As we approach the Lambeth Conference it is crucial to understand that enlightened American Episcopalianism is entering a field where what it knows as true could come into conflict. Could, because it is entering a field of play where it is a large group but is not really on its home team pitch. In order properly to engage the enlightened Episcopalian it is imperative that one understand how entrenched this self-understanding is, and how very domineering it is. It speaks of spending a lot of time together, ‘getting to know Gene,’ but the awareness is meant to benefit the cause of enlightenment and never any other way. It may appear that one is just listening and adding things up and dividing by what is put out there, but that is not the way the enlightened Episcopalian thinks. The Bible is capable of myriad interpretations, but there is only one interpretation of the truth when it comes to this view of ‘endless deferral of truth’ interpretation, and only one never-deferred interpretation of the truth when it comes to human sexuality. If things do not go well, enlightened Episcopalians will simply have their views confirmed, and will return and carry on because they are right.<\/p>\n
Consider this quote from Bishop Chane in today’s Guardian. “I think it’s really very dangerous when someone stands up and says: ‘I have the way and I have the truth and I know how to interpret holy scripture and you are following what is the right way,'” he said. “It’s really very, very dangerous and I think it’s demonic.”<\/p>\n
Enlightened Episcopalians condemn interpretation of scripture when it indicates something like received truth, and deference to long-standing catholic teaching based upon this. Chane claims such views are totalitarian, but then he simply assumes his own view is unequivocally true and so declares the scriptural-catholic teaching ‘demonic,’ caricaturing the claims of those who hold it. This is the position of enlightened American Episcopalianism: it knows the truth through enlightenment, and all appeals to received truth and catholic deference to this are to come under domination of the Enlightened view. It speaks in terms it knows well (superior knowledge) and projects this onto opponents, but at issue is the nature of the knowledge of God’s word and will for the Church. Enlightened Episcopalians know what is true by personal claim. American enlightened Episcopalians are right because they are on the cutting edge, at the forefront, whilst the rest of the world lags behind and must be instructed.<\/p>\n
At issue is whether the rest of the Anglican world will recognize how entrenched and domineering this view is, where it is held, and so allow it to go its own confident way, detached from the burden of mutual subjection in Christ.<\/p>\n