These difficult questions are at the heart of the entire present struggle over the soul of Anglicanism. Orthodox critics of GAFCON such as Williams and Wright””along with theologians such as Chris Seitz, Ephraim Radner, Philip Turner, and primates such as Drexel Gomez of the West Indies””argue that sufficient answers cannot come from ad hoc interventions and councils. They must come instead by reforming Anglicanism from within. These critics stake their hopes on the proposed Anglican Covenant, due to be discussed at Lambeth next week, the principal goal of which is to arrive at a mutually agreed-upon method for deciding disputed matters with reference to substantive and coherent theological criteria.
Unfortunately, it is not clear that Lambeth and the other existing structures of Anglicanism can accomplish any such thing. Many hope so, against great odds, and not a few continue to work and pray that it might. Bishop Michael Nazir-Ali, one of the Church of England’s leading thinkers, said at GAFCON that Anglicanism, if it is to be an effective confessing church, needs also to be a “conciliar church . . . to have councils at every level, including worldwide, that are authoritative, that can make decisions that stick.” Orthodox Anglicans going to Lambeth agree; that is why they are going, and that is why they have placed their hopes in the proposed Anglican Covenant. If they do not succeed, the GAFCON fellowship will almost assuredly step in to fill the gap, as a new confessional church in the evangelical Anglican tradition. Anglicanism will not be what it used to be, and some will argue that it no longer genuinely exists.
It might be too much to say that a good Lambeth could save Anglicanism from such a fate, but it is probably not too much to say that a Lambeth gone wrong could render such schism unavoidable. Certainly it is not too much to predict that faithful Anglicans everywhere will be working, watching, and praying for guidance.
I think the English Synod has just blown the “Windsor Process” and the “Covenant” out of the water. Those who hitched their team to this wagon were counting on the CofE to remain the center of the Anglican world. After all, the CofE had made provisions for traditional opinion where the American churches had not. That’s gone now.
Lambeth will go nowhere. The ABC has seen to that.
On the contrary, Lambeth will go to … um … the bad place.
Good point, Katherine. Watching the Anglican Communion fall apart brick by brick is rather stunning. Nevertheless, it seems to me that new structures always emerge from the old. GAFCON certainly is a step in the right direction, though I fear that unless the WO question is not dealt with in a decisive fashion, even that effort may stall.
In any case, barring some serious noise made by the conservative Bishops who have decided to attend Lambeth, I must agree with Br. Michael. Its sad to see such a once important event reduced to utter irrelevency by the events of the last ten-and especially the last five-years.
GSP98, I know personally one conservative bishop who is going to Lambeth, he says, to “fight,” and I am praying for him, but I don’t see how he can prevail. Nonetheless, miracles happen, and conversely, believers who will be there need our prayers throughout, because the Devil is very active now and they are in danger.
The Anglicanism died when the ECUSA/TEC/GCC/EO-PAC insisted on its own way and began the lie that everything is adiaphora. The actions of the Instruments of Unity have been effectively utilized to assure that no revivication – nevermind a resurrection – can occur. WE have the assured results of postmodernity. I trust that the desired outcome has been achieved to the satisfaction of those instigators who continue to procalim they are saving the soul of Anglicanism. REdefinition thy name is American Imperialism. And they claim it’s just for politics!
#5: Katherine, I fully agree the orthodox bishops attending Lambeth need our prayers. I’m thinking about trying to compile at least a partial list of key orthodox Lambeth attendees for Lent & Beyond as part of our [url=http://anglicanprayer.wordpress.com/category/anglican-intercession/anglican-events/lambeth-july08/]prayers for Lambeth.[/url] But I confess I’m not really sure how to go about doing such. There are a few obvious names (++Gregory Venables, ++Mouneer Anis, +Jack Iker, +Bob Duncan) that would make up such a list, but trying to come up with any kind of comprehensive list is likely to be difficult. I’d welcome input. (AnglicanPrayer[at]gmail.com)
#6: Speaking of TEC imperialism, I was struck by this remark by +KJS in her most recent interview with ENS about Lambeth:
http://www.episcopal-life.org/79901_98708_ENG_HTM.htm
[blockquote]ENS: What kind of presence will the Episcopal Church have at the Lambeth Conference?
KJS: The bishops of the Episcopal Church will represent about one-quarter of all bishops in attendance. One of our tasks is not to overwhelm the gathering just by our sheer numbers.[/blockquote]
In the face of such a statement and such an overwhelmingly disproportionate number of TEC bishops at Lambeth, it’s hard to be hopeful at all.
Smart article, clearly written.
What strikes me is how macro institutions such as the state, capitalism and the internet have rendered church authority meaningless. The church is dissembling. And who in the world would listen to the church?
dwstroud has it partially right, but TEC might have simply been finally discarding English Imperialism…. I would also challenge the idea that we’ve said “everything” is adiaphora. We’ve not abandoned the incarnation or the Eucharist. It is, unfortunately, the anxious, sky is falling language of “everything” that makes it hard to hear what other people are really saying.
#7 – During that same interview, KJS also said this:
[blockquote] ENS: Do you think the GAFCON statement will have an impact on the workings of the Lambeth Conference?
KJS: No, not unless a significant number of those in attendance in Jerusalem do come to the Lambeth Conference. [/blockquote]
Given what occurred at the CoE Synod earlier this week, those at GAFCON may want to take a second look at attending. Sounds to me like she’s hoping those folks won’t show up.
View the letter over at Stand Firm
[http://www.standfirminfaith.com/index.php/site/article/14100/]
from Canon Kearon to those attending Lambeth describing in detail the “Inbada” format they’ve contrived for conducting Lambeth. Then tell me if you think anything constructive can conceivably result…………….
Oh, John Wilklins, how endearingly American and Imperialistic. IT’s not our fault, we were just throwing off the trammels of English Imperialism. Best laugh I’ve had all day.
If you doubt the requirement to believe anything substantive about the Incarnation or Eucharist, John, you haven’t been reading on the ‘net as you should. One need not believe in the Virgin Birth or the Theotokos or the Real Presence in any of its variant formulations. You need not be baptized to receive communion or be a bishop. In short, you can believe anything or nothing and be an Episcopalian, and, just like Robin Williams said, you’ll find someone who agrees with you. Robin probably meant the laity in his jest, but, alas, it seems to be the HOB to a tee.
By the by, the “throwing off the trammels” release of the HOB was a justifying of American Imperialism far, far betther than anything GW has even been accused of producing. Why, it waved the flag and smelled of apple pie. It didn’t however address motherhood for fear of offending the EC and its ties -official- to the RCRC.