Church of England Evangelical Bishops urge "no change" to Doctrine of Marriage [VirtueOnline]

Church of England Evangelical Bishops urge "no change" to Doctrine of Marriage

Oct. 16, 2018



Church of England evangelical bishops have been roused from their ecclesiastical slumber, concerned that their Church will face schism as the American Episcopal Church has experienced if it formally recognizes homosexual marriage.

A letter from Bishop Julian Henderson, President of the Church of England Evangelical Council, (CEEC) signed by 11 bishops was sent to Bishop Christopher Cocksworth, chair of the Church of England's 'Living in Love and Faith' (LLF) project. LFF has been tasked with addressing "'tough questions and the divisions among Christians' over gender, marriage and sexuality." The group is expected to finish their work by 2020. The CEEC had its genesis with the late John R.W. Stott in 1960 "to provide a 'collective' evangelical voice".

The ten active bishops include the bishops of Blackburn, Peterborough, Durham, Willesden, Lancaster, Ludlow, Plymouth, Carlisle, Birkenhead and Maidstone. One former bishop, Mark Rylands, Shrewsbury also signed.

According to a report in Christian Today, a British magazine, other bishops who did not sign were in general agreement with its contents.

The letter pointed to the experience of the Episcopal Church (TEC) and the Anglican Church in Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia (ACANZP); all of whom have signed on to same-sex marriage, which has only emptied their churches and would diminish the Church of England's ability to engage in ministry and mission within England.

"They [TEC and ACANZP] were also a reminder that recent history tragically demonstrates that introducing changes in teaching and liturgy has consistently divided Anglicans globally and within provinces. It is therefore clear to us that both the substance and the method of LLF's work is of great significance. What it produces will not only prove vitally important for our witness here in England and in the world church but will either enable or undermine our quest for unity-in-truth within the Church of England and Anglican Communion."

While acknowledging that human understanding of God's will has changed across time; they state that they believe this change cannot possibly be one of those. Instead suggesting that full inclusion of LBGT+ persons, including marriage equality is merely a desire to avoid feeling "uncomfortable."

"We believe we cannot dismiss such questioning out of hand given that, historically, Christian teaching changes and develops (particularly in and through mission and encountering new cultures). The church must always be reformed according to the Word of God (ecclesia semper reformanda secundum verbum Dei), and God has "more truth yet to break forth out of His Holy Word". But neither can we simply abandon what we have received in order to appear relevant and avoid feeling uncomfortable."

The bishops believe anything other than normative heterosexuality is a sin and contrary to God's will.

"We recognize that the teaching of the church affects LBGT+ people personally and deeply: those who are living within the traditional teaching of the church and those who wish to see it changed. We are committed to providing pastoral care for all people...

In recognizing these wider challenges alongside the questions raised by LGBT+ people it is therefore important we do not to lose sight of our common, shared humanity and the need for the church to offer a coherent, single ethic for all of us as people whose fundamental identity is not something we define for ourselves: rather that we are made in God's image, have fallen captive to sin, are redeemed by Christ, and are being sanctified by the Spirit."

Thus, they believe, any change to the current doctrine in the Church of England represents an affront to God and would challenge their willingness to "walk together on the way."

"Our recent Anglican experience has made clear that our deep differences in this area make "walking together on the way" not only a challenge ecumenically but within existing denominational structures. We therefore think it essential that, as part of providing teaching and learning, LLF must also help us consider the implications of these differences for our common life. As was shown by the response to GS2055, the House of Bishops' conviction that we should reaffirm our current teaching, liturgy and discipline and consider the limits of legitimate pastoral practice within these, will be very difficult for many to accept. It is also clear, however, that any change in teaching or liturgy will also create major problems for many of us both here and in the wider Communion. This is evident, for example, from the Church of England Evangelical Council's helpful recent work which explores the rationale for "visible differentiation" (in "Gospel, Church & Marriage: Preserving Apostolic Faith and Life") and possible forms this might take (in "Guarding the Deposit") should the church accept new teaching or practice."
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The Full text of the letter can be found here.


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