For me there's 2 different issues: Not all AC's, just a couple, that claim that they are the "true" Anglicanism on here, that reformed folks are lacking, and well they believe everything that RC's do -- they just don't want to submit to a Pope.
I have self identified as an AC to fill the void I wrote about. As Dave said while ACs can claim to be the "true" anglicans, a bunch of calvinists were on claiming they were instead. Are we to follow John Kemble or Augustus Toplady? It came to me that these claims rested on rhetoric and bombastic claims. I think thats my problem. Do we follow everyone who makes the claim or is there something we can judge their claims by? That is why I like Dave's idea.
As an AC I would never think I was a "true" Anglican only, heck I'm the odd man out here because I am not in the TEC or Anglican Church in England. I believe in all that and was in the Catholic Church, I will stay where I am. I know about the mess in the TEC and it is awful, I feel bad for you all in the TEC
I've never seen any ACs on here claim those things. If you guys don't want to be here because of us (though you didn't mind the ultrafringe "my way or the highway" Reformed types?), then oh well. Don't think we ever did anything to you.
Rather then not engage with those who are not trying to force their views on you, why not just put those who don't wish to talk to on your ignore list.
In all the time I have been on and off this forum I have on ever seen very few from the Anglo Catholic side of theology tell someone else they are a heretic or you are not a real Anglican if you believe X or Y... I wonder why that is...
I really don't understand why people have so many issues accepting others practises & Beliefs. We need to focus more on our similarities and stop letting these differences divide us, i see the different views within Anglicanism as our great strength , yet because we are stubborn and unwilling to even listen to these views/practises that differ from our own, it has become our greatest weakness, we don't need to agree with each other just listen. Mark 3:25 - if a house is divided against itself, that house will not be able to stand. When the day comes for me to be called and judged , i will then ask him which is the correct theological view, until then i will listen to all parties so i may reflect on them privately taking into consideration the faith i have been taught and the things i have experienced along my Journey. I will be very shocked if Jesus answers me and says " I am sorry , the correct religion was MORMON " To me this topic has served its purpose , there has been several posts suggesting what our CORE beliefs should state , from there we should have some sub-sections where specific groups can discuss in more detail there views that they personal hold dear without the fear of being attacked for them. Also some sort of self monitoring Report system should be set-up and maybe a group of moderators be identified to help grow this forum and share our views with all groups that may stumble across it in the future. Christendom is falling and having the last of the faithful arguing amongst ourselves is just going to see it Die once and for all. If we cant share Love, Understanding and Community values amongst our selves, then we have no hope of bring the Light back to this world.
I like what you have to say. My worry our camps are based on little more than bombast and rhetoric. Say a group of Lutherans coming in with unceasing claims about being no less Anglican than everyone else... They would cite the Lutheran influence on Cranmer, the sixteenth century bishops self-identifying as Lutherans, a plausible similarity in our doctrines. All this would be used to prove that we need to accept them as a variant of Anglicanism. Would we be justified in accepting them as a variant of Anglicanism on the basis of bombastic claims, or should there be principles in judgment over our views? No wonder then there is a depression in the Anglican world today.
Lol...maybe this is adding fuel to the fire, but...I rather like Lutheranism and see far more connections between it and Anglicanism, than I do with Calvinism, Arminianism, or even Roman Catholicism.
I was merely pointing out that it cuts both ways... As I said there was/is just a couple ACs that were an issue... It's one thing to be AC, its entirely another to read back into history that Cranmer was a tractarian.
I have always had a love for Anglicanism. My ancestors were British, and I have always considered myself to be a bit of an Anglophile. The problem is that the Anglicanism that I admire is not what Anglicanism is to everyone. I might mention that I am very sympathetic to the Continuing Anglican Churches, but even they can’t seem to agree on what Anglicanism is. As the best analogy I can think of, I would propose that Anglicanism is akin to citizenship. What is an American? How is the term defined? It is a person who holds US citizenship. Beyond that, an American can be male or female, Black or White, Asian, or Hispanic, short or tall, rich or poor. He or she can support gun control, or advocate legalization of automatic weapons. An American can advocate for traditional morals, or support free love, polygamy, and pornography. I suppose what makes an Anglican is being in communion with Canterbury, for lack of a better definition. It certainly isn't the Prayer book-my understanding is that there are parishes that don’t use it anymore in the Anglican Communion. (As an aside, I don't understand why some in the continuum insist on using a missal. I would go with the prayer book any day. I like both the 1928 and the 1662). Apparently there are, and have been, members of the Church who deny the incarnation and the resurrection, even the divinity of Christ, and yet are members in good standing. Honestly, it seems that a person can believe (or disbelieve) anything and be an Anglican (Spong and Pike spring to mind). In my opinion (for what it is worth), the seeds of Anglicanism’s problems were sown early on-the idea that diversity of opinion had to be allowed to the extent that very little core-doctrine exists. The spirit of compromise succeeded in compromising the Church. As an Orthodox convert, I have my concerns with elements of Orthodoxy, but I know what the core teachings are, I accept them, and I have little reason to think they will ever change. I feel sorry for the Continuing bodies; they should accept that the Church has changed and find one that they are in agreement with. For identification purposes, only a church in communion with Canterbury can truly call itself Anglican, at least that makes sense to me. The Old Calendar groups in Orthodoxy might feel that they are the “True Orthodox,” but they are insignificant in the grand scheme of things. I appreciate being allowed to post here, and I read the postings frequently to increase my understanding of Anglicanism. I still have my romantic, idea of what I think Anglicanism is/was/should be, though I know that is not what Anglicanism is for most people. I pray that I have not offended anyone with my comments.
If you are going to try to define the boundaries of Anglicanism I wish you luck, but I can't think you will succeed unless those boundaries are so wide as to be little use for the purpose you have in mind: but I've absolutely no expertise there, so I'll move on ... I would suggest that the site's problems, such as they are, have not been theological but about tone and manners. I would make three points: 1 When I suggested here that Archbishop Welby's view of reconciliation as "disagreement in love" was a very Anglican approach, I was slapped down rather firmly and told what Anglicanism needed was a bit more grit and backbone, or something. I would suggest that Disagreement in Love is exactly what is needed, and might well be the motto of the site. 2 Posting on the Web seems to bring out the worst in people, and there is some horrible outpouring of bile about. But people pick up a way of speaking from those around them: a well-mannered site will promote good manners in new members and in other posters. That means some firm action by moderators, I think, to jump on intemperance early. 3 We should be aware that the posters here come from across the Anglophone world, from countries with notably different cultures, from the very "positive politeness" culture of the United States to the notably "negative politeness" culture of the United Kingdom. We read each other's language from within our own culture, and that can lead to misreadings and misapprehensions (thus the "I'm sorry if I offended you I didn't intend to" reactions). Clarity in our own writing and care about reading others' comments would help.
I quite disagree. There are many Anglican Churches not in communion with Canterbury, Anglicanism is not like Catholicism where one has to be in communion with the Pope. If anything Anglicanism is more in line with the Orthodox where some Churches have their own Patriarch. Just as at my own Church where we have our own Patriarch and we do not look to Canterbury. As Onlooker eluded to you cannot define the borders of Anglicanism neatly like you could say Catholicism
I took this quote from a daily email I get from the Richard Rohrs' Centre for Action and Contemplation CAC Richard Rohr is a Franciscan Priest OFM within the Roman Church and is often at odds with some within his own Church. When I read this extract from the email last night I thought it appropriate for this thread. I do not necessarily agree with every thing Richard says but I agree with his insight here. It is such a shame we are so divided based on the peas and take no notice of the stuff the stuff that really matters.
Maybe its more of a cultural thing , here in Australia we don't seam to have a Huge issue defining what an Anglican is and listening to others views within the church, Even when we disagree. ( except at parish council meetings , i have never attended any , but i hear they can be rather exciting) The worst i have ever experienced was i had another member of my church tell me if i kept crossing myself with the Holy Water i will end up back at Rome , i am pretty sure it was intended as a Joke . My wife had an experienced with people from our congregation when they were undertaking the ALPHA course, whilst discussing the holy spirit and speaking in tongue, the subject was changed to seeing peoples Auras or light ( or some strange thing) and how years before she converted to Anglicism, her "Guru" teacher told, that he can see Jesus watching over her, my Priest told them during this discussion " I may not agree with and/or understand what you believe, but i am happy to Listen", i thought this was a lot nicer approach than chasing her out of the Church calling her a Pagan or a Heretic
Is there no tension, luke, between Sydney Evangelicals and others in NSW (because if that's so it's very relevant to this discussion , I'd have thought).
Well there's always one exception to the rule, i did say we don't have a HUGE problem, i didn't say we are perfect. it should be interesting to see what happens in Sydney as the old leaders move on and the new generation takes control.