Mark Marshall posted some scary pictures and commentary about something that went down in the Anglican Diocese of South Carolina (click the link for the photos),
You might have noticed there is quite a kerfuffle in the Anglican Church in North America (ACNA). Or you might not have noticed as it is not yet well publicized outside of X and a Facebook group or two. Or you might have noticed but do not think it should be a kerfuffle at all.
I refer to the controversy surrounding the participation of Chip Edgar, the ACNA Bishop of South Carolina (Yes, him again.), in a consecration of the new chapel of Porter-Gaud School alongside The Episcopal Church (TEC) Bishop of South Carolina, Ruth Woodliff-Stanley. To my knowledge the controversy became public with my X post of some photos from the event with the observation, “The ACNA Bishop of SC, Chip Edgar, has some explainin’ to do.” And he does...
...It would be more understandable if Woodliff-Stanley was one of the few remaining somewhat conservative TEC bishops. She is not. She is openly pro-abortion and openly for alphabet “pride.” She is typical of what many ACNA Anglicans fled, and she is typical of what faithful Christians deplore. But Bishop Chip was just fine being buddy-buddy with her at the altar.
...An additional issue is why ACNA should have any relationship with Porter-Gaud School. By its own admission, it is run as a rather woke institution [Emphasis mine.]:
Porter-Gaud School is committed to increasing the racial, ethnic, and religious diversity of our faculty and staff…. In accordance with law, Porter-Gaud School is an equal opportunity employer and hires without discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, [which is odd because it identifies as “an Episcopal school”] gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, or disability.There is yet a more important principle involved in this incident: Lex ordani lex credendi, the law of prayer is the law of belief. In other words, what one does during worship states what one believes. So when Bishop Chip Edgar processed alongside apostate fake bishop Woodliff-Stanley, when he held on to the crozier with her, when he prepared the altar with her, and when he distributed the sacrament with her, those are not empty acts. Those are not just being nice and polite. Those liturgical acts are tangible statements. Those are acts recognizing her as a legitimate bishop with whom he can be in communion.
Yes, that is in violation of 2nd John and a number of other scriptures.
(2 John 8 Watch yourselves, so that you may not lose what we[a] have worked for, but may win a full reward. 9 Everyone who goes on ahead and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God. Whoever abides in the teaching has both the Father and the Son. 10 If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house or give him any greeting, 11 for whoever greets him takes part in his wicked works.)
I hope that Bishop Edgar receives admonishment and correction from ACNA bishops and not just from the pewpeople.
Addendum: Bishop Edgar has issued a statement which details his involvement on the school's board. I am sorry but I cannot find a link yet.
But we got this from Bishop Dobbs,
ReplyDelete"Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
A situation has arisen in our Province that has given great offense to many who worship in our churches. I want to address this and be plain about the position of the Anglican Church in North America.
At issue is the recent participation of the Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of South Carolina, ACNA, with a bishop of The Episcopal Church in a joint dedication of a local school chapel. Many within our Province have been shocked by what appears to be renewed communion with The Episcopal Church, while others are confused by the controversy.
As such, I want to reaffirm the position of the Anglican Church in North America and renew the biblical call to repentance and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.
It is now nearly two decades since many of us separated from The Episcopal Church, whose leadership abandoned the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints. Departing from those with whom we worshiped and served was costly to our parishes and to our souls. It remains painful for many of us. It was, however, the right thing to do. Just as our Lord is faithful to His children, He calls us to be faithful to His Word. That is unequivocal.
The Global Anglican Council has called those who hold leadership office in the Global Anglican Communion to a principled disengagement from any who promote false teaching.
That same principle governs our relations here in North America with those who have departed from the faith we have received through the Word of God and expressed in the formularies of our Church. The Anglican Church in North America is not in communion with The Episcopal Church, and those who hold ecclesiastical authority in our Province bear a solemn responsibility to uphold this position.
Let it be clearly understood that principled disengagement does not mean indifference. Our position has always been to pray for those who have departed from the faith and to call them to repentance. We continue to plead with the Lord that He would grant them a change of heart and restore them to the faith. It is because we long for that day that we speak plainly. Until it comes, however, we cannot be in communion with those who have distorted God’s Word.
The Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of South Carolina has communicated with his diocese regarding his original intentions in participating in the dedication and the resulting controversy. Next month, as part of the scheduled College of Bishops meeting, I will lay the seriousness of this situation before the bishops and ask them to consider with me what faithfulness to our Lord and the faith we have received requires of those who have been entrusted with ecclesiastical authority.
In the interim, please kneel with me before God’s throne of grace to pray for the renewed faithfulness of His Church."
In Christ alone,
The Rt. Rev. Julian M. Dobbs
Dean of the Province, ACNA
This could be the make or break occasion for the ACNA House of Bishops. I won't, myself, receive communion in an Episcopal church. This bishop shared in reception and distributed the sacrament alongside a person who does not proclaim the Christian faith.
ReplyDeleteI attended a funeral for a friend at an Episcopal parish, and I did not receive communion from the homosexual, "married" priest.
DeleteGood for you, Pewster. We can pray with them, and for them, but not receive communion with apostates.
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