Is it just me, or have things changed for the orthodox Anglicans of the world? I sense that those who may have once wanted to fight for the soul of the Episcopal Church, or even of the Anglican Communion, have virtually conceded that battle. There is less urgency, and less stridency in the air, and the orthodox seem to be facing the issues with a weary resignation that the old fights, except for property matters, are winding down. After all, how much more can be said about the heresy of the Episcopal Church that has not been written or spoken dozens of times over?
In some ways, the orthodox seem to be finally starting to look ahead to better days when the orthodox Anglicans of the world will band together to spread the Good News of the Scriptures and the historic faith handed down from the Saints, and break all ties to the heretical faux-theology of TEO, and of Canterbury.
Many of these orthodox may not yet be fully conscious of this change. It is in some ways subtle, in the tone and frequency of blog posts and other communications among those who have for so long been engaged in this fight. There is a sense of resignation that TEO is inexorably going to do what it will do to convert itself into a secular, social-justice based organization, using the Bible only insofar as it can be turned to justify their secular goals. If one is not yet convinced, the upcoming Glasspool consecration should be the nail in the proverbial coffin of belief in the possibility to "reform" TEO back into a Christian organization.
GAFCON has, through Archbishop Kolini, specific actions to be taken within the overall Communion to advance the cause of the orthodox, including probably rejection of the Covenant. In so doing, is it possible that a line has been drawn in the sand that could lead to the orthodox, particularly the Global South, rendering Canterbury further down the road toward complete irrelevancy? And, GAFCON's open embrace of Abp. Bob Duncan, +Mark Lawrence, and others from among the North American orthodox clergy is an obvious step away from Canterbury.
If this sense is right, and we are not just in some lull, a proverbial eye of the storm, then I, for one, say it is about time. The Bible warns us about false prophets and false teachings, and the dangers of associating with such. TEO and the Presiding Heretic believe their innovations are "prophetic" and driven by the Holy Spirit, and they are not about to come down off the mountain of their errors. They are trodding a path that orthodox believers should not tread, at the risk of their very souls.
Maybe it's just me, but change is in the air, in a way it has not been there before.
There are at least two of us who feel that way. I left TEC 4 years ago, and after some examination joined a CANA/ACNA church. There was never much discussion of TEC except in private conversations. These days, it is all about the future in terms of breaking ground on a new building, setting up the Diocese of the South, etc. TEC is not so much forgotten as irrelevant. These is too much to do, and planning for the future is much more productive than worrying about the past.
Posted by: Tregonsee | May 11, 2010 at 04:48 PM
I have noticed a change, but thought it was just my coming to peace with the fact that TEC isn't turning around and I am not looking back.
I refuse to continue expending energy and time on negative thoughts and useless arguements about what no longer affects me. Now, my prayers, energy, enthusiasm and praise are free from that anxiety! I choose to look forward and my time is spent helping to get our new AMiA/ACNA church plant solidified. A number of friends came along with us, but we also have a number of people who have joined us from different backgrounds. This helped those of us who left TEC recover much quicker and put our focus where it truely belongs.
Posted by: Terri Lynn Hagen | May 12, 2010 at 06:36 AM
I recently returned to the Anglican church after an absence of forty-four years. I had gone to another church and left it much disheartened after thirty years. It took another fourteen years before the Lord moved me to return home only to find it much changed. I go to an ACNA parish and look forward to the future in a faith true to righteous teachings. I pray for TEC that they can return to God.
Posted by: Michael Clark | May 16, 2010 at 05:26 PM