Saturday, July 19, 2008

Gafconites go for the jugular

As reported by Riazat Butt in today's Guardian

Bishops at the Lambeth conference were accused last night of promoting a "false teaching that justifies sin in the name of Christianity". Leaders of a conservative breakaway faction said the prelates' actions had led to "unbiblical" practice resulting in "impaired and broken communion".

The statement, issued by the Global Anglican Future Conference, attacked liberals and called on "all orthodox Anglicans to resist this development".
The Gafcon rebels said: "Leading bishops in the Episcopal church, the Anglican Church of Canada, and even the Church of England have denied the need to evangelise among people from other faiths, promoted and attended syncretistic events and, in some cases, refused to call Jesus Lord and Saviour." They also rejected a draft covenant designed to unify the 80 million-strong Anglican church.

Signed by the archbishops of Nigeria, West Africa, Rwanda, Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda and the Southern Cone, who between them represent half of the world's Anglicans, the document challenges the credibility and integrity of Rowan Williams, who arrived in Canterbury weakened by internal disputes over women bishops and homosexuality.

The Archbishop of Canterbury has incurred the wrath of traditionalists for his comments on sharia law and, most recently, for saying that aspects of Christianity could be seen as difficult and offensive to Muslims.

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Here's the whole response on Titusonenine ...

3 comments:

Jim of L-Town said...

Dear Rev. Russell:

"The Gafcon rebels said: "Leading bishops in the Episcopal church, the Anglican Church of Canada, and even the Church of England have denied the need to evangelise among people from other faiths, promoted and attended syncretistic events and, in some cases, refused to call Jesus Lord and Saviour." They also rejected a draft covenant designed to unify the 80 million-strong Anglican church."

Aside from calling them "rebels" for believing what we have always believed, what about that statement is not true.

When I was an Episcopalian, especially at the end of my 58 years as one, I have heard my own bishop say many of those things.

Otherwise, I pray for your safe stay in England and your safe travel home.

A sinner saved by God's Grace

Jim of Michigan

uffda51 said...

I wonder how many of the GAFCON-ites chose their skin color, country of birth, height and eye color? I wonder how one “repents” those choices?

I wonder about the ego of any group who has determined that they alone are “saved?” I wonder if there is a difference between the words of God and “The Word of God?” If the Bible is the lens through which see God, should we worship God – or the lens?

If we could travel through time to talk with the cave painters in France 30,000 years ago or the builders of Stonehenge 2500 years ago or the inhabitants of western Canada one thousand years ago, would we ask them “What are your doctrines and creeds?” Or would we ask them to tell us about their transcendent experiences of God?

Kirkepiscatoid said...

Aw, Susan, all I can say is...*sigh*. (well, followed by "grunt" and "hrmmphx.")

"Refuse to call Jesus Lord and Savior?" Whuuuu???? like suddenly there was a mass protest somewhere against the Nicene creed or something.

As FranIAm uses for one of her subject headings, "Jesus, I'm sick of these people...."