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More importantly...do these people live in the real world? |
I'm the Principal of Moore College and ...my plea is that we do not tire of testing everything against the teaching of Scripture... and that's why I know about the differentiation between the sexes... the Bible repeatedly treats the subject of how men and women should behave, in a variety of situations and not least in the sphere of Christian service... and that's why I remain unconvinced that a woman leading or preaching in a mixed-sex congregation is consistent with the teaching of Scripture.
Now let's be consistent with Scripture ...not only are you to submit to me and refrain from speaking about the Bible when men are present... but you are to... grow your hair longer, wear a scarf on your head, call me master, get up before dawn and camp out in the front yard when you are menstruating!
Don't be silly all that writing about the spiritual underworld and combating demonic forces hasn't made me paranoid... I always write about conspiracy theories and other stuff no one understands...
The conspiracy theory continues to have abiding traction for those who wish to woo the masses—or at least a small circle of the masses.
For the rhetoric to work, a number of elements need to be in place. There needs to be a closed circle of people, so that an ‘insider-outsider’ feel is generated, as they lean forward and whisper in each others’ ears. Maintaining a constant adversarial ‘us-them’ will be important, and, to do so, don’t forget how effective witty remarks, newly invented slogans, and little jokes (or even outright snipes) together, at the expense of ‘the others’ can be.
Amongst those ‘others’, you need a focus, a target. This victim will be sacrificed for ‘us’, by being made the perpetrator of the conspiracy (which will be wicked, by definition).
You also need some prophets. Drawing upon their amazing powers not shared by mere mortals, these great ones are able to discern ‘what is really going on’. They call
out the conspiracy. But (surely it goes without saying?), only to their own little huddle in their corner of the playground. For the prophets to maintain the aura of supernatural ability, of course, they have to be able to read simply everything in the light of their conspiracy theory.
If the target gets wind of the conspiracy theory and denies the charge, or refutes it with all kinds of evidence, the prophets must maintain their course, undaunted. The denials and refutations must be now incorporated into the conspiracy theory. That’ll bring about an ever increasing adulation of the fans and sycophants: how can the prophet see what nobody else can see, not even the people who are the target of the attack?.
How indeed. (Australian Church Record. Dec, 2012)
And I thought doing drugs did your head in! This guy seems like the perfect choice for the future leader of those mad Sydney Anglicans...maybe not quite the ratbag that Phillip Jensen is...but close!