Today I have spent some time reflecting on history and tradition, having watched Gavin Ashenden’s presentation on why he left the Church of England. Earlier in the week, I read a post at Cranmer’s site about the problem of schisms in politics and churches. Christianity has a long history of dividing into factions. In the very pages of Scripture we read:
“For it has been declared to me concerning you, my brethren, by those of Chloe’s household, that there are contentions among you. Now I say this, that each of you says, “I am of Paul,” or “I am of Apollos,” or “I am of Cephas,” or “I am of Christ.” Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?” (1 Corinthians 1:11-13, NKJV)
Verses like these present us with questions. When is it appropriate to put aside one’s differences and go along with a group? When is it appropriate to leave the group in order to pursue a different path? We are warned that we shall end up devouring one another if we cannot achieve unity. But we are also told to flee from unholy religious types who may corrupt us. When faced with an irreformable corrupting influence, a group has two choices: either expel the corrupter or flee from the corrupter. Each option is costly, and the steps to be taken after the choice are not always obvious.
There comes a time, for each congregation, when that choice has to be made. Congregations that belong to larger organisational structures, may be able to avoid the issue for some time – but eventually the upper hierarchy will make demands that the congregation in good conscience cannot obey. This is a looming problem for faithful congregations in the Anglican Communion. Provided the activist liberal bishops leave them alone, they can ignore the problem – but there may come a time when that option is no longer available. For many, that time has already come: each man must answer to his own conscience, and some are more easily perturbed than others.
The great sweep of Christian history can be a comfort when faced with such choices: Christians have been in this situation before, and Christ has shepherded His sheep. A true believer has Christ with him, whether he feels Christ’s presence or not. Christ has promised never to leave or forsake us. There is also the guidance to be found in the Bible. Careful contemplation of similar scenarios can help one to determine what the right response should be to the problem of institutional corruption.
Above all, accountability matters. A danger that can accompany group changes is the loss of openness and honesty with one another. Catholics are right to point to the danger of “becoming one’s own pope” in scenarios where a leader loses the requisite humility that such a role demands. There is a particular danger in becoming “puffed up” from study, thinking that one has all the answers.
I want to close this post by saying that I am not encouraging a given individual to stay in or leave his congregation. Rather, I am putting forward the point that we cannot afford to be complacent in this issue. We should take stock every so often to consider how best to approach the twin issues of Christian unity and purification from corrupting influences.
All Along the Watchtower 
A complicated problem to be sure!
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Indeed, but one that will become increasingly relevant. False religion is going to be a major snare in the end times and I’m concerned for all those nominal Christians who do not have the foundation to distinguish between fake Christianity and real Christianity. I’m not concerned about my own particular congregation but all things change. Some years from now I could be living somewhere else where this may become relevant.
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As we are increasingly being formed in our morality by the immorality of the state the likelihood of things getting better before they get worse is rather remote. The lack of moral authority by Christians or, in the case of Catholics, by our Pope and Bishops should be apparent to all. We lost this for a reason, a very good reason. We no longer stand on our principles and teach Truth where lies and twisted, fogged over truths, are proclaimed. To speak the Truths of the Faith today takes a masculine and moral authority who is not afraid to continue to say what is right and proclaim what is wrong. When we are too scared to preach these things and the salt has lost its taste the we have become worthless and deserve to be trampled under our feet.
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Sorry, it should read: ” . . . then we have become worthless and deserve to be trampled underfoot.”
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Indeed – I am afraid there is much of that at the moment. If we are to proceed in power we will have to adhere consistently to the Truth in word and deed and rely on God, not the stratagems of Mr Worldly Wiseman. We must find a way of overcoming all the smear. That is one of the reasons why I like Gavin Ashenden: he is a man of principle but also modest and compassionate.
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We’re also struggling at the moment to really minister to people with mental illness and spiritual oppression – if that had been better handled in the past, there’d be less of the V2 craziness and Anglican craziness now.
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Again, much of the reason for that was the ascendency of psychology and psychiatry. It made of these things illnesses fixed by themselves and self awareness or by medications or one of the newer ‘therapies’. Anything regarding spiritual aspects of the person was laughed off as a medieval practice and understanding that we now have learned better about now that we are modern and sophisticated. But you are right. We quit exorcising or correcting behaviors with goals and ideals that had been taught for 2000 years. It was no longer applicable in this scientific age; though there is always a modicum of truth even in their untruth. So I am not saying that medications are not called for in some cases or some treatments will not help . . . but it is not the end all of what the soul finds itself needful of. There is still an emptiness that has not been filled and that only Christ can fill.
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Agreed: the body may need medication, but the soul needs Christ, and a soul that does not belong to Christ is open to demonic infestation. I fear our Enlightenment approach has stripped much of the power and concepts from the Church that helped her combat evil.
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It has indeed.
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Scoop, I admire your truthfulness and stand for righteousness.
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We should take stock every so often to consider how best to approach the twin issues of Christian unity and purification from corrupting influences.
Who is “We”? You denominations and religions can cry unity all you want. You might as well join forces…..none of yall are saved and know the Lord. The saved will never join with the fearful and idolatrous religions of demonic queens of heaven and saint worship.
Here is the motto of the saved;
The Lord is our Shepherd, we shall not want.,
All the religions do is sit around wondering why their ranks are so wicked.
Jesus stands at your door and knock. If any man open, he will come in and sup with him.
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Reblogged this on Richard's Watch and commented:
An important and sound reflection in view of recent issues that have upset many of my readers. Am particularly pleased with Nicholas’ central emphasis on ‘accountability’, which is where the many non-traditional, modern churches can be vulnerable – yet 30 years ago ‘heavy shepherding’ gave rise to concerns and reaction to steer away from that style of pastoral oversight.
When I objected to joining a church as a possible new believer the Lord gave me the definitive answer by opening my new bible to Hebrews 13:17 – ‘Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as men who must give an account. Obey them so their work will be a joy and not a burden, for that would be no advantage too you.’ Such a clear directive was foundational to my journey along ‘The Way’!
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