Deus Misereatur

I read this book years ago, and it was extremely insightful. So I am delighted to find that it is now online and free to download. It deals with the way the church has been co-opted by feminizing trends over the centuries, going back at least a millennium. Leon Podles, " The Church Impotent: The Feminization of Christianity ". Mike

This prayer has been on my mind and heart for a long while. I thought it time to post it with a few very short reflections: O God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, our only Savior, the Prince of Peace: Give us grace seriously to lay to heart the great dangers we are in by our unhappy divisions; take away all hatred and prejudice, and whatever else may hinder us from godly union and concord; that, as there is but one Body and one Spirit, one hope of our calling, one Lord, one Faith, one Baptism, one God and Father of us all, so we may be all of one heart and of one soul, united in one holy bond of truth and peace, of faith and charity, and may with one mind and one mouth glorify thee; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. It appears this prayer has roots that go as far back as 1714. It is found in the 1928 and 1979 Book of Common Prayer. Give us grace to lay to heart : It is the Spirit of God who gifts his church with unity (Ephes...

In 1st Kings 16.2, what does God call the apostate, idolatrous Church in the north? First, allow me to make a seriously important point. The Westminster Confession of Faith rightly claims that there is one church from Adam to eternity (25.1). The story of Israel and Judah united, and then Israel and Judah divided is the story of the Church of Jesus Christ under the Old Covenant. Now, looking at 1st Kings 16.2, notice what God calls His Church and He says it twice. Think of it, here is the northern “Church” -- idolatrous, violent, faith-breaking, apostate to the gills; and God affectionately claims her as His; “My people Israel”! The broken, scandalous, splintered Church is still His! In desperate need of reformation & resuscitation, yes; but His nonetheless. In serious need of reclamation and reconstruction, no doubt; but His nevertheless. The Spirit corrects our skewed notions here. We must be cautious in claiming that the apostate “churches” are not Christ’s Church. God s...