When the Fox Preacheth…

Commentary by Robin G. Jordan

I just finished reading Rowan Williams and Scripture: A Review of the Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan William’s Teachings and Use of His Powers Concerning the Authority of Scripture. This 143-page document may be found on the web site of The Society for the Propagation of Reformed Evangelical Anglican Doctrine. If I was one of those Anglicans who believe that a leopard can change its spots and become a defender of "the faith once for all delivered to the saints," I might feel betrayed. However, as a long-time observer of current events the document held no surprises for me and only confirmed my own observations. I was reminded of one of those "outlandish proverbs" that Anglican poet-priest George Herbert collected: "When the fox preacheth, beware geese."

It looks increasingly like those who believe the 2008 Lambeth Conference may resolve the conflicts that are dividing TEC and the Anglican Communion are deceiving themselves. Rather the 2008 Lambeth Conference as it is presently planned will provide opportunities for gay advocacy groups like Changing Attitudes and the Lesbian and Gay Christian Movement to promote their cause with those who do attend the conference. Attendees will be divided into discussion and listening groups and isolated from each other. Liberals are masters of exploiting these type groups to their ends. Any plenary sessions are likely be carefully orchestrated to further liberal aspirations.

This week Archbishop Williams has caused a firestorm of controversy with his suggestion that Sharia law should be adopted in the United Kingdom. The London Times reports that a senior bishop of the Church of England has called for William’s resignation. Ruth Gledhill in her web log asked a question that many Anglicans are asking. "Is the Archbishop of Canterbury bonkers?"

Archbishop Williams has already lost much credibility with conservative Evangelical and global South Anglicans. If the See of Canterbury looses its pre-eminence in the Anglican Communion and the center of the Communion shifts elsewhere, the fault will be largely William’s.

Many Anglicans have come to share the view of Professor Steven Noll, Vice Chancellor of Uganda Christian University. "The idea that a rapidly expanding body of Global South churches must be governed from a historic See dominated by a secular Government and a compromised mother church is, to be blunt, a dangerous exercise of nostalgia." They would like to see reform of the current Instruments of Unity.

Professor Noll lists four possible reforms in his article The Global Anglican Communion and the Anglican Orthodoxy.

1. "A synod of bishops should meet regularly (decennially) and have authority to address matters of doctrine, discipline and mission."

2. "An executive body of Primates should be authorized to carry out the will of the synod in between meetings."

3. "A presiding Primate should serve as a focus of unity. Canterbury or another historic see could function as a locus of unity as well. However, such a Primate should be elected by the synod of bishops."

4. "A secretariat should assist these Instruments, with accountability to all. The current Anglican Consultative Council and Anglican Communion Office have failed to function in this way."

The Revelation to John, which Archbishop Williams dismisses as "page after page of paranoid fantasy" and "the rantings of John the Divine about his theological rivals," records how Jesus appeared to John and gave warnings to seven churches. They included the church in Ephesus.

"You have forsaken your first love. Remember the height from which you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place." ( Rev. 2:4-5)

The church in Ephesus apparently did not repent for it is no more. If Williams recognized the Revelation to John as God’s word, he might read therein a warning to himself and a Church of England that has compromised itself. What God gives, he can also take away.

For a time the Anglican Communion has been centered on the See of Canterbury and the Church of England but God may be bringing that time to an end.

The Parable of the Talents comes to mind. The master gives three servants each a sum of money. The first two servants put the money to work and gain more. The third servant hides the money he receives. The master rewards the two servants who gained more money with the money entrusted to them. However, he takes away the money of the servant who hid the money he received and give it to the first servant. He orders the third servant thrown outside, "into darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth" (Matt. 25:14-30).

As Jesus said, let those who have ears, hear.