Reform predicts Synod vote will ‘further rouse the sleeping giant’
Posted on July 9, 2008
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Reform predicts Synod vote will “further rouse the ‘sleeping giant’ of evangelical Anglicanism”
This initial response from Reform to the C of E General Synod vote has just been issued –
Reform members who took part in the Synod debates are very disappointed that no legal provision has been made for those who cannot in conscience receive oversight from a female bishop. We note that the opinions of four out of the five most senior bishops on both the content and timing of this measure were swept aside in the course of the debate.
We will scrutinise the proposed code of practice in February’s debate carefully, but remain very sceptical as to its usefulness.
By giving no legal provision Synod has effectively said: “We don’t want people like you in our Church of England.” This message will no doubt further rouse the ‘sleeping giant’ of orthodox and evangelical Anglicanism in the UK and around the globe.
– from Reform.
Catholic and Post-modern at Lambeth
Posted on July 9, 2008
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“There will be a strong ecumenical presence at the 2008 Lambeth Conference. The Archbishop of Canterbury will welcome more than 75 representatives from a wide variety of churches and Christian communities.
Two of the principal speakers at the conference come from the ecumenical world.
Cardinal Ivan Dias is head of the Vatican’s Congregation for the Evangelisation of Peoples … [and] Brian McLaren… an American evangelical … and an internationally recognised contributor to post-modern thought and culture. …” (emphasis added)
– From an ACNS press release. See also these earlier posts mentioning Brian McLaren.
(Photo: brianmclaren.net.)
Every word of God
Posted on July 9, 2008
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“Imagine, for a moment. You wake up one morning and, as you stumble downstairs to grope for the coffee maker, you notice that the front door of your house is wide open, the brisk morning air blowing into the room and clearing your mind just a little bit. You stare at the door for a moment to process the fact that it is open. Your first thought, of course, is for your family. …”
– Tim Challies shares some helpful thoughts on the reasons for an essentially literal translation of the Bible. At Challies.com.
Further reactions to the C of E decision
Posted on July 8, 2008
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Both the Russian Orthodox Church and the Vatican have issued statements about the Church of England General Synod’s decision to allow the consecration of women bishops –
“This decision is of course painful in the inter-Christian dialogue, as it is further alienating the Anglican community from the Apostolic tradition,” Priest Igor Vyzhanov, secretary of the Moscow Patriarchate Department for External Church Relations, said in an interview with Interfax-Religion on Tuesday… – via Interfax.
“The decision will be ‘a new obstacle to reconciliation between the Catholic Church and the Church of England,’” – Vatican spokeman – via ABC News. Update: see also this.
Forward in Faith UK reacts to C of E vote
Posted on July 8, 2008
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Forward in Faith and the Catholic Group in General Synod note with regret that, despite the clear advice of the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Archbishop of York, the Bishop of Durham, the Bishop of Winchester and other Bishops, the Prolocutor of the Province of Canterbury and the Chairman of the House of Laity and the obvious lack of consensus, today resolved to make no meaningful provision for those in conscience unable to receive the ministry of women bishops. There must now be a period of prayerful reflection. However, members of both the General Synod and of the Church of England will understand that actions always have consequences.
– An initial reaction to the Church of England General Synod vote from the large Anglo-Catholic group Forward in Faith.
The Women Bishops debate: much vexation without representation
Posted on July 8, 2008
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Late on Monday evening, the General Synod of the Church of England voted to take away my bishop. Not only mine, of course — they voted to take away all the Provincial Episcopal Visitors from the parishes which have enjoyed their ministry in the last few years. …
We must not forget that the Church of England has regularly in the past been on the side of oppressing those who wanted to express their religion freely. As one writer observed (I cannot locate the quotation, but remember it well), it was the Church of England which, due to its intransigence, virtually single handedly created Nonconformity. …
– John Richardson writes at The Ugley Vicar.
C of E vote backs women bishops
Posted on July 8, 2008
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The Church of England’s ruling General Synod has voted to ordain women as bishops and approved a code of practice aimed at reassuring opponents. However the code falls short of safeguards demanded by traditionalists, such as allowing male “super-bishops” to cater for those against the reforms. … – from BBC News.
From the Church Society’s summary of the day’s business –
In the afternoon the Synod began the debate on Women Bishops. Due to the large number of amendments a total of six hours of debate was allowed going up to 10pm. After the first four hours Synod had covered seven of the fourteen amendments. However, this represented the bulk of the difficult decisions.
The initial motion had been put by the House of Bishops which is sadly unrepresentative of the wider Church. Read more
Sydney makes it clear: no split
Posted on July 8, 2008
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The Bishop of South Sydney, Robert Forsyth, has welcomed statements by the Primate, Archbishop Phillip Aspinall, that the GAFCON movement is not aimed at breaking away from Anglicanism.
Numerous press reports have described GAFCON as a ‘split’ and have questioned its effects on Australia.
Archbishop Peter Jensen last week made it clear he didn’t expect the Australian church to change as a result of GAFCON as events were being played out ‘on the world stage’. …
– Read the full story from SydneyAnglicans.net. (Photo: Russell Powell.)
Melbourne: Pastoral statement on GAFCON
Posted on July 8, 2008
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Pastoral statement from Bishop Paul White, Vicar General
“Following the Global Anglican Future Conference (GAFCON), many of you are no doubt aware of media reports, suggesting that the Anglican Communion is facing serious division.
It’s premature to comment at this point. There will be opportunities, after our return from Lambeth, for reflection on GAFCON and the Lambeth Conference and to discuss various statements and resolutions resulting from both.
Meanwhile, together with my fellow Melbourne bishops, I wish to assure the clergy and laity of the Melbourne Diocese that relationships in the Anglican Communion will be properly and prayerfully considered at the forthcoming Lambeth Conference, the ten-yearly meeting of world Anglican leaders, held from 16 July to 4 August in Canterbury, England.
Please uphold with us, affirmation of Archbishop Freier’s hope for Lambeth: that it will provide an opportunity to ‘live the unity that we share in Christ.’
The need is for the Church to engage in mission in a world facing suffering as varied as climate change, poverty, aggression and corruption, to name but a few. Therefore, we ask that all Melbourne Anglicans heed the Archbishop’s call to prayer, and display grace and generosity of heart to which a life centred in the Gospel calls us.”
– From the Diocese of Melbourne.
Tom Wright: there’ll always be an England
Posted on July 8, 2008
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Bishop Tom Wright has expanded his earlier statements on why he is unhappy with GAFCON and last week’s meeting in London.
The Anglican Essentials Canada blog has a link to his comments – as well as some comments on his comments.
‘England bypassed. Global Communion isolated.’
Posted on July 7, 2008
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Many years ago a Dutch friend of mine told me about a cartoon which expressed what they thought about the English attitude: an English newspaper headline read, “Fog in the Channel. Continent cut off.”
In the same way, we have seen English bishops, and indeed Archbishops, complaining that GAFCON has not shown due regard for Anglo-centric structures and personalities — that they, and not ‘self-appointed’ individuals and bodies, have the right to define the terms by which Anglicanism is constituted and operates.…
– John Richardson writes on the mindset of the Church of England at the Ugley Vicar.
C of E General Synod to debate women bishops tonight
Posted on July 7, 2008
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Tonight (Australian time) the Church of England’s General Synod, meeting in York, will spend more than four hours debating a motion on women bishops. David Phillips, General Secretary of Church Society, reports that there are 14 amendments proposed.
– See David’s summaries of General Synod for Friday, Saturday, Sunday.
(Photo: Australian women bishops Barbara Darling and Kay Goldsworthy – by Janine Eastlake / Anglican Media Melbourne.).
Dr Phillip Aspinall on ABC Radio
Posted on July 7, 2008
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An interview with Archbishop of Brisbane and Primate Dr Phillip Aspinall was broadcast on ABC Radio on Sunday night. The transcript is now available from the ABC.
If we didn’t leave, what did we accomplish at GAFCON?
Posted on July 7, 2008
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It is important, when considering what was accomplished at GAFCON, to keep in mind its singular focus. That focus was to identify the Anglican grasp of the apostolic faith, to claim that identity for the whole Anglican Communion and to provide a firm oversight and standing from which to confess the apostolic faith as we Anglicans have received it. …
– Bishop John H. Rodgers Jr., one of the founders of the Anglican Mission in America, at Virtue Online.
See also this interview he gave in February. (Photo: Trinity School for Ministry.)
Book review: Surprised by Hope
Posted on July 7, 2008
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N. T. Wright is one of the most talented writers among New Testament scholars today. In this book he presents his understanding of what the Scriptures teach about heaven, the resurrection, and the church’s mission. …
Wright appeals to many because he is brilliant and fascinating, and some of what he says is helpful. Nevertheless, his failure to emphasize the centrality of the gospel is troubling, and pastors who find his work illuminating need to be careful that they do not veer away from their central task of proclaiming the good news to a lost generation.
– Thomas Schreiner, Professor of New Testament at SBTS, reviews Bishop Tom Wright’s recent book, Surprised by Hope: Rethinking Heaven, the Resurrection, and the Mission of the Church – at 9 Marks.
Earlier posts: on Tom Schreiner, on Bishop N T Wright. (Update: David Virtue has a related commentary on recent statements from Bishop Wright – at Virtue Online.)
What we believe
The message at the heart of Christianity is really quite simple…