Prof Vince Bissell

@DuncanHegan1 I don’t necessarily disagree, but then again I suspect that many liberals would themselves find arguments on the basis of popularity deeply unsatisfactory. Since it’s all inadmissible I shall bow out at this point, but thanks for the chat Father.

@BissellProf My intention is to point out that “liberal theology = popularity” is not true. For more evidence beyond anecdote, see the membership/attendance figures for denominations that have liberalised such as the Methodists, Church in Wales, Church of Scotland, TECUSA.

Where does this leave the argument (inadmissible to Christian theology anyway) that the Church must liberalise to successfully evangelise our culture? Proponents of both women’s ordination and same sex marriage/liberalisation of sexual teaching argue that if we do not do these things, people will reject Christianity and we won’t bee able to effectively evangelise our society. Arguments that the church should change her teaching for the sake of popularity are inadmissible to Christian theology in the first place, but also don’t even work on their own terms The denominations which have liberalised on these issues remain locked in decline, while denominations which remain orthodox seem to be able to attract converts (I appreciate the picture is complicated). When did the Church go through her fastest period of growth? In her first few centuries, when she was MOST alien to the culture of the world around her!

@DuncanHegan1 Thanks for the clarification Father. I have obviously failed to understand your intention when you write “denominations which remain orthodox seem to be able to attract converts”. However, to demonstrate that the argument fails on its own terms will require more than anecdote

@BissellProf No I don’t. I point out that the argument for popularity is inadmissible but furthermore on its own terms does not support the conclusions which liberals use it to argue for. I am not arguing that orthodoxy is expedient because it is popular.

@Dr_W_E_Bulmer @anglochog It is very very good, I miss it.

@anglochog Don't shoot me, but I am something of a Scottish Liturgy 1982 fan.

Best Communion liturgy?

Everybody wants to be a cat (@blisscartoon)

Happy Christmas

Mouth cancer rates in parts of Liverpool are x4 higher than the UK average. Spotting signs early could save your life. Andrew Schache, Professor of Head & Neck Surgery and Caroline McCarthey, Honorary Consultant in Oral Medicine, say what to look for. #MouthCancerAwarenessMonth

Autumn evening, Granville Park

Dahlias putting on a good late show this year. To lift or not to lift, that is the question!

Yesterday I accompanied someone to an appointment @barnshospital Everyone we encountered was amazingly kind, patient and helpful. Thank you, you are doing a fantastic job!

Definitely on my list of favourite cathedrals now!

The Pembrokeshire coastline is certainly not lacking in drama

@Elizaphanian @CapelLofft How about this? telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/06/1…

@CapelLofft I would love to find an example within the last ten years of a Diocesan Bishop saying something that the Guardian would disagree with (excluding something doctrinal - although even that would be precious!). I wonder how far back we would need to go?

Although it is fair enough for the Church leadership to talk about compassion to strangers in the context of the refugee issue, it seems to me that most of the working classes are at least as much strangers to our bishops as any asylum seeker, and also worthy of some compassion

@ADEEorg Some very familiar faces in that audience! Have a great conference.

@WalkerMarcus @j_amesmarriott If it’s full-fat liturgy and full-fat theology, all to the good. But the “quest for moral and metaphysical certainty” has always fuelled the evangelicals and it doesn’t always end well.

This is a really interesting exploration of the Quiet Revival among young adults. @j_amesmarriott looks at a number of churches across the churchmanship spectrum and keeps hearing the same refrain: young people are looking for “full fat” faith. thetimes.com/comment/column…

@BumbleCricket I was there - a 13 yr old boy with two pals from school, in the western terrace no less! The anticipation in the ground was incredible and, thankfully, fulfilled. What a day.

Sleeves rolled up … side on

It’s #InternationalCatDay apparently

“I seem to have nearly perfected a tone of voice that veils vexation behind lustrous clouds of disingenuous patience; and the acquisition of a new social skill is always a blessing” David Bentley Hart - brilliant!

Six months into retirement and I have dropped curettes for this lot. The hoe is still there though 😁 I don’t want to even begin talking about the powered instruments!

This mornings rehearsal for the deaconing at @Southwarkcathed was watched her by the Dean and the cathedral cat. Not sure who holds more authority here!! #Deaconing #Petertide #ordination