7 September 08 17th Sunday after
Pentecost The Powerful Presence of Christ
I learnt my lesson about love from my loving Aunty Gladys. Aunty was
such a loving and generous person, always laughing, always caring.
I see this same lesson on love in the parable of the lost sheep.
Here we discover that Jesus the Good Shepherd displays different
kinds of unconditional love. His love is personal—even the one in 99
matters. His love is a freeing love—he allows the sheep the freedom
to make mistakes. His love is a rejoicing love—this is not a
punitive response, but one of sincere joy. His love is a saving
love—it seeks out the lost and restores live.
This is a pattern and model for our own loving behaviour. Knowing
that we matter that much to God, this helps us seek out and restore
the unloved ones and the lost. Aunty Gladys helped me do that by
modelling this unconditional, joyous love. Our loving behaviour can
influence others also.
But there are so many people out there who are lost and unloved. How
do we choose? The answer is found in our passion. Who do we find we
have a heart for? Who is in need who is constantly on our mind? Who
do you think about with thoughts such as, “Someone should do
something to help them”. That someone may be you.
What to do next? There is a wonderful saying in Matthew’s gospel:
Jesus said, if two of you agree on Earth on any matter for which you
are praying, you will receive it from my Father in Heaven. And:
Where two or three are gathered in my name, there I am in the midst
of them.
This tells us three things. First, prayer is the beginning point.
Second, gather into a group to pray and act. Third, God in Christ
will provide the way. When we identify a need, and gather to pray
about that need, the powerful presence of Christ will be with us,
and show us the way.
Trevor Burt
The title of today’s sermon encapsulates what our parish, in
cooperation with the Diocesan Mission Plan, has been working
towards: “To be a dynamic, Christ-centred community, growing in
faith, and building congregations and life groups.” We are poised on
the threshold of an exhilarating yet anxiety-inducing, nail-biting
kairos moment. Should we jump in and let the Holy Spirit transform
the life of the church (us and the local community in the process)?
My mind turns towards the Bible readings for today:
1. Exodus 3:1-15 A Transformed Self-Image
a. It is no longer “who I am” but “who I serve”.
b. It is the God whom I serve who will bring about the change in me.
c. Example of Moses—known as a meek and mumbling stutterer from the
backside of the desert of Midian for 40 years.
d. Transformed into the miracle worker who confronts the mighty
Egyptian Pharaoh, and deliverer and leader of more than a million
slaves.
2. Romans 12:9-21 A Transformed Mindset and Worldview
a. It is no longer “I” who stand in the centre of my worldview, but
God who is now the centre of my universe and worldview.
b. Therefore, I can learn to love as God does, and I can learn to
return good for evil.
3. Matthew 16:21-28 A Transformed Perspective
a. It is no longer I who dictate who and what Jesus should be and
do.
b. My limited, narrow perspective is transformed now to embrace and
accept the divine revelation of Jesus, even though it does not look
anything like what I have in mind.
I think I will jump in.
Rose Tan
24 August 08 15th Sunday after
Pentecost Reaching out in loving service
God gifts us for service. Each of us is given gifts to serve God.
There are a number of places in the New Testament where Paul lists
ministry gifts, and today we hear the list from his letter to the
Romans.
Three points stand out. First, Paul likens the ministry gifts to
members of the body—not all members have the same function, but
together we function as one body. If one gift is not used, then the
whole body is affected. It is in this passage in scripture we find
the Eucharistic acclamation “we who are many are one body” (Romans
12.5).
Second, Paul indicates that no one gift is more important than any
other. Paul lists seven gifts here—prophecy, serving, teaching,
encouraging, giving, leading and compassion. Some of these are
‘upfront’ gifts, and others ‘behind the scenes’ gifts. All are
equally important.
Third, Paul says we have gifts that differ according to the grace
given to us. The gifts we have are a free gift from God, not
something earned or deserved. This reminds us that it is not in our
own strength we minister, but in the strength and under the guidance
of the Holy Spirit.
The fourth of our Core Gospel Values (see the Our Vision brochure)
is loving service, where we said: Love is the essence of our
relationship with God and neighbour—we commit ourselves to acts of
care and compassion, serving Christ and community.
I wonder which of these seven ministry gifts you mostly exercise.
What help do you need to better use your God-given gift? Where can
you most effectively exercise your gift?
Later on I hope to run an exercise to help us each identify our
ministry and leadership gifts. This will help build up the body of
Christ.
Trevor Burt
17 August 08 14th Sunday after
Pentecost Building Vital Worshipping Communities
[Listen to Archbishop
Herft speak about taking hold of the gifts God has given you.]
Worship is at the centre of the life of a Christian. So is
community. What, then, is vital worship?
Ponder for a moment about what we do in worship. Our Sunday service
is a prayer meeting, a Bible study, a Holy meal, and a healing
service all in one. Take out any one of these and our corporate
worship is diminished.
Two other things we may look for in our time of worship is
inspiration and belonging. The big Sunday service most easily
provides inspiration through the teaching, music, and a sense of
common purpose expressed in our Vision and Mission Statements. But
what about belonging? This is not so easily provided in the big
gathering.
That is where Life Groups come into the picture. Life groups are
small gatherings where people most easily experience belonging,
intimacy, pastoral care and close community. Life groups are not
prayer groups, or Bible study groups, or gatherings over a meal, or
for healing. They are all of these together, and that is what
distinguishes them from previous small groups in the Parish. Life
Groups are mini-church. Life Groups works on the three relationship
dimensions—with God, with each other and with the local community.
Our first Life Groups are already beginning to form. Some of our
organisation groups are beginning to broaden, and new groups are
forming.
Today, as Archbishop Roger launches our Parish Vision, we are
embracing this movement of the Spirit amongst us: reviving some good
things from the past, continuing good things from the present, and
beginning some new things. We hear from the Key Ministry Area
Coordinators about some of these good things—action steps that lead
to abundant life.
Trevor Burt
10 August 08 13th Sunday after
Pentecost Creatively listening and telling the Good News
One time whilst walking in a national park I was staring at my feet
as I was going along, absorbed by the geology, insect life and
wildflowers, when suddenly I looked up and realised I was lost. I
was not paying attention where I was headed and paid the price.
It’s easy to lose sight of the big picture when we get lost in the
detail. And there are so many things to distract us. The church can
easily lose its way as well, getting absorbed in the details of
daily parish life—building maintenance, fund-raising, organising
events and services. Why are we here at all? Where are we headed?
We want to grow in our relationships in three dimensions: with God,
with each other, and with the world. This is where our mission
statement helps us keep the big picture in mind. Our mission at St
Columba’s is:
to be a welcoming community, inspired by the Holy Spirit
to worship God, know Jesus Christ,
live the Good News and share God’s love.
In order to fulfil God’s mission for us, our mission statement
indicates we need to be active in four areas: worship, fellowship,
Christian living and outreach. Clearly we can’t do this on our own.
We need help. We need company. We need community.
Our mission statement is a reminder that we exist to live and tell
the Good News of Jesus. A Christian community that is alive to the
Spirit, to the call of Christ in our lives, and is active in
outreach, is likely to be doing just that.
Next week as the Archbishop launches our Parish Vision, we will
commit to the direction we believe God is leading us.
Trevor Burt
3 August 08 12th Sunday after
Pentecost Why plan?
[Listen to Trevor explain
how we need to plan, but also leave room for spontaneity - the
leading of the Holy Spirit, 18 min]
Anyone who plans for a holiday knows that no matter how hard you
try, you just can’t plan every detail for every eventuality. Yet
pure spontaneity can lead to disaster. Too much planning quashes
creativity. Too little leads to chaos. We have just embarked on a
mission plan for St Columba’s, and the Diocese has just embraced a
Mission Plan as well. Are we planning too much? Does God have a plan
for us?
The Old Testament story of Jacob continues this week with Jacob
returning to his elder brother Esau, the one out of whom he cheated
both his birthright and his father’s blessing. Jacob doesn’t leave
the reunion to chance, lest his brother take revenge, so Jacob has a
plan. But was it God’s plan? Jacob’s plan to cheat left him
diminished. His plan to restore brought blessing.
Paul, by contrast, lived a life led by the Spirit. As he lived out
God’s calling on his life, God progressively unfolded the eternal
plan. God called the nation of Israel to be a blessing to all
nations, but because they sought the blessing though human striving
they failed. So God opened up the blessing to all people, making it
available through faith, not human effort.
God’s plan and provision is illustrated well in the feeding of the
5,000. The disciples planned to send the crowd away to find food in
the villages. But Jesus draws of God’s provision.
To fulfil God’s mission we need to plan the basics—plan to listen,
and to come to a common mind, and then plan to act. Rather than
planning all the steps along the way, we begin the journey and see
where God leads. See what happens. See what comes our way. For
example, we would never have planned for multicultural ministry, but
see where God has led us.
Trevor Burt
27 July 08 12th Sunday after Pentecost The riches of the Kingdom of God
[Listen to Dr John Dunnill speak
on how we access God's promises, 17min]
I love it when on the Antique Roadshow someone brings along an item
of immense value which they came across and bought for a small
price.
What delight and joy for the owner.
Recently during the demolition of a house the workers came across a
great stash of cash in the cavity of the wall. What a joyful
surprise.
In the parable of the treasure found in the field, and the pearl of
great price, we see the person finding something of such immense
value that they sacrificed all they had in order to take possession
of it.
The ‘it’ that is so valuable is the Kingdom of God.
What is this Kingdom that is worth so much?
The Kingdom of God is four things. First, it is the rule or reign of
God in our lives, that shapes both our heart and our actions.
Second, it is the power of God, that heals, frees and restores.
Third, it God’s future, breaking into the present before the end of
time. Fourth, it is Good News, that abundant life is found in
relationship with Jesus the risen Lord.
The Kingdom of God is described in the gospels as something we seek
and enter, something near us and within us. We embrace the Kingdom
of God when our lives are transformed by God’s love found in Jesus
Christ. When you see someone whose life is diminished, and think of
the best thing that Jesus can possibly do for them, as they begin to
experience that change, they are entering into God’s reign, the
Kingdom. They begin to experience God’s power. Future hope becomes a
present reality. This is Good News.
What is a healed or forgiven life worth? As you look around, what
needs do you see that a Kingdom blessing could restore? That is the
most valuable gift you can give them. Now, show them the Kingdom of
God.
Trevor Burt
20 July 08 10th Sunday after Pentecost Wheat and weeds
[Listen to Luke address how God
is patient with us as we grow, 13min]
People like asking questions.
Even in everyday greetings we hear some say “Hello, how are you?”
The reason for this may have come from our curiosity which has
prompted us to ask questions since we were babies. The questions
begin with what, when, why, who, where and how.
We see questions were asked in today’s gospel reading
by the farmer’s servants. The servants of the farmer saw the weeds
growing together with the wheat and they were worried and terrified.
So what did they do? First they asked their master, “How this had
happen?” Then they jumped in their thinking, “How do we get rid of
the weeds?”, even before their master had instructed them. But their
master told them to wait until harvest time.
The message in this story for us is that we need to be patient-
particularly to be patient in our relationships; with God, with one
another and with the wider community. Building strong relationship
is not an easy one that could be done over night. It needs time and
patience to get to know each other.
For greater things to happen in our church we need time and patience
to wait, to discern, to think over and discuss and pray. This is
exactly what we will be doing with our Diocesan Mission Plan study.
So, we invite all of you to be part of this relationship building
process.
Luke Durham
13 July 08 Pentecost 8 Unexpected Abundance
[Listen to Trevor
explain how St Columba's can achieve super fruitfulness, 14min]
What an inspiring image—the parable of the wheat being sown on good
soil—some seed brought forth a hundred-fold, some sixty, some
thirty. There are many get-rich-quick schemes, but we treat most of
them with justified scepticism. They say that if it sounds too good
to be true, then it probably is. Given the experience of most
churches in the Western world, is this ‘productivity’ realistic for
churches, and in particular, our church?
There are a number of large ‘mega-churches’ in Australia, and a
couple in Perth. So churches can be big, so growth in numbers is
possible.
When we look closely at these churches, there are two significant
shortcomings in Kingdom terms. The first is that these churches
often revolve around a particular charismatic personality.
Experience affirms that when that leader moves on, the church
collapses. It is not sustainable growth. It’s like sowing seed on
shallow soil. Good growth is soon followed by wilting.
The second shortcoming is to do with the balance of relationships. A
balanced and healthy church works on relationships with God
(worship), with each other (fellowship) and with the wider community
(outreach). These large churches tend to lack in one of the three
relationships. So they don’t grow in a healthy way. It’s a bit like
sowing seed on amongst thorns, and the cares of this world overtake,
and growth is stunted.
We don’t want growth for growth’s sake, but to make a difference in
the community. I observe that where churches refocus their life on
reaching out to meet the needs of the wider community, where small
groups gather around a vision and mission, they grow in number and
depth and impact their locality. And they grow far more than
expected. Unexpected abundance.
That is how Jesus worked. Maybe we can too.
Trevor Burt
6 July 08 Pentecost 8 Come to me, all who are weary
[Listen to Trevor share how Jesus
gives us a yoke that brings life, 12min]
Chapter 11 in Matthew’s Gospel marks a crisis point in Jesus’
ministry. Whatever Jesus does, people criticise. Whatever Jesus
proposes, people oppose. No joy at weddings, no sadness at funerals.
Fasting is madness, feasting is gluttony.
We all find a natural resistance to change. We prefer the familiar,
the comfortable. Change implies the familiar is lost and we are
thrust into discomfort. But that is not always so. For instance,
marriage brings a massive change, but companionship usually far
outweighs the loss of independence.
With change we fear the unknown—Will I lose the things I value? Will
life be worse not better? Will I still belong and be valued and have
a place here? Will we be taking on a burden too hard to bear?
Matthew records a remarkable saying: Jesus said, ‘Come to me all who
are exhausted and weighed down beneath heavy burdens, and I will
give you rest.’ That is Good News to many in our stress-filled,
wealth-focussed world. Only he follows it with a saying calling us
to take up another yoke. ‘Take my yoke upon you and learn from me…,
my yoke is easy, my burden is light.’
Notice how Jesus lived lightly. No heavy yoke of property to manage
and maintain. No heavy yoke of endless meetings to organise and
attend.
We can learn from Jesus’ pattern of life and live lightly—low
maintenance, low burden. A yoke that fits so well it is a joy to
bear.
Our Parish Vision is helping us move in that direction. Change is
coming upon us, and the intention is that it is change that lightens
and spreads the load, that lifts the heaviness and brings joy as we
each accept the perfectly fitting Christ-yoke made specifically for
each of us.
The Christ-way may be difficult, but not a burden.
Trevor Burt
29 June 08 Saint Peter & Saint Paul Following the risen Christ
[Listen to Trevor speak
about mission activities, how we can follow in Christ's footsteps,
14min]
The early church focussed on mission in a big way. They had to.
First, the early Christians were so passionate about their newly
discovered life in the Risen Christ, they couldn’t help but tell
others. They felt a compulsion from the Holy Spirit to get ‘out
there’ and tell.
Second, they wanted to grow.
In particular, Peter and Paul loom large in the life of the early
church: Peter as leader, and Paul as evangelist.
By the end of the first century the church had come to understand
Peter’s role in the church as quite central. Matthew records Jesus
giving Peter the keys of the kingdom of heaven (Mt 16:13-19) and
John records the Risen Christ charging him with the role of Shepherd
of Christ's flock (Jn 21:15-17). This is despite Peter being
recorded in the Gospels as being at times faithless, and denying
Jesus when it mattered most.
Paul was appointed by the Risen Christ to bring Christ's name to all
peoples (Acts 9:15). He is the greatest missionary of all time, and
especially an apostle to the Gentiles, the non-Jewish world, despite
his earlier persecution of Christians.
As an apostle, one “sent” by God, Paul had a simple strategy. He
went into a community, connecting first with the synagogue. Out of
his preaching he formed a small group whom he taught and in which he
authorised leaders. He then left the group to grow of its own
accord, with occasional letters and visits to keep things on track.
That pattern became replicated, with many small groups and a whole
tribe of wondering teachers, prophets and apostles.
Peter was largely apostle to the Jews. The Christian community at
home also grew under his and James’ leadership.
We have much to learn from these two pillars of the church, and
especially from their missionary strategies.
Trevor Burt
22 June 08 Pentecost 7 Finding Life
The Annual Meeting is both a time for reviewing and a time for
renewing. We reflect on the past year and look to a new future.
This is a Kairos moment – a moment in time when there is an
opportunity to grow.
For two years we have been seeking where God is leading our
community of faith. We have now discerned this direction in terms of
growth, spiritual and numerical.
The vision has come out of an understanding of who we are and
where we have been - it is a continuity and a refreshment rather
than something entirely new. At its core it is about mission,
bringing the Good News of new life in Jesus to our wider community
and beyond.
For the last 1700 years the church has not had to think much about
mission ‘out there’. The nation was considered Christian. A church
was built and people came. This is something St Columba’s has done
exceptionally well. But the attractional church no longer attracts.
Almost everywhere in the Western world more people are going out of
the doors than coming in.
So we have to relearn how to do mission ‘out there’. This is not
as difficult at it may first seem. We are already doing mission, and
much of what we are doing, we are doing well. There is vibrancy and
life in our faith community, the Spirit of God is alive and active
in our many groups and organisations and in our many leaders and
members. The task and challenge is to build and extend on what we
already do well.
We have been reflecting and dreaming this last month and already
some inspiring dreams are emerging. A new future is forming full of
hope and promise.
In my recent trip to Europe I have been greatly encouraged to see
some Anglican churches growing in depth and number. They are doing
nothing that is not already familiar to us all – building community,
empowering leaders, and following dreams.
After all, isn’t that what Jesus did with his first followers.
And look what happened!
Trevor Burt
15 June 08 Pentecost 5
Send Out Labourers Into The Harvest
Matthew 9:35-10:23 is an exciting passage to read. While today’s
sermon will focus mainly on 9:35-38, I would like to share with you
some Bible trivia here. Firstly, it is the only gospel to use the
word “church” (ecclesia or “assembly”) to describe the community of
believers (see 16:18; 18:17). However, note also that this
“ecclesiastical” Gospel does not mention any church structures or
offices (such as bishops or deacons). Secondly, the Twelve are
called “apostles” (apostolos or “sent out ones”) for the first (and
only time) in this gospel (10:2).
Remember that the gospel was a message before it became a book in
the Bible. The word “Gospel” (euaggelion) is adopted by the early
church to describe the good news, a joyful proclamation about the
salvific act of God in Jesus Christ. Jesus’ earthly ministry
included teaching, preaching and healing.
Here is a simple structure of Matthew 9:35-10:23, as I see it:
9:35 Concise description of Jesus’ ministry
9:36-38 Concerns of the harvest
10:1-6 Commissioning of the Twelve who are called “apostles” for the
first time
10:7-8 Charge given by Jesus to the Twelve
10:9-15 Continuation of Jesus’ work and ministry by the disciples
10:16-18 Courts’ and Councils’ actions against the disciples of
Jesus
10:19-20 Courage to speak
10: 21-23 Course to be endured
Jesus’ concerns for the harvest and compassion for the lost still
resonate through the ages. Very soon, we will be launching our
Parish Vision (2008-2011). May I invite you to reflect and to pray
that “the Lord of the harvest will send out labourers into the
harvest.” Some of you may even feel led to respond by saying, “Here
I am, Lord. Send me.”
I did, and have neither regretted it nor looked back.
Rose Tan
8 June 08 Pentecost 4 Columba: facing the unknown
By a quirk of the calendar we celebrate St Columba’s Day on the
anniversary of the birth of Dean Robert Moore, who served this
parish in its early years and gave his name to Dean Moore Hall and
Deanmore Road, both local landmarks.
It took an Irishman to bring the Church of England to this corner of
Australia, as it took an Irishman, St Columba, to take the Church to
Scotland. And the first Irish saint, Patrick, was a Roman born in
Britain.
Faith requires a lot of people to make a journey, whether
spiritually or literally, moving them to new places in their lives.
It’s a pattern established early pages in the Bible. Adam and Eve
leave the garden to wander east of Eden; Abram leaves home for an
unknown land, and his descendents go down to Egypt a small band,
returning as a mighty nation.
Travel is twinned with exile in these sagas, and Jesus seems to
embrace both when he says a prophet is not without honour, except in
his own land.
All good reasons for us to embrace our mixed, multicultural
heritage, and to acknowledge some of its darker elements.
Columba, the ‘Dove of Peace’, started a conflict and undertook his
mission as atonement. Dean Moore also went to war, as a chaplain to
the Anzacs, and we know how the horrors of that war helped define
our national identity.
Through all the crossing of boundaries and crossing of swords, the
abiding message is the power of faith to make sense of our lives, to
help us face challenges and to embrace the unknown.
Columba crossed the sea to help the Picts, a people so savage even
the Romans wouldn’t go there.
His success should teach us to make similar leaps of faith.
David Cusworth
1 June 08 Pentecost 3 Hearers and doers of Jesus’ words
Frequently we are asked why do we do this or that.
I believe the answer lies in the fact of our behaviour, in the way
we do and act. Moreover, our behaviour is defined by what we believe
in. Do we believe in the Lord Jesus Christ? In the eternal life? In
the resurrection?, etc., Do we hold some or all to be nothing but an
invented story? Do we believe because we are told to believe?
So you see what I mean by our behaviour. The way we do and act in
our life comes from our faith and what we believe to be true. Jesus
is well aware of this fact and therefore encourages us to make a
commitment to God and to have a strong foundation in our faith and
trust. It is not the blind faith but rather it is the faith that
based on the promises of God, through Jesus Christ. Jesus underlines
God’s care for us and highlights that God is committed to our
welfare.
We have heard last week how God’s care for the birds of the air, the
lilies and grass of the field. God cares for each and every smallest
things of creation. If God care so much for the animals and created
things how much more will God care for those who received God’s
breath into their bodies? This reminds all of us who we are and our
relationship with God.
It is not enough to identify with God only; it is our responsibility
to share this discovery with others. Sometime we tend to wonder
about our own world and get stuck in it. We pay little or no
attention of God’s will. We tend to insist on salvation but we
remain armchair Christians. We want to be part of the great Plan but
hesitate to contribute to it.
In today’s gospel reading we hear Jesus says, “Not everyone who says
to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the
one who does the will of my Father in heaven.” This is the matter of
witness and commitment. What have you as an individual person done
about it? What have we as the community done about it? In a sense
what Jesus is saying is that our faith must not remain a passive
faith. Passive faith has no value. Our faith must be an active
faith, which is seen in the life of all of us who believe, so that
it might be observed and absorbed by others. Our faith must be heard
but also it needs to be seen. Such faith is demonstrated in the life
of the parish. This is why we have started our parish’s mission plan
with its vision and key ministry groups. Be part of it; support it
in person and in prayer.
Our active faith will always underline where our heart is and people
will response accordingly.
Luke Durham
25 May 08 Pentecost 2 God is in the detail
Matthew’s Gospel presents a puzzle: on the one hand we are to focus
on the kingdom of God, on righteousness, and the lesser issues will
sort themselves out.
But the Gospel also says: ‘Today’s trouble is enough for today.’ In
other words, don’t worry about the big issues, focus on the small
stuff.
It looks like a contradiction, but maybe the challenge is to hold
both thoughts at the same time.
A few years ago City of Perth Brass Band gave a concert at Balga
Salvation Army church. John, our librarian, gave a pep talk at the
final rehearsal and told a story.
‘A man was trying to fill a jar with rocks, pebbles and sand from a
favourite beach, as a souvenir,’ John said. ‘So he experimented: if
he put the sand in first, it filled every bit of space, nothing else
would fit.
‘Next, he put the pebbles in first and they filled up most of the
space. He couldn’t fit in the big rocks he’d collected, but he could
pour in quite a bit of sand.
‘Finally, he put the rocks in first, followed by pebbles, and then
sand. He was surprised how much fitted, and as a final measure
poured in some seawater, which brought out the colour in the rocks.
‘The moral of the story is that you should worry about the big
things first, and you’ll always be able to fit in the details.’
Everyone in the room nodded sagely; most had come from a Salvation
Army background, and appreciated a moral lesson.
Then John added: ‘Or, if you like: there’s always room for one more
drink!’
Everyone laughed and I put up my hand: ‘Can we tell that joke at the
church?’
Guess what? I just did.
David Cusworth.
18 May 08 Trinity Sunday God is one and God is three
There is no doubt that God the Father is God. But the church has not
always affirmed the divinity of Jesus or the personhood of the Holy
Spirit. The debate raged for some.
It was not until the fourth century that Christians first defined
exactly how Jesus is related to God the Father. The Christological
controversies came to a head at the First Council of Nicaea (325),
at which the church defined the persons of the Godhead and their
relationship with one another. The Nicene Creed came from that
Council.
Debate then raged until the seventh century as to how the human and
divine are related within the person of Jesus.
Most of the major branches of Christianity—Roman Catholicism,
Eastern Orthodoxy, Anglicanism and Protestantism—subscribe to the
Chalcedonian Christological formulation. But debate continues, even
today.
In mainstream Christianity, the Holy Spirit is one of the three
persons of the Holy Trinity who make up the single substance of God;
that is, the Spirit is considered to act in concert with and share
an essential nature with God the Father and God the Son (Jesus).
Non-Trinitarian religions are considered to be non-Christian because
they do not believe that the Holy Spirit is a person, or that Jesus
is not both divine and human. — these include the Christadelphians,
Jehovah's Witnesses, Mormons and Islam.
Modern scholars tackle continuing difficulties with the ancient
creeds, and some churches avoid affirming belief in the creeds, but
these ancient statements of belief give us a reference point for all
thought and debate on the nature of God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit.
Trevor Burt
St Columba's Anglican Church
150 Northstead Street, Scarborough, WA 6019
08 9341 3861 scarborough (at) perth.anglican.org
