Let’s consider some possible futures for Anglican evangelicals concerned about the Church of England.
Option 1: Remain and resist
This is the strategy from Lee Gatiss of Church Society, Bishop Rod Thomas and many others. In this view, the battle is not lost. As I write, the next bishops’ report on marriage and sexuality is awaited. Southwell bishop Paul Williams – who spoke at a Proclamation Trust conference a few years ago – says: ‘Whatever some would like to claim, the Church of England is and remains faithful to the teaching of Scripture on these matters…’ The new document ‘will be deeply rooted in and faithful to Scripture,’ he claims.
Proponents of ‘Remain and resist’ argue that previous breakaways (the Free Church of England, Church of England Continuing, etc.) are miniscule. It is also said that as long as there is space for evangelicals within the CofE, it still provides the best opportunities – and that liberalism may eventually self-destruct, even if it takes time.
In this view, evangelicals stay on, resist, play a long game and only leave if they get thrown out. For many clergy, there is also a sense of wanting to be faithful to where God has called them and to fulfil their ordination vows. Most evangelicals I know currently favour this option.
There are, of course, massive challenges. In July, General Synod will debate transgender issues. Ian Paul’s ‘Psephizo’ blog (June 7th) is worth reading.
Option 2: Refugees
The ‘Refugee’ option: Gafcon. It seems to me a refugee option because it appears to be primarily a safe place for Anglicans leaving the existing structures, rather than thorough reform. Thus, although mostly evangelical, there is also an Anglo-Catholic strand. The Briefing said of Gafcon’s first gathering: ‘The closing… service was hard to swallow, being heavily laced with Anglo-Catholic trappings and traditions.’
In Britain, one of its most vocal supporters advocates praying to Mary, and it has been suggested that Gafcon UK should form a new ‘Anglican Church In England’ with others including the Traditional Anglican Church and Anglican Catholic Church – which when I checked were advertising various Masses and pilgrimages to Walsingham! That doesn’t sound like a formula for long-term doctrinal health; let’s hope it never happens.
The issue of co-belligerency is tricky. There will always be biblical insights we can learn from other church streams. But evangelical conviction means always testing everything by Scripture, not by pragmatism or group cohesion. Some Anglo-Catholic beliefs affect primary issues and should be contested wherever they are. Sexuality is not the only key doctrine.
J.C. Ryle opposed both Anglo-Catholicism and liberalism (‘ritualism’ and ‘rationalism’ in his words). He warned about evangelicals being easily seduced: ‘Every heretic who tells his story plausibly is sure to be believed, and everybody who doubts him is called a persecutor and a narrow-minded man… Do not be carried away!’ Ryle’s booklet ‘Reasons for Opposing Ritualism’ (online) remains compelling.
Whatever Gafcon’s challenges – and no earthly grouping is ever perfect – it has major global influence and potential for the gospel, and the announcement that Andy Lines will become its first ‘missionary bishop’ for Europe on 30 June 30 will be warmly welcomed by all who know him. If, as Gafcon’s statement about his appointment concludes, ‘the Bible must be the ground of our faith’, then all will be well.
Option 3: Really radical
This is Jesmond Parish Church’s announcement that its assistant curate Jonathan Pryke, has been made an English bishop by the Reformed Evangelical Anglican Church in South Africa (REACH-SA). There are many puzzles connected with this, not least that Bishop Pryke is on the executive committee of the Anglican Mission in England (part of Gafcon) – and yet did not discuss his appointment as a bishop in that committee beforehand! Jesmond say they are not aiming to leave the Church of England, but to promote reformation. The ‘distinc-tives’ on the reachsa.org.za website include many terrific affirmations – and certainly no Anglo-Catholicism! However, there are many questions about how this strategy could realistically work.
Same desire
In a fallen world, none of these three strategies is perfect, because of all our blind spots, errors, pride and sin. So, if the gospel goes forward through any or all of these options, let us rejoice! Equally, wherever major error is found, let us contend. Our loyalty is primarily to the gospel, not to any denomination, old or new. As Rod Thomas wrote recently, these different options ‘are motivated by the same desire to reach people for Christ, so it is very important that, if we regard ourselves as Anglican evangelicals, we recognise our essential unity, even if others are taking a different path to the one that has convinced us.’ Amen!
