The diversity of Anglicans is only matched by giant international organisations like the United Nations. But the Archbishop[of Canterbury Rowan Williams] lacks the financial riches and physical might which world leaders can marshal to cajole and coerce their rivals.
He must rely on the power of intellectual persuasion, moral example, and the hope that the God they profess to worship will intervene.
Anglicans are irritated by the portrayal of their church as a body obsessed with sex, but the appointment of Bishop Gene Robinson ”“ a man who left his wife for a male partner ”“ was an ecclesiastical earthquake that has dominated Williams’ tenure.
Conservatives are appalled that the US church has not been disciplined for such a break with tradition. Up to a quarter of bishops have boycotted Lambeth because of the presence of their American counterparts.
Meanwhile, liberals who once believed Williams shared their convictions that homosexual practice was not incompatible with a Christian lifestyle are dismayed he has not championed their values.
In seeking to unite these two sides, he has pleased neither. But it is too early to write off the former Bishop of Monmouth as a doomed leader. His minutely nuanced understanding of this fragile church may yet ensure its survival.
Archbishop Williams gets disparaged a lot by a lot of people who could not do any better in his shoes. I certainly would not want his job for all the money in the world.
The_Archer_of_the_Forest,
Although his job is a tough one, all he would have needed to do and has not done nor will he do is rebuke Tec for what it has done against the wider body of the WWAC in ordaining Mr. Robinson, SSU’s or SSB’s, suing brothers & sisters in court, and host of other offenses. It’s not that hard to stand up for Jesus Christ and the Word Of God written in scripture, that is if you truly believe in them. That is where he has failed and can lay blame on no one but himself, sadly!
I wouldn’t want his job either, but I do truly question some of the things he’s done.
One, for example, is where he stated at the New Orleans meeting that the deadline (set by the primates at the DES meeting) was not a deadline. It was publicly stated later by primates present at that meeting that it was indeed a deadline.
Another example is sending out invitations to all the bishops for Lambeth prior to even hearing the official response from TEC to the DES Communique. How would you explain that? He’s never taken the time (which I think is rather important) to explain that to the members of AC who questioned this action.
The biggest question I have is why he’s never made any effort to discipline TEC’s leaders who publicly state that “there are many paths to salvation” when the Bible is so clear about Jesus being the only way to salvation.
The very foundation of the faith of Anglicans worldwide has been falsely represented by Katherine Jefferts Schori, and others she’s leading. That was never addressed by Rowan Williams, and that’s is responsibility.
It’s clear to me that too many decisions he’s made are just questionable when it comes to common sense and honesty. I don’t usually jump to conclusions. I try to think things through and see if things have any common sense to them before come to an opinion on them. I’ve tried to reserve judgement on RW’s actions for a very long time. There are just too many things RW has done in the past couple of years that just don’t make any common sense to me. He’s received pleading requests from several places around the AC to explain his actions, but he’s never come forward to do so. I find that rather self-righteous. If he was the only one affected by his decisions, then no one would give a hoot what he did, BUT, since he’s supposed to be the leader of a world wide church organization, he’s accountable to all the members of that organization world wide for his actions, since they also affect them.
[blockquote] It’s not that hard to stand up for Jesus Christ and the Word Of God written in scripture, that is if you truly believe in them. [/blockquote]
ODC, your statement here is one that shares what I’ve thought about a lot lately. If RW truly believes what Scripture says, then why is it so hard to defend it and address the actions or KJS and other in TEC, ACOC, etc.? If one has strong convictions (and Scriptures should be strong convictions for church leaders), then they should have no problem publicly addressing them. I truly have come to the conclusion that the actions (or lack thereof) by RW of late reveals a lot about him. He’s seeming to have higher priorities that what Scriptures say, and leading the church. Those priorities have to be of the world. What Jesus said is this, Matthew 13:22 “Now he who received seed among the thorns is he who hears the word, and the [b] cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word [/b], and he becomes unfruitful. 23But he who received seed on the good ground is he who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and produces: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.” (Emphasis mine)
RW has not been fruitful. He’s been a huge stumbling block to those truly trying to seek God’s TRUTH, and has caused confusion. The Scripture also says this:
1 Corinthians 14:33 –
For God is not the author of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints.
James 3:16 –
For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there. (this one is especially applicable to RW right now)
[blockquote] It’s not that hard to stand up for Jesus Christ and the Word Of God written in scripture, that is if you truly believe in them. [/blockquote]
ODC, your statement here is one that shares what I’ve thought about a lot lately. If RW truly believes what Scripture says, then why is it so hard to defend it and address the actions or KJS and other in TEC, ACOC, etc.? If one has strong convictions (and Scriptures should be strong convictions for church leaders), then they should have no problem publicly addressing them. I truly have come to the conclusion that the actions (or lack thereof) by RW of late reveals a lot about him. He’s seeming to have higher priorities that what Scriptures say, and leading the church. Those priorities have to be of the world. What Jesus said is this, Matthew 13:22 “Now he who received seed among the thorns is he who hears the word, and the [b] cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word [/b], and he becomes unfruitful. 23But he who received seed on the good ground is he who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and produces: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.” (Emphasis mine)
RW has not been fruitful. He’s been a huge stumbling block to those truly trying to seek God’s TRUTH, and has caused confusion. The Scripture also says this:
1 Corinthians 14:33 –
For God is not the author of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints.
James 3:16 –
For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there. (this one is especially applicable to RW right now)
Sorry my comment ended up repeated a couple of times. I was having trouble with my internet access when I was submitting it.
ABC, by his several personal failures, is being seen as an underdog now and all sorts want to rub his tummy. He lost the last of my trust at New Orleans. Someday I may forgive him of that, but I will never allow myself to forget how two-faced a man can be.
The ABC’s job is certainly a tough one, made infinitely more difficult and dire by the double dealing of a fellow named Rowan Williams.