I am cautiously optimistic about the possibilities of the Fellowship of Confessing Anglicans. The Jerusalem Declaration seems to be solidly behind the Scriptures and the 39 Articles as well as the 1662 Book of Common Prayer as the standard for doctrine, worship, and practice. Whether or not Anglo-Catholics will find a way to wiggle around these doctrinal standards is another issue altogether. However, it seems to me that the 39 Articles state strongly and plainly that justification is by faith alone and that there are only two sacraments. The 39 Articles interpreted in their historical context and in their plain meaning cannot agree with any Anglo-Catholic or Tractarian spin.
With that in mind I am giving due consideration to the Fellowship of Confessing Anglicans with a wait and see optimism. I do not believe compromise is an option since the Gospel stands or falls with the doctrines of grace and the five solas of the Protestant Reformation. But the problem is the organization seeks to place the emphasis on ecumenical cooperation rather than on dogma and scriptural authority:
The above quote, however, gives me great concern since I do not believe that Anglo-Catholics and Evangelicals believe in the same Gospel. If this is the position of the FCA, then it is essentially just another sellout of the Gospel to a false gospel of works righteousness and self justification before God. Anglo-Catholicism essentially represents the same sorts of idolatry and unbiblical theology which the English Reformers opposed and gave their lives to refute and dispute as false doctrine. Is the Reformation over? I think not.
The peace of God be with all who trust in Jesus Christ,
Charlie
With that in mind I am giving due consideration to the Fellowship of Confessing Anglicans with a wait and see optimism. I do not believe compromise is an option since the Gospel stands or falls with the doctrines of grace and the five solas of the Protestant Reformation. But the problem is the organization seeks to place the emphasis on ecumenical cooperation rather than on dogma and scriptural authority:
FCA (South Africa) leaders stress that FCA is not another organization and is not seeking to create another church. They add: “It is a spiritual movement and fellowship for renewal, reformation and mission – uniquely bringing together those whose key shaping and commitment, but not exclusive identity, has been through the Anglo-Catholic, conservative evangelical, and charismatic expressions of Anglicanism. The FCA movement unites them in one fellowship defined by its centre in the Christian faith as currently expressed in the Jerusalem Declaration and Statement.” [From: Fellowship of Confessing Anglicans Launched in South Africa].
The above quote, however, gives me great concern since I do not believe that Anglo-Catholics and Evangelicals believe in the same Gospel. If this is the position of the FCA, then it is essentially just another sellout of the Gospel to a false gospel of works righteousness and self justification before God. Anglo-Catholicism essentially represents the same sorts of idolatry and unbiblical theology which the English Reformers opposed and gave their lives to refute and dispute as false doctrine. Is the Reformation over? I think not.
The peace of God be with all who trust in Jesus Christ,
Charlie
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4 comments:
The FCA has AC's & Evangelicals in it - it must therefore be compromised already. AC's teach another Gospel. (Tom Wright thinks its a good thing so it must be bad!)
Dear Rev. Ray,
Thank you again for an excellent and interesting bit of news.
After thirty years in the traditionalist movement I have seen these organizations come and go. None have stood the test of time in providing the Church with a foundation which is built upon rock.
By their own description of their ministry, they are determined to bring (keep?) together three contradictory strains of modern Christianity, citing some unspecified "centre" of the Faith. This is an old canard. They are not the solution to the problem - they ARE the problem.
Wonder how many bishops or seminary deans they count amongst their ranks? - how many lay folk or parishes? What literature have they published?
Accuse me of battle fatigue or shell shock or just ungodly synicism but I will answer in terms of years and countless acronyms of "fellowships" that have come with great hoopla and gone out with a whimper.
The real proof of their effectiveness in bringing about spiritual renewal will not be for you or me to examine or weigh judiciously. It will the task of our children and grandchildren.
To answer Dr. Sproul's question regarding the Reformation, it would seem it is indeed over and Protestants themselves are the ones responsible. I firmly believe if J.C. Ryle himself were somehow to return from heaven to assist the Church, half the evangelicals would say he's not Reformed enough and the other half would invite him to join their Cursillo classes:)
Respectfully,
Charles
Mr. Jack Iker attended the launch of FCA in the UK. While there, he fit in a trip to Walsingham for Marian devotions.
GAFCON exclaims support of the Articles, 1662 BCP, etc., but Greg Venables is/has been involved with AC's.
Confidence does not exist.
The comment from "Charles" is Charles Morley of the Traditional Protestant Episcopal Church in Alabama.
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