Thank God GAFCON Primates are Defying English 'POSH & AWE'
By Julian Mann
Special to Virtueonline
www.virtueonline.org
February 22, 2013
The English ecclesiastical establishment can still play the 'posh and awe' game. Even though the United Kingdom is heading for a cataclysmic social disaster due to rapid de-Christianisation, a ceremonial event such as the enthronement of a new Archbishop of Canterbury is an opportunity to impress overseas visitors with the aura of an ancient cathedral, the ermine sheen of the House of Lords, and the musty whiff of an Oxbridge high table.
That is why orthodox Anglicans the world over should be enormously thankful for the gospel-motivated spiritual discernment of the GAFCON leaders. By God's grace, they are not dazzled by 'posh & awe'.
The GAFCON Primates know what God thinks of religiosity without righteousness: "I hate, I despise your religious feasts; I cannot stand your assemblies. Even though you bring me burnt offerings, I will not accept them. Though you bring choice fellowship offerings, I will have no regard for them. Away with the noise of your songs. I will not listen to the music of your harps. But let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream." (Amos 5v21-24 - NIV).
The GAFCON leaders will be doing a great service to orthodox Anglicans in the liberal-dominated Western provinces by continuing to refuse to attend primatial meetings if Mrs Jefferts Schori is present. The theological stand GAFCON is taking is hugely helpful in making crystal clear that lines of biblical conviction have been crossed and that indaba with false teachers cannot be given spiritual legitimacy.
GAFCON defies the revisionist plausibility structure that places institutional power politics above the revealed truth of the Lord Jesus Christ and indeed, in TEC, seeks to use jurisdictional claims against those who are proclaiming the biblical gospel. Ecclesiastical 'posh & awe' is part of that plausibility structure, so thank the good Lord that orthodox Archbishops and Bishops from the two thirds' world are not being taken in by it. We must pray that they continue to put Jesus first.
It is worth remembering amidst the ancient lustre of a Canterbury enthronement where the future of vital Christianity lies. The UK, for example, is becoming so anti-Christian that it could get to the point that British Christians end up seeking asylum in GAFCON countries due to the impossiblity of earning a living in their own country, let alone preaching the gospel.
So much for the posh & awe of the English ecclesiastical establishment when Christians are having to flee the country because of persecution. Julian Mann is vicar Parish Church of the Ascension, Oughtibridge, South Yorkshire, UK.
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