From Anglican Mainstream
Dear Rev. Sugden
Thank you for spelling out the consequences of the recent actions in the TEC organization. As a member of an ANiC church in Canada I would also ask that our plight not be forgotten in all of this. The primate of the Anglican Church of Canada was present at the convention and has not said anything (to my knowledge) but our fear is that the ACoC will merely follow the direction of the TEC organization. It has been on the same trajectory and this may just spur things on. Please pray for Canada too.
Paula Valentine
St Hilda’s ANiC
Oakville.
Yes indeed, we need to pray for the situation in Canada. The House of Bishops including the Primate need to be called to repentance. I really do not know what is worse – having apostate leadership or having partially apostate leadership with the claimed orthodox leaders content to sit back and do nothing. They have made vows before our Lord and seem determined to either spit in His face or stand aside and allow others to do so.
Clearly the present situation makes any unity impossible. In fact, I would say that the true Church, that is those committed to our Lord and His word, cannot possibly be “in communion” with apostates. References have been made to being in communion with Canterbury but it seems Canterbury is ready to sit back and do nothing. As Christians we must be in communion with Christ and we cannot do that and be in communion with apostates also.
“As Christians we must be in communion with Christ and we cannot do that and be in communion with apostates also”.
“Yes we can” so says Essentials, and so many others
Stuck (#2), how do you define “communion”? I’m not sufficiently “anglicanized” to properly understand the subtleties associated with this word (it’s not much used in the evangelical circles except to refer to the Lord’s supper).
Hello Warren – the quote belongs to #1, but I concur with the context
Communion
(n.)
The sacrament of the eucharist; the celebration of the Lord’s supper; the act of partaking of the sacrament; as, to go to communion; to partake of the communion.
(n.)
The act of sharing; community; participation.
(n.)
Intercourse between two or more persons; esp., intimate association and intercourse implying sympathy and confidence; interchange of thoughts, purposes, etc.; agreement; fellowship; as, the communion of saints.
(n.)
A body of Christians having one common faith and discipline; as, the Presbyterian communion.
Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
I’m sure this helps
Stuck (#4), thanks – I think. Perhaps my question would have been better directed to Frank (with whom I sympathize). As a member of 21st century western society, and having been affiliated with several denominations, I think the “communion” concept would make more sense to me if it was kept in the context of the Apostle’s Creed and not used to describe relationships within denominations. Mind you, from a practical perspective, I must concede that it is very difficult for believers to experience true Christian community outside the context of denominational affiliation. I think I need to go to bed.
The “Communion Concept’ is largely missing from 21st century paradigm. I don’t mean just the society but also in our churches as well. perhaps a review of the book of Acts might soften your approach to the semantic difficulty you are experiencing. Personally I find it far more difficult to find this concept in our church probably because I don’t expect to find it in the culture. In keeping with the author of this thread I would mention my respect for the people of St. Hilda’s whom (from everything I have read) seem to have a powerful handle on our Lord’s teachings on unity.
I hope that your need to express your sympathy for Frank while addressing me is not intended as a slight. I don’t need your sympathy however as an assumed brother christian I do demand your love.
P.S. ……..Easy now Kate.
Stuck (#6), no slight intended – just a simple statement of fact. I don’t know that it is biblical for you to “demand” my love, but you are definitely right to expect it if I claim to be a follower of Christ.
Our Lord commands it
I demand it, based on that premise. To scripturally admonish without love is not scriptural admonishment. Demand is a difficult strong word, that is multi dimensional. There may be a better word to use and certainly a gentler way of making the point, but I am getting quite tired of the mamby pamby approach to Christian dialogue. Especially now as evidence continues to mount that we may be running out of time. Rest assured Warren my “Demand” is not authoritative nor is it need. It just is.
Love in Christ
G.
Stuck (#8), an interesting perspective. If, when my children were young, I had “commanded” them to play nicely with each other, I wonder how I would have responded had I overheard one of them demanding niceness from the other? Anyway, I take your comment in the spiriti in which it is given and with no offence.