From Ekklesia

Ekklesia is "a not-for-profit think-tank which works to promote theological ideas in the public square...Ekklesia emerged from 'Workshop', a theological training programme that has been running in the UK for 20 years." Among other things, they also produce "a news syndication service which gives a theological perspective on the news." Here are a couple of their recent news items worth noting;

Evangelicals form network to support gay and lesbian Christians:

A new network has been formed by Evangelicals who believe the time has come to move towards the acceptance of faithful, loving same-sex partnerships...

This network of evangelicals has a new site up; Accepting Evangelicals. From their home page;

Accepting Evangelicals...is a network of people who are increasingly uncomfortable with the hard-line statements which are being issued by some Evangelical groups, and the damage which this is causing, both to the church and the mission of the Gospel.

Accepting Evangelicals...is open both to people who believe that the Bible does not condemn loving, faithful same-sex relationships which are built on mutual commitment and self-giving love...and to people who, although they do not personally hold this view are willing to accept the integrity of those who do.

Looks good. Some "acceptance of integrity" might make it easier to actually discuss things with some folks who seem to have abandoned all semblance of civility with those with whom they disagree. Of course, I may be mistaken. Possibly they are just being honest? Maybe I really am an apostate, heretical, satanic, revisionist who has no right to claim the title of Christian? Hmm...Nah.

Archbishops rebuke Blair over Iraq and warn of Christian Zionism:

The archbishops of Canterbury and York have delivered what is being seen as a rebuke to the Government, over the behaviour of Western security forces in Iraq...

...In a joint letter they also warn about the dangers of Christian Zionism saying that "theological work" needs to be done to "counter those interpretations of Scripture from outside the mainstream of the tradition which appear to have become increasingly influential in fostering an uncritical and one-sided approach to the future of the Holy Land...

...In a guarded reference to the growing influence of the Christian Zionist movement in the US — which takes the view that the restoration of the biblical Israel is necessary to facilitate the Second Coming of Christ — the archbishops admit; “Within the wider Christian community we also have theological work to do to counter those interpretations of Scripture from outside the mainstream of the tradition which appear to have become increasingly influential in fostering an uncritical and one-sided approach to the future of the Holy Land.”

I've mentioned before that I think that Christian Zionism is what is fueling what is going on in the Middle East right now. I'm quite pleased that these Anglican leaders have spoken up. It makes me proud to be an Anglican (well, at least until October when the Lambeth Commission gives us the boot).

J.