Fulcrum Discussion: Goddard (Andrew) replies to Goddard (GIles)

(Ed: yes, this really is all one parargraph):

In summary, I think the stance I take on sexuality and the current situation in the Communion fits the vision of Anglicanism I've just outlined in a way no other stance does. It is I believe fully biblical and I take encouragement in that belief from the fact that the church down the ages and across the world today read Scripture as opposed to homosexual practice whereas all other readings are very recent novelties and held by only a small proportion of Christians. The fact that the bishops from around the world at Lambeth 1998 so overwhelmingly took that view and judged the church could not bless same-sex unions or ordain those in them also means I see it as genuinely 'catholic' and hence those who reject such teaching and practice as the real 'schismatics'. As Archbishop Rowan says in his Hope and Challenge, the question is "whether the Christian Church has the freedom, on the basis of the Bible, and its historic teachings, to bless homosexual partnerships as a clear expression of God's will". Though, as he notes, this "is disputed among Christians" it is true "as a bare matter of fact, only a small minority would answer yes to the question". However, I also recognize that we are facing new challenges and understandings today and so need to keep on listening and learning and particularly struggling to combat all "victimisation or diminishment of human beings whose affections happen to be ordered towards people of the same sex" (The Primates at Dromantine). It concerns me that some evangelicals and others are not always so clear on these last points but unless Anglican churches work within the current teaching and practice of the Communion I fear we will find it impossible to keep on walking together. Read more