Ican unity

episcopal leadership in consultation with representative clergy and laity – synodical government.

In my years on the ACC I had been greatly impressed and encouraged by the way the Gospel and Church life was developed in a multitude of countries and cultures. In worshipping and sharing in ministry in countries as different as Nigeria and the USA I was so glad to be an Anglican. Why now should all this be threatened? It is because Christians are so divided on what they believe to be God’s will, that is, on their interpretation of Scripture.

Without doubt culture is much involved in these divisions. That can be seen in countries like Nigeria and the USA. Now, of course, the Gospel must be proclaimed in whatever culture the Church is found. And as it is faithfully presented there will be clear judgement on aspects of culture contrary to God’s will in Scripture, as well as approval of what is according to his will.

But we constantly need to ensure that our culture is not leading us to a wrong use of Scripture.

For centuries culture has affected judgement as to whether the Church should include women in the ordained leadership of the Church. Now a growing majority of Christians, in the main Protestant tradition, is convinced God has led to their inclusion, as they have carefully considered biblical principles. And God has been seen to encourage this perception by calling thousands of women and blessing their ministry.

What should Anglicans be doing in the present disunity? I believe it is to follow the evidence in the New Testament. St Paul was confronted with a severe dispute between Jewish Christians and Gentile Christians. The former claimed the latter were not obedient to the Bible – the Old Testament Scriptures, where in the Law of Moses there was clear indication of God’s will in respect of circumcision, holy days and rules for eating.

Paul, formerly an absolutist on Jewish belief, told the two opponents to respect one another’s convictions, to live in Christian love, “preferring one another”, recognising their essential unity in Christ. That unity was based on “One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism”. The faith as they would understand it then, was in Christ’s saving work.

The Anglican Communion should stay together and in mutual love and respect study what God really wills for the future.