By: David Kellett

David Kellett — Mon, 11 Jun 2018 19:14:00 +0000

I want to point out, that deutero-Isaiah is preaching hope to exiles in Babylon. Scholars believe, from Isaiah 40 onwards, the tone of Isaiah changes from judgement to hope. In 587 BC, the Babalonians invaded Israel and destroyed Jerusalem. They then deported many of the leading citizens to Babylon. There they lived for about fifty years. So, when duetero-Isaiah preached the words “I have called you by name…..” he was telling the Jewish exiles their time of punishment was over, and God was again looking with favour on his people. Duetero Isaiah was preaching that God wanted the exiles to return and rebuild Jerusalem. God wanted the exiles to make a difficult journey of return. So, the exiles , who have already gone through a period of repentance, were being told they have a new task, to return to Israel and rebuild Jewish society, as well as the Temple. Now, how then do these words, these phrases apply to modern day Anglicans, living in the 21 century, living in a culture with a powerful technology, a culture that is indifferent, even disdainful towards organized religion????? I am critical of activist Liberal Christians using scripture in superfical ways. I believe Liberal activists in the Anglican Church of Canada miss the deeper meaning of scripture, and are living a shallow faith, in which they claim they are prophets, and they claim they are faithful enough and know how to reform Anglicanism. There is no genuine Christian faith if a person is not willing to undergo a process of repentance. We worship a Holy God. I think Liberal Anglicans have forgotten this God.

Comments on: ‘I have called you by name’ approved as theme of General Synod 2019

By: David Kellett