As I posted in a comment, my first reaction to the GAFCON statement was that it is not earth shattering; this was an initial impression having read through the document rather hastily. I have noticed that I appear to be completely alone in this conclusion; the statement has been greeted with ebullient praise from orthodox Christians everywhere. Has reading it more carefully given me a change of heart?
The tone of the statement seems to me to be that of a polite Jensen rather than a blunt Akinola; I would have preferred the latter. Nevertheless, sentences such as “While acknowledging the nature of Canterbury as an historic see, we do not accept that Anglican identity is determined necessarily through recognition by the Archbishop of Canterbury” are certainly clear enough.
A significant part of the document is devoted to stating the basic doctrinal positions of the Anglican Church – our basic beliefs – including the homosexuality issue. I suspect the cause of much of the rejoicing can be found here: a multi-national Anglican body is prepared to declare unambiguously what they believe – and it is clearly in line with orthodox Christianity. None of us are used to that. In spite of the fact that such an event should neither be necessary nor surpising, I can’t help but join in the chorus of pleasure having been exposed to decades of waffling claptrap from the ACoC and my (ex) diocese.
The organisational component of the statement makes clear:
- GAFCON was not just an event, but the beginning of a process.
- There is to be no break with the Anglican Communion – i.e. no split or schism.
- There will be a Primate’s Council to be an orthodox and functioning version of Lambeth.
- GAFCON is a fellowship of confessing Anglicans, united more by belief than geography, although territorial jurisdiction is recognised as desirable where possible.
- Recognition by Canterbury is not necessary to be truly Anglican (imho, it might be an impediment).
- A North American province will be set up; congregations in this new province will be in full communion with GAFCON; ECUSA and the ACoC will not. Presumably, congregations in Canada that have joined the Southern Cone will be joining this new province.
So why was I not deliriously happy when I first perused this? I think I have caught the Generation X (Y or Z, whatever we are up to now) virus that says, “I want it all, now!” We are setting foot on a very long road whose destination is over the horizon. Only God can make this all work; but He does specialise in making the seemingly impossible happen.
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David – exiting stage left while donning asbestos suit.
It is pouring with rain here so I check the blog regularly inbetween gardening bouts. I think a really good response to the Statement has been prepared by Greg Griffith over on Stand Firm – Finally Into the Breach. As a immigrant of British descent and being brought up in the Church of England, I have waited a long time for the evangelical side of Anglicanism to show itself and I believe that now it has. Will things change overnight? No. But there is hope – much, much more than there was before. If nothing else it will make the “indaba?” group discussions more interesting at Lambeth.
David, let me guess, you’re probably the type who’d prefer 40 days of purpose to 40 years of wandering.
It is not so exciting to us because we in ANiC have already made the exciting decision…to leave, and gone through its (initial) consequences. Many others have been agonizing over when whether and why to do this, and the clarity and comprehensiveness of the statement is a comfort and inspiration to them.