Don’t know anything about Melanesia. Had to look it up. The custom of dancing the Gospel book down the aisle was probably brought there by the Apostolic Fathers themselves, and in all Christendom they alone have preserved it.
Of course, only an idiot like me would misunderstand the innocent intent to celebrate the diversity of Anglicanism and think for even a moment that this action in any way symbolizes the revisionist disrespect for Holy Scripture.
It’s not so much the “dance” part that disturbs me. The Israelites did dance when they were safely through the Red Sea with Moses. It’s more that she calls it the “gospel book” that disturbs me. Somebody please help me. Is there a separate book besides the “Bible” that the Gospel is read from during a Eucharist service? In my experience, it’s always been the Bible; a very large church format, and quite beautiful, that sits on the alter.
Somebody please enlighten me. I just can’t wrap my brain around the Archbishop’s wife calling the “Bible” a “Gospel book”. It just seems to diminish its holiness to me.
#4 is right. A Gospel Book is an ancient and venerable tradition. It normally contains all the gospel readings in their lectionary order, rather than in their canonical or narrative form. And the Gospel Book is often beautifully decorated, or even covered with gold or silver, as a way of honoring Christ, to whom the gospels bear witness.
But back to Lady Jane Williams’ actual comments, brief as they are. Like the first person who posted a comment about it on the original website, I just wish that Lambeth actually did bear more of a resemblance to the First Council of Nicea.
Among other things, Lambeth isn’t a real “COUNCIL” in that none of the 14 Lambeth Conferences have been synods that made binding decisions or set official policy. Historically, the Lambeth gatherings have been merely “conferences” indeed, for consultation and fellowship. Alas, this Lambeth event seems likely to be even less like a genuine council than any of the previous ones, if ++Rowan Williams and the ACO have their way. We’ll see.
But I did appreciate her reminder that the 318 bishops gathered in Nicea in AD 325 were a highly diverse group socially, even if they were almost all Greek speakers (there were actually few representatives from the Latin or western part of the Roman Empire), and virtually none came from outside the Empire (such as from Parthia or India to the east). The Council was in fact called by the Emperor Constantine, and drew bishops from his vast realm. So in some important ways, this Lambeth Conference is not only twice as large, but it’s culturally and linguistically far more diverse. And that is something to be celebrated.
Alas, it’s unfortunately also far more diverse theologically, since many of the western bishops gathered in Kent are open heretics. And that is sadly the most important difference of all.
Then again, there were plenty of Arius and his ilk, not only at the first council, but also in even greater numbers after the council. Heresy has certainly abounded during other ages of the church.
In our parish, the Gospel Book (not the entire Bible) is carried in procession in and out of the church, and also carried in procession at the time of the reading of the Gospel. This is done with the greatest dignity and respect possible, with the book elevated above the head. It is covered in shiny brass.
Yes, it’s quite possible that when Jesus read from the Torah or other Scripture in the synagogue he danced with the Torah scroll. Entirely possible. Doubtful, but possible. There’s a lot that Scripture doesn’t tell us.
In any case, the Great Matter of this era, which is Scriptural Authority, is something that should be addressed on a councilar level, rather than having individual priests or bishops decide who marries whom, etc. There is no contemporary structure for doing this in historical fashion, since the Church is so splintered – though if one were to get representatives from the sees of Rome, Constantinople, Canterbury, Alexandria, Antioch and Jerusalem together there’s no doubt in my mind what decision would be made regarding Scriptural Authority.
Not really doubtful. The Jewish feast of [url=http://www.chabad.org/holidays/JewishNewYear/template_cdo/aid/4583/jewish/About-Simchat-Torah.htm]”Simchat Torah”[/url] celebrates the completion of reading the Torah Scroll from beginning to end, and the anticipation of hearing it again. On that day, the rabbi takes the torah from the case and the entire congregation dances with it through the synagogue and, if in a Jewish neighborhood, into the streets.
I’ve often wished we had kept that ceremony in the Christian church.
These people still don’t get it do they?
“…danced the Gospel book down the aisle…”
Oh boy. Just gotta get that image outta my head.
Don’t know anything about Melanesia. Had to look it up. The custom of dancing the Gospel book down the aisle was probably brought there by the Apostolic Fathers themselves, and in all Christendom they alone have preserved it.
Of course, only an idiot like me would misunderstand the innocent intent to celebrate the diversity of Anglicanism and think for even a moment that this action in any way symbolizes the revisionist disrespect for Holy Scripture.
It’s not so much the “dance” part that disturbs me. The Israelites did dance when they were safely through the Red Sea with Moses. It’s more that she calls it the “gospel book” that disturbs me. Somebody please help me. Is there a separate book besides the “Bible” that the Gospel is read from during a Eucharist service? In my experience, it’s always been the Bible; a very large church format, and quite beautiful, that sits on the alter.
Somebody please enlighten me. I just can’t wrap my brain around the Archbishop’s wife calling the “Bible” a “Gospel book”. It just seems to diminish its holiness to me.
Here is more information from a wiki:
The Gospel Book, or Book of the Gospels (Greek: Εá½Î±Î³Î³Îλιον, Evangélion) is a codex or bound volume containing one or more of the four Gospels of the Christian New Testament. In the early Middle Ages, the production of copies of the Bible in its entirety was rare. Individual books or collections of books were produced for specific purposes.
The Catholic and Orthodox churches both practice this, so I don’t see anything improper about this.
Mugsie (#3),
#4 is right. A Gospel Book is an ancient and venerable tradition. It normally contains all the gospel readings in their lectionary order, rather than in their canonical or narrative form. And the Gospel Book is often beautifully decorated, or even covered with gold or silver, as a way of honoring Christ, to whom the gospels bear witness.
But back to Lady Jane Williams’ actual comments, brief as they are. Like the first person who posted a comment about it on the original website, I just wish that Lambeth actually did bear more of a resemblance to the First Council of Nicea.
Among other things, Lambeth isn’t a real “COUNCIL” in that none of the 14 Lambeth Conferences have been synods that made binding decisions or set official policy. Historically, the Lambeth gatherings have been merely “conferences” indeed, for consultation and fellowship. Alas, this Lambeth event seems likely to be even less like a genuine council than any of the previous ones, if ++Rowan Williams and the ACO have their way. We’ll see.
But I did appreciate her reminder that the 318 bishops gathered in Nicea in AD 325 were a highly diverse group socially, even if they were almost all Greek speakers (there were actually few representatives from the Latin or western part of the Roman Empire), and virtually none came from outside the Empire (such as from Parthia or India to the east). The Council was in fact called by the Emperor Constantine, and drew bishops from his vast realm. So in some important ways, this Lambeth Conference is not only twice as large, but it’s culturally and linguistically far more diverse. And that is something to be celebrated.
Alas, it’s unfortunately also far more diverse theologically, since many of the western bishops gathered in Kent are open heretics. And that is sadly the most important difference of all.
David Handy+
Then again, there were plenty of Arius and his ilk, not only at the first council, but also in even greater numbers after the council. Heresy has certainly abounded during other ages of the church.
In our parish, the Gospel Book (not the entire Bible) is carried in procession in and out of the church, and also carried in procession at the time of the reading of the Gospel. This is done with the greatest dignity and respect possible, with the book elevated above the head. It is covered in shiny brass.
Yes, it’s quite possible that when Jesus read from the Torah or other Scripture in the synagogue he danced with the Torah scroll. Entirely possible. Doubtful, but possible. There’s a lot that Scripture doesn’t tell us.
In any case, the Great Matter of this era, which is Scriptural Authority, is something that should be addressed on a councilar level, rather than having individual priests or bishops decide who marries whom, etc. There is no contemporary structure for doing this in historical fashion, since the Church is so splintered – though if one were to get representatives from the sees of Rome, Constantinople, Canterbury, Alexandria, Antioch and Jerusalem together there’s no doubt in my mind what decision would be made regarding Scriptural Authority.
Not really doubtful. The Jewish feast of [url=http://www.chabad.org/holidays/JewishNewYear/template_cdo/aid/4583/jewish/About-Simchat-Torah.htm]”Simchat Torah”[/url] celebrates the completion of reading the Torah Scroll from beginning to end, and the anticipation of hearing it again. On that day, the rabbi takes the torah from the case and the entire congregation dances with it through the synagogue and, if in a Jewish neighborhood, into the streets.
I’ve often wished we had kept that ceremony in the Christian church.
Shalom in Y’Shua
Jim Elliott <><