Why does this always come down to "us" vs "them". Via media, "the middle", has been a fine place to for almost 500 years. I'm conservative and orthodox and doing just fine in a liberal diocese in the TEC. Stop trying to sow descension. Move on.
I don't know about the advisability of media via. I was told long ago that if you're in the middle of the road you're likely to get hit by traffic going in both directions.
The trouble is that the middle is the new right, just as you once were more middle. It's not a major highway that splits evenly.
It is not the battle of Dunkirk which lasted an even. This is like a block of cheese, where each slice is always from the right side. The left has grown to move farther left, but the right side is the one that separates.
In the last bit, more centrist CANA has left, a little more conservative is AMiA and then even more the Continuing Churches. It appears CANA is very liberal compared to those who left some thirty years ago.
My solution? As someone who has attended Truro (I was even married there many years ago), I do not see what ministry the church was prohibited from doing that necessitated this split. In taking an honest look at the situation, it all boils down (from my perspective) to homophobia (as defined as fear of homosexuals).
I do not think the far liberal wing of the TEC has a leg to stand on. You can only preach so many sermons on the MDG. Without the life transforming message of the Gospel, they have nothing to offer.
99% of the work of the church is done at the parish level. Liberal parishes will not thrive. If Truro had hung in there for another 10 years, they would see things swing back to the right. Liberal parishes will shut their doors, orthodox ones will remain. Those who wait on the Lord...
I also think this would have been the right approach from the point of view of the Gospel. Turning the other cheek, loving your enemies, praying for those that persecute you...
Lastly, I think that everything that has been done just detracts from the message of the Gospel. Schism, lawsuits, etc. I don't think it will be rewarded. The TEC will not be replaced with another province, if the communinon splits, it will not be the Church of Nigeria that remains Anglican. I don't even think you will retain your property. But time will tell.
7 comments:
Why does this always come down to "us" vs "them". Via media, "the middle", has been a fine place to for almost 500 years. I'm conservative and orthodox and doing just fine in a liberal diocese in the TEC. Stop trying to sow descension. Move on.
Hmm ...
Maybe it might be a good idea to read this as well.
bb
Yes, I am well aware of the mess that has been made on both sides of the divide. I agree with your theology, not with your methods, or your solution.
What solution would you offer, Anon?
I don't know about the advisability of media via. I was told long ago that if you're in the middle of the road you're likely to get hit by traffic going in both directions.
The trouble is that the middle is the new right, just as you once were more middle. It's not a major highway that splits evenly.
It is not the battle of Dunkirk which lasted an even. This is like a block of cheese, where each slice is always from the right side. The left has grown to move farther left, but the right side is the one that separates.
In the last bit, more centrist CANA has left, a little more conservative is AMiA and then even more the Continuing Churches. It appears CANA is very liberal compared to those who left some thirty years ago.
The middle now is the new right.
My solution? As someone who has attended Truro (I was even married there many years ago), I do not see what ministry the church was prohibited from doing that necessitated this split. In taking an honest look at the situation, it all boils down (from my perspective) to homophobia (as defined as fear of homosexuals).
I do not think the far liberal wing of the TEC has a leg to stand on. You can only preach so many sermons on the MDG. Without the life transforming message of the Gospel, they have nothing to offer.
99% of the work of the church is done at the parish level. Liberal parishes will not thrive. If Truro had hung in there for another 10 years, they would see things swing back to the right. Liberal parishes will shut their doors, orthodox ones will remain. Those who wait on the Lord...
I also think this would have been the right approach from the point of view of the Gospel. Turning the other cheek, loving your enemies, praying for those that persecute you...
Lastly, I think that everything that has been done just detracts from the message of the Gospel. Schism, lawsuits, etc. I don't think it will be rewarded. The TEC will not be replaced with another province, if the communinon splits, it will not be the Church of Nigeria that remains Anglican. I don't even think you will retain your property. But time will tell.
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