Reverend Glynn Cardy explains why he won’t be officiating at a gay wedding

Much as he would like to, he acknowledged that it is “against Anglican policy”; no doubt his bishop had a quiet word. The wedding in question was in some way “part of a radio competition”, an association that imbued it with ironclad legitimacy.

What is immediately apparent in this interview and, indeed, is apparent in every other instance of a same-sex couple wanting a church – I hate to call it “wedding” – agglutination, is that the desire has nothing at all to do with Christianity. Instead, it is a combination of: a poke in the eye to those who think marriage should be exclusively between people of the opposite sex; a liking of pageantry with ancient roots – a pageantry, though that, while it presents a pleasing aesthetic, has been rendered impotent through being drained of spiritual significance and thus, makes no demands on the participants; and an ecclesiastical stamp of approval on what, deep down, everyone knows is invalid.

Nothing to do with Christianity whatsoever; just like St. Matthews in the City.

Reverend Glynn Cardy leaving Anglican parish of St-Matthews-in-the-city

He is off to join the Presbyterians. I don’t know whether Anglicans or Presbyterians will be rejoicing; Glynn Cardy has been instrumental in erecting heretical – known in Anglican circles as “controversial” – billboards outside his church.

From here:

The Reverend Glynn Cardy is leaving the inner-city Anglican parish of St-Matthews-in-the-city for St Luke’s, a Presbyterian church in Remuera. He takes up the job in October.

St Matthews has gained a profile for its billboards which often challenge ideas about marriage equality, homosexuality and solo mothers.

Rev Cardy says even though his new congregation will be Presbyterian and not Anglican, the job at St Luke’s was too good to say no to. He says that includes welcoming gay and lesbian people into the congregation.

In a recent interview he denied the personhood of God, making nonsense of Christianity and a mockery of his supposed calling:

There is a strong tendency to make God into a being. This “being” God, albeit with super powers, is usually male, with personality and prejudices.

My experience of God is more akin to a source of energy or power. That power is best known in mutual loving relationships.

Hence the phrase “God is love” is not describing a divine being who loves, but is using the word G-o-d to describe a transformative loving energy.

Hell Pizza

Hell Pizza is running a silly advertisement:

This has upset the  Anglican Church:

Hell Pizza, a chain in New Zealand, has angered the Anglican Church over its new ad comparing its limited time offer of hot cross buns, which is decorated with a Satanist symbol, to Jesus.

But St. Matthews Anglican church is not in the least perturbed and is displaying its own version:

Auckland Anglican church, St Matthews in the City, has put up a new billboard similar to the pizza outlets, advertising a hot cross bun with a pentagram symbol.

It says “Hell no, we’re not giving up pizza for lent”.

Priest in charge Clay Nelson says it’s about taking the mickey out of those Christians who complain about Hell Pizza’s “clever” ads.

He says people shouldn’t take things so seriously and go to war with secular society which doesn’t do Christianity any good.

If St. Matthews doesn’t take Hell seriously, what, I wonder, does it take seriously? Progressive Christianity, apparently, and the only thing it takes seriously is the act of not taking Christianity seriously.