But this does not mean “anything goes.” By no means!
We are all permanently under the three-fold testing and purifying scrutiny of the refining fire of God’s holiness (Zech 13:9), of the two-edged sword of Scripture (Heb 4:12), of minds transformed by the renewing Spirit (Rom 12:2).
It is on this basis we dare to engage with the complexities of contemporary life around us.
God is God of everything, and we need to have the spiritual maturity, and the depth and breadth of faith, to know how to listen to what he has to say about everything from global security and biotechnology to poverty and development.
We need to be able to engage profoundly, and often critically, with every aspect of human behaviour.
Sometimes we speak of the need to “baptize culture.”
This is no cursory wipe with a damp cloth to produce a superficial religious veneer.
Baptism is the radical transformation that comes through burial with Christ and being raised with him to new life. Every culture must die to the priorities, the loyalties, the idols, of this world; and find new, authentic, life-giving, contemporary expression — transfigured under the Lordship of Jesus, Saviour and Redeemer, who calls us to walk in holiness of life.
This is God’s call to all of us, and to every area of our lives ”“ it is not just about sexuality and the morality of our sexual behaviour.
It is the life of obedience and self-discipline, and often costly self-denial, for, as Paul reminds the Corinthian church, even where “all things are lawful,” it may well be that “not all things are beneficial” (1 Cor 10:23).
All of us would do well to remember this, as we grapple with our diversity — believing it to be a gift of God’s creative abundance.
What an embarrassment he is. When does his retirement go through?
Archbishop Ndungane is going to keep in there swinging for the liberal team, right to the bottom of the ninth inning of his term of office.
Enough said.
“. . . it may well be that ‘not all things are beneficial.'” Not “may well be”, good Archbishop. Not all things are beneficial for us. We know the difference. In every aspect, we know God’s difference for us in Christ Jesus. It isn’t that hard, now, is it, really? Itching ears!
Remarkably unperceptive.
The answer to robroy’s question is: “Not soon enough!”
So what would he call what reasserters (orthodox believers) in the US are going through now if not ‘exclusion’?
What a wonderful man of God. It will be a great loss to the Communion when he retires.
So what would he call what reasserters (orthodox believers) in the US are going through now if not ‘exclusion’?
Taking their marbles and going home.
#8…just a hunch but “taking your marbles and going home” is probably wiser than totally losing your marbles like to dotty archbishop from SA.
“the present draft seems to be crafted as a mechanism for exclusion” Jesus’s Gospel is full of exclusion, the man with out the wedding garment,sheep and goats, rich young ruler, foolish virgins,those who listen but don’t hear, blind but don’t see etc. Life is full of exclusions. I will never be an NFL line backer, jet fighter pilot, astronaut, world class power lifter, Anglican Primate, world class speller. Because of my moral beliefs I am excluded from being a pimp, drug dealer, porn star etc. If we do not appropriate the salvation and grace offered through Jesus Christ we will suffer the ultimate exclusion. If people do not want to lay down thier priorities for thier fellow christians, allow discernment to have it’s time to work, run ahead into danger and division and abandon the historic faith,maybe they will suffer exclusion.
“It is the life of [b]obedience and self-discipline, and often costly self-denial,[/b] for, as Paul reminds the Corinthian church, even where “all things are lawful,” it may well be that [b]”not all things are beneficial” [/b] (1 Cor 10:23).”
[b]A Bold Statement[/b]
libraryjim – exclusion??? How are you being excluded? The full life and benefits of this church are available to you if you CHOSE them. If you don’t, that’s not exclusion. Exclusion is choosing them and having them denied to you. Big difference!
Fred, the inclusiveness stops at the members of the Faith bold enough to recall ersatz practitioners to the real thing.
What I find interesting: the excerpt quoted for the main Titus 1:9 page, I wholly agree with — and it takes me to an entirely different conclusion than that of Archbishop Ndungane! Every culture needs to die to its idols, and the idol of sexual satisfaction is a major one for American and European culture. And indeed, there are others as well. God wants to do much, much more with us if we can move on to a deeper discipleship. There is so much potential for transformation!
Fred,
Tell that to the good people in Connecticut.
Most of the comments so far are personal attacks against +Ndugame rather than critiques of his argument. Let’s hear some defenses of the Draft Covenant: why do people think this bishop is off base in his interpretation of the Draft and its intent?
Well for one thing, exclusion is already the watchword of the day in the way reappraisers are acting towards reasserters — inhibitions, lawsuits, padlocking church doors, dissolving vestries, etc. The Covenant is an attempt to address that, not accelerate it.