The best ideas are common property
I have written elsewhere on the danger of dogma. Here, I want to explore the potential weaknesses of (over)reliance on Christian creeds and confessions in the life of the church. Recently, in an unprecedented move, a group of American theologians and pastors within the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) moved to amend their denomination’s confessional statement, “The …
Continue reading "Should churches enforce conformity to creeds?"
Inaugural Assembly of the Uniting Church of Australia at Sydney Town Hall, June 1977. Historically, Baptists have affirmed the ecumenical creeds as normative in terms of doctrinal congruence with Scripture but have also emphasised liberty of conscience regarding all matters of faith and conduct. Generally, Baptist denominations and associations have been reluctant to impose creeds …
Thomas Cranmer, the first Protestant Archbishop of Canterbury and chief architect of the Anglican formularies. Real or imagined crises are often the catalyst for the formulation, promulgation and revision of creeds and confessions. During the brief period during which the New Testament writings were being composed, a “trinitarian” confessional pattern emerged that shaped later credal formularies. …
Archbishop Phillip Aspinall addresses the Heads of Jerusalem Churches at a dinner in Jerusalem, 6 Dec 2007. Photo credit: Rod Benson In December 2007, a delegation of nine Australian Church leaders visited Jerusalem and the Holy Land. I was one of the nine. Seventeen years on, so little has changed. So many have died, and …
Continue reading "Statement by Australian Church leaders on Israel"
An address by Dr Rod Benson on 1 Kings 18:20-46 The Triumph of Elijah Over the Prophets of Baal (c. 1622)Domenico Fetti (c. 1589 - 1623) The story is one relished by Sunday school teachers and enjoyed by their students – although someone who supports interfaith dialogue might be less than enthusiastic about some elements of …
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