Sunday, May 16, 2010

TEC consecrates practising lesbian bishop

Well, it was always going to happen.

Some of you know that I went to GAFCON - the Global Anglican Futures Conference - two years ago.  It was a massive gathering of people representing the vast majority of the world's Anglicans, who view Jesus as the Son of God who died for the sins of the world, and who combine that faith in Jesus Christ with a high view of the Bible's authority - and who incidentally are still growing by evangelism and conversion.  In other words, they were recognisably Christian using any of the classic historical definitions of the faith.

Contrast the Anglican Church in the USA, otherwise known as 'The Episcopal Church' (which in itself tells us something about their self-superior mindset!).  This article from The Age inaccurately describes Mary Glasspool's 'consecration' as an 'ordination', but otherwise provides a look at the issue. What is at stake here is not just a Church's views on human sexuality, but an entire shift in the meaning of Christian identity - and the source of that identity.

TEC believes that the historic formularies of the Christian faith, including its teaching on the person and work of Christ, the authority of the Scriptures, and human sexuality, are all unfixed and open to change.  They are, to TEC, in a state of progressive change, depending (largely) on the latest reflections from human wisdom and experience.

By contrast, orthodox Christians and Anglicans are committed to the Bible as God's rule of faith, and the source of 'all things necessary for life and salvation'.  The central message of the Bible is 'the eternal Gospel', as unchanging as God is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow.  Yes, the Scriptures are subject to interpretation - that is why we need well trained pastors and teachers who submit themselves to the discipline of biblical studies - but their job is to interpret the meaning and application of the 'faith delivered once for all' to a changing context.

The difference is vitally important. If you put human thinking and reason in first spot, you will inevitably end up moving with the philosophical fashion of the times. But if you put Scripture first, duly interpreted and worked through, there will always be a sense in which you will be 'in the world but not of the world'. It's an uncomfortable spot, but then Jesus Christ did get himself crucified for occupying just such a position.

I've just heard Glasspool speak on the BBC News saying that she invites people who disagree with her to meet with her, for, she says, 'I am a reconciling person'. It's a nice sentiment, but she conveniently ignores the entire history of TEC moving in a direction contrary to numerous discussions and protests dating back more than a decade. She and her Church ignored the Archbishop of Canterbury's strong warning against proceeding with the consecration.  It was hardly a conciliatory move to the rest of the Anglican Church to do so today. We can only expect TEC and its sympathisers to be further marginalised from the rest of orthodox Anglicanism (and to be outraged at the same time).

Other commentators, for those who are seriously interested:
David Virtue
Global South Anglican - a coalition of majority world Anglicans
Anglican TV
Anglican Mainstream -
The Bishop of Tasmania has made a strong comment here and provides more links on his page.

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