Comments on: Anglican Journal – Archbishop [Athabasca] Assures his Diocese Committment to Anglican Communion

By: Kelvin

Kelvin — Tue, 06 May 2008 00:30:39 +0000

On the issue of taking a stand, I would like to point you all to in interesting little book entitled “Swallowing Camels”. On Sunday one of my fellow parishioners at St. George’s lent me this short book by H. Perry Quinton. It is a straight shooting clear rendition of some of the key issues affecting the Anglican Church of Canada. I must warn that it is not recommended for the politically correct. The book starts out:

“It has been said that once people stop believing in God they don’t believe in nothing, they believe in anything. That’s certainly very true of this generation which seems to swallow endless amounts of rubbish without a moments thought. Unfortunately it’s also true of the church whose crisis of faith is made worse by those in leadership positions who deny its doctrines while happily taking paycheques from the organizations they solemnly vowed to protect” (p1. “Swallowing Camels”© 2003)

It goes on to discuss a number of problems including political correctness, tolerance, the rejection of absolute truth, and the abandonment of the Bible as the reference for faith. I find his analysis very accurate, though I don’t agree with every point. It reads like a collection of short essays. I plan to order a copy for myself from http://www.kendalhousepublications.ca/Books.html. You may consider ordering one to pass around to your friends.

According to the blurb on the author, Quinton was the rector of an ACoC church in rural Saskatchewan for 10 years, and retired due to illness. The book was published in 2003 and is a quick read.

“You blind guides! You strain out a gnat but swallow a camel!” Mat 23:24 NIV

By: peter

peter — Mon, 05 May 2008 15:13:46 +0000

#18 james – thank you!

By: Don't Panic We're ANiC

Don't Panic We're ANiC — Mon, 05 May 2008 02:25:31 +0000

No offense, but I think it is more significant that Athabasca has voted without reference to Essentials. The fact is, any thinking diocese could have passed these same resolutions. According to the canons of the ACC (and the Solemn Declaration) Anglicans in Canada are default in communion with the Southern Cone. Therefore, we are in communion with their priests and bishops whoever and wherever they may be, including in Canada (I say we, but I know ANiC does not see themselves at table with all in the ACC – duh). Yes, the Southern Cone ordinations are unusual as is the cross provincial ministry (although I think we now have a flying Indigenous bishop of sorts in Canada now, hum), but so are the the heretical actions and theologies emerging in the ACC is the last seven years. And the fact is, one activity is more grave than the other, and one puts souls at risk eternally – the other seems to be a catalyst for the true character of diocese and bishops to emerge. Thank goodness there are still leaders like ++Venables, +Harvey, +Harding, and +Clarke.

Our problems go beyond liberal and conservative in the ACC. We have a structural tyranny as well. The fact that it is infected with paganism only makes things worse.

By: Dave W

Dave W — Sat, 03 May 2008 21:53:52 +0000

Remember; the whole ANiC identity in the Southern Cone province has been and is always stated as “temporary”. I truly believe ++Greg would love nothing more than to see a re-united Anglican Communion in Canada under Christ. And I suspect Bishops Don and Malcolm would love to retire (again!). But how long temporary has not been defined. (That’s more up to the ACoC.) These workings within different dioceses are encouraging indeed. So far, as we are seeing, the response is to flex “perceived” muscle and send letters etc to the wrong people and leaders. One of our Primate’s (as I write from an ANiC parish) urgings was to “get on with it”. So let’s all pray that the theology of and target of these volleys changes and that “temporary” is defined and realized.

By: Kate

Kate — Sat, 03 May 2008 12:13:51 +0000

#16 – Amen.

By: James

James — Sat, 03 May 2008 04:11:01 +0000

From a Baptist brother — please know you have my support. I appreciate your stand for righteousness in this fallen world and hold you as dear brothers and sisters in Christ Jesus.

By: Gerry O'Brien

Gerry O'Brien — Sat, 03 May 2008 01:50:33 +0000

STAND FIRM!!

ARTIC
FREDERICTON
ATHABASCA
and others.

By: Tom

Tom — Fri, 02 May 2008 20:03:27 +0000

God bless Athabasca for also being brave enough to bring up the topic of abortion and all the collateral damage to our society it causes. Lots of roll up your sleeves Christian serving to be done towards those in crisis pregnancies.

By: Kate

Kate — Fri, 02 May 2008 18:43:14 +0000

That’s true, I had forgotten that. Thanks for the reminder!

–Kate the forgetful…

By: Rev

Rev — Fri, 02 May 2008 17:14:51 +0000

Don’t forget the furore caused by the Diocese of The Arctic 3 years ago when it affirmed the Montreal Declaration as the basic condition of employment in the Diocese.

The Diocese will holding it’s synod in Iqaluit at the end of May, there may be further discussion.