What is in Kelvin's Head?

  • Candidates for the Sin Against the Holy Ghost

    People sometimes ask me (and no doubt other clergy) what the sin against the Holy Ghost actually is – the one which cannot be forgiven.

    Mark 3:28-29
    Verily I say unto you, All sins shall be forgiven unto the sons of men, and blasphemies wherewith soever they shall blaspheme:
    But he that shall blaspheme against the Holy Ghost hath never forgiveness, but is in danger of eternal damnation.

    Now, there is a great deal of confusion about this, but I think I have narrowed down the possibilities.

    I’m pretty sure that it is one of the following:

20 responses to “Lambeth Conference – Some are Welcome in this Place”

  1. asphodeline Avatar
    asphodeline

    Aargh, horrible decision. My first “gut” reaction was no, make a point of not going and make it clear why not. Then I read the responses here and they’ve got a point too.

    I hope you make the right decision for yourself that you feel comfortable with. Interesting point too about the Catholic bit. I don’t consider myself Protestant as such, more a Catholic who is exlcuded from many things Catholic by the Catholic church. I’ve always been a bit confused though!

    Good luck x

    Reply
  2. kelvin Avatar
    kelvin

    I’m interested that all voices responding so far are female.

    Reply
  3. chris Avatar
    chris

    Does the excess of female voices not simply represent the majority of congregations? Not, of course, of clergy – yet. :=(

    Reply
  4. kelvin Avatar
    kelvin

    I’ve no idea what other congregations are like – St Mary’s is pretty gender balanced, as was my previous congregation.

    Are there really congregations that are mostly female? How very odd.

    Reply
  5. Elizabeth Avatar
    Elizabeth

    A convent maybe? Do you have convents in the SEC?

    Reply
  6. kelvin Avatar
    kelvin

    There are convents, but not terribly large ones.

    Reply
  7. Eamonn Avatar
    Eamonn

    Not only are all the comments so far from women (so let me make a modest effort to redress the balance), but there are far fewer voices than one might have expected, given the seriousness of this exclusion, which in the long run could affect all Episcopalians and Anglicans worldwide. The notion that one has to ‘qualify’ to attend Lambeth by criteria other than lawful episcopal consecration is a new and disquieting departure. Why are more people not protesting?

    Reply
  8. vicky Avatar
    vicky

    Thought this might be of interest.

    Reply
  9. chris Avatar
    chris

    I’ve only ever belonged to my current congretation. There are men, but old, unwired ones for the most part.
    I’ve had another thought, though. Maybe women comment because women have been sidelined in the church for 2000 years. Coming out in sympathy, perhaps?

    Reply
  10. kelvin Avatar
    kelvin

    “unwired men” – what a helpful description.

    Reply

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