Moment of Decision for Church of England
The Church of England faces yet another theological challenge as it prepares for the meeting of its General Synod in July. This time the issue is the Gospel itself and the specific question concerns the evangelization of Muslims. In the end, the outcome of this debate may, more then anything else, determine the future viability of the Church of England.
Paul Eddy, a lay theology student from Winchester who aspires to the priesthood, has entered a Private Member’s Motion and has secured the signatures necessary to force the General Synod to deal with his motion.
The text of his motion sets the issue clearly:
“That this Synod request the House of Bishops to report to the Synod on their understanding of the uniqueness of Christ in Britain’s multi-faith society, and offer examples and commendations of good practice in sharing the gospel of salvation through Christ alone with people of other faiths and of none.” …
– Al Mohler observes that the vote on this motion is a crucial test for the Church of England.
Phillip Jensen on World Youth Day and Secularism
As a Sydney Protestant I consider it an honour that our city is to host World Youth Day. Protestantism is a protest. Our protest is against the enormity of the claims of the Roman Catholic Church. … This protest against Roman Catholicism is no small complaint. It goes to the very heart of God’s central message to mankind – the way of salvation.…
– From an opinion-piece in The Sydney Morning Herald by Dean of Sydney, Phillip Jensen.
See a version written for the Cathedral newsletter. – “It is an honour for our city to host people from all over the world. It is to the credit of our city that we are willing to be hospitable not only to people with whom we agree but also to those with whom we disagree. ”
Diocese of Huron Synod: Same-sex blessings and native spirituality
The Synod of the Canadian Diocese of Huron “has overwhelmingly voted to grant permission to clergy ‘whose conscience permits, to bless… civil marriages between same-sex couples’.”
Additionally, in his Synod Charge, Bishop Bruce Howe spoke of his vision for the diocese – to “deepen our transition and reformation to be the Church of today and tomorrow”. He said, “As the Church embraces native or First Nations spirituality it strengthens all of us on our journey.” One wonders where the journey will lead.
Read the Bishop’s charge (pdf) at the Diocese of Huron website.
(Photo: Bishop Bruce Howe – Diocese of Huron.)
US Presiding Bishop wants it all
Anglican bishops exercise universal jurisdiction over the geographical territories that lie within their dioceses, US Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori, has argued.
This proprietary ecclesial oversight covers all parts of the geographic territory of a diocese, Bishop Schori said, and extends to entities outside of the Episcopal Church …
– Report by George Conger on Religious Intelligence.
(Photo: Mary Cox / Episcopal Life Online.)
Anglican Church of Canada sets stage for same sex marriage
“Anglican Church of Canada Council of General Synod – Highlights from May 24
Revision of the marriage canon
…the following resolution was adopted: the Council of General Synod –
- concurs in the Faith, Worship and Ministry Committee’s understanding that it is to address the particular category of “legally qualified persons,” i.e. same-sex couples at least one of whom is baptized Christian;
- agrees that development of a theological rationale for the marriage of such couples should precede the preparation of any draft amendments to or revision of the Marriage Canon;
- requests the committee to report to the COGS no later than November 2009, and
- directs that, if the Faith, Worship and Ministry Committee develops such a rationale, it should, in conjunction with the Handbook Concerns Committee, prepare draft amendments to, or a draft revision of, the Marriage Canon for consideration by the COGS in March 2010 for possible submission to the 2010 session of the General Synod.”
from the Anglican Church of Canada’s Council of General Synod meeting in Mississauga, Ontario. Emphasis added.
C of E General Synod to debate evangelism
‘A traditionalist Anglican has said he will continue with a campaign for the Church of England to work explicitly to convert Muslims to Christianity. …’ – BBC News.
See also “Church is not doing enough to convert UK Muslims, says bishop” from Mail Online.
The primate, women’s ordination and homosexuality
In a report on the consecration of Kay Goldsworthy in Perth, Ninemsn has this –
…the Australian Anglican primate, Archbishop Phillip Aspinall … said he believed the homosexual issue would need to be dealt with in “the same kind of way” as the ordination of women.
“It is a set of issues that will need to be dealt with in the same kind of way as the ordination of women questions has,” he said.
– From ninemsn. Emphasis added.
(Photo of Archbishop Phillip Aspinall: Diocese of Brisbane.)
‘Undiluted heresy’
“This book includes undiluted heresy,” is how Al Mohler describes the novel The Shack by William P. Young.
The book has not really hit Australian shores in a big way – and perhaps it will not have a great influence here – but it may. It is a best-seller in the US and is available in some Australian Christian bookshops (but apparently not at others).
There are many glowing reviews of the book. On the cover, Eugene Peterson is quoted as claiming: “This book has the potential to do for our generation what John Bunyan’s Pilgrim’s Progress did for his. It’s that good!”
Tim Challies comes to a very different conclusion. Download Challies’ review as an 830kb PDF file. Al Mohler spoke about the book on his US radio show last month (starting 11 minutes 20 seconds into the programme).
Anglican Church effectively outlawed in Zimbabwe
Reports are coming out of Zimbabwe that the Government has effectively shut down the Anglican Church there.
The move comes following an uprising in the Church against the former Bishop of Harare, Nolbert Kunonga, a close ally of President Robert Mugabe. …
– report from Religious Intelligence.
GAFCON explains their new logo
Ahead of the Global Anglican Future Pilgrimage and Conference next month, the organisers have adopted a new logo – Read more
Denominations back Virginia Diocese
A half-dozen national Protestant denominations are supporting the Episcopal Church in a multimillion-dollar Virginia property dispute, saying a state law at the heart of the case could threaten them, too. …
– See the full story from The Washington Post.
(Truro Church is the largest of the churches involved.)
Adrian Warnock interviews John Piper
If you enjoyed watching Adrian Warnock’s interview with Don Carson at the New Word Alive conference in Wales, take the time to watch his interview with John Piper.
Among other things, Piper speaks on passion in preaching, humility – and whose sermons he listens to on his iPod.
The interview is presented in four parts (on YouTube) –
1.) John Piper on New Word Alive and Spring Harvest
2.) John Piper on Passionate Preaching
3.) John Piper and Prayer and Bible Study
4.) John Piper on the Preachers he listens to – and how he became a Pastor.
Each segment runs for 7 – 10 minutes. Worth watching.
Mike Ovey to deliver 2008 MTC Lectures
Annual Moore College Lectures 2008
5 –14 August 2008
The Rev Dr Michael Ovey, Principal, Oak Hill College London, will be speaking on the topic of Repentance.
To learn more, see the Moore College website. PDF brochure here.
First Australian woman bishop consecrated
Australia’s first woman bishop was consecrated in Perth tonight amid lingering controversy over her appointment.
Archdeacon Kay Goldsworthy, 51, became Bishop Kaye Goldsworthy at a ceremony conducted by the Australian Anglican primate, Archbishop Phillip Aspinall, in Perth’s St George’s Cathedral. …
– report from The West Australian. (Photo: Diocese of Perth.)
When the appointment was first announced, ACL President Dr. Mark Thompson released this statement.
Archbishop Mouneer Anis to go to Lambeth
Dr. Mouneer Anis, Bishop of Egypt with North Africa, has written to explain why he is going to Lambeth –
“I count it a great honour to have been invited to GAFCON.
I appreciate the fact that GAFCON provides an important meeting place for leaders from the South and from the North. I very much understand the frustrations as well as the hopes that led to the organisation of this conference. … I am sorry that I will not be able to be with you at your Conference but I assure you that you will be in my prayers. …
God has spoken to me through the Book of Jonah. So I decided not to withdraw but to go [to Lambeth] and speak the truth, and leave the rest to God. …”
Read the letter at VirtueOnline. (Photo: Episcopal News Service.)
What we believe
The message at the heart of Christianity is really quite simple…