Posted on 08/31/2006 5:48:07 PM PDT by sionnsar
As the world’s 77 million Anglicans wait in anticipation for the critical meeting next month that will attempt to resolve differences over homosexuality which are tearing at their church, the spiritual leader of the worldwide denomination has been making unusually bold statements against the liberal stances taken up by the Episcopal Church. And it’s about time.
In an interview earlier this month with the Dutch newspaper Nederlands Dagblad, Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams said the Episcopal Church, USA – which represents Anglicanism in the United States – has “pushed the boundaries” in terms of decision-making.
Furthermore, Williams dismissed suggestions that the time has come for the Church to accept homosexual relationships. "We don't say 'Come in and we ask no questions,’" he told the journalist interviewing him. “I do believe conversion means conversion of habits, behaviors, ideas, emotions.”
The archbishop also tried to distance himself from a controversial essay he wrote 20 years ago, in which he defended same-sex relationships.
Although Williams’ latest moves will surely rankle liberals who had hailed the archbishop’s appointment because of his previous support of gay relationships, what he said needed to be said for the good of the church body.
As the spiritual leader of one of the larger Christian denominations in the world, Williams’ first and foremost duty is to keep the Anglican Communion grounded on and united through the Word of God. A Church not built on this will most certainly fall “with a great crash" (Mt 7:27) and any attempts to reconcile a breaking body with anything other than the Word of God will be made in vain.
At this critical time, what the Anglican Communion needs most is a leader who can guide them according to what God says and not what men (or liberal churches for that matter) want. As an ambassador of Christ, Williams needs to proclaim very clearly the right message. If the archbishop is not clear about what the Scriptures tell us and/or fails to relay the right message, then members within the Anglican Communion can’t help but look to the left and to the right – each determining a path according to its own thoughts.
Then, the Church will not be able to avoid a global Anglican schism and the casualties thereafter. Williams needs to “say it as it is” and do so unwaveringly.
Traditional Anglican ping, continued in memory of its founder Arlin Adams. 'So glad I left that church for Orthodox Judaism....
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