Andrew Raines
@makeitraines.bsky.social
SC farmboy from the Pee Dee. Episcopal Candidate for Holy Orders in Dio of Upper SC. DPhil student at Oxford. Dogmatic Universalist. Vinegar BBQ enthusiast.
Let’s pray for Sarah++, poor thing ⚓️
October 3, 2025 at 9:09 AM
Let’s pray for Sarah++, poor thing ⚓️
Believing other religions are other other religions and that we can love each other without pretending our worship can be a holy mush isn’t bigotry.
October 2, 2025 at 9:26 PM
Believing other religions are other other religions and that we can love each other without pretending our worship can be a holy mush isn’t bigotry.
Why do folks think cathedrals are some magic special sort of church that isn’t explicitly Christian? Most of the people who built medieval cathedrals would’ve burned us ALL at the stake.
October 2, 2025 at 9:19 PM
Why do folks think cathedrals are some magic special sort of church that isn’t explicitly Christian? Most of the people who built medieval cathedrals would’ve burned us ALL at the stake.
very disappointing to see that Varghese’s installation at St John the Divine NYC included readings from non-Xian scriptures. This is not allowed in the Episcopal Church. However much the cathedral wants to be a community center, it is NOT a catch-all religious house. ⚓️
October 1, 2025 at 8:16 AM
very disappointing to see that Varghese’s installation at St John the Divine NYC included readings from non-Xian scriptures. This is not allowed in the Episcopal Church. However much the cathedral wants to be a community center, it is NOT a catch-all religious house. ⚓️
Arrived in Oxford at last!
Any advice for a new theology DPhil student?
Any advice for a new theology DPhil student?
September 7, 2025 at 3:24 PM
Arrived in Oxford at last!
Any advice for a new theology DPhil student?
Any advice for a new theology DPhil student?
Reposted by Andrew Raines
I'd go even more specific here and say that in selling people on Christ that means much more than just "he was a swell guy with great ideas." Jesus's teaching doesn't really make much sense in toto except against the eschatological horizon, and that doesn't make much sense sans resurrection.
hot take: religiosity is declining and all these mainline denominations keep trying to pass themselves off as social clubs but you can't sell people on christianity if you can't sell them on christ
the same is true of liberalism: if we can't sell people freedom all the other stuff is inessential.
the same is true of liberalism: if we can't sell people freedom all the other stuff is inessential.
September 4, 2025 at 12:29 PM
I'd go even more specific here and say that in selling people on Christ that means much more than just "he was a swell guy with great ideas." Jesus's teaching doesn't really make much sense in toto except against the eschatological horizon, and that doesn't make much sense sans resurrection.
Reposted by Andrew Raines
Look, I have an EXCELLENT translation of the liturgy
August 29, 2025 at 4:54 PM
Look, I have an EXCELLENT translation of the liturgy
In this piece, I argue that universalism, just as it fixes so many other theological debates (Calvinism vs Arminianism, eg), can help us boldly evangelize and hold to the boundaries our confession without worrying that’s exclusionary.
I’d love for you to read it and let me know what you think! ⚓️
I’d love for you to read it and let me know what you think! ⚓️
“I’m convinced that a firm trust in universal restoration can heal underlying anxiety that often hampers our maintenance of orthodoxy and our mission of evangelization.”
Today’s essay is by Andrew Raines
earthandaltarmag.com/posts/di5uid...
Today’s essay is by Andrew Raines
earthandaltarmag.com/posts/di5uid...
CONFESSIONALISM WITHOUT (EVERLASTING) ANATHEMAS — Earth and Altar
In an age when indifference about doctrine is often mistaken for humility, many mainline Christians hesitate to embrace their church’s confessional tradition. For some, creeds and catechisms feel like...
earthandaltarmag.com
August 26, 2025 at 4:06 PM
In this piece, I argue that universalism, just as it fixes so many other theological debates (Calvinism vs Arminianism, eg), can help us boldly evangelize and hold to the boundaries our confession without worrying that’s exclusionary.
I’d love for you to read it and let me know what you think! ⚓️
I’d love for you to read it and let me know what you think! ⚓️
Best resources on 1 Cor 11:7? Always reads so wild to me.
“Man is the image and glory of God, but woman is the glory of man.” Women not in the image of God??
“Man is the image and glory of God, but woman is the glory of man.” Women not in the image of God??
July 31, 2025 at 11:09 PM
Best resources on 1 Cor 11:7? Always reads so wild to me.
“Man is the image and glory of God, but woman is the glory of man.” Women not in the image of God??
“Man is the image and glory of God, but woman is the glory of man.” Women not in the image of God??
So intrigued by this “The Fourth Lesson” set. Like the TEC collection by Wright, it’s a book of 4th readings for the 3-lesson DO lectionary which the CofE tried but we kept in the 1979 BCP. Intead of Fathers tho, it’s Lewis, Chardin, Tillich, Barth, Spurgeon, Farrer… I see why it didn’t last. ⚓️
July 28, 2025 at 8:00 PM
So intrigued by this “The Fourth Lesson” set. Like the TEC collection by Wright, it’s a book of 4th readings for the 3-lesson DO lectionary which the CofE tried but we kept in the 1979 BCP. Intead of Fathers tho, it’s Lewis, Chardin, Tillich, Barth, Spurgeon, Farrer… I see why it didn’t last. ⚓️
Instead of having Track 1 where we go thru the OT but the it’s disconnected to the epistle and gospel, we should in Pentecostide have the OT lesson govern the theme rather than the gospel. Bc I love the idea of really going thru the OT, but it’s really annoying it’s irrelevant to other readings ⚓️
July 28, 2025 at 1:10 AM
Instead of having Track 1 where we go thru the OT but the it’s disconnected to the epistle and gospel, we should in Pentecostide have the OT lesson govern the theme rather than the gospel. Bc I love the idea of really going thru the OT, but it’s really annoying it’s irrelevant to other readings ⚓️
Every time I come across the “serpents for fish” line our gospel today, I wonder if Jesus intends the resonance I hear between it and Numbers 21 and 11. Could Jesus be implying something about how Numbers portrays his Father? It feels like an improper suggestion, but I really do wonder. ⚓️
July 28, 2025 at 12:18 AM
Every time I come across the “serpents for fish” line our gospel today, I wonder if Jesus intends the resonance I hear between it and Numbers 21 and 11. Could Jesus be implying something about how Numbers portrays his Father? It feels like an improper suggestion, but I really do wonder. ⚓️
I’m plenty happy with the 79 BCP offices, but seeing that Canada has approved their own version of Common Worship Daily Prayer (called Prayer without Ceasing), I wonder if TEC could do something similar, but make it better ⚓️
www.anglican.ca/wp-content/u...
www.anglican.ca/wp-content/u...
www.anglican.ca
July 22, 2025 at 7:15 PM
I’m plenty happy with the 79 BCP offices, but seeing that Canada has approved their own version of Common Worship Daily Prayer (called Prayer without Ceasing), I wonder if TEC could do something similar, but make it better ⚓️
www.anglican.ca/wp-content/u...
www.anglican.ca/wp-content/u...
The son of Episcopal Bp TA Frazier just left 30 boxes of his books by for the free shelves at Duke Div library. Happy day
July 16, 2025 at 3:38 PM
The son of Episcopal Bp TA Frazier just left 30 boxes of his books by for the free shelves at Duke Div library. Happy day
I feel robbed that the '79 DO lectionary tried to keep me from the pleasure of reading about David's dowry of foreskins for Michal today. ⚓️
July 14, 2025 at 11:04 PM
I feel robbed that the '79 DO lectionary tried to keep me from the pleasure of reading about David's dowry of foreskins for Michal today. ⚓️
I enjoyed subdeaconing for the first time yesterday! I’m not sure I’m quite a Ritual Noteser (or an enthusiast of Italian-cut vestments), but it was such a prayerful and worshipful experience. I’m glad to be taught how to do this in TEC, where this level of precision feels less common now.
July 14, 2025 at 6:47 PM
I enjoyed subdeaconing for the first time yesterday! I’m not sure I’m quite a Ritual Noteser (or an enthusiast of Italian-cut vestments), but it was such a prayerful and worshipful experience. I’m glad to be taught how to do this in TEC, where this level of precision feels less common now.
just to remind everyone, TEC is supposed to vote on approving Rite I in contemporary English next GC, so we've prepared some proposed renderings for them. I really hope this goes thru! ⚓️
episcopalchant.com/eucharist/eu...
episcopalchant.com/eucharist/eu...
Episcopal Chant: A Liturgical Chant Database
Interactive and downloadable chant settings of liturgical texts approved for use in The Episcopal Church.
episcopalchant.com
July 10, 2025 at 6:54 PM
just to remind everyone, TEC is supposed to vote on approving Rite I in contemporary English next GC, so we've prepared some proposed renderings for them. I really hope this goes thru! ⚓️
episcopalchant.com/eucharist/eu...
episcopalchant.com/eucharist/eu...
I finally finished re-typesetting Bicknell’s commentary on the 39 Articles—hope folks find it helpful! ⚓️
www.amazon.com/Theological-...
www.amazon.com/Theological-...
A Theological Introduction to the Thirty-Nine Articles of the Church of England
www.amazon.com
July 5, 2025 at 5:03 PM
I finally finished re-typesetting Bicknell’s commentary on the 39 Articles—hope folks find it helpful! ⚓️
www.amazon.com/Theological-...
www.amazon.com/Theological-...
With the high and holy Episcopal feast day of July 4 tomorrow, I find it funny how I’ve moved from being very Hauerwasian and anti-flags in church, etc. to now being actually very pro- (good) civil religion.
July 3, 2025 at 5:52 PM
With the high and holy Episcopal feast day of July 4 tomorrow, I find it funny how I’ve moved from being very Hauerwasian and anti-flags in church, etc. to now being actually very pro- (good) civil religion.
I was today years old when I learned the episcopal church made a “HIP HOP BCP”, translating Cranmer and Galley into South Bronx. It’s… somethin
July 3, 2025 at 3:27 PM
I was today years old when I learned the episcopal church made a “HIP HOP BCP”, translating Cranmer and Galley into South Bronx. It’s… somethin
So good! ⚓️
earthandaltarmag.com/posts/v29jyh...
earthandaltarmag.com/posts/v29jyh...
RECONSTRUCTING IN THE ANGLICAN ORCHARD — Earth and Altar
The Christianity of my high school was a leaning overgrown tree, its roots intertwined with invasive undergrowth and creatures sheltering in its branches. My school affirmed the historic dogmas of the...
earthandaltarmag.com
June 30, 2025 at 9:28 PM
So good! ⚓️
earthandaltarmag.com/posts/v29jyh...
earthandaltarmag.com/posts/v29jyh...
For preaching working on how to preach Prov 8 this Trinity Sunday:
Is the first word of the Bible a mistake—or a theological insight? My OT prof Brent Strawn argues that bĕrēʾšît in Gen 1:1 (“In the beginning…”) may not be a grammar problem to fix, but a theological clue to decipher. 🧵⚓️
Is the first word of the Bible a mistake—or a theological insight? My OT prof Brent Strawn argues that bĕrēʾšît in Gen 1:1 (“In the beginning…”) may not be a grammar problem to fix, but a theological clue to decipher. 🧵⚓️
June 10, 2025 at 10:28 PM
For preaching working on how to preach Prov 8 this Trinity Sunday:
Is the first word of the Bible a mistake—or a theological insight? My OT prof Brent Strawn argues that bĕrēʾšît in Gen 1:1 (“In the beginning…”) may not be a grammar problem to fix, but a theological clue to decipher. 🧵⚓️
Is the first word of the Bible a mistake—or a theological insight? My OT prof Brent Strawn argues that bĕrēʾšît in Gen 1:1 (“In the beginning…”) may not be a grammar problem to fix, but a theological clue to decipher. 🧵⚓️
62 confirmations today! 31 eighth-graders and 31 adults new to the Episcopal Church! ⚓️
June 8, 2025 at 6:23 PM
62 confirmations today! 31 eighth-graders and 31 adults new to the Episcopal Church! ⚓️
I’m working on a study of how different provinces of the Anglican Communion have made ecclesiological shifts to support ‘communion across difference’. If anyone would like to have a conversation about what that looks like in your Anglican churches, please let me know! ⚓️
June 6, 2025 at 5:39 PM
I’m working on a study of how different provinces of the Anglican Communion have made ecclesiological shifts to support ‘communion across difference’. If anyone would like to have a conversation about what that looks like in your Anglican churches, please let me know! ⚓️