Christians angry

Press, 23 August 1984, Page 19

Christians angry

Early last month, York Minster, one of Europe’s most beautiful cathedrals, was very nearly destroyed. The Minster, which dates back to the Middle Ages, is said to have been struck by a bolt of lightning. Many angry Christians saw the fire as being an expression of the wrath of God over the recent appointment of the new Bishop of Durham. Only two days before, Professor David Jenkins had been consecrated at York Minster against the wishes of many in the Anglican Church. A bitter controversy had begun in April when Bishop Jenkins, then Bishop-elect,

was interviewed in his role as a leading Biblical scholar. A furore began when Bishop Jenkins, on television, questioned the importance of the virgin birth of Christ; the story of the resurrection; and — most controversial — said that to be a Christian it was not necessary to believe that Jesus was God made flesh. “Credo,” on One at 6 p.m. on Sunday, will screen excerpts from that television interview and Naomi Trigg will question a lecturer in religious studies and an Anglican parish priest about the implications for New Zealand Christians.