Rolling Stones guitarist Mr Keith Richards once famously observed of blogs: ‘Why should I be interested in what some (so-and-so) on the other side of the world is thinking?’ So in that spirit Cranmer’s Curate offers his pen'arth from the parish pump on why the Bishop of Rochester, Dr Michael Nazir Ali, is wrong to resign:
· The point of bishops is to serve the local church. Bishops have considerable influence in appointments and a good bishop can make sure that Bible-teaching, Gospel-preaching agents of spiritual change are appointed to positions in local churches. The longer an Evangelical bishop stays at the crease, the more runs (good appointments) he can make.
· His precise role as a helper of persecuted Christians in Muslim countries is a little unclear. There are organisations such as the outstanding Barnabas Fund that are already doing that. It looks as if Dr Nazir Ali envisages some kind of itinerant ministry for himself. But cc asks how effective itinerant ministry is in any context? He can more effectively make raids on behalf of persecuted Christians in this country and abroad from his stronghold in Rochester.
· A prophetic episcopal voice is needed in the current House of Bishops and in the General Synod. It is unbecoming in a prophet to cut and run. Even if like Jeremiah he is shoved into a well, he should not desert his post. Evangelicals have not yet been thrown out of the Church of England, so he can’t say he is accompanying the godly remnant into exile (even if that Old Testament paradigm were applicable in this case, which it is not).
This Anglican Evangelical parish plodder (cc) plans by God’s grace to keep preaching the Gospel in and through the Church of England until either the Umpire's finger goes up and he is called to higher service or he gets the neo-liberal jack-boot on his back-side shoving him out the door. One day, God willing, the Church of England will be Reformed Evangelical again and will proclaim to the nation the true Lord Jesus Christ of the Bible to God's glory and the good of His elect people.
For what it's worth, cc says now is not the time to quit.
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Absolutely
ReplyDeleteBut what do you mean "Reformed Evangelical again"?
Tim
Thank you Tim. It's good to have your posts.
ReplyDeleteFair point on one level - I'm not so historically naive as to think the Church of England was ever a homogeneous church. But it was very much more Reformed and Evangelical in theology, liturgical practice and architecture prior to the advent of first Tractarianism in the 19th century and then the rise of Liberal Catholicism in the 20th.
If you'd like to submit as a guest post on why you remain committed as an Evanglical to the Church of England, I would happily run it.
Warmly in Christ,
Julian
thanks, I'll put some thought to it, but probably not until after Easter if that's OK
ReplyDeleteTim
I thought the Tractarians in the 19th Centuary were trying to preserve orthodox christianity within England against the rising tide of Liberal Protestantism.
ReplyDeleteIf Dr. Nazir-Ali's resignation was offered after much prayer and meditation, and with a desire to do God's will, (and I am certain that in this bishop's case, both of these conditions apply) then you need have no fears for the preaching of the gospel, either within the CofE or elsewhere, as a result of his decision.
ReplyDeleteGod is not finished with Michael Nazir-Ali yet. I suggest we are going to be amazed at what the Lord is going to do through his obedience over the coming months and years.
Hi Julian
ReplyDelete(commenting here for relevance)
I have a post ready on "why I am still an Anglican", but it is a bit long (2000 words +) would you like it shortened or split or what?
email me on the dot goodbodies at virgin dot net
thanks
Tim