An interesting article from Rev Dr Ephraim Radner on The Episcopal Church. Not quite on topic for this blog, but what’s sauce for the goose may well be sauce for the gander (you decide). What’s clear from the quote below is that he has given up on TEC as reformable.
What is the difficult thing to speak, honestly? It is this: the Episcopal Church, as it has been known through the past two centuries, is no more, in any substantive sense. TEC is simply no longer the church filled with even the strength of purpose we saw only 10 years ago – yes, even then, a church with a good deal of vital diversity and disagreement; but a seeming sense of restraint over pressing these in ways that overwhelmed witness and mission. And as a result, even then, it was church that was growing in outreach and faith. That church, shimmering still with some of the vibrancy of love spent for the Gospel seen140 years before, even 90 years before, is now gone. And TEC will not survive in any real continuity with this past and its gifts.
This is something we must face. To be sure, I am not speaking here of this or that diocese or bishop or congregation or clergy person within TEC: there are many through whose service the Gospel shines bright and the witness of the Kingdom flourishes. I am speaking of an institution as a whole – not even in terms of its legal corporation, but in terms of its character and Christian substance given flesh in the Spirit’s mission.
Made me think of a prophetic word from 2004: http://theagetocome.wordpress.com/2006/09/13/ichabod/
Mr. Radner is a brilliant man whose theological opinion is widely respected. Should he now decide to walk away from TEC, I am sure many would follow his lead, and a few more souls would be saved. Unfortunately, Mr. Radner is also an institutionalist and I expect that he will be unable to severe his ties with TEC regardless of the decaying institution they have become.
Merry Christmas trav. With regard to your comment (2) I’m not sure that “Severing ties” is the right term to use. I don’t believe that we (AniC/ACNA) have done so. Yes we have set a new course or perhaps (I hope) re-set an old one. This must be acknowledged in the recognition of the original purpose which I believe was not to leave anyone or anything but rather to continue to walk “the straight and narrow”. To some, be they individuals this was relatively easy, to others with institutional links the reason became quickly submerged. I am a member of ACNA that I may continue a journey blessed. In my entire life I have never nor will I ever leave the One, Holy, and Apostolic Church of my Baptism in my opinion neither will Dr. Radner.
Blessings on your travels, Winter.
Stuck (#3), when you say “the One, Holy, and Apostolic Church of my Baptism”, do you mean Anglicanism, or do you mean the true Christian church – the body of Christ – separate from any denominational label?
Although he says it more eloquently than most, I suspect that Mr. Radner is finally admitting publically what he likely knew to be true years ago. Had he made a statement along these lines 4-5 years ago, I would have been impressed with his insight and honesty. Now, not so much.
Merry Christmas Warren, Stuck and all who comment here. May the risen Christ continue to be with you all as you navigate the sea of life.
Together with you on the journey ………….
WT
Winter Traveler (#6), blessings for the season to you and yours as well. When do the winter travels begin?
I didn’t see him this evening, so I assume he’s already in the sunny south….
Warren #7
Thanks for asking. We hit the road in early in November but had to return two weeks later due to a death in our family. We are currently en route back south but decided to detour via Toronto to celebrate Christmas with my second eldest son who has just been released from Mount Sinai Hospital after a serious bout of spinal meningitis. Very, very scarey. But God has been good to us and He continues to bless the Traveler and his family.
#4 Warren although I never use to think like this I just thought of myself as an Anglican which was part of the Body of Christ. What has changed is obvious. I am still a member of “Anglicanism” which is to say those elements of the Anglican Church that remain true to the one Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church. The fact that certain elements have shifted away from that centrality does not in any way corrupt the nature of my baptism. In re-reading Dr. Radner’s discertation I am convinced that he remains faithful to those things Anglican that meet prerequisites for participation in the body of Christ.
Sorry Warren – many blessings to you and yours today!
# 10, I tend to agree with you.
Blessings and Godspeed for the New Year All
His will be done, Maranatha.