Archbishop Jensen made his comments in an address to a conference of the evangelical Latimer Fellowship in Christchurch. His remarks, of course, did not receive a line in the daily press or - as far as I know - on television or radio.

So because I consider what he has to say is critically important - and not just to Christians - I give up my podium this week to the good archbishop so a summary of his remarks can receive wider circulation.

I may address various issues as they come up in the Dean's Class or in letters to the parish or special forums, but not in the pulpit. Regardless of what happens, I want us to be a church that is focused on the gospel and Sunday worship will be just that, worship.

Having said that, I think it is time that I, as your Dean, talk to you, the vestry, about the crisis in the Episcopal Church and also put the cards on the table before all the wonderful people of the Advent.

Postmodern speech is politicized speech. It is not about the exchange of ideas. Indeed, the postmodern mind disbelieves in ideas. Postmodern speech is about advancing political ends. It is not "about" whatever the subject matter purports to be: peace, justice, freedom, curing HIV, the environment, or relieving third world debt. Contemporary discourse is about power: about the redistribution of power. For the powerless, it is about grabbing for power, perhaps following a detailed plan.

But, then I noticed another book, Misquoting Jesus by Bard Ehrman - listed as nonfiction because it will tell you how "mistakes and changes by ancient scribes shaped the Bible we use today." And there, on the same list was Gary Wills's new book, What Jesus Meant - about the radicalism of Jesus, a fresh reading of the Gospels. It was there for the second week. The Last Templar also made the list for the 10th.