8. We close with an observation from the Right Rev. Michael Nazir-Ali on the limits of biblical interpretation: “We cannot, because of a process of inculturation, produce forms of the Christian faith that are entirely opaque to Christians elsewhere.” We are grieved that the Anglican Consultative Council continues to tolerate, and even honour, The Episcopal Church USA, the Anglican Church of Canada and other provinces who continue to produce revisionist forms of the Christian faith that are unrecognizable to the majority of Anglicans worldwide, contrary to a plain reading of God’s Word and in violation of Anglican Faith and Order.
9. We call upon all Anglicans to pray that our beloved Communion will stand firm in honouring the unique and universal Lordship of Jesus Christ as the Son Of God, and the authority of God’s Word written over all contexts, and in every matter of faith and practice.
VERY WORTH READING! I’ve not been able to stomach anything coming out of ACC-15 but very glad I took the time to read this!
An important point in the report is:
“5. For this reason, we believe it is time for the Primates themselves to elect one of their own who will call their meetings with an enhanced responsibility to guard the Faith and Order of the Anglican Communion. We believe this can be done without sacrificing the primacy of honour we bestow upon the historic See of Canterbury, or diminishing the civic and ecclesiastical role Canterbury plays in the life of the Church of England.”
[blockquote]In our reflection groups, we heard Anglicans from the west say that this conclusion requires us to honour any interpretation of the Bible-since every context from which the Scriptures are read is to be honoured. We reject this assertion and the claim that there are no justifiable limits in interpreting and applying God’s word. The Bible stands over context, not the context over the Bible. God’s Word changes us-we do not change God’s Word.[/blockquote]
Hear. Read. Mark out. Ignore. Inwardly reflect.
[blockquote] “At the same time, we are grieved that this meeting of the Anglican Consultative Council avoided the real crisis in the Anglican Communion. Since Lambeth Conference 1998, the ongoing conflict in our beloved Communion continues to be a crisis of Gospel truth, not only regarding matters of human sexuality but the authority of Holy Scripture as the Word of God written and the unique and universal Lordship of Jesus Christ the Son of God.” [/blockquote]
This is something that should concern even liberal Anglicans – whatever way you look at it, there is a crisis. Yet the ACC didn’t even discuss it!
Not thinking about or talking about a crisis is a guaranteed way NOT to find a solution, and for the crisis to get worse.
Also, the erudition and beautiful language of this communique is remarkable.
The Anglican tradition of melding sound theological teaching with uplifting language is being continued in the Global South.