Anglicanism is is a dynamic, changing, growing and living faith which takes its authority from scripture, reason and tradition. It is unafraid to learn and receive anew the lessons of God’s unconditional love. The last century has taught us how we must make sure that there are no barriers to the welcome we offer to God’s house. Anglican Christians in the United States, Britain and across the world have applied those lessons and, in accordance with scripture, opened their doors to those previously shut out.
We welcome the response of the Archbishop of Canterbury to the GAFCON statement. The arbitrary creation of a “Primates’ Council” without legitimacy or authority cuts directly across the Anglican Instruments of Communion – the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Lambeth Conference, the Anglican Consultative Council and the Primates Meeting. The Statement represents, in sum and despite its denials, a schismatic document which seeks to re-form Anglicanism in a way which is without justification historically and ecclesiologically.
We regret the stumbling blocks which are created by the insistence on a narrow understanding of scriptural authority, especially for members of Anglican Churches in provinces whose leaders support the ideas of GAFCON. And those who break away from the Anglican Communion will still have the challenge of celebrating the diversity in God’s universe, and acknowledging the divine gifts bestowed on people who may be marginalised in some provinces – especially women and lesbian and gay people.
Anglicanism is a seperate “faith”? And all this time I thought I was a Christian.
Actually, what you regret is that despite you folks breaking all of the rules, lies and skullduggery, there is someone finally not just laying down and letting your push the non-biblical agenda, and thereby jeopardizing the souls of every Anglican in the world. You want to go to the lake of fire…fine. But you may not take Christians with you.
Go, and leave us in peace!
yada, yada, yada. As I said, yada.
I respond to this statement [url=http://deaconslant.blogspot.com/2008/07/inclusive-churchs-statement-on-gafcon.html]here.[/url]
YBIC,
Phil Snyder
Compare and contrast:
[i]Anglicanism is is a dynamic, changing, growing and living faith which takes its authority from scripture, reason and tradition. It is unafraid to learn and receive anew the lessons of God’s unconditional love. [/i]
with
[i]The arbitrary creation of a “Primates’ Council†without legitimacy or authority cuts directly across the Anglican Instruments of Communion [/i]
Now, if Anglicanism is dynamic, growing and changing (a good thing by the words of this author), why isn’t the formation of a “Primates Council” merely a part of that dynamic, growing, and changing Anglicanism, and why isn’t it ‘good’ as well???
RE:”…And those who break away from the Anglican Communion…”
Ahem…nobody at GAFCON said they were breaking away from the Anglican Communion…sorry, we’re here and we look with sorrow ipon those who chose to part ways with us!
The thing I notice happening is the inclusive church seems to think it is always right and will twist the beliefs of others as being wrong and in error. “..having a form of Godliness but denying the power thereof…”
“The arbitrary creation of a Primates’ council” seems to be a major complaint. But what is there to stop various Primates and bishops from creating a voluntary association among themselves? There are dozens of associations of one kind or another in the Communion. This council is going to “recognize” Anglicans in distressed areas, but this is also not new; separately, these Primates have already declared their communion with the faithful and their lack of communion with the others. What’s new here? The uproar about GAFCON is really incoherent. Had they declared a schism, it would be another matter.
#9, the uproar about GAFCON is incoherent because of fear. Reappraisers would feel much better if a schism had been called for by GAFCON. Instead, GAFCON has turned the AC on it’s head by declaring that GAFCON is a part (and more like the heart) of the AC, and it will do as it pleases, without regard to the wishes or protestations of the AbofC, TEC, ACofC, or any other liberal, reappraising province or diocese. What GAFCON opposition doesn’t like is that GAFCON is acting like TEC and ACofC – doing as it pleases. But GAFCON is not tearing the fabric of AC. Funny, what’s good the goose is sauce for the gander (but the gander is squealing in protest).