Stars and Sand: Roger Aubrey

O'Brien right: Cameron wrong

It's very rare that I find myself in agreement with a Roman Catholic Cardinal; nevertheless today I wish to applaud Cardinal Keith O'Brien's public stance concerning British PM David Cameron's plans to legalise homosexual and lesbian 'marriage'. In an article in yesterday's Sunday Telegraph, O'Brien roundly condemned the proposal, writing: 'As an institution, marriage long predates the existence of any state or government. It was not created by governments and should not be changed by them. Instead, recognising the innumerable benefits which marriage brings to society, they should act to protect and uphold marriage, not attack or dismantle it.' In an extremely perceptive and non-vitriolic piece, he continued: 'If marriage can be redefined so that it no longer means a man and a woman but two men or two women, why stop there? Why not allow three men or a woman and two men to constitute a marriage, if they pledge their fidelity to one another? If marriage is simply about adults who love each other, on what basis can three adults who love each other be prevented from marrying?...No Government has the moral authority to dismantle the universally understood meaning of marriage.'

Just before Christmas David Cameron spoke of the continued value and importance to this country of Christian values (see my article about it here). Sadly, he has rather shot himself in the foot and his wish to reinforce Christian values are now to be taken as empty rhetoric. The Cardinal has hit the button when he says that governments have no moral authority to dismantle marriage. In doing so they go to the heart of the nature of God, because marriage expresses who God is and how he relates to himself. Furthermore, as the New Testament tells us in passages such as Ephesians 5, marriage also reflects the relationship between Jesus and the Church: he is the Bridegroom, we are the Bride. Marriage is not about the freedom to express our love with whomever we wish - man to man or woman to woman - it's God's eternal, unchanging masterpiece in which a man and a woman come together in a lifelong covenant to express nothing less than who God is. This is true of all true marriages between men and women, not only those between Christians, even though Christian marriages express God in a special way. Marriage is defined by God and what he says is marriage is marriage. We do not have the right to define marriage any other way. Who do we think we are?

When I see so-called Christian leaders pontificate on how each of us should be able to express ourselves in the way we see fit and condone same sex marriage I am grieved - and angry. They not only contradict the clear, consistent message of the Scriptures, they slander the nature of the God they claim to represent. Let me make it clear: homosexual marriage is not marriage in the eyes of God. And that is important to stress; even if the UK government passes legislation to legalise and enforce such 'marriages', God will not recognise them. Call it what you will; pass your laws; but God still says no. And so does his Church. Religious leaders who support and advocate this legislation will pay a terrible price when they stand before God to justify themselves.

I should like very much for other national Christian leaders to speak out in support of Cardinal O'Brien. I may not have a large constituency, but I have a voice through this blog. And I have said my piece. God bless you, Keith O'Brien. Shame on you, David Cameron.

Well said Mr Cameron, but....

British Prime Minister David Cameron's recent comments about the continued value and importance to this country of 'Christian values' has met with varying degrees of approval and rejection. That is only to be expected. Mr Cameron made his remarks during a speech commemorating the four hundredth anniversary of the King James version of the Bible.

In his speech the PM said that Christian values were central to Britain and should be 'treasured'. He said that faith gave people a 'moral code' and that the summer riots that shattered several cities were evidence of the fact that this country has lost its way. He also said "[Christian values] are also values that speak to us all – to people of every faith and none. Those who oppose this usually make the case for secular neutrality. They argue that by saying we are a Christian country and standing up for Christian values we are somehow doing down other faiths. I think these arguments are profoundly wrong."

I applaud Mr Cameron's remarks. To hear a modern politician speak of morality and right and wrong is refreshing. (It is interesting that his Liberal Democrat Deputy, Nick Clegg, today embarks on a campaign to stop plans for tax breaks for married couples, citing it as a return to 1950s morality. This despite all the evidence that overwhelmingly proves the benefit of marriage to society). We are right to stand for Christian values; the Bible tells us that righteousness exalts a nation (Proverbs 14:34). The problem in this nation is that there is too much anti Christian legislation; as I have written before, we cannot support Christian - God - values, while passing laws which militate against those values. Therefore, if Mr Cameron wishes to see those values restored - and I believe he does - then somewhere along the line he and his government will have to introduce legislation in line with that desire.

We must face the fact, too, that Britain is not a Christian country. There is no such thing as a Christian country, not even the United States, which has In God we Trust on its money but it's against the law to pray in school (to quote the late Larry Norman). The Gospel of the Kingdom does not produce Christian countries, it produces Christian communities (the Church) in countries, which transform and challenge their societies with the love and power of Jesus Christ. One of the biggest disasters to befall the Church was when it became the official religion of the Roman Empire. Christianity's function is not to be such a thing, it cannot be the State Church. When Mr Cameron directs his comments to the Church of England, he speaks to the wrong body. A state-sponsored and state-controlled religious organisation in which large numbers of its leaders deny the truth of biblical Christianity, cannot speak for Jesus Christ or truly represent him. (That should create some reactions and responses!)

Ultimately, the promotion and support of Christian values will not be sufficient. Society is truly changed only when people are changed, for society comprises real people. Acceptance and acknowledgement of a value system is not far enough. The need is not only for legislation which promotes Christian values; the Church - the real Church that is - has to preach a Jesus as Lord, who is alive as Lord, the reality of the miracle of a changed life through new birth, the love and holiness of God, and express that life in the Church and to the world as an invitation, a demonstration, a provocation and a proof that Jesus is the living Lord of all. If the Church incarnates Christ with all his life and 'values' then the nation will sit up and take notice - as it is beginning to do - and acknowledge that the Kingdom of God has come.

 

'Check it out with a doctor'

News reports in the UK today are 'exposing' a church which has reportedly told HIV sufferers to stop taking their medication after receiving prayer for healing. Leaders of the Synagogue Church of All Nations (no connection at all to All Nations Church Cardiff, which I belong to), have been filmed by undercover reporters who pretended to have the HIV virus (report and video here). There are claims that up to six people have died as a result. If true, that is tragic.

I believe in the God of miracles and healing; I have personally experienced healing by Jesus and I have prayed for thousands of people to be healed in Jesus' name. Many have been healed; some have not. Some receive miracles, others have died. None of those who died did so as a result of my telling them to stop their medication. That is one thing I know, because I never have and never will tell somebody to do so. It's just a practice that I follow and that we ensure in our church. (In fact, I take life-preserving medication every day myself). I have been privileged on many occasions to see Jesus heal people who also take life-preserving medication, after I have prayed for them, my wife has prayed for them, or people in my church have prayed for them. I have even seen people healed when nobody has prayed for them. Nevertheless, I do not feel it is my place to tell somebody to stop their medication. That is not a lack of faith; I believe we have precedent in the Bible. When Jesus healed a leper he told him to go and check his healing with the priest, which was what was required of anybody who had that terrible disease (Matthew 8:3-5). In being checked out by the priest, the miracle could be independently verified and the man declared cured. Jesus honoured that process, even though he knew the man was healed. It is wise to let the miracle be affirmed; it doesn't lessen it in any way at all. Rather, it brings greater glory to God.

I am sure that the folks in the Synagogue Church of All Nations are sincere in their faith in Jesus, and we should not be swift to condemn them out of hand. It would be interesting to hear some reports of the miracles and healings that do take place among them, as I am sure is the case. Let's not take this opportunity to hang them out to dry, but to ensure that all we do is not only radical, but wise and responsible.

 

Dear Mrs Morgan

Today the Welsh Government debates a proposed ban on smacking in Wales. Many of us are writing to our Assembly Members; I have emailed mine, Julie Morgan. My son, James, has also written to her. His is an excellent letter; I recommend you read it. He has posted it on his blog. Here's the link:

Dear Mrs Morgan

Quack remedies won't heal London

Like many of you, I have watched the events taking place in London - and now other parts of the country - with a mixture of emotions, ranging from anger to relief. Anger at the unrestrained, wanton destruction and looting; relief at the fact that nobody has yet been killed in the fires and violent attacks that have raged across the city these past three nights.(Sadly, since writing this post a 26 year old man, shot last night in London, has died.) Any notion that what is occurring bears any relation to the killing of Mark Duggan by police last Thursday is absurd. It's interesting to observe that the rioters have targeted sportswear shops, mobile phone stores, and jewellers. They have made off with millions of pounds' worth of televisions and computers. 

Accompanying the news footage is a constant stream of blame and remedy: it's the government's fault; social injustice and inequality; the police are responsible; the banks, parents, schools, unemployment, and the boredom of youth have all been forwarded as the reason for the riots. Remedies are equally varied: more police; more jobs; better education; change of government; prison; conscription; better community relations and facilities; promotion of families; improved dialogue between politicians and the local authorities. 

One emotion I haven't felt is surprise. What we are witnessing is only one symptom of a much deeper illness in God's world. Yesterday saw America lose its AAA credit rating; the world is still in the grip of an economic recession; Greece is bankrupt; Italy and Spain are in deep financial trouble. Islamist terrorism stalks and Norway reels after Anders Breivik's rampage. Riots like these have happened many times before: Brixton and Toxteth were not that long ago. 

A world that tries to live without God sows the wind; it is reaping the whirlwind. When God is sidelined the devil has a field day. What never makes the news is the fact that the kingdom of God is forcefully advancing in unprecedented ways, transforming communities, cities and nations where Jesus is received as Lord, where the Holy Spirit is free to move in signs and wonders, and where the Bible is held as the authentic, authoritative Word of God. Just from the nations that I am aware of, communities have been completely changed in India, Vietnam, the Philippines, China, Colombia, Cuba, and others too sensitive to mention here, as the Gospel of the Kingdom is preached and lived out. But here in the UK we are inheriting the legacies of philosophies and socio-political theories which long ago led to the exclusion and abandonment of the God of the Bible from our nation's life. The quick fix, the alternative medicine of 'anything but Christianity', and the quack remedy of more of the same kind of humanistic, atheistic snake oil won't heal the nation.

Humanity is designed by its Creator to live in fellowship with him as citizens of his Kingdom, a Kingdom which his Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, reigns over. Today as Christians pray, we pray in faith and urgency as Jesus told us to pray: "Father, let your kingdom come; let your will be done on earth as it is in heaven." 

Wait and see

It was Harold Wilson who famously said a week is a long time in politics. This past week has been an aeon. Who would seriously have thought that today a Conservative-Liberal Democrat coalition government would be sitting in cabinet together? But the unassailable fact is that's exactly what happened earlier this morning. Is this the new political reality? Will it end in tears? Will the party faithful stand for it? Who knows? Certainly not the journalists and political commentators, who by and large have been left floundering in an unknown situation for them. They thrive on the adversarial nature of British politics, and to some extent feed it. Now they are having to opine on a reality they have never experienced: a genuine British coalition government. Will the coalition last? To quote a former British Prime Minister, Herbert Asquith, 'Wait and see'.

The best article I have come across on the matter is once again from the pen of Matthew Parris in today's Times. It's called The political earthquake in the rose garden.

Reward married couples

Matthew Parris, the Times columnist, is one of the most insightful and unpredictable journalists around right now. His column each Saturday is always a good read; sometimes he produces a piece that you'd never expect him to produce. That's why he's so interesting. Last Saturday Parris wrote a remarkable article about marriage; what made it so is that Parris is homosexual and an atheist. I recommend you read it.

Reward married couples.

Richard Dawkins offends fellow atheists

One of the reasons why I stopped the comments on the blog was to do with atheists. I am not afraid of them and have some charming friends who are either atheists or agnostics. However, whenever I posted an article about atheism I could rest assured that I would be the reception of some vitriolic stuff from atheists.

Now it seems that the arch atheist Richard Dawkins has fallen foul too; atheists are fighting among themselves and attacking him over a forum on his website that he has decided to moderate more strictly.

Hannah Devlin and Ruth Gledhill write about it in today's Times. And no: I will not be taking comments!

Mr Angry at No.10

The furore surrounding last Sunday's news about British PM Gordon Brown's alleged inability to control his temper and bullying his staff continues unabated in the British media. The Labour government is rolling out its supporters to deny the allegations; they're even being accused of bullying their critics. The emotional suitability of Gordon Brown to hold the office of PM is under even more scrutiny than normal. Not only is his political ability questioned; his personality and character are under the spotlight. Is he capable as a man of leading our nation?

Rachel Sylvester has written an interesting article on the subject in today's Times. Have a read.

Non-Muslims 'should fast during Ramadan'

I thought the silly season was over. Here's one to end your week with a bang. The mayor of London, Boris Johnson, thinks non-Muslims should fast during Ramadan and break their fasts at mosques to enhance their understanding of their Muslim neighbours. According to Ruth Gledhill, religious correspondent of the Times, Boris made the comments after visiting a mosque today.

Gledhill makes an interesting point about expecting Muslims to reciprocate by observing Christian and Jewish practices like Lent and Passover. Can't see that happening. Have a good weekend.

Read Ruth Gledhill here.