The similar phrase 'Worldly Christianity' is one used by Bonhoeffer. It's J Gresham Machen that I want to line up most closely with. See his Christianity and culture here. Having done commentaries on Proverbs (Heavenly Wisdom) and Song of Songs (Heavenly Love), a matching title for Ecclesiastes would be Heavenly Worldliness. For my stance on worldliness, see 3 posts here.

Tea at the Ritz

One of several kind things the church did for us on my 25th anniversary was to arrange for us to have tea at the Palm Court in the Ritz Hotel near Green Park. It costs a ridiculous amount but for a once in a blue moon treat was wonderful and Eleri and I really enjoyed it. Everything is just so but not fussy or over the top. Just great. The fact this was the kindness of the church simply added to the occasion.
A lovely pianist played in the background. He managed Whiter Shade of Pale and a Beatles number among the more obvious tunes but didn't know Sylvia but promised to play it next time.
Afterwards we wandered through Burlington Arcade and then on to Trafalgar Square and the National Portrait Gallery, which was great too, as the sun shone and the rain kept away. St Martin in the fields looks very spruce after its clean up.

No comments: