Inquiries in the Court of High Commission

To all:

I really must protest. This is a ridiculous exercise that would be silly if it were not so disturbing. This process reflects neither the biblical nor the historic Anglican method of correction.

Nothing on this forum identifies Phoenix's credentials or qualifications to adjudicate this issue nor to unilaterally render a verdict and impose sentence. This is not Anglican; this is the stuff of tyrants. Christ calls on us to correct in love not with a Kangaroo Court.

I respectfully request that you either reconsider this inquiry or deactivate my account. I refuse to be associated with a process that singles out posters for unpopular (though not necessarily unorthodox) views.

 

@Lowly Layman It would be a pity if you chose to leave at this point.

@Phoenix : I appreciate your zeal for doctrine and your championing of good order and discipline, but your overbearing legalistic bent is getting the better of you I think.

Do you really think this is necessary?

Perhaps you do not realize the accused in this 'court of inquiry', is actually a real Licensed Reader Emeritus in the real Church of England and I have a friend John, who is Diocesan Canon Theologian (Retd.), in the real Anglican diocese, wherein I still reside.

I am quite willing to debate with you on the theological points upon which you have chosen to challenge my orthodoxy, but I think it only fair that you should know beforehand you are dealing with a person who regularly preached beside someone who really knew his stuff, and my theology generally met his approval.


Insults removed.

 

This to me feels like prosecution! But on the other hand I guess we do prosecute some people who cross socially-accepted norms in civil society... so I guess it’s a question of, we’re any boundaries crossed here?

As long as the principle of the presumption of innocence is upheld, I guess I’m not opposed in principle

 

Surely you mean persecution?

(I would have put a smiley face to show I am joking, but I fear it might be considered 'insulting'.)

 

Surely, 'holding the upper hand', is not a 'spiritual principle' to be aimed at by disciples of Christ Jesus. Should we not rather, emulate Christ? Phil.2:5-7; Heb.12:3-4.

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To be frank, this feels like role-playing more than anything, and I think that is the issue. If there is a perceived issue with someone having the Anglican badge, perhaps this would be something better handled in private with mods. Making a public spectacle out of it and giving it a name such as "Inquiry of the Court of High Commission", for a dispute on an internet forum, seems slightly out of place.

 

We learn through role play, don’t we? Though we are all sinful people, God nonetheless instructs us on means/ways for discipline. We hear about confronting a brother first privately, then with witnesses, and then bringing it before the whole church.

Clearly the leaders/owners of this forum believe (quite rightly) that church discipline has failed miserably in our day, and the leaders/owners seem keen to figuring out how to provide redress. Now, at no expense to us, this forum has provided incredible value—and for this alone we should be charitable with this first (as far as I can tell) exercise in discipline. Yes, let’s provide feedback—perhaps it seems like a bit of larping, and/or perhaps it’s been unreasonably aggressive—but let’s not pretend as if discipline hasn’t been the unraveling of the church in our day, and as if we couldn’t do with working through an example.

I think if we’ve followed the personal, two-three witnesses, whole church approach outlined in St. Matthew, then I’m happy to proceed with a public investigation (which presumably would be the final recourse).

 

@Classical Anglican

I didn't expect The Spanish inquisition. Then again NOBODY expects The Spanish inquisition!


Disrespectful comments removed.

 

Matt.18:15-17. Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.

But has the procedure you suggest been conducted in the manner stipulated in the scripture passage you cited. I would say not, for the following reasons.

(1) I have trespassed against no one.

(2) I have not been approached as a 'brother' but have been confronted as a heretic.

(3) Though my 'case' is being held publicly, and others can witness my interrogation, 'authorities' alone have the power to 'decide sentence' and it is they who bring the charges.

 

Wow, I visit this site very infrequently now and probably won’t spend more time on it in future. I can’t claim to have read everything that had been written in this thread, but I have got the gist of it. Is this really what you all feel your you should be spending your time on? Even the term “Court of high commission” I find bizarre and slight disturbing.

 

I find myself checking things here more. To each his or her own own, I guess. It is a peace of mind for me that here at least people are not trying to push lesbian bishops, and my newborn child will not be a victim of heretics now starting to push for transgender children.

https://www.expressnews.com/news/lo...rish-school-embracing-transgender-6676604.php
https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/07/09/episcopal-church-transgender-ordination_n_1660465.html

Good luck with transgender heretic priests Christina. May Zhey and Xir be good companions for you. As for me, I wish they were prosecuted more, not less!

 

I beg your pardon, Stalwart? What prompted you to say all that? I go to an Anglo Catholic Church, with a male priest. Why are you talking about transgender heretical priests? I was simply saying that the whole inquiry was leaving me feeling very uncomfortable and I really don’t think it is what we should all be spending our time on. Why are you attacking me? Where is the love in this forum? Have I tried to push “lesbian bishops”. Have I criticised any individuals? No, but you are getting personal with me.

 

Gosh! You're a lot of topic Stalwart. I guess you two know each other, otherwise I don't understand at all where all that stuff from you at Christina comes from. Would an exorcism help, or just some 'Gaviscon stomach jollup' might ease the pain.
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I don’t really know Stalwart. He has been contributing on this site longer and mor regularly than I have and I expect I have taken part in discussions that he has also taken part in, but I remember no similar animosity from him in the past. This makes me feel quite low and pulled down. I guess I should just stick with my Church, my priest and our congregation.

 

I'm sorry he offended you Christina. I have sent a private message. Rom.12:15. Internet trollspeak is no substitute for proper christian fellowship in a real live church, I agree.

 

I feel like the Church is falling far short of disciplining those who would pull our faith down. I don’t know why you don’t see that. Here and on Twitter and on a few other places online I’m starting to see renewed efforts to push back, but far short of how much has to be done (in my opinion). Instead of clamoring for more muscular defense of the faith, your one post after many months is how “too much” is being done in the defense of the faith. I just don’t get it.