bahnsen's Xanga

And so I have moved

Sun, 08 Jun 2008 02:35:09 GMT

I have packed up my earthly posessions and moved to http://presbanglican.wordpress.com. So, all you interested parties may visit as often as you like. Xanga just killed my creativity . . .

It Doth Appear

Fri, 23 May 2008 20:08:57 GMT

I refuse to pay for upgrading. It looks like I will be leaving for Wordpress. You'll get some updates soon . . .

The Management

Oprah the Antichrist

Mon, 07 Apr 2008 19:07:55 GMT

Well now, I'm not much for sensationalism--although that could be debated--but this nonsense is for the pigeons. Oprah's guru Eckhart sounds like a rehashed existentialism of a generation ago, via the German Paul Tillich ("God is being itself" or "God is") and by saying that God is simply feeling, well, that sounds like the liberalism of the German philosopher of religion FDE Schleiermacher (well over 100 years ago) that I used to endorse at one time, very close to the spiritualism of the neo-charismatic movement. People eat this crap up regularly like the kids in the meat grinder in Pink Floyd's "The Wall."

Eucharist Meditation

Sun, 06 Apr 2008 20:36:15 GMT

Third Sunday of Easter-- April 6, 2008

A stranger met two disciples on the road to Emmaus; yet he was no stranger. These disciples were like many of us– blind to Jesus, our eyes gouged out by willful sin, as fallen sons and daughters of Adam. But here, we have come to His Table, because we are no longer blind. Christ revealed Himself in broken bread and they were amazed.

Christ reveals Himself now in broken bread and pours Himself our in the fruit of the vine. Are we amazed? The eyes of faith, renewed by the Holy Spirit, see the Lord high and lifted up, and there we are with Him. He breaks the bread of His broken Body and nourishes our brokenness, our failures, our disappointments, our willful abandon to the flesh.

Yes, this is bread and wine, but Christ has called us to worship, pronounced us forgiven, taught us by His Word and brought us hear to feed us at the culmination of our worship. He takes us to His Father and our Father and in the Spirit wraps us in fatherly love, reminding us in these signs of the covenant, that He loved us first and chose us to be in His family, that through these emblems of death, we might be raised in His resurrection and sealed in water by His baptizing Spirit.

God invites all those who by the Holy Spirit desire to renew the covenant, leave their sin and embrace Christ to do so–even today and come to His table, a lost sheep that is now found; equally so, this Table would serve as a means of judgement for those who presume upon and trample the mercy of God by their claim to be His own while living in a manner that insults His love, this meal would serve to harden their hearts or worse.

Come to His Table as baptized sons and daughters of the King, members of the family seeking to do His will and keep His commandments; come, as He makes all things new.

Obama: Sermon on Mount Justifies Same-Sex Unions

Mon, 03 Mar 2008 23:23:21 GMT

I received this link today from the Family Research Council and I thought one would have to read it to be amazed at the most liberal senator in Congress who wants to be President of the Nation of Islam--oops--I mean the United States: http://www.crosswalk.com/news/11569732/print/ And we all take a bow to vomit . . .

You Know You Love It

Wed, 27 Feb 2008 22:49:44 GMT

I Digress . . .

Wed, 27 Feb 2008 14:01:41 GMT

I'v done my share of reading on Nevin and I have been corrected on some assumptions. I was under the impression that Nevin was a Calvinist, I guess from his defense of Calvin's view of the Eucharist. I was drawn to Nevin for his liturgical prowess and keen incarnational insight. However, Nevin deplored the doctrine of election and waxed fairly Orthodox (in the eastern sense of that word) on the atonement. So, here I am. I admire his firing both barrels at the revivalism of Finney the heretic, and agree with his liturgical emphases, but he should have started with the Heidelberg and continued on to Westminster :) Anyway, like Dorey says, "Just keep swimming . . ."

Second Sunday of Lent (Year A)

Wed, 20 Feb 2008 18:17:25 GMT

Your Spiritual Service: Romans 12:1-5

February 17, 2008

I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. [2] Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. [3] For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. [4] For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, [5] so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.

BACKGROUND:

Romans is the longest and most systematically reasoned of Paul’s letters. Paul announces its theme in 1:16-17: the Gospel is God’s power for salvation, for both Jew and Gentile, because it shows us how our righteousness comes from God. Paul explains the need for justification through faith because of sin (1:16–4:25). He then spells out the results of justification by faith in terms of both our present experience and future hope (5:1–8:39). In the next three chapters, he expresses his sorrow that many of his fellow Israelites have not embraced the gospel, and he wrestles with what this means for Jews like himself that have embraced Jesus and for non-Jews who have as well (chs. 9–11). He concludes by describing how the gospel should affect one’s everyday life (chs. 12–16), similar to James’ admonition that saving faith is an obedient faith; it is accompanied by good works; salvation is solely by faith that is demonstrated by actions. Paul wrote his letter to Rome about AD 57 and delivered by Phoebe from the Church of Cenchrea in Corinth in ancient Greece.

EXPOSITION:

"In view of all that God has accomplished for his people in Christ, how should his people live? They should present themselves to God as a ‘living sacrifice,’ consecrated to him. The animal sacrifices of an earlier day have been rendered forever obsolete by Christ’s self-offering, but there is always room for the worship rendered by obedient hearts. Instead of living by the standards of a world at discord with God, believers are exhorted to let the renewing of their minds by the power of the Spirit transform their lives in conformity with God’s will." (F.F. Bruce. "Romans" in the TCNT. Grand Rapids: Eerdmands, 1999. 212.)

I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.

Parakeleo– a pastoral exhortation; I commend you. How? By the mercies of God. Paul does not lay down a new law, another Sinai, but he appeals by way of the new covenant: obey because you have been shown the love and mercy of God.

Calvin writes in his Commentary on Romans, " . . . until men really apprehend how much they owe to the mercy of God, they will never with a right feeling worship him, nor be effectually stimulated to fear and obey him."
Paristemi – "offer/ present" – a verb that is used specifically to refer to offering a whole burnt offering to God. The language is specific to the sacrificial system that Paul’s 1^st century Jewish audience would have been very familiar.
Worshipers brought their offerings to the Temple; these animals were raised, fed and taken care of to be slaughtered. The worshipers had cared for these animals, only to watch them be consumed by the fires of sacrifice. God had commanded the substitution of animals for the life of man; here now, Paul exhorts his reader to present themselves as "whole offerings" to God.
Why do we present our bodies and what does it mean?
In Greek and Roman philosophy, the goal was for the soul to escape the body, either by indulgence or by denial. When God created the man from the ground, he said that it was good; in contrast to those that would say that the body was evil because of its various appetites. Gnosticism is a heresy that denies the worth of the body, because of the influence of Greek philosophy; hence, Gnostics could not accept God becoming a real, flesh and blood man in Jesus Christ, because the body is evil.
Biblical thought values the worth of the body precisely because the body is the embodiment of our spiritual selves; our whole person, body, soul and spirit is the imago dei– the image of God.
Literally, the Greek word order is "present your bodies as a sacrifice; living, holy and acceptable."
This presentation of ourselves is specific. The worship offered is specific. The language of sacrifice is important. Our worship as new covenant believers is spiritual, not physical; it is of the new Jerusalem, not the old. We are the sacrifices of the new covenant; sacrifices are not abolished, they are transformed; sacrifices are still made, but not in a Temple in Jerusalem, but in the presentation of our bodies for worship every Lord’s Day in the heavenly Jerusalem. Our bodies, unlike the sacrifices of the Old Covenant are not consumed in fire, but offered wholly and renewed mind, body and spirit by God for His service.
Paul tells the reader that this new covenant worship is reasonable, that is, Christian worship is intelligible, orderly and specifically mirrors that of the Old Temple.
Paul’s use of the term logikos to describe the worship; the ESV renders spiritual; the KJV renders "reasonable," which is more correct.
Latreia is the specific physical functions of worship given to God that were defined not by the heart of man, but by God in specific outward instructions.
Our worship therefore should parallel the Temple, it should be reasonable and rational and it involves bodily offering. The people of the Old Covenant sacrificed three times a day and on holy days; we are commanded to assemble at our local church once a week on the Sabbath, the consummate feast day. (Heb. 12.24). Jesus as mediator of a new and better covenant has established the form of new covenant worship; there is:
A new Temple– Jesus, as the new and final Temple of God; and His Body the local church.
New Jerusalem– worship is not tied to the physical Jerusalem, but Hebrews 12 says that we are brought to heaven on the Lord’s Day for worship to meet with God, the angels and martyrs as the Temple of the Lord in heavenly places.
New sacrifices –of praise, discipleship, of giving and service to others
New Sabbath and Feast days– the Lord’s Day is the proper day of worship and rest and is the sole day of Feasting and Gladness in the new covenant.
New Passover– "as often as you celebrate it, do this in remembrance of me" – this new Passover is about a new exodus from sin through a new law-giver Jesus the King Messiah.
New covenant sign– circumcision limited to male Israelites who represented their families to God; baptism is universal, given to all who profess Jesus as Lord and is to be given as the sign of the new covenant to their children, replacing circumcision.
Our worship at Rock Presbyterian is called covenant renewal worship because it is based upon the Biblical imagery from Temple worship when three times a day, Israel would renew the covenant of Mt. Sinai in appearing before God for worship. The historic Christian church in every denomination follows this pattern to some degree with some churches more conscious of its covenantal framework.
The language of Temple, sacrifice, offering, hymns, psalms, prayer, and music are all retained in the new testament; these terms however reflect the fulfillment of the old covenant in the priestly work of Jesus, the High Priest of a better covenant. Exegetically, the Bible does indeed proscribe how God wants to be approached, worshiped and adored– it is in the form of the covenant, that defines our relationship to God as His people.
Covenant Renewal Worship
As with the Biblical pattern for worship, The Triune God calls us to worship. This occurred when the people entered the courts of God chanting the Psalms. Purification or sin offerings were made while certain psalms were chanted and sung. This corresponds to our coming to Christ in adoration, and confession, trusting in His finished work as the sacrifice for our sins.
After the sin offerings were made, the people were assured of their pardon and admonished by priests, prophets and righteous kings to be faithful to the covenant, the 10 commandments. So too we new covenant believers, after being assured of our pardon are encouraged and strengthened by Christ in the proclamation of His Word.
Ascension Psalms were chanted as people gave their tithes and offerings to God in response to hearing the Word of the Lord. This corresponds to our offering of our tithes, and the singing of the doxology, as we are consecrated by Christ in the hearing the preached Word. Were their baptisms, this is where it would take place, as people are sealed and set apart by Christ as members of the new covenant.
The people of God concluded their worship in the peace offering with God and ate in the presence of the Lord. In the celebration of the Lord’s Supper, we share what was then the peace offering and consequent fellowship meal with God; in our celebration of the sacrament, we are drawn into fellowship with Christ, as we eat at His table– baptized and forgiven sinners, covered by His gift of grace.
Finally, the people of God were dismissed in the benediction (Num. 6.22-24) and they left the Temple in song and dance– glad once again to have been with God, one another and have experienced anew their sins washed away. We too are then commissioned by Christ to disciple the nations, as we leave in joy and gladness, having experienced the same in the fulness of the new and better covenant.

[2] Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

Paul tells us not to be conformed to the world; literally "age." The old covenant age has passed with Christ; the era of the dominion of sin and the devil is over– Christ has conquered. We are to live with that reality ever before us.
The present physical evidence may tell our minds differently; the outward appearance of trial and tribulation may cause us to take our eyes away from the promises of God, but our weekly visits to heaven should be times of transformation through the means of grace; to apprehend and renew our covenant with God and lay hold afresh the promises of the covenant.
Our assembling for worship on the Lord’s Day, receiving from Him grace upon grace, we are nourished in the sacraments and by faith in His Word, our outlook should be changed from doubt to trust; from fear to faith and timidity to boldly living out our faith in a fallen world.
With this heavenly outlook, the fog of earthy vision should give way to sharper insight into the will of God in this life for us and our children as we seek to live by the eyes of faith.

[3] For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned.

What does that living out of the age to come look like? Paul informs us that the chief characteristic of the person who has been transformed and is being transformed is a desire to serve others (Phil. 2.5-11). Jesus tells us that the greatest among us is the servant of all; the last shall be first. In the Kingdom, the servant is the master. We are not to think highly of ourselves, but by grace and sober judgement through faith, we need to seek the needs of others first.

[4] For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, [5] so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.

Being members of the body of Christ, joined together by the Holy Spirit, baptized into His Church in the earth, we offer distinct function, much needed by all present.
1 Peter 2:4-5: "As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, [5] you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ."
Ephes. 1:22-23: "And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, [23] which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all."

APPLICATION:

The church is His body in the world; by baptism we are joined with Him, who fills the earth. The church is visible; made up of people, yet it spans across ages and people groups. This Body of God in the world is the new Temple of the New Jerusalem, where we make our spiritual sacrifices every week in the presentation of ourselves for His service and the service of others. In our worship, we are consecrated afresh by God, confessing our sins, receiving our pardon, strengthened by Him by His Word, offering our tithes and communing with Him and each other in the Lord’s Supper. This is our spiritual and reasonable service; this is our worship– the worship of the people of the new covenant, the people of God in the earth, priests and kings, reigning with Christ in the heavens, where we are seated with Him in the Spirit.
The eyes of faith can see these realities; the eyes of faith apprehend the promises of God and believe them– do you have such eyes? Or are you conformed to this world, blinded by sin and the flesh? Do you see and feel only the sights of the building and the people in the pew or have you ascended into heaven where Christ is seated? Be transformed by faith in the Son of God; be transformed into His image and likeness that you may prove His perfect will by your life, conduct and service to others– this is your reasonable worship that we celebrate every week until he returns in power and glory to judge the living and the dead.

First Sunday of Lent (Year A)

Mon, 11 Feb 2008 02:44:23 GMT

The Hope of Eternal Life: Titus 3.4-8 (ESV)

Feb. 10, 2008

But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, [5] he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, [6] whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, [7] so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. [8] The saying is trustworthy, and I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works. These things are excellent and profitable for people.

BACKGROUND:

Paul wrote to his non-Jewish convert Titus, the new Pastor of the Ephesian church to offer encouragement and wisdom as Titus endured opposition from within his congregation. Paul instructed Titus to complete his assigned job of establishing elders for the churches under his care. He described what sort of people these leaders should be, and how both leaders and other believers should live in relation to each other as well as in their interactions with nonbelievers. Proper Christian behavior is based on the fact that "the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people" and therefore those who believe in him are to "live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives" as they await his return (2:11-13).

EXPOSITION:

But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared

Before we examine these verses, we must ask the question: Was there no goodness and kindness revealed from God before Christ? Yes there was. Calvin offers these words:
"The answer is easy. In no other way did the fathers taste the goodness of God under the Law, than by looking at Christ, on whose coming all their faith rested. Thus the goodness of God is said to have appeared, when he exhibited a pledge of it, and gave actual demonstration, that not in vain did he so often promise salvation to men. God so loved the world", says John, "that he gave his only begotten Son." Paul also says in another passage, "Hereby God confirmeth his love towards us, that, while we were enemies, Christ died for us." It is a customary way of speaking in Scripture, that the world was reconciled to God through the death of Christ, although we know that he was a kind Father in all ages. But because we find no cause of the love of God toward us, and no ground of our salvation, but in Christ, not without good reason is God the Father said to have strewn his goodness to us in him." (Commntary on Titus)
Calvin informs us that the people of God did not have the reality for which the covenant system of the ceremonies of the Law pointed to, namely Christ. They were given grace and favor in being God’s chosen nation, bound by His covenant, but the new covenant in and by Christ is superior. God’s goodness was made certain by the fulfilling of the promise, by sending His Son.
Moreover, while God has a generic love for all creation, he has a special favor for his church. While under the Law, God’s church was confined to the nation of Israel; so now, the church has matured and includes non-Jews; indeed God’s goodness and kindness has been revealed to the rest fo the world in offering all people the Good News of Jesus Christ.
Interesting the language of "God our Savior," as a reference to Jesus Christ. Here the Apostle affirms that none other than God saves, and this invisible, immortal God was made known in the human Jesus; the infinite God became finite man in the womb of the Virgin. God the Son, co-equal, co-eternal with God the Father, submitted to the divine will and took on human nature to redeem fallen man. Paul says to the Phillippians:
Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, [6] who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, [7] but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, [8] he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. [9] Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, [10] so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, [11] and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Philip. 2:5-11).

[5] he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit,

"He saved us" -- The sentence is just what it says. He saved us–not just offered us a way out in the hopes that we would try it out. He really did save his elect people. Christ purchased us, as John the Apostle writes:
"And they sang a new song, saying, ‘Worthy are you to take the scroll and open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation, [10] and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth.’" (Rev. 5:9-10).
This is the Biblical doctrine of particular redemption; that God actually saved people in the death and resurrection of Jesus. Jesus’ death was in the place of me; in the place of all who know Him; he has paid for all of our sins.
Puritan John Owen wrote that if Christ paid for the sins of all men, then all men will go to heaven; for what keeps man out of heaven is unbelief, and unbelief is a sin. Christ however paid for the sins of many people, including their unbelief, so that they–His elect-- will indeed go to heaven.
John 6:37: All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out.
John 10:14-15: I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, [15] just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep.
John 17:6-9: "I have manifested your name to the people whom you gave me out of the world. Yours they were, and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word. [7] Now they know that everything that you have given me is from you. [8] For I have given them the words that you gave me, and they have received them and have come to know in truth that I came from you; and they have believed that you sent me. [9] I am praying for them. I am not praying for the world but for those whom you have given me, for they are yours.

not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit,

Specifically, to re-enforce what he has just said, we are not saved by works or merit on our part– no prayers, no repentance, no begging no bargaining gain us merit with God. What saves us is a crisis of coming to life; a realization of utter dependence on God brought about by the experience of being brought to life by the Holy Spirit. Once made alive by God the Holy Spirit, we are given faith, we willingly repent, are justified and given grace for obedience to please God as new, resurrected citizens of the Kingdom of God. "And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose . . . [30] And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified" (Rom. 8:28, 30).

We are saved by: his own mercy and the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit. Calvin notes:
By the washing of regeneration, I have no doubt that he alludes, at least, to baptism, and even I will not object to have this passage expounded as relating to baptism; not that salvation is contained in the outward symbol of water, but because baptism sells to us the salvation obtained by Christ. Paul treats of the exhibition of the grace of God, which, we have said, has been made by faith. Since therefore a part of revelation consists in baptism, that is, so far as it is intended to confirm our faith, he properly makes mention of it. Besides, baptism — being the entrance into the Church and the symbol of our ingrafting into Christ —is here appropriately introduced by Paul, when he intends to shew in what manner the grace of God appeared to us; so that the strain of the passage runs thus: — "God hath saved us by his mercy, the symbol and pledge of which he gave in baptism, by admitting us into his Church, and ingrafting us into the body of his Son . . . Though he mentioned the sign, that he might exhibit to our view the grace of God, yet, that we may not fix our whole attention on the sign, he immediately sends us to the Spirit, that we may know that we are washed by his power, and not by water, agreeably to what is said, — "I will sprinkle on you clean waters, even my Spirit." (Ezekiel 36:25, 27.) And indeed, the words of Paul agree so completely with the words of the Prophet, that it appears clearly that both of them say the same thing. For this reason I said at the commencement, that Paul, while he speaks directly about the Holy Spirit, at tine same time alludes to baptism. It is therefore the Spirit of God who regenerates us, and makes us new creatures; but because his grace is invisible and hidden, a visible symbol of it is beheld in baptism." (Commntary on Titus)

[6] whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, [7] so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

The Spirit came upon the people of the Old Covenant; in the new covenant, the Spirit unites with us, in us and through us as we become the new living Temple of God. Having been made members of the new, multinational people of God, only through faith in Christ alone by grace alone we become the heirs of the promise made to Abraham:
Genesis 17:4-7: "Behold, my covenant is with you, and you shall be the father of a multitude of nations. [5] No longer shall your name be called Abram, but your name shall be Abraham, for I have made you the father of a multitude of nations. [6] I will make you exceedingly fruitful, and I will make you into nations, and kings shall come from you. [7] And I will establish my covenant between me and you and your offspring after you throughout their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be God to you and to your offspring after you."
Galatians 3:16 :"Now the promises were made to Abraham and to his offspring. It does not say, "And to offsprings," referring to many, but referring to one, "And to your offspring," who is Christ."
Galatians 3:27-29: "For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. [28] There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. [29] And if you are Christ's, then you are Abraham's offspring, heirs according to promise."

[8] The saying is trustworthy, and I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works. These things are excellent and profitable for people.

Paul writes to Titus and to the Ephesian church, that what he has written is trustworthy. Precisely "so that those who have believed in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works."
Why does he say that the people of God should devote themselves to good works, if they have nothing to do with our salvation? Because good works and obedience to God’s commands are proof of someone who has been converted by Christ. Jesus said, "If you love me, you will keep my commandments." (John 14:15).
Being justified is all of God; being sanctified is a decision to "take up one’s cross." Paul told the Phillippians to work out their salvation with fear and trembling for God was working to make them obedient (Phil. 2.12-13).

APPLICATION:

Have you experienced the goodness and kindness of God? The Savior, God Himself has appeared to all men– the command is to cease trying to be good enough and rest in Christ’s sufficiency in being good enough for us. Do you say you belong to Christ, but yet, are not devoting yourself to obedience? Check your heart and motives; if you love Christ, you will seek to obey Him.

St. Andrews Anglican

Sun, 10 Feb 2008 00:04:21 GMT

So, I received an invitation to go to the institution of Father Peter Geromel, the young new Rector of St. Andrews here in Greenwood. It was a great experience. St. Andrews is a member of The Diocese of the Holy Cross, with diocesan bishop the Rt. Reverend Paul C. Hewett, SSC of Pensylvania. The bishop gave the sermon and Father Geromel served the Eucharist. It was a very eye-opening experience for me, because I have never participated in Anglican worship.

The Diocese of the Holy Cross is part of the broader Federation of Anglican Churches in the Americas (http://anglicanfederation.org/), an Anglo-Catholic group that is distancing themselves from Archbishop Williams and TEC to establish an independent and orthodox Anglican communion in the United States, because they believe the leadership and American manifestation of the Episcopacy is apostate. This sounds very familiar to what we are doing at Rock Presbyterian by affiliating with the CREC (http://www.crechurches.org), a confederation of reformed churches, whose existence is due to many foul things going about in the major conservative Presbyterian (read "Bapterian") denominations.

Persuant to their website (http://dioceseoftheholycross.org/),

"The Diocese of the Holy Cross is comprised of parishes affiliated with Forward in Faith - United Kingdom whose goal is to establish a 'free orthodox Anglican Province.' The Diocese of the Holy Cross bears witness to the faith and practice of the Undivided Church as received from the Church in England, especially concerning Apostolic Order and Holy Matrimony."
"Remaining true to our English heritage and witnessing to the life of the Holy Trinity through the Faith and Practice of ancient Christianity. Our liturgy and theology are expressed in the 1928 Book of Common Prayer, and we use the Authorized Version of the Holy Scriptures."

The Rector from Church of the Epiphany in Columbia, SC was also participating in the service, along with several other dark-suited, collar-sportin individuals. They were all very cordial and encouraged me to leave my presbyterian waywardness and come back to the Mother Church and bury the hatchet of our former differences. After all, they have a consecrated bishop and presbyterians have . . . the American Westminster Confession, in all of its many forms, full and partial subscriptions, puritans, Willow Creek blended worship types, etc. I was a little intimidated, but I gave due respect, though I disagreed with some things the good revd's were saying.

I had a great conversation with Father Geromel about the similarities between Southern American Anglicanism and Southern Presbyterianism--he's all into Dabney! We're planning a lunch soon. I told him I was a convert to Nevin and Schaff, i.e. Mercersburg, and had sympathies to the BOCP (1928). So we exchanged business cards and I left after noticing a huge bottle of Glenlivet in a room, where I believe they planned the evening service. Sure wish that was on the refreshment table . . .