that uses only words in the mistaken and patronising belief that the wo/man on the Clapham omnibus can’t handle mystery.… Read more »
For me, Jonathan Bish’s piece ties in with Stephen Stavrou’s article posted here on August 1st. The use of language is so revealing, and jargon is rampant.
Yes indeed, Shamus. I’d forgotten that one. So many resonances and connexions.
‘”Would I have stayed if I’d turned up to an ordinary C of E parish? Probably not. I would have dismissed the Church as lacking credibility, intellectually flabby, and a club for do-gooders.” Ouch.
Yes, Jesus said, ‘They’ll know you are Christians by your intellectual rigour.’
“They’ll know you are Christians by your lack of credibility and your clubiness.”
These are the comments of a Priest in the CofE. I am not sure what your one-liner means (at “Thinking” Anglicans).