Posted on 02/13/2004 10:04:49 AM PST by ahadams2
Split looms closer for Anglican Communion
Number: 5704
A split in the Anglican Communion loomed ever closer this week as 13 Primates from the global south gave their support to a new Network of conservative Anglicans in the Episcopal Church of the USA.
Their statement came on the eve of the first meeting of the newly constituted Eames Commission which was given the brief by the Primates’ Meeting, of resolving the tensions created by the consecration of a practising homosexual in New Hampshire in America.
But the brief may already have been superseded by the new Network of Anglican Communion Dioceses and Parishes, with its gathering worldwide support, which some claim aims to replace the Episcopal Church altogether.
The statement from the 13 Primates representing Provinces in Africa, Asia and South America, was blunt in its estimation of the situation: “By their actions, ECUSA has separated itself from the remainder of the Anglican Communion and the wider Christian family.”
The Primates said that the consecration of Gene Robinson as Bishop of New Hampshire in November was a “clear repudiation of the teaching of the Holy Scriptures, historic faith and order of the Church.”
They said that the world needed to know that the actions of the American Church were contrary to the teachings of the Anglican Communion.
Yet while the past few months have been characterised by strong statements from leaders in the global south, their most significant departure was their backing for a new Network of Anglican Communion Dioceses and Parishes, under its convenor Bishop Bob Duncan of Pittsburgh.
The new network itself is a Church within a Church, but its leaders hope for full recognition and equal status with the Episcopal Church of the USA in Anglican Communion gatherings.
The Network itself is calling for ‘adequate Episcopal oversight’ for those parishes which oppose what they describe as ‘unbiblical’ developments within the Church. By ‘adequate’ they mean oversight which is independent of diocesan bishops who either took part in the consecration of Gene Robinson or voted to ratify his election.
The Primates said that they regarded the “network as a hopeful sign of a faithful Anglican biblical faith and order, to join that work and its essential commitment to the Gospel.
Led by the Archbishop of Nigeria, the Most Rev Peter Akinola, the other signatories to the statement were Primates from West Indies, Southern Cone, Sudan, Kenya, Uganda, Congo, Tanzania, Central Africa, South India, Pakistan, South East Asia, and the Philippines.
According to Anglican Mainstream, messages have been received from other Provinces that the new network is now being recognised.
The recently enthroned Archbishop of Uganda has pulled out of an invitation to the United States as relationships between the Episcopal Church of the USA and the Church of Uganda reached new lows.
At Archbishop Orombi’s recent consecration an official delegation from the Episcopal Church was barred while Bishop Bob Duncan, representing the new Network of Anglican Communion Dioceses and Parishes, was invited along with representatives of Anglican Mainstream, including Dr Philip Giddings.
Archbishop Orombi was due to attend the 100th annual diocesan council of the West Texas at which presiding Bishop Griswold was also to attend.
They are correct, and are obligated, even commanded to come out from them.
2 Corinthians 6
16And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you[1] are the temple of the living God. As God has said:
"I will dwell in them
And walk among them.
I will be their God,
And they shall be My people."[2]
17Therefore
"Come out from among them
And be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean,
And I will receive you."[3]
18"I will be a Father to you,
And you shall be My sons and daughters,
Says the LORD Almighty."[4]
--------------------------
Since they refuse to repent, showing open rebellion against God, the faithful are required to come out of them and shake the dust off their feet.
btw, I hope you don't mind my intrusion onto an Anglican thread, I was once a member of the conservative and Biblical, Episcopal Church in South Carolina, but am Presbyterian Church in America(PCA) now.
Actually, I think 1 Corinthians has the proper prescription for cases like this:
For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Is it not those inside the church whom you are to judge? God judges those outside. "Purge the evil person from among you." ((1 Cor. 5:12-13)
The Church must judge what's within the church, and reject that which is not of God.
For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Is it not those inside the church whom you are to judge? God judges those outside. "Purge the evil person from among you." ((1 Cor. 5:12-13)
I agree that 1 Corinthians passage is directly applicable in this case. The problem is, the liberals/apostates are in control of the ecclesiastical councils, therefore the faithful are commanded to come out from them.
See 1 Corinthians 3. Denominations are mostly about style -- or should be, anyway. You are, of course, welcome to post here as a fellow member of the Body of Christ.
Well, yes and no. The apostates are in control of the ruling councils of the ECUSA, but the Anglican Communion is clearly no longer under the control of the apostates. The revisionists of the ECUSA are in a very brittle position right now -- their legitimacy is in serious doubt.
Jesus came to a sinful world, and the Apostles went out to proclaim His word to a world sorely in need of salvation. There may come a time when it's time to leave the ECUSA, but I don't think it's that time yet. Rather, I think there is a fertile field there for us to save a church that is in need of salvation.
I wish that were the case. These days, so many so-called "denominations" are so far from the truth, that it is much deeper than slight differences in ecclesiology or styles of worship.
You are, of course, welcome to post here as a fellow member of the Body of Christ.
Thank you for your generosity and kindness. I agree that anyone who agrees in the essential doctrines of the historic Christian faith are brethren in Christ and enjoy the Communion of the Saints, regardless of style.
One thing I've stressed at my church during these days, is that God has always used heretics and apostasies to weed the Church and as a means of genuine unity in response to those heresies and apostasies. The Council of Nicea being as fine example as there is.
Jesus came to a sinful world, and the Apostles went out to proclaim His word to a world sorely in need of salvation. There may come a time when it's time to leave the ECUSA, but I don't think it's that time yet. Rather, I think there is a fertile field there for us to save a church that is in need of salvation.
That may be, especially since at this point is a matter of conscience, and I would certainly agree that it is good to stay as salt and light, seeking repentance and reconciliation from within, but the time for seperation may not be far off.
I agree that the saints need to present a unified front in the defense of the faith. Sometimes it amazes me to see that very thing happening.
Excommunication or separation should not be easy, or cavalier. Luther and the Reformers found it most painful and very hard to separate, but it became a necessity.
Personally, I pray for the repentance of the apostates, and reconciliation within the Biblical mandates Paul outlines in 2 Corinthians.
Concerning Lent, do you think Lent will make much difference for the apostates?
If they haven't heard Moses and the Prophets, will they take Lent seriously, or remain stiffnecked? I mean, if they don't take God's Word seriously to heart, why would Lent make a difference?
Seriously? No, not at all. But it's a fitting time period over which the Primates can set a deadline of some sort.
My understanding is that, back in the old, old days of the persecutions, some Christians would accept apostasy as a way of avoiding persecution. Lent was used by the Church as a period of repentance, after which those who wished to return to the Church could do so (on Easter). A similar approach would seem to be fitting in this case.
My understanding is that, back in the old, old days of the persecutions, some Christians would accept apostasy as a way of avoiding persecution. Lent was used by the Church as a period of repentance, after which those who wished to return to the Church could do so (on Easter). A similar approach would seem to be fitting in this case.
So was "pennance", used as a means of restoration into the Body, until it became perverted by Rome. Seems "pennance" or a form of it was used in the restoration of Origen when he fell into the anthropomorphite heresy, but had it's beginnings earlier during times of persecution.
Thanks, you both have helped clear a few things up for me. Many thanks, and may God bless you with courage and faithfulness during these days of trials.
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