A Tale from an Anglican Boneyard
I thought I'd mention an occurrence that took place last week.
I was visiting the last resting place of a founding member of Pasqually's Élus Coëns, who lies interred in a 
London crypt. I had arranged with the vicar of the local church to see the crypt - which is well preserved beneath the church - and as a gift gave her a copy of my book the ‘Son of Perdition'. I made it clear, as I handed it over, that contrary to the appearance of the book's cover (which was professionally designed by Steve Adams based on a gargoyle of Simon Magus from Rheims cathedral!) that it is in fact a Christian work exploring the comparisons between Apostolic power and ancient magic in the C1st - and the ultimate victory of the former. She took the book from me, pulled a face, glanced at the back and handed it back saying: “I don't want this. I think you should have it back.”
How rude and, of course, to do that to an author making a gift of his book was a mark of ingratitude that says a lot about the collapse of common courtesy in our time. Also, the tour of the crypt was disappointing, since the location of the master's grave was screened off and the vicar wouldn't even allow me to photograph - let alone see - beyond the temporary wooden stand obscuring it.
The real issue of course isn't her suspicion or perceived ‘offence' at the cover of my book. It is the lack of academic courage (“guts”) of this clergywoman to read outside of her comfort zone. Nay, in all probability I'd venture to say, to read anything theological at all!
I may be old fashioned. Having read theology I was trained to explore different ideas and to draw conclusions of my own from an analysis of them. It is this lack - or absence - of a sense of adventure and intellectualism in matters of spiritual work in the modern Church that concerns me most. I am encountering it more now than ever before…
https://www.mrosborne.co.uk/book/son-of-perdition
This article is the copyright (c) of M.R. Osborne, 2022
