a grapping argument ;-) and a good one, as often we don't recognise the reasons we get up each other's nose are not about sexuality or bibilical interpretation. Thanks
-----Original Message----- From: Ann Wansbrough [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Tuesday, 26 August 2003 5:59 PM To: Peter Elliott; [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Re: The real issues 1. In response to Peter, it seems to me that the problem we have to grapple with is that some of us see discipleship as being about grappling with the sorts of issues that he named, and some people think the doctrine is clear on these matters and there is no need to grapple with anything. 2 Some of us who grapple with issues, nevertheless think we have some common ground with those who do not grapple - our faith in Jesus Christ. 3 Some of those who do not grapple are willing to live with those of us who grapple, because they recognise that we share a faith in Jesuss Christ, which transcends whether or not we grapple. 4 But some of those who grapple with doctrine refuse to grapple with the fact that some people do not grapple and end up rejecting those who do not grapple, claiming they have a simplistic faith. 5 And some of the people who do not grapple seem to reject those of us who grapple and to claim that we use grappling as a way of rejecting fundamental truths. 6 I hope that this is not too confusing, and that if it is you will never the less grapple with what I am trying to say. Ann (Rev. Dr.) Ann Wansbrough UnitingCare NSW.ACT PO Box A 2178 Sydney South 1235 Phone (61) (02) 8267 4280 Fax (61) (02) 9267 4842 Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] ----- Original Message ----- From: "Peter Elliott" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Wednesday, August 27, 2003 4:05 AM Subject: The real issues Hi everyone, The conflict currently disturbing the equilibrium of the Uniting Church is not all bad, in my opinion. Hopefully it will force us to grapple with three quite separate issues which have become mixed up in this fracas over the acceptance of homosexual people into specified ministry positions within the UC. If we can do that without tearing one another apart we will come out ahead in the long run. As I see it the three quite separate issues that we need to address are: The first is that of how we regard scripture. Do we see it as God's instructions to us or a record of some people's understanding of God, shaped by the time and the customs in which they lived? Walter Wink is a good resource here. The second issue is that of homosexuality, and this is one where we are going to have to educate people about what the real issues are here. Martin Seligman is a good resource here. The third issue is that of uniformity. Are we willing to accept people who see things differently from the way we see them? Or are we looking for a world in which everyone thinks the same or can we learn to live with one another's differences. Perhaps even to celebrate these differences. I believe this is a great time for the church to grapple with all of these issues. Let's just hope we are willing to do so. This is a time for growing. The real question is whether we are willing to run the risks of so doing. Or will we just bury our heads in the sand and hang on to our current beliefs without subjecting them to the rigour of examination. Peter. Peter Elliott 26 Crowe Place Cootamundra NSW 2590 Ph: 02 6942 1212 ------------------------------------------------------ - You are subscribed to the mailing list [EMAIL PROTECTED] - To unsubscribe, email [EMAIL PROTECTED] and put in the message body 'unsubscribe insights-l' (ell, not one (1)) See: http://nsw.uca.org.au/lists.htm ------------------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------------------ - You are subscribed to the mailing list [EMAIL PROTECTED] - To unsubscribe, email [EMAIL PROTECTED] and put in the message body 'unsubscribe insights-l' (ell, not one (1)) See: http://nsw.uca.org.au/lists.htm ------------------------------------------------------
