“Holy and without blemish”?  Even with all of its problems, I never thought I’d read THIS about the Church of England.

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God’s Plan for the Church

Ephesians 5:27

That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.

What Man Has Done

A string of bookmakers stopped taking money on the Bishop of Durham to succeed Dr Rowan Williams earlier this week after a sudden run of money on the favourite even before media reports that the decision was imminent.

It could suggest that figures within the Church decided to take advantage of information they had heard about the outcome of the long-running Crown Nominations Commission process to place a bet. (emphasis added)

Full report.

What happens if the Church of England tries to be a “voice in the wilderness” on the immoral and devastating effects of gambling?  Of course the bookmakers were amused and tolerant — they now have Anti-church Insurance.  What does a few pounds matter when you get free publicity and are now immune from moral condemnation from the alleged voice of Christianity in your country?

Keeping score?  Bookies 1, Church of England nil.

Later, Justin Welby suggested these people who made money betting on him should donate their winnings to churches — and Ladbrokes seized the opportunity to get more good publicity.

I suppose that makes it bookies 2, Church of England nil.  Not much else to say, really, except this:

I Peter 4:17

For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?

Edit:  additional thought — A “Racing Certainty”