Abp. Peter Jensen, Sydney. I want to begin with a special thanks to our host, Archbishop John Chew. Our thanks for your graciousness in inviting us. The Trumpet Sounds of the Global South have been one of the most significant elements in the Communion in the last 20 years. I trust this trumpet sound will be the same.
Remarkable moments for me came in my fellowship group. People from all over the world. To share with brothers and sisters in depth from their own life story. It was extraordinary . We were talking about covenant, quietly, gently, in a Global South way when one person mentioned the fact that whereas most people feel a covenant is a pretty significant and sacred thing, when dealing with people of the West, you are not sure that they mean what they say. We are so infected by postmodernism that our word cannot be trusted. It is true and creates a tension that lies between us, usually unspoken. We who have been infected by this need to repent. The beating heart of the Global South is that you say exactly what you mean.
I see something else about you that you take for granted. This conference was unremorsefully Scriptural. Every talk, every presentation, came straight out of scripture and expound the scriptures for us. The commitment of the Global South to Scripture is no platitude. That is a striking thing. You take it for granted. You keep saying to the West, “You have to live under the Scriptures.” I’m not sure they even know what that means.
I loved reading this full report from Cherie – what a fantastic job she has done in covering the GSE4!
I was especially struck by the forceful comments of Coptic Bishop Anba Suriel. I think his words were perhaps the most pointed of any speaker in condeming TEC’s captivity to the culture:
[blockquote]So it is with the Church in the modern culture. This is desensitization to the Christian Church that is happening in our modern world. It is pushing the morality of the culture further and further every year.
The last time I visited in the Province of Australia I was chastised because I was not being politically correct. I intend to not be politically correct until the day I die.
The Global South has the opportunity to take a strong stand. There is no room here for political niceties. Will your strong message call the rest of the Communion to repent and return to God?[/blockquote]
I also appreciated his innovative ideas for fostering unity among the Global South, such as an orthodox Anglican TV station:
[blockquote]The new and evolving media can be very important . The Coptic Church has 2 channels that broadcast around the world 24 hrs a day. This has united the church around the world; many teachings, teaching of hymns, Bible studies, Theology classes, etc. I think this is something for Global South to consider: setting up your own channel. There is new technology called ITTB. Starting to spread and easy to have live feed connected to the internet. This could be a good devise that would strengthen this unity in the Global South.[/blockquote]
I mean how cool is that: one of the most ancient churches in the world promoting and teaching others about the latest technology in order to proclaim Christ. Brought a BIG smile to me!!!
And I loved what Abp. Jensen had to say about submission to Scripture. Amen!
[blockquote] I heard yesterday comments from meetings in TEC 20 years ago, that led us to this terrible place.[/blockquote] uh-oh. Methinks this portends trouble. Sounds like there are some Global South folks who still don’t get it. The gangrene appears to have taken root in the GS, and we know where that leads. Brave words and communiques will not be enough to root out the poison. Rowan just needs to continue slow-rolling these GS rubes, and they will eventually be a footnote in the future history of Anglican incoherence. IMHO.
[i] A warning from the elves. Words used to denigrate will be edited. [/i]
Methinks they are more than up for the job.
As for “Anglican incoherence,” compared to what friend? Roman incoherence? Ah, there’s the picture of health methinks! Not. Where do you want to go next to find freedom from gangrene? Let’s get real.
Chazaq- “rubes”??????????????
Methinks you paid little or no attention to the Bible Studies and plenary addresses of the last several days. These people have reached out their hand in friendship to us as brothers in Christ. We are the ones responsible for this mess, because 20 and 30 years ago, we acted in our own self interest, and were unwilling to make waves. If a stand like this had been taken in 1973, or 1976 or 1979 or 1991 or 1997 or 2000 or 2006 in the US, global Anglicans would not need to be responding. In 2003 a stand was taken, but then there were not enough real bishops left to make the point.
There was some diversity of views across the range of Provinces included (the comments alluded to were very much in a small minority, and strongly challenged), but be in no doubt as to the insight, resolve and maturity of leadership within the Global South.
One specific area of action that should not be underestimated is the determination to become financially independent from finance received from TEC and the Anglican Church of Canada.
Another is the acceptance of a call for a GS ‘Decade of Mission and Networking’. The agenda setting the scope for action was specifically a GS agenda, and a much bigger and more visionary one compared to just responding to innovations and departure from the gospel in TEC and Canada. While including such a response in no uncertain terms, the resolve and passion was and is in terms of being a light to the nations and covenant to the people.
And let me also note that the bible studies from +Rennis Ponniah were some of the deepest and most perceptive (biblically, theologically and spiritually) I have experienced in many a year. Hearing him gave me an overwhelming and comforting sense that God was powerfully in our midst and speaking through his faithful and empowered servant – and I know I wasn’t alone in coming away with that experience. God is at work through the GS, and the trumpet call is not limited to the words of a communiqué.
Ahhh, Chazaq: “Rubes?” Ummm, no, I don’t think so! I hate to disillusion you, but they’re definitely not rubes.
I appreciate this excellent summary from Cherie Wetzel, covering a diverse range of reflections. I have taken the liberty of filling in a few of the gaps in her notes in regard to my reflections:
“Rev. Dr. Timothy Harris, Dean of Bishopdale Theological College, Diocese of Nelson, New Zealand.
[note: this was not an occasion for carefully prepared text and argument, but largely reflections and personal comments. I had only a couple of lines of notes, and what is reproduced below is not word for word as spoken, but reflects to the best of my recollection (and without access to any recording) the essence of what I sought to convey – Tim Harris]
Kia Ora.
I bring greetings in Christ from brothers and sisters in the Province of Aotearoa New Zealand and Polynesia. It has been a privilege and a pleasure to be invited to join with you this week, and I value your welcome and hospitality. Speaking personally, I have been enriched and refreshed this week. Thank you for inviting me and encompassing me in your midst.
At the time of New Testament, independent city-states in the eastern Mediterranean had a goal in establishing themselves in competition with other cities, and in maintaining their distinctive character and values. There was a particular term used to identify this particular value or quality: ‘HOMONOIA’ – to be of one mind. The Latin equivalent was ‘CONCORDIA’ [as widely attested in coins and temples]. Being of one mind and in such agreement was urged as a matter of civic loyalty. It was to look to a unified city as an institution to avoid dissension and strife.
It is striking in the New Testament that that particular term is not used, although quite similar sentiments are explored. You won’t find HOMONOIA in St. Paul. When Paul urges struggling churches to stand firm in the face of competing cultures, his focus is not on being of one mind as the goal in itself, but more specifically to be of the same mind. And that mind is specifically the mind of Christ (Philippians 2:5). So, it is superficial just to be of one mind unless that mind is of Christ. It is in sharing the mind of Christ that we are taken into the fullness of the kingdom. All this is reflected in Paul – especially in Romans and Philippians – in the renewal and transformation of the mind from darkened human attitudes into the mind of Christ [note especially the contrast between Romans 1 and 12].
We have a choice before us in the Anglican Communion. Those who would pledge loyalty to the institution are like the city-states, seeking unity through the institution itself. Or those who cry out for a deeper unity: a unity grounded in sharing the mind of Christ.
The crisis in Anglican Communion is largely due to the theological mess we find ourselves in. It is not just theology as an academic exercise, but what is preached from pulpits and in the local church, and what is shared when asked to answer in simple terms ‘what do you believe?’ All too often answers run a whole gamut of opinions and fail to provide any clarity or coherence.
Our great need is for leaders, men and women who know God: God’s character, purposes and the counsel of his heavenly court. We need leaders to proclaim the gospel with a passion and speak of God with courage – to preach the fullness of the mind of Christ. These have been revealed in God’s grace, through the prophets and the apostles. We have the torah, God’s instructions. The Spirit empowers us and convicts us and leads us into God’s truth as revealed in his Word.
We need leaders who know God’s word, not guessing what God might be doing, offering opinions on this or that gospel truth, but going deep into God’s word as a means of grace to shape how we enter the mind of Christ. The crisis we face as a Communion is theological at heart, and needs to be addressed with theological depth.
This is the painful lesson in New Zealand: how damaging it is when the theological education of men and women in ministry brings doubt and confusion, especially in matters where the word of Scripture is clear. And the impact on our churches after more than a generation of such theological education has been devastating.
I read the report to the House Of Bishops in TEC regarding questions of same sex relationships and sexual expression. To be perfectly honest, and speaking personally from an academic perspective, the case put forward to justify same sex blessings and marriage is extraordinary in its treatment of various scriptures. Passages that are actually quite clear are made to say the opposite of their plain meaning. The logic and reasoning is strained and at key points quite incoherent.
As our sister from Uganda urged us yesterday, our responsibility is to be ‘Elijahs’ – to have a concern for preparing for those who will follow, who will take up the prophetic mantle as leaders. The heritage needed for the future belongs to those who will be a light to the nations, a covenant grounded in God’s word and witness. We stand confident in what God has taught us by his grace, not councils and decisions which are grounded in loyalty to the city, culture and the institution, but the Word of God written. May the mind of Christ guide us. AMEN.”
Elves: Mea culpa.
Greetings #3 Albany+
“Anglican incoherence” as in the loss of doctrinal integrity and coherence, described over 30 years ago in Stephen Sykes’ book, The Integrity of Anglicanism, written for the occasion of Lambeth 1978. Last Saturday I went to the theological library at the nearby seminary and spent the day reading it. The causes of the disintegration underway have been inherent to Anglicanism for decades, nay, centuries.
Compared to what? Compared to Sykes’ argument that, historically, Anglicanism has committed itself to a good deal of doctrinal content and to the Scriptures as the rule and ultimate standard of the faith and to Indaba and to a Listening Process. Oops, not those last parts; they belong in the “incoherence” paragraph.
Freedom from gangrene? Cut it off, and make sure to get it all.
Hello tjmcmahon (#4) and Cennydd (#6),
It is my humble conclusion that the resolute and mature leaders of the Global South that Tim Harris (#5) refers to have been played like a violin by Rowan Williams. They have allowed themselves to be suckered into something now called the “Windsor Process” and continue to dissipate their energies with this “Anglican Covenant” thing that will be no covenant at all. Emmanuel Kolini had it right: covenant is of the heart, carved deeply. Another carefully nuanced piece of paper to add to the thickening folder of useless Anglican stuff gets us all nowhere.
Chazaq-
Ignoring and caricaturing the Primates of the GS is one of the things that has made TEC what it is. I would recommend that you have a conversation with your own bishop, or Abp. Kolini, before you continue to characterize them as you have.
Dr. Harris,
Thank you very much for posting your remarks, and for your participation in the conference. It is important for us all to remember that provinces are not uniform in their theology, and there are pockets of orthodoxy to be found worldwide. May God bless you and your diocese in the work you have before you in New Zealand. What we often read of your province is as troubling as what we see going on in the US. It is good to see some are standing firm for the faith there as well.
Thanks tjmcmahon.
Chazaq #9 – that may have been true to some degree in the past, but what was striking at the Encounter was how little time or energy was directed to the Anglican Covenant or the Windsor Report/process. What I observed was a significant shift in outlook in the GS leaders setting their own agenda and pursuing a much bigger (biblical) vision. Canterbury had the lowest of profiles – not disrespectful of the office of ABC, but certainly muted. I sense that the GS leaders are finding a new freedom and leadership reflected in the proposed GS structures, rather than through Canterbury-related initiatives. The call for a complete review of the Instruments of Communion conveyed sentiments in the background of the Encounter, but the GS leadership are not sitting around waiting the see if their call is heeded.
“CONCORDIA†is the Latin title of the 1580 Book of Concord, which is the collection of the Lutheran Confessions that all orthodox Lutheran bodies accept as “a true and unadulterated statement and exposition of the Word of Godâ€.