http://www.evangelicals.org/news.asp?id=1074
[Church Societ] 9 Nov 2009--According to its own doctrinal standards and history, the Church of England's true nature is that of a Protestant, Reformed, Evangelical and catholic (in other words, universal) church. Orthodox Anglicanism is therefore defined by reference to these characteristics only, which are set out in the Thirty-nine Articles and the Church of England's submission to the over-arching authority of Scripture alone. Church Society seeks to defend and promote these defining characteristics, especially the Gospel of salvation by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone which is at the heart of the message and mission of the Church of England.
While acknowledging the correct stand taken by Anglo-Catholics against theological liberalism (the features of which do not represent true, Biblical Anglicanism), it should also be noted that the true doctrine of the Church of England does not embrace any of the teachings or practices which characterise the Church of Rome. For instance, the Church of Rome is fundamentally flawed in its claims about its own nature and authority and in its teaching about the means of salvation.
A proper rejection of theological liberalism should therefore not be accompanied by a turning to the Church of Rome and its unbiblical teachings and practices. Rather, both theological liberalism and the unscriptural teachings and practices of the Church of Rome are contrary to the Bible and to the historic doctrines of the Church of England as a Protestant, Reformed, Evangelical and catholic church.
The longing of Church Society is that all Anglicans, whether in England or elsewhere, would see and understand both the destructive nature of theological liberalism and the false nature, teachings and practices of the Church of Rome.
We grieve that the Church of England, along with our nation, has fallen so low in its spiritual and moral condition. We pray that God would pour out His Spirit on both church and nation.
We rejoice that salvation is by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone and we pray that the Church of England will return to full adherence to its doctrinal standards, acknowledging the supreme authority of the Bible as God's Word and seeking to shape its teaching and practices by what He has revealed.
The statement was agreed by the Council at its meeting on 4 November 2009.
Church Society exists to uphold biblical teaching and to promote and defend the character of the Church of England as a reformed and national Church. For further information visit www.churchsociety.org
Further information relevant to this statement can be found here.
17 comments:
Please do not overlook those who wish to bring Anglicanism back to the EOC instead of Rome.
A local ACNA parish priest had taught the invocation of saints and is quite comfortable with it along with the veneration of icons, the Lords Supper lifted up and at times carried about, believes in purgatory and universal potential atonement. He rejects sola scriptura and gives all authority to mother church and its traditions. This he says is being offered differently from the Romish ways it is done and that he is doing them properly in the Catholic sense. This has been questioned by some but he has the approval and support of the local bishop so I guess it is completely okay within the new Anglicanism.
This parish priest just fired the rectors warden because he brought challenge on these things from the 39 Articles and the Scriptures and was offered no answers other than church tradition. He fully subscribes to the Tract 90 and the Eastern Orthodox church teaching, and has every intention of leading the body that way and again has the full support of the bishop.
In the Anglican world it seems we agree on the 39 Articles but that is only as long as we don't talk about what we mean of what we say, which is false and uninformed unity? I see the ACNA as being united against liberalism but not united in Christ, they say it but do they mean the same thing? I believe the Lord has called the Reformed to be Informed and to stand united in Him based on Jesus testimony of Himself as given to us in the Scriptures no matter the cost.
Informed Reformed,
I do believe you are right. Though I believe that 39 Articles of Religion are correct; I do not believe them to be sufficient enough. The Westminster Confession of Faith deals more adequately with those points taken up by the 39 Articles and should be looked at as a commentary on them. Of course, Holy Writ is the God-breathed authority upon which we must accept as absolute authority here in earth. Deut. 29:29 "The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but those things which are revealed belong to us and to our4 children forever, that we may do all the words of this law."
Informed Reformed:
Thanks for the helpful comment. Precisely as we suspected. You mention the EOC...do you mean OCA?
Let's get Sir TexAnglican to comment on this. He's a "proud inheritor of the Anglican Reformation." Tex, do you have anything to offer on the post by Informed Reformed?
Assuming Informed Reformed has fairly characterized the ACNA clerk, or priest among worshipping priests, would Rev. Jack Leo Iker concur? Rev. Ackerman of Quincy, concur? Paul Hewitt of FIF concur? William Wantland concur? Would Bob of Pittsburg concur? We "feel a need," deep down, to say it: "Yes, they would concur and they surely do tolerate this."
These are ultra-Romewardizers. Tex talks about ultra-Reformed--a pejorative tag--at his website occasionally, taking shots at Ryle.
Tex, tell us about your exposure to Reformed theology, its confessional history in England and the Continental, and your time in that ethos. What do you know about it? Like the other Tractarian-tolerant leaders, they have NO background in the Reformation...at least I've so no evidence to that end.
Informed Reformed, again, thanks for the input. I agree, the XXXIX Articles is a puff-piece for the ACNA.
Time for "double-minded men," unstable in their ways, to get out.
I can't stand double-mindedness. It comes from singing the Psalms everyday.
When were Anglican clergy able to discharge vestry?
Something's wrong in ACNA.
The disintegration of the Anglican Communion has already begun.
A bunch of Anglican ships sailed too close to the Roman coast, and the Pope decided to capture them (for their own good). You can hardly blame him. Anglicans were acting like Catholics and had clearly abandoned their confession and prayer book (1662 BCP and 39 Articles). He saw a denomination in disarray and anarchy, and did precisely what the Africans were hoping to do for Americans after the TEC debacles of 2003; offer refugees a lifeboat and tell them to get in.
For Reformed Anglicans, it looked for a fleeting moment like GAFCON might be their lifeboat, but that ship still lies at anchor. Meanwhile, an unruly Anglican mob jumped out of the burning TEC into ACNA, but then refused to return the Articles and the 1662 BCP to their places of honor (as some of us thought they had promised).
These are the days of Noah.
1. A lovely statement from Church Society. "Protestant, Reformed, etc." Then Church Society puts up a Wesley page on their website. Wesleys both were rabidly anti-Calvinist and their treatment and writings against Whitefield and Toplady, involved theology, nearly bordered on a demonic attack against God's decrees, election,etc. Ruthless. Leadership?
2. Sydney's recent "affirmation." Principled leadership? Reformed leadership with a consistent witness?
3. ACNA has never been a principled Reformed Anglican group. Wherever that notion developed was far too premature. No surprises for those who followed the pathetic story. Leadership.
4. Jack of Texas and the 39 Articles? A joke. Reformed leadership? Where?
5. Venables at GAFCON and public statements? Leadership.
6. Bob of Pittsburg at the recent gaggle at Nashotah House with Jonah (OCA) again. Leadership.
7. Leo of Philadelphia, Ray of Dallas, or Roy of Houston (REC). Leadership.e
8. Even Peter of _______ Africa. Nice statement a) to the Pope about sharing a mutual committment to the same apostolic Gospel and b) we are "proud inheritors of the Anglican Reformation." Put that contradiction in the public marketsquare. Rome's Gospel is false. Leadership.
9. The public market place of discussion about TAC and Rome's moves. a) CANA: There was a Reformation you know. Soft. b) Did we hear anything from AMiA? c) Who has discussed the utter incongruity between anyone claiming the name Anglican and even a willingness to discuss the absolute unacceptability of Trent. Leadership.
10. The gaggle in Texas with Jonah calling the Reformation a heresy? Any follow-up analyses at VOL. No. Leadership.
11. We've heard tons about gay ordinations and liberal theology. Is this the centre of gravity? Where have there been the discussion of theology? Leadership.
12. We've heard alot about Constitution & Canons, e.g. historic episcopacy, etc. Where's the theological analysis. Ahem.
For this scribe, trained under Marines, having served under flag officers gand nothing below the paygrade of full bird Colonels, I am used to quality leadership. I see capitulation, accomodation, dilly-dallying, and weakness.
For this scribe, there is one inspiring leader and he is not alive today. That's good old Rev. (archdeacon) John Philpott of Winchester. We're exploring that elsewhere.
You can expect the "leadership" to dismiss substantive discussions about God's Word, theology, and history.
Have the blogspots and other sites evinced any other conclusions?
I take my leave of double-, triple-and quadruple-minded men. And I will teach my children--as I'm doing--and my one grandson about "insipid" leadership problems.
Thanks for listening, but these are my views. And "the reading" just keeps' a' rollin.'
We do not chortle over Anglicanism's double-mindedness about the Articles and salvation theology. Rather we say that to hear such a confession would be a good thing. Unfortunately, it seems that most of its leaders believe double-mindedness is Anglicanism's virtue.
It sure is a funny looking ark Anglicans are building. We'd do better to build it according to the singular design of the 39 Articles and the 1662 BCP, without any of the alternative suggestions and re-designs sent to us from the Screwtapes in Rome, Antioch and Babylon.
Brothers, do not lose heart, salvation is not at stake. Who can deceive the elect? Who can take from the hand of God all that are His? Which of us can complain that God's Grace is insufficient for us? Do not lose sight please I pray you. When the wind and wave of every doctrine swirl around us, look down and look intently upon the foundation upon which your feet have been placed and that not by you.
Once you have regained focus, stand firm, bring forth the truth in love, teach as we have been taught by the Lord. Trust in the Lord, thought sinful man mean things for evil because their heart is darkened, God will use it for good and to His Glory. We do not need to go about trying to knock down the bad fruit so people cannot eat it. Spring forth bearing good fruit and God will lead His sheep, He says "My sheep will never follow a strangers voice" and in this I say Rejoice.
Surely we all are burdened but part of this is because we see the plight of the world but even that we were told about. Keep preaching and teaching, by standing firm in the faith given us by the Grace of God you automatically stand against false doctrine. God will open the ears, hearts and minds of those destine to receive it. Which of us can turn a stiff neck? Which of us can drag someone into saving faith? Which of us can slay the serpent?
Join in fervent prayer with all the saints, there are many more than you think, remember the invisible church, the bride of Christ will never be put to shame. As God gives you, whatever that is, use it to the full to His Glory. If they will not listen to you in the church, go to the field, if they will not listen to you in the streets, go to the market place and go til your message is proclaimed everywhere.
Do not put your trust in the armour of God, put your trust in the God of the armour. Do not put your faith in your faith, put your faith in Christ. The battle belongs to the Lord. Put away your swords of anger and pull out the double edged one that serves the Most High. Now go, go encouraged and undefeatable. Everytime you are troubled in your heart come back and pray with the saints and go again, til the last.
IR,
Would you give the name of the rector or senior minister to which you refer above and the name and location of the parish where he is rector or senior minister and the diocese or jurisdiction to which it belongs. Any reports of this nature warrant full disclosure of such details.
KMFrye,
In some Anglican dioceses the rector appoints the senior warden who serve at his pleasure, hence the term "rector's warden." The rector's warden primarily acts as an advisor and confidant to the rector. If the rector and the rector's warden have serious disagreements over theology or other matter, the rector may dismiss the rector's warden since he serves at the rector's pleasure. How wardens are chosen--by appointment of the rector or senior minister, by election of the church membership at the annual meeting, by appointment of the vestry or church council, or any combination thereof--varies from diocese to diocese or even parish to parish. Some Anglican provinces have a canon or canons relating to the selection of local church officers; others leave this matter to the diocese. In the ACNA the manner of appointment or election of church officers varies from judicatory to judicatory.
Hi Robin,
I would but see no point. I am follower of Christ by conviction not by choice. Truth be told the "church" (not the body of Christ) has caused me so much pain there are times I wish I could abandon my faith altogether, thankfully God is more faithful than I, Christ is all I have left.
There are 2 ACNA parishes where I am in Canada, one anglo-catholic and one charismatic. The ACoC is liberal so I have no place to go. The AC parish I am about to be driven from due to matter of conscience is just another sad chapter. Like many in my position people do not understand the fuss, "whats the big deal" they say or "you that you are welcome even with your reformed evangelical doctrine." Meaning don't talk about
Tract 90 allows the AC's to lie to the RE's and both sides know it and neither do or say anything about it. How can either in clear conscience before God say they are united and affirm the same things? Talk is cheap, more to the point in this case worthless! Both sides know they do not mean the same thing when they affirm the authority of Scripture or the 39 Articles. Ask for a definition of each article and they aren't different interpretations they are out right opposed on Grace, Justification, Salvation, Sin and the very purpose and effect of Christ life, ministry and sacrifice. The RE's give Scripture final authority over all the church, the AC's put tradition and mother church at the same level of Scripture which is infallible. Could the possibly be something more important to hold these two sides together?
AC's would not submit to teaching and ministry of the RE's nor would RE's submit to teaching and ministry of the AC's. They speak and preach very nicely about unity but that is only because they don't have to practice it themselves. When you are the clergy, you preach what you believe, you don't have to sit under teaching and traditions that grind against what you believe such as I have outlined above.
I've never witnessed a group so divided they will sacrifice any point of faith to try and call it unity. I ask any Anglican clergy, before God Most High, what is it you are united in, you can't say Christ because both sides are divided on what Christ taught of Himself. You cannot simply say both believe He is the Son of God because even the demons acknowledge that much. Remember you cannot teach what you do not believe yourself.
Sorry I just don't get it, can someone please explain what it is that I am blind to?
IR
We all go through trials, we are going through them. Don't feel lonely or be discouraged. We need to find each other and give encouragement and exhortation to each other. God is sovereign; his Providence will prevail.
Joe, your comments are both warmly received and sincerely appreciated.
IR
There are a couple of good reasons for providing more specific information. One is to permit further inquiries to be made into what is going on at a particular church; the second is to alert others to what they may expect if they become involved in that church.
To illustrate IR's point about ACNA adherents being willing to sacrifice any principle for the sake of the organization, I just wrote a little article about them defending the practice of celebrating the Eucharist without a public confession of sin (as is permitted in the 1979 BCP but not in earlier BCPs). I asked a few (lay and clergy) how they justified the practice. Their answers essentially were the following:
1. The confessional part of the Lord's Prayer is good enough.
2. Occasional confession is good enough.
3. Corporate confession before the Eucharist can be replaced by voluntary private confession
4. The priest is doing confession on your behalf so don't worry about it.
Full text of the article is here: http://anglicansinthewilderness.com/point-of-view/article-23
Aaytch:
Study the English Reformers. They had quality educations.
Put that against that of the current ACNA leadership.
I'd like to see resumes, educational backgrounds, publications, and academic transcripts for all of them.
Atop that, I'd like to see "principled" leadership. The sola mixta ad nauseum is unacceptable.
Virtue used to routinely (and rightly) impale liberal Episcopalians on this point--who thought themselves above the non-U.S. Anglican bishops.
We see nothing about ACNA leadership with "streams" from who knows where and what.
Because academic achievement is such a great bellwether of theological integrity.
Not.
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