Preparing for GAFCON in seven contentions
Posted on June 11, 2018
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In the run up to GAFCON 2018 this week, Dr. Stephen Noll makes a clear case:
“…Lambeth 1998 was the last true Lambeth Conference, with Gafcon as its successor, and … the 2007 Primates’ Meeting at Dar es Salaam was the last true Primates’ meeting convened by Canterbury …”
Read his introduction below –
“I have been preparing for Gafcon for a long time – a quarter century at least, although I did not know it at the time. Last year I began to assemble and edit my writings in a book, The Global Anglican Communion: Contending for Anglicanism 1993-2018.
Then about eight weeks ago, I took up blogging, which was something of a challenge for a digital dinosaur like myself. Among my blog posts, I have labeled seven Contentions. As I pack bags to leave for Jerusalem, I would like to sum up the logic of these Contentions.
I am going to begin at the end with Contention 7: Lambeth Speaks Plainly (That Was Then). I have been privileged to attend three major Conferences in 2013, 2008 and 1998. And the Lambeth Conference in 1998 is where it all began. Passage of Lambeth Resolution I.10 on Human Sexuality was an historic event in three ways:
1. It articulated a clear moral case on the pressing issue of homosexual practice by stating that God ordained two and only two ways of faithful sexual relationships: marriage of one man and one woman and abstinence for those not married. This moral stance was based on the authority of the Bible and hence homosexual practice, gay ordinations, and same-sex “unions” are “incompatible with Scripture” and could not be advised.
2. It was a Resolution written and promoted by the bishops of the majority Global South churches, who overcame the machinations of the Communion bureaucracy. For these churches, Lambeth I.10 continues to be a non-negotiable statement of Anglican orthodoxy, even as the Lambeth Establishment has tried to insert “faithful same-sex partnerships” as a third alternative.
3. It was the culmination of “enhanced” conciliar governance by the Primates, who were authorized to monitor the response of the Episcopal Church and others who defied the Resolution. When the Archbishop of Canterbury reneged on the Primates’ resolutions in 2007, the Global Anglican Future Conference resulted, led by a Gafcon Primates’ Council.
For this reason, I have argued that Lambeth 1998 was the last true Lambeth Conference, with Gafcon as its successor, and that the 2007 Primates’ Meeting at Dar es Salaam was the last true Primates’ meeting convened by Canterbury, which has been succeeded by the Gafcon Primates. …”
– Read the full post by Dr. Stephen Noll, in which he summarises the contentions he has articulated these last two months. (Also in his new book.)
New Archbishop of Toronto
Posted on June 11, 2018
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While the soon-to-retire Archbishop of Toronto, Colin Johnson, is “personally opposed to assisted death on theological and religious grounds”, his newly elected successor, Dean Andrew Asbil, apparently has a somewhat different view.
From Canada’s The Globe and Mail back in April 2018, a story on a couple who availed themselves of Canada’s provisions:
“The Brickendens are at the vanguard of patients and families who are creating new rituals around dying in Canada – the kind of rituals that are only possible when death comes at a previously appointed hour. …
Dean Asbil prayed, while Mozart, Bach and Scottish folk songs wafted through the room. …”
Globe & Mail link via the Anglican Samizdat.
Photo courtesy St. James’ Cathedral, Toronto.
Lambeth speaks plainly (that was then)
Posted on June 10, 2018
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“The year 1998 was the last time the Lambeth Conference spoke plainly. That it did so was something of a miracle.
The Communion Establishment had carefully prepared an agenda whereby the innovations of homosexual ordinations and same-sex ‘blessings’ in the Episcopal Church would be received with ‘good disagreement’ from those in the Global South who were, frankly, unaware of the ‘development’” of doctrine and practice in the West. These plans were foiled by an alliance of Western conservatives who had seen where the sexuality agenda was leading and courageous Global South leaders who stood up and said No.
I was present at Lambeth 1998 and wrote this evaluation of its key Resolution I.10 shortly thereafter. …”
– At his new blog, Contending Anglican, Dr. Stephen Noll takes us back to Lambeth 1998.
Update – Dr Stephen Noll’s website has moved – here’s the new link.
Related:
Dr. Paul Barnett, then Bishop of North Sydney, was also a participant at Lambeth 1998. He shared his personal reflections of Lambeth at the ACL Synod Dinner that October, and made the text available for our website.
His contemporary account of the Lambeth meeting makes fascinating and sober reading –
“…the Third World is now where most of the world’s Anglicans are. By a country mile. And it is certainly where most of the Bible-loving, creed-believing Anglicans are. Many of the Europeans did not seem to know what they believed, while quite a few were radical liberals. One eloquent African chided us Europeans at the tension-filled plenary on sexuality: ‘You sent us missionaries, but you no longer believe yourselves what your missionaries taught us.’
Compared with the contingent from Britain, the US, Canada and Australia-NZ, how impressive those Africans were. … I want to say, they shone like stars in the night. … But they see the essentials of the faith with a crystal clarity which few in the west have. …
When we came to the Plenary Session in the last few days, which was brilliantly chaired by Robin Eames [Bishop of Armagh], our resolution was pointedly and cleverly amended by a number of African bishops. Harry Goodhew made an excellent speech, pointing to sinners like Zacchaeus and the woman taken in adultery who were shown mercy by Jesus, but who changed their behaviour. George Carey was on the platform, but not as chairman. He very visibly raised his hand at all the critical amendments, which I believe he had helped draft. Before the final vote was taken on the amended resolution he rose and made a strong speech. The now-amended resolution passed with a 7 to 1 landslide majority. I am glad that the final statement expressed the need for loving and compassionate ministry to those caught in the homosexual web. …
We give glory to God for answered prayer in the Lambeth decision which could not have been predicted during the conference. But what were the human factors? …”
– Read it all here. (in the older section of our website)
The Kuala Lumpur Statement, 1997. (in the older section of our website)
Holding on to the gospel is an antidote to today’s spiritual disaster
Posted on June 10, 2018
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“Here’s an imaginary scenario – the story of a local church over a hundred-year period.
At the start of this time, the church is made up of real born-again Christians, people who have genuinely believed God’s saving good news, his gospel of eternal salvation from sin and death through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. And the evidence that they are real born-again Christians is that they are godly people. They’re not perfect but they are leading God-pleasing lives which marks them out from the non-Christian world around them.
But as this generation grows old and dies off, a new generation takes over the church…”
– Julian Mann, Vicar of Oughtibridge in South Yorkshire, tells a familiar story – and shares the antidote to spiritual diasater.
When the Content Police came for the Babylon Bee
Posted on June 9, 2018
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“Facebook has always been the main source of traffic to my websites. When I started out, I was just excited that so many people were reading my stuff – I wasn’t worried about the implications of it all.
The first hint I got that something troubling was afoot was in November 2015 …“
– Adam Ford, who has just sold The Babylon Bee to focus on his new website, Christian Daily Reporter, says “it’s time to push back”.
North West Network, June 2018
Posted on June 8, 2018
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The latest edition (June 2018) of North West Network, the newsletter of the Diocese of Northwest Australia (the largest diocese in Australia — by geographical size) is now available.
Download the PDF file and use it to inform your prayers on behalf of the people of the North West.
Here’s a snippet from the latest issue –
“Meet Ross, a visitor to the North West. In August 2017 he left Perth needing a break from caring for elderly parents and looking for direction in his wayward life.
Ross stopped in Geraldton and went to the Bluff Point Anglican Church. That Sunday he heard God speak to him from 1 Peter 2:13-16,
Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming. As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.”
Ross realised he wasn’t holy. He was cut off from God because of his sin. A church family invited him to lunch and over the course of three days Ross became a Christian. He went from spiritual death to life knowing that God’s love and forgiveness came to him through Jesus Christ. This was life changing for Ross.
But that’s not the end. …”
– Read the rest of the story on page 2 of the June 2018 NWN.
John Piper interviewed at Dundonald Church
Posted on June 8, 2018
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John Piper spoke at Dundonald Church in London last Sunday (03 June 2018).
Before the sermon, he chatted with Richard Coekin in this encouraging 13 minute video.
You can also listen to his sermon that day, “Enjoying God”.
Queen’s Birthday Conference 2018 — The Cultures of Death and the Death of Culture
Posted on June 8, 2018
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The Two Ways Ministries Queen’s Birthday Conference is coming up on Monday 11th June – Read more
GAFCON – Uniting and Reforming: Part 4 – Bishop Tito Zavala
Posted on June 8, 2018
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“In the Anglican Church of Chile, we are very expectant for GAFCON 2018.
This event is much more than just a conference, it is the manifestation of a living movement of Anglicans, led by God, which seeks to change the world through the preaching of the Gospel of Christ.
We return to Jerusalem together this year, but what does this mean for us? …”
– GAFCON has published part 4 of their ‘Uniting and Reforming’ reflections from GAFCON participants. This one is from Bishop Tito Zavala.
30 years of Matthias Media
Posted on June 7, 2018
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Here’s a real reason to give thanks to the Lord – Marty Sweeney asks Ian Carmichael about the first thirty years of Matthias Media.
David Peterson on Romans — one of Albert Mohler’s ’10 Books Every Preacher Should Read’
Posted on June 7, 2018
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“Dr Albert Mohler, theologian and current President of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, sees the personal collections of preachers as an indication of their preaching priorities, style and engagement. In his annual book review for Preaching Magazine, he highlights the ten books that he believes essential in 2018 for pastors to be reading, reflecting on and shaping their own ministry now and into the future. …”
– Good news from Moore College.
‘Embrace pluralism’ — Gippsland Bishop-elect
Posted on June 7, 2018
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“Bishop-elect Richard Treloar says Anglicans can offer the wider world a more relational understanding of truth as an alternative to binary thinking that accentuates differences …”
– The Bishop-elect of the Diocese of Gippsland speaks to The Melbourne Anglican about his ‘inclusive’ thinking.
Related: New Bishop for Gippsland.
Review: The Bible Project – Brilliant but Flawed
Posted on June 7, 2018
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“Understanding and teaching the Bible can be hard work so it feels like a win to find a resource that can help us do it well. Over the last few years, many people have watched and enjoyed The Bible Project videos and started to use them more in teaching.
In this post, I want to raise a few concerns about the theology taught in The Bible Project and invite you to think about how you use them for yourself and in teaching.
Firstly, though, let me say there’s a lot to like about these videos. …”
– At The Gospel Coalition Australia, Richard Sweatman raises some important questions about a popular teaching resource.
Ploughing Concrete in Australia
Posted on June 6, 2018
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At the recent Geneva Push conference in Melbourne, Greg Lee (Hunter Bible Church) delivered a strong encouragement to keep evangelism central – even if we live in a culture where most people see no need for God. Listen here.
Colorado Wedding Cake Baker wins before US Supreme Court
Posted on June 6, 2018
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“In Masterpiece Cakeshop, Ltd v Colorado Civil Rights Commission … the US Supreme Court by 7-2 overturned previous decisions against a Christian cake maker, Jack Phillips, who had declined to make a wedding cake for a same sex wedding. While the basis of the decision of the majority is fairly narrow, the outcome is clearly correct, and even in the narrow reasons offered by Justice Kennedy, there are a number of important affirmations which support religious freedom.
I have commented previously on cases which involve a claim that a cake maker or other “wedding industry professional” should not be allowed to decline to devote their artistic skills to the celebration of a relationship their religion tells them is wrong … But the Masterpiece decision is the first time such a case has made its way to the final appellate court in a common law jurisdiction, and for that reason is particularly important.”
– Assoc. Professor Neil Foster comments at Law and Religion Australia.
What we believe
The message at the heart of Christianity is really quite simple…