CCBlogs thinking critically, living faithfully

Chris Sissons's blog

I was asked in a comment to my last post: how might we reframe our theology of ecumenism in real life terms for the average person in the pew? This is of course in the context of the Global Christian Forum and the increasing sense of Christianity as a global movement of people.

In my last post, I suggested local ecumenism in Britain might have more in common with global than national ecumenism. This means local churches are perhaps less interested in the faith and order approach to ecumenism than they are in the practicalities of joint mission.

The question is not an easy one to answer... READ MORE.

Chris Sissons's blog

The arrangements put in place by the Roman Catholic Church to admit Anglicans disillusioned by women bishops has highlighted a couple of other issues about ecumenism in Britain.

The joint statement made by the two archbishops recently states what might be called mainstream ecumenism will continue between the two churches. These are the Anglican Roman Catholic International Commission (ARCIC) and the International Anglican Roman Catholic Commission for Unity and Mission (IARCCUM). I am sure they will continue but we need to understand something of the context in which they will continue.... READ MORE.
 

Chris Sissons' blog

If we are to take a radical approach to ethics, we need to understand what Christians mean by conversion. Let us start with the story of Nicodemus at John chapter 3:1. The most significant thing about Nicodemus is that he comes by night.

He is a Pharisee and a leader of the Jews and so it is likely he was a member of the Sanhedrin. He is a great man. So why does he come by night? The only conceivable answer is that he does not want to be seen with Jesus.

We never find out why he came to see Jesus because Jesus interrupts him before he can ask. It is possible he came to find out for himself as much as he could about Jesus. He starts by flattering Jesus, and so Jesus interrupts Nicodemus and tells him, he must be 'born from above' (v3)

Nicodemus does not understand and so Jesus explains some more. What is born of flesh is flesh, what is born of the spirit is spirit. This is a second birth. Jesus knows he is a learned man, a man who knows the law and the prophets. He knows what God has promised to the people of Israel. And yet he has found the more he knows of these texts, he is still far from the demands God makes through the law and prophets. Jesus is telling him, he needs to start over again, and find a radical change of perspective.... READ MORE.