The message [of the conference] was unified and simple.
1. From the time of Augustine and Cuthbert to the great reformers of the 16th, 18th, and 19th centuries, to today, men and women who answer the call of Jesus to turn from their former ways and follow God have been used to transform not only lives, but societies.
2. As those same people forsook their sinful ways and conformed their lives to the clear teaching of Scripture, which is the example of our Lord, God used them, and he will use us, to bring the most obdurate sinners to personal confession, repentance, and moral transformation.
3. The cost of following Christ in this way is high, but the results are far-reaching, and ultimately eternal.
4. We who name Christ as Saviour are called to follow him in the knowledge that through us, through our hard work and sacrifice, God will transform the world and to bring all people to himself.
5. It is for this reason that he has called us and redeemed us by his blood.
[blockquote] “1. From the time of Augustine and Cuthbert to the great reformers of the 16th, 18th, and 19th centuries, to today, men and women who answer the call of Jesus to turn from their former ways and follow God have been used to transform not only lives, but societies.” [/blockquote]
I do hope that the Mere Anglicanism conference wasn’t told that Christianity in England started with Augustine! A speech at the investiture of an Archbishop of Canterbury many years ago said so, and it is just plain wrong.
Tertullian and Origen write of Christianity being established in the non-roman parts of the British Isles in the second century AD. Three British bishops are recorded as attending the Synod of Arles in 314 AD, as well as later Councils.
Augustine’s mission played a useful part in outreach to pagan invaders, but when he sought contact with the local church he was met by a delegation of seven bishops “and many learned men”, showing that Christianity remained well established in Britain.
Not to worry, MichaelA, the Celtic Church got equal billing.
That’s fine Evan. I don’t think the early church in Britain even needs equal billing, just for its existence to be acknowledged!
The speech at George Carey’s investiture in 1991 still casts an irresponsible shadow. Because of its prominence, there are unfortunately still too many Anglicans who believe Christianity started in Britain in 597 AD. Anyway, good to hear that +Chartres and others gave the correct story.