Read it all here
I believe that it is wrong to assume we are now so far apart that all those outside the GAFCON network are simply proclaiming another gospel (the implication here seems to be that the ABC at least acknowledges that some are – yet he does nothing to reign them in). This is not the case; it is not the experience of millions of faithful and biblically focused Anglicans in every province. What is true is that, on all sides of our controversies, slogans, misrepresentations and caricatures abound. And they need to be challenged in the name of the respect and patience we owe to each other in Jesus Christ.
Update:
The Anglican Journal’s perspective the the GAFCON statement and ABC’s response is here
Well I read it, and I can not help but think, ‘and?’
The Archbishop is unfortunately the architect of his own increasing irrelevancy. There is a time to talk, and a time to refrain from talking. When your legacy is one of ineffectual procrastination, then you cannot complain when others take up the reins of leadership.
That, indeed, is what has happened. Lambeth will come and go, but I believe we just saw the ground fundamentally shift last week.
What I don’t understand in the ABC’s statement is how we can be misrepresenting anything when what we stand for is the Gospel. So if we are standing for and on the Gospel where does that leave the rest of Anglicanism? It also strikes me as odd that the ABC feels the need to challenge us and not the more wayward members of his flock who so obviously strayed, even by his own admission.
What is “the gospel”? The term is thrown around with great regularity in modern Christianity, but it is used to mean many different things. I would suggest that the proper biblical meaning is one that is only infrequently encountered.
Why doesn’t the ABC lay out what he thinks authentic Christianity is and proper behaviour towards apostates? His vagueries don’t help in a time when clarity is needed.
If you want to see charicatures abounding, read what the Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church has to say about the GAFCON statement:
Much of the Anglican world must be lamenting the latest emission from GAFCON. Anglicanism has always been broader than some find comfortable. This statement does not represent the end of Anglicanism, merely another chapter in a centuries-old struggle for dominance by those who consider themselves the only true believers. Anglicans will continue to worship God in their churches, serve the hungry and needy in their communities, and build missional relationships with others across the globe, despite the desire of a few leaders to narrow the influence of the gospel. We look forward to the opportunities of the Lambeth Conference for constructive conversation, inspired prayer, and relational encounters.
The Most Rev. Katharine Jefferts Schori
Presiding Bishop and Primate
The Episcopal Church
Stephen H (#5), I find it interesting to contrast Schori’s comment with the comment below from a non-Anglican blog:
In part, Schori and the commenter say the same thing – regardless of what happens in councils and assemblies, the real life of Anglicanism is in the local parishes. Where they differ greatly is in their concern (or lack thereof) for what is actually happening in local parishes; Schori doesn’t care if the local parish “goofs the gospel” or teaches false theology.
#5 Steve,
“Much of the Anglican world must be lamenting the latest emission from GAFCON.”
Such a strange turn of phrase; is KJS saying that the GAFCON statement is gaseous and without substance? Is she likening GAFCON to a villainous contributor to global warming? Is this sexual innuendo? One wonders.
The statement of Katharine Schori places her in the same position as our so-called Primate, Fred Hiltz. Neither can properly referred to as “bishops” as clearly they have abandoned their vows and are prepared to bow to the god of political expediency. The two main problems in the Anglican communion are:-
1. That the appointment of the ACB is by the civil government and not the church. As a result the ACB has a duty to the civil government to advance whatever policy it might have.
2. There is no procedure to discipline apostate bishops and the result is clear from our current situation.