Today was a day of response. Most especially, the House of Deputies responded to the House of Bishops by approving their amended resolution of D025.
Today also brought news of international response to the tragic decisions of this body. Instead of repentance it brought defiance. One of the most weighty came from N.T. (“Tom”) Wright. This is an important article, first, because of who Tom Wright is: one of the most influential and respected bishops in the Anglican Communion. Second, he has previously been moderate and temperate with regard to his critique of The Episcopal Church. These comments mark a significant shift in his thinking. Finally, he does not simply critique the church he also offers biblical framework, albeit brief, for the expression of human sexuality. Here’s his opening clip:
In the slow-moving train crash of international Anglicanism, a decision taken in California has finally brought a large coach off the rails altogether. The House of Bishops of the Episcopal Church (TEC) in the United States has voted decisively to allow in principle the appointment, to all orders of ministry, of persons in active same-sex relationships. This marks a clear break with the rest of the Anglican Communion.
Please note that he clearly and accurately defines the actions of our national church leadership as schismatic – not the actions of the newly formed North American Anglican Province nor orthodox witness of parishes and dioceses within the church.
The London Times, having interviewed the Archbishop of Canterbury, ran this headline: “Schism ‘inevitable’ after US Bishops approve gay ordination” Read it here.
Fulcrum, an centrist evangelical organization which has previously advocated a measured response weighed in with this word: Read it all.
The American Anglican Council had this to say.
But that wasn’t all. The House of Deputies rejected a resolution affirming Christ in a multi-faith society. Are you really surprised? I’ve reprinted it below:
Resolved, the House of Bishops’ concurring, That this 76th General Convention of this church affirm the conclusion of the Church of England at its February General Synod and direct the House of Bishops’ Committee on Theology to report back to the 77th General Convention on “their understanding of the uniqueness of Christ in the United States multi-faith society, and offer examples and commendations of good practice in sharing the gospel of salvation through Christ alone with people of other faiths and of none.”
EXPLANATION
Indicative of our support and appreciation for the presence of the Archbishop of Canterbury at this General Convention and his leadership of the Church of England in Christian witness within the multi-faith culture of the United Kingdom, this resolution affirms that the Episcopal Church is in substantial agreement with the Church of England General Synod which directed its House of Bishops at their February 2009 meeting to report back on “their understanding of the uniqueness of Christ in Britain’s multi-faith society, and offer examples and commendations of good practice in sharing the gospel of salvation through Christ alone with people of other faiths and of none.”Supporting document “General Synod 2/11/09″ is posted and available in hard copy in the General Convention Secretariat until the end of the 76th General Convention.
Oh yeah, there was this too – after a week and a half of listening to our Presiding Bishop speak about openness and transparency the House of Deputies defeated a simple resolution asking the National Church Office to both disclose the amount of money spent by their office suing orthodox/conservative parishes over property ownership (literally, tens of MILLIONS of dollars) and the source/account from where the money is drawn. So much for integrity.
Three more days ’till Convention ends. Two more days and my lovely bride, Jacqui, and two youngest sons, Nick and Sammy, arrive! I can’t wait.
Highlight of my day: Jessica Smith, a St. Andrew’s seminarian at Fuller Seminary, came down to see me. She’s doing great and I’m proud of her – as is her parish. Nice to see you Jessica!
Thanks for your prayers and emails. I’ve passed them on to our deputation. They’ve been a great source of encouragement to us all.
Good night from Anaheim.
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My only question about Wright’s statement – why couldn’t he & everyone had made the same declaration in 2003, when TEC consecrated Vicki Gene?
Steve,
We are not only in a state of broken communion but now have to recognize that we do not worship or even acknowledge the same god. I think the opportunity for rebuking and discipline is gone and we need to sorrowfully realize this.
1SA 15:23 For rebellion is like the sin of divination, and arrogance like
the evil of idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the LORD, he
has rejected you as king.”
ROM 1:22 Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools
again maybe i’m at a misunderstanding but with regards to their (TEC) defeating the uniqueness of Christ…
doesn’t God’s Word, which i seem to recall is infallible say this…
Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. (John 14:6 NIV).
Seems that the whole Holy Scriptures is a rather burdensome formality to TEC (and more and more churches, increasingly).
Steve, this might be a question that I can meet with you to discuss further, but as I strongly feel lead to St. Andrews as my church home, how do I handle the actions of TEC?
Wow, maybe anticipated, but still so hard to watch unfold. Makes you wonder where TEC will go from here … be careful what you wish for, TEC. So, when should we expect that response that you referred to from Bsp Lawrence?
Good question, Louise.
>>(with) St. Andrews as my church home, how do I handle the actions of TEC?
>>when should we expect that response that you referred to from Bsp Lawrence?
I think many of us are wondering, and waiting, and praying…
Thanks Steve for being there for us all & for the Lord. You & the rest of the GC continue to be in our constant prayers.
The bishops response that I wrote of the other night was this: he would wait until convention is over, because there is more bad legislation out there, and he would address the clergy first on a clergy day he’s called in mid August.
Secondarily, the bishop did instruct the SC Canon Theologian, Kendall Harmon, to post a statement of repudiation on the diocesan website. If it’s not up it should be soon. http://www.dioceseofsc.org
And so the TEC further erases any doubt in one’s mind that they are not a mono-theistic organization but rather a poly-theistic one.
In what appears to be continued strivings and engagement done in the name of diversity but rather truly ring of sameness, the abandonement of solid, differentiated biblical doctrine paints a picture similiar to Narcissus, dazed and lost in the reflection of his own image. It is in this undifferentiated state that the TEC’s motivation is revealed with greater clarity: to seek, create and declare it’s own source of power outside of any dependency upon God or in the hope of His faithfulness evidenced in His word, lest they be called into true, differentiated relationship with others and with God himself – a truly terrifying challenge for an tempermental infant.
I think I read that Bishop Lawrence indicated that the convention went as he expected – this doesn’t give me much hope in his future response.
Let’s hope and pray otherwise.
None of this is surprising! I expect this to drag on for years to come.
Does anybody remember Flip Wilson and his “Church of What’s Happening Now?” He was a prophet. Instead of our denomination indomitable, she has, like Flip’s church, conformed to the world. But God has sent us many knight-errants. Champions that fear not, and to quote Don Quixote, are willing “To march into hell for a heavenly cause.” I suggest we pray for those who have lost their way, being beguiled by the perplexities of this world and the ruler thereof. And yes, pray for our Knight, Steve, who has shown his mettle. God continue to give him wisdom, courage, and the energy to endure.