This article first appeared in Evangelicals Now here
Chastity & singleness: Changing the code
Words matter. But some words matter more than others. Take this example from the Anglican Diocese of Perth in Western Australia concerning their code of conduct.
‘7.2 Sexuality is a gift from God and is integral to human nature. It is appropriate for clergy and church workers to value this gift, taking responsibility for their sexual conduct by maintaining chastity in singleness and faithfulness in marriage.’ It is now to be changed to ‘7.2 Sexuality is a gift from God and is integral to human nature. It is appropriate for clergy and church workers to value this gift, taking responsibility for their sexual conduct.’
Notice that chastity in singleness and faithfulness in marriage have been removed.
The old code further stated: ‘7.4 You are to be chaste and not engage in disgraceful conduct of a sexual nature.’ And the new one has changed this to: ‘7.4 Your sexual behaviour should be characterised by faithfulness and integrity.’ Notice that the two new codes can be interpreted to mean nothing.
The purpose of this is to be able to accommodate same-sex relationships. Archbishop of Sydney, Kanishka Raffel, the Australian president of the Evangelical Fellowship in the Anglican Communion, said this was against the teachings of both the Bible and the church.
Archbishop of Perth, Kay Goldsworthy, somewhat incredulously declared that this ‘does not give permission for wrongful behaviour in pastoral or personal relationships’. But again, that all depends on what is meant by ‘wrongful behaviour’ now that chastity is no longer required.
All of this bodes ill for the wider Anglican church in Australia. Some have already had enough. The breakaway Diocese of the Southern Cross, headed by former Archbishop of Sydney, Glenn Davies, now has six churches in southeast Queensland and one in Perth. That number is likely to grow.
David Robertson, is the minster of Scots Kirk Presbyterian Church, Newcastle NSW and blogs at http://www.theweeflea.com
The Whole of the Moon – The UK Church in Crisis – EN
This was enabled by the fact that organisations such as Anglicare and Anglican schools were allowed to send voters to the synod, who were usually not Christians at all but completely secular non-churchgoers. Many at my church were completely horrified, and many of us signed a petition against this.
David, you say: ‘Notice that the two new codes can be interpreted to mean nothing.’ Maybe, but only if you ignore things like ‘assumptions’ and ‘context’ and ‘authorial intention’. The old codes can also be ‘interpreted’ in different ways as well — maybe in very negative ways. That’s how language ‘works’ in communication.
Yes – I understand that in your postmodern world you can twist any words so that everything fits your ideology. Which was exactly my point. This is a so called Christian Church turning away from the teaching of Christ just so they can indulge their own sexual ideology….Thats your world….it isn’t mine. I prefer the plain truth and the Word of God….
David, how is my ‘world’, ‘postmodern’? Are you talking about the ideas of ‘context’ ‘assumptions’ and ‘authorial intention’ or what?
Your twisting of language to make it mean whatever you want it to mean. Your continual sniping at those who don’t share your ideology. And your defence of a supposed church which turns away from the Word of God – and tries to justify it with meaningless verbal waffle….
This is an excellent article! Wanton contempt for national law and Church rules, plus biblical principles of natural justice, creates a toxic mess. DaYP [Do as You Please] doctrine impacts liberals and evangelicals. The problems and pain this creates can have a terrible toll. Liberals seek equivalence between traditional (XX, XY) marriage and alternative unions (XX, XX or XY,XY). Radical fundamentalists have sometimes responded (over-reacted) in a dreadful way, to try and counteract extreme liberalism. This has generated institutional Church prejudice at times against people (gay and straight) who faithfully follow the biblical code and remain celibate. Respect for the terms of Lambeth 1:10 on marriage and celibacy is waning in many quarters. Have people like Richard Coles done a lot of damage possibly?
Soft language to suit a soft moral age. It will be accepted by nominal Anglicans.
You get some odd people commenting on your posts, don’t you, David?
Yours prayerfully in Christ,
Paul
You should see the ones I don’t publish!
The mind boggles! 🤔