What we have, of course, are the twin evils of syncretism and subjectivism. The mixture of religions, together with the endorsement of any religion without discrimination, is what the gospel delivered us from. The idea that we are the source of God's life ('the god who is God in your judgement') takes us back to the idolatry of old, where the gods were made according to the imagination of our hearts, rather than the God who reveals himself to us in spirit and in truth.

In moving terms, the prophet, speaking for the LORD, uses the powerful metaphor of marriage to speak of Israel's relation to her God. The period from the Passover in Egypt to the receiving of the Covenant at Mt Sinai was like betrothal, espousals. There was constant love for the LORD from the people he was delivering.

Some people who engage this journey we call Christianity discover that home is found on the road, whether literally the restless travel that occupies some of us, or the hodos that is the Way of following the one we call the Christ. The home we ultimately seek is found in relationship with creator, with redeemer, with spirit. When Augustine says "our hearts are restless until they find their rest in thee, O Lord" he means that our natural home is in God.

3. It violates the rules of our Church and denies those who disagree with the Bishop the right to a fair hearing and due process. The Bishop of Dunedin is not authorised or free to apply the rules of the Church merely subject to his own opinions.