An Aside on Moralism, by Bishop Robert Forsyth

• An aside on moralism

Robert Forsyth:

One reason for the crisis in the Anglican Communion is that I think that one of the shadow identities was of an Anglicanism that contented itself with broad low grade theology with an emphasis on good works and good behaviour, rather than theological truth. It may well be that such a concern for providing a faith that at least people are to be good has been a long term feature of Anglicanism, at least going as far back as the Reformation with a bruised England recovering from the disastrous 30 years War of the Roses. [23] Certainly there have been other occasions where theological or social conflict may well have led Anglicanism to agree that, whatever else the Christian faith has to offer, first and foremost it is, as the words of the famous Victorian children's hymn [24] also describe the death of Jesus, "to make us good."

But what happens when the taken for granted moral consensus collapses and becomes as fraught as theology? [25] Moralism as a way to keep peace fails.

This point cuts to both sides of the division over same sex relationships, as Null himself pointed out at when addressing GAFCON in June last year.

[U]nless GAFCON can identify a common theological basis, we will have only a common morality to hold us together, and I fear that will not be enough for us in the future as it has not proved enough for the Anglican Communion. [26]

From: Anglican's Ablaze: Anglican Identity and Mission.

The Ninth Sunday after Trinity.

The Collect.

GRANT to us, Lord, we beseech thee, the spirit to think and do always such things as be rightful; that we, who cannot do any thing that is good without thee, may by thee be enabled to live according to thy will; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.