This press release from the Anglican Church of Canada tells of three addresses given by Andrew Hutchison at a Trinity College, Toronto conference Ties that Bind: Being in Communion in the Anglican Church of the 21st Century
The lectures can be found here:
A report on this from TLC by Aaron Orear:
Canadian Primate Says Spiritual Questions on Homosexuality Exist Throughout the Communion
The concluding statements of the conference are also at TLC:
A Responsible Place at the Table
From “A Responsible Place at the Table” 9. We see the Spirit of God at work in the Church but also in the world. This is key. When I look at changes to the marital laws in Canada and Spain (and their evolution in a number of countries), I see the Spirit of God—the One who inspired the Biblical writers to say “the Truth shall make you free” and “Proclaim liberty to all the inhabitants”—continuing to work in the world. Much of the time, the Church has words of prophetic correction to preach to the world . . . but… Read more »
Dear J.C.: You quote the document that says, “We see the Spirit of God at work in the Church but also in the world.” Zeitgeist = Holy Spirit? There is indeed a spirit at work in the world. He is called “the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience” (Ephesians 2:2). He is called “the god of this world” (2 Corinthians 4:4). The spirit known as “he that is in the world” is explicitly distinguished from “He that is in” those who are “of God”. As you well put it,… Read more »
So, DGus, you believe that anything that is influenced by the “zeitgeist” – the spirit of the times – is actually a product of “the god of this world,” the Prince of Darkness?
For instance, the abolition of slavery, women’s suffrage, civil rights, the advance of modern medicine – all these are the works of the Devil?
Or does this only apply when it comes to homosexual people, and the Church’s never-ending campaign against us?
Was about to comment, but bls beat me to it 🙂 However, I’m old enough to remember the Church’s (mostly poor) response to the Civil Rights movement in the 60’s when I was a child in the American South, as well as the nonsensical hubbub over female clergy in the 70’s. I’ve also read extensively on the Southern church’s role in slavery and racism in the 19th cent. In each of those cases as well, so-called “conservatives” condemned these “innovations” as resulting from “the spirit of the Age,” too. Same wailing and gnashing of teeth, same predictions of the demise… Read more »
BLS: Let’s see–how DID slavery get abolished? Oh, yeah, right: The movement was started by that evangelical sect of Christians, the Clapham group, led by William Wilberforce. And in the US, was the movement picked up by secular and atheistic groups? No, I remember the Quakers being important–people like that. And about women’s rights, where in all the history of the world has the role and status of women been most elevated? Right again: In Christianized cultures. (Take a look at cultures today where Christianity has never made inroads. They’re not convivial to women’s rights.) And those early American suffragettes–were… Read more »
I think I was pretty clear on the distinction, DGus. (Your willful misreading suggests malevolence . . . but that’s between you and God)
DGus is misinformed. Abolitionism did not begin among the Clapham sect, but among the Society of Friends, both in America and the UK.
“John Woolman’s Journal” published about 1750, is a classic work of American literature, which documents this. Woolman also wrote anti-slavery tracts, and finally got the American Quakers to abolish slavery among members of the Society. The Clapham sectarians may have picked up on this later (1780s).
That wouldn’t be the same Society of Friends who were in the vanguard of embracing LGBT folk would it? The same Quakers who many “orthodox” have consistently denied the title of Christian? The same group who couldn’t give a fig for clerical shirts and who is wearing them irrespective of their colour?
The sweet odour of sane sanctity fills the air whenever I hear their name.
ROTFL! Well said, Martin 😀 Whenever some “orthodox” tries to use the Society of Friends to make a point for their side, I’m afraid I’ll have to call bullsh*t on it…
I mean *really* ?! Who’ll they try to hijack next to spin something ? The Unitarians ? Oh no, wait – that’s who they’re always comparing us “liberals” to 😉