The conference has ended now with the final plenary in the big tent and the Closing Eucharist in Canterbury Cathedral. The Anglican Communion exists at many levels. Jane Williams said this afternoon in her closing remarks that whatever gets decided or not decided by the bishops, whatever declarations and statements are made, the spouses are clear that communion is about relationships. They will remain together whatever happens.
Archbishop Rowan, in his final address, said something similar. A covenant, he said, can take many forms. Individual bishops can covenant with each other for prayer, mutual support and common mission. He seemed to be suggesting that, whatever the political outcomes of the current disagreements-the Body of Christ is capable of sustaining many layers of relationship.
The Archbishop’s closing address was both clear and, at the same time, highly nuanced. He would like to see official rites for same-sex blessing withdrawn and invading bishops go home. At the same time, he recognizes this may not be possible for everyone for the sake of conscience. While calling for uniformity he also recognizes that the Church needs the questions of its innovators and the voices of its prophets. He seemed to chastise us but, also, to rule us on-side. I’ll try to bring Lambeth home, and we’ll have to consider deeply what it wants us to do. But for now, I want to thank all of you for your prayers.
Some folks only hear what they want to hear!
On the contrary, I think Ingham understands Lambeth perfectly:
[blockquote]He seemed to chastise us but, also, to rule us on-side.[/blockquote]
Exactly. “You were naughty, now here’s a lollipop,” is precisely what Rowapalooza was about.
[blockquote]While calling for uniformity he also recognizes that the Church needs the questions of its innovators and the voices of its prophets.[/blockquote]
For the last time, Bishop, prophets are not innovators. Show me one prophet that changed God’s covenant with Israel. Show me on prophet in the NT who changed the Church’s teaching. Prophets are those who call us back to our covenant with God. The church needs more true prophetics and fewere innovators.
If you want to ask the question “Are we correct in treating homosexual sex as sin?” then let’s ask it and explore it. Let’s read scripture together and listen to what the Apostolic fathers said about it. Let’s debate it at Lambeth or a special synod. But DON’T ACT AS IF IT ISN’T SINFUL until the Church reaches a new understanding of what Scripture says about it.
As for all the other “innovations” in moral teaching that you may bring up (slavery, racism, letting gentiles into the Church and not forcing them to follow the dietary and ritual laws of Moses, etc.) please don’t forget that all the arguments for these changes came from Scripture as well.
So, where are the arguments from Holy Scripture?
YBIC,
Phil Snyder
Phil, the arguments are under shell # 1, 2, or 3. Take your pick. If you don’t find it there, we’ll wait a few years and try again. After all, this is luck theology we’re talking about.
Phil Snyder – well said….thanks….we needed that…..