not too muchArticles+ 5 - 12 | ¶The contribution of diversityPosted on 03 Apr 05 in
Theology and the Spirit
From titusonenine I learn that the (Anglican) Church of Ireland issued a Preliminary response to the Windsor Report on 25 January (PDF file). Respondents were asked to answer four questions, one of which is:
Q3. What do you think are the ways in which the recommendations and proposals of the Report would impact upon the life of the Communion if they were implemented? The Church of Ireland said: Our over-riding concern is that if the recommendations and proposals of the report were to be implemented we should be replacing bonds of affection with the bondage of law. We are fearful that the refreshing, unpredictable and liberating wind of the Spirit may be inhibited through a seemingly inadequate appreciation of the way in which it appears to have influenced Anglicanism through past developments that have now received widespread acceptance. Provincial autonomy ought not to be idolized but it deserves to be cherished: it may be a gift we have to offer to the whole Church of God. As a Communion we should be prepared to explore the contribution of diversity as a component of the imperative of mission for the Church of God.Just so. I haven't noticed any response from the Australian church yet. The Diocese of Sydney made this response. On Q.3 it said: If the proposals are not built on the realities of God's way of working (as revealed in the Scriptures), they will be seriously flawed and will therefore be seriously damaging. Attempting to build structural unity by international centralism does not accord with God's view of the church as expressed in the New Testament, and so it is bound to produce damage. There is also no historical precedent that such increased centralism will succeed, and there is plenty of evidence from history and the present day that such steps simply lead to persecution, and other forms of coercion. The gospel way is persuasion, exercised locally through the ministry of God's word. Any denominational structures ought to support this grass-roots activity. If there is any strength in 'international' statements, then this ought to be turned to the protection of congregations who stand for the apostolic faith.It would seem that neither liberals nor conservatives favour more centralised authority. Nor do I. CommentsPost a comment to 'The contribution of diversity' |
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