December 19, 2011

And they call themselves a CHURCH????

St. Matthew in the City is an Anglican building locate in Aukland, New Zealand. (I simply can't use the word "church" or "Christian" to refer to it...) Apparently they consider themselves to be quite progressive. To prove it, they've gained a bit of fame (or infamy?) by putting up another Christmas billboard. Here's this year's billboard:

The Virgin Mary with a home pregnancy test.
Last year's billboard makes this one look tame:



Their website touts them as embracing "Progressive Christianity", which it explains thusly:

Why does St Matthew-in-the-City need to give a modifier to the brand of Christianity it practices? Because contrary to our human tendency to make sweeping generalisations, being “Christian” does not tell us much about a faith community beyond the probability that Jesus plays a part in its beliefs.

Neither does denomination. Denominations are historical in nature. That St Matthew’s is Anglican tells you only how we are organised (we are under the authority of a bishop in communion with the Archbishop of Canterbury, worship using forms originally based on the English Book of Common Prayer, and have historical roots in the English Reformation, when politically and theologically it made sense to look Catholic and sound Protestant. We call this the “middle way” (via media).

Every Anglican church has its own “personality.” Some emphasize tradition and look more Catholic. Some emphasize preaching and Scripture and sound Evangelical or charismatic (Pentacostal). Some are visibly and audibly a blend and focus on the importance of reason. But those differences have to do with what authority is most important to them: Scripture, Church Teaching and Tradition, or Reason.

Progressive Christians take all three authorities seriously but make none of them supreme. Progressives are more interested in spirituality than right belief or proper worship. The identity of Progressive Christians is centred in ethical living. 
I must say, looking at their billboards, I find that particular "personality" to be quite distasteful. And when it comes right down to it, their final paragraph seems to say, "If you think it's okay, that's great" which, to me, is not much of a belief system at all.

Or is it just me?


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21 comments:

  1. wow!! they sound about like Westboro. more of a joke than a true church.

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  2. The real Gospel story is shocking enough without setting out to shock people. Its a pity to be afraid of being called a Christian - being all about Christ I think is a perfect description of what it is all about. Reading about these guys it really hard to see what they are all about!

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  3. Ewww! Especially last year's...ewww! So disrespectful. I pray God will have mercy on them because this tastes of blaspheme.

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  4. Whoa. Normally I'm a little skeptical on stories like this, but...holy cow! If those are indeed billboards, I have to agree, it's appalling!

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  5. I don't care for those billboards either.
    Wow, a bit disgracefull I'd have to admit.

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  6. I think this is called blasphemy. Utterly horrid. A perfect example why we need to make the five first Saturdays in reparation for insults to the Immaculate Heart of Mary as Our Lady of Fatima requested.

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  7. I'm with you! Unbelievable.

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  8. Hi, I'm from the Monday Mingle and I'm so glad I'm not the only one who found this billboard extremely distasteful. Seriously, what were they thinking?

    PS, If you get a chance, check out my new blog: www.renewalfitnesssolutions.com. I specialize in Online Personal Training for moms and try to keep my blog regularly updated with great information to help moms everywhere get into the best shape of their lives. I'm looking forward to getting to know you better!

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  9. Oh, my goodness. I think I'm speechless. This is just...too weird to label. I think I'll stick with the title of your post. Really??

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  10. All I can say is WOW. I'm surprised they haven't gotten more criticism for these.

    Dropping by from the Monday Mingle hop.
    Please follow back if you get a chance =)
    http://mydogsandbaby.blogspot.com

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  11. Definitely saddening and angering. Our battle is so much bigger than a "church" who doesn't know or preach the Most High God and his supremacy, divinity, and dignity. Our battle is against the spiritual forces of this dark world and the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. But they won't win!!

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  12. Here from the Wellspring today. My husband and I have been talking about the power of the Gospel itself and how dangerous it can be to use other tactics to get people's attention. Obviously in these billboards attention is drawn to the wrong place. The creators of the billboard instead of the Creator. Unfortunate really. Sometimes we are so intent on being relatable that we forget the God we serve is indeed holy.

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  13. Disgusting. I'm literally nauseous.

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  14. Wow. Just, wow. I consider myself pretty progressive and this is too much even for me. I guess billing themselves as this sort of church is one thing, but if I had to drive by this billboard every day, I think my blood would start to boil, frankly.

    Adrianne
    www.happyhourprojects.com

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  15. Hi,

    I live in Christchurch, New Zealand and every year that same church is in the news annoying everyone. I go to an Anglican church, one of the few evangelical ones in the country. Please know that not everyone is like that here. Liberalism is splitting the worldwide Anglican church and it's heartbreaking. But there are people and churches within Anglicanism that are sticking to the Gospel and are not modifying it. I feel utterly embarrassed and ashamed but want you to know that we're not all like that.

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  16. That's just awful.
    Thanks for linking up at My Christian Life for Zeke. I am your newest follower.

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  17. Distasteful is not strong enough for me, I feel this kind of thing is hurtful to the body of Christ. This is not a subject to pick fun at it is joyful and yet serious, its my very life line.

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  18. Well I thought I couldn't be shocked....wrong. Disgusting! Unbelievable! And worst of all, soul endangering.

    All we can do is pray for them.

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  19. too bad for them..they don't know the joy they are missing.

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  20. Wow, how shocking and sad. I will say a prayer for them. I hate to hear this but I'm glad I did so I can add my prayers to yours. ~Lori

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