- published: 09 Jan 2016
- views: 745
William "Bill" Phipps (born 1942) is a Canadian church leader and social justice activist. He was Moderator of the United Church of Canada from 1997 to 2000.
He was trained as a lawyer before entering theological college, and was ordained to the ministry in 1969. While studying theology in Chicago (McCormick Theological Seminary) he worked for noted social activist Saul Alinsky. In his career, Phipps has worked as a poverty lawyer, community organizer and pastor. From 1974 to 1983, he was minister at Trinity-St. Paul's United Church in downtown Toronto, Ontario. After leaving Trinity-St. Paul's United, he moved to Alberta to work in church administration.
A theological liberal, Phipps engendered controversy when shortly after becoming moderator he said "I don't believe Jesus was God", that he didn't consider the resurrection a scientific fact, and that he was agnostic on the question of an afterlife. What is important, Phipps argued, is not notions of the afterlife but fighting poverty and suffering on earth. "Your soul is lost unless you care about people starving in the streets," according to Phipps. He said that what is important is not so much whether or not the Bible is a literal historical record but the teachings and example of Jesus. This sparked great debate in the church, with some congregations passing motions asserting their faith in Jesus' literal resurrection.
NYMO 2016 High Roller Semi Final Bill Phipps v MCG - 21 pt
Bill & Gloria Gaither - Amazing Grace [Live]
Bill Phipps: Take Action on Climate Change
Catching up with Bill Phipps (COLT Instructor)
Victor Ashkenazi vs Bill Phipps Championship flight
Bill Phipps - Reflection on Opening Ceremony of TRC National Event, Edmonton
Bill Phipps, On the Road: Making It Happen
Bill Phipps reflects on the United Church's submission to the TRC
TXBG 2014 Bill Phipps vs. Neil Kazaross (Texas Championship Round 2)
NYMO 2016 High Roller Rd 2 Stick v Bill Phipps - 21 pt
I prayed to god from hell
Run like a midnight bell
Dancing naked in these streets
Thought I was Jesus Christ
As I dug out my eyes
And threw them past the prison gates
So I still can't explain
What I had to do
To try and make it
Since your red lips turned blue
Now I'm a hunted man
Singing the song you sung
Wearing the noose from which you hung
I guess we lost the war
The air I breathed before
Only fill the dead man's lungs
So I still can't explain
What I had to do
To try and make it
Since your red lips turned blue
The devil is the lord
Of this confusing world
Where all the wrong dreams come true
I never needed light
I never felt like I was right
Did not deserve the love I knew
So I still can't explain
What I had to do
To try and make it