Defamation: "Health Report" on the C of E (following the York Synod)

Mr. (rev.) Collin Coward,
Church of England cleric

Theme: defamation.

This old boy gets it right, although he's a "liberal" Church of England man.  The article is entitled, "A Health Report on the C of E following the York Synod." 

It's for reasons like this that we call ourselves "Post Anglican," ditching and draining the dirty tub and dirty wash--quite often--without tossing the baby out.

As classicists and old schoolers (which Mr. Coward is not), Mr. Coward gets it exactly right.  He doesn't "like" the Biblical God. 

In short, Mr. Coward hates, defames, slanders and libels the Biblical God.  Mr. Coward, like Romans 1.18-32, attempts the redefinition. 

It's just this simple.  In short, Colin Coward's a "liar."  It can't be put more politely or simply.  If "defamation" is "cause for actionable cases" in civil courts (with monetary awards for compensatory and exemplary reasons), as "injuries to a person" (as opposed to property), is it less serious in theological courts of inquiry?  The real spine is gone when we say less.  Do we need spinal transplants these days at Lambeth and Canterbury?

The 9th commandment is at bar, inter alia. Softer sorts in dog collars in high positions, be-robed and all, just can't seem to utter the words, "liar" or "defamer."  This is not extreme or radical, but straightforward.

A taste from St. Paul.

Romans 1.21-22:

²¹διότι γνόντες τὸν θεὸν οὐχ ὡς θεὸν ἐδόξασαν ἢ ηὐχαρίστησαν, ἀλλ' ἐματαιώθησαν ἐν τοῖς διαλογισμοῖς αὐτῶν καὶ ἐσκοτίσθη ἡ ἀσύνετος αὐτῶν καρδία. ²²φάσκοντες εἶναι σοφοὶ ἐμωράνθησαν,

²¹ Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.

²² Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools

Romans 1.25:

²⁵οἵτινες μετήλλαξαν τὴν ἀλήθειαν τοῦ θεοῦ ἐν τῷ ψεύδει, καὶ ἐσεβάσθησαν καὶ ἐλάτρευσαν τῇ κτίσει παρὰ τὸν κτίσαντα, ὅς ἐστιν εὐλογητὸς εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας: ἀμήν

²⁵ Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.

There is it, with strength, "...who changed the truth of God into a lie..."

We'll forego exegesis and development.

But, that's the "big issue" these days in the Church of England.  There are different views of God. 

Mr. (Prof.) J. Gresham Machen, one of those several scholarly lions from old Princeton Seminary of the early 20th century, a Confessional Presbyterian, nailed the "basics" on this in "Christianity and Liberalism."

Liberalism is not "Christian" along the major loci of theology.  Nor is Mr. Coward.

Every church leader should read Mr. Machen's work.  Young collegiate-aged Churchmen need to work through it.

It is available at:  http://www.amazon.com/Christianity-Liberalism-J-Gresham-Machen/dp/0802864996/ref=sr_1_12?ie=UTF8&qid=1373765374&sr=8-12&keywords=j.gresham+machen

Colin nails it too--we, quite accurately, do have different views of God. 


Here's the bio:  Mr. (rev.) Colin Coward, Director of Changing Attitude, is a Presbyter (they call them priests) and psychotherapist. He claims ministry for 19 years in inner-city parishes in the Diocese of Southwark. He lives near Devizes, Wiltshire, and is actively involved in his local church.

Here's Colin's view:

"The Church of England knows it has a crisis on its hands. It thinks the crisis might be solved by gently persuading enough conservatives to overcome their convictions and vote yes for women bishops. I am convinced the problem is far deeper than that. I think we hold dramatically different understandings about the nature of God and they are irreconcilable. I believe in a God of love. They believe in a nasty, rule-bound, vindictive God who despite everything they say, hates gays. Until they overcome their prejudice, they will continue to drive the church towards a precipice. Until people, especially in Synod, have the courage and awareness to proclaim that God looks totally different from the conservative’s version of God, the majority of people in this country will treat us with disdain and many church members will continue to abandon the church" [emphasis added].

For more, see:

http://changingattitude.org.uk/archives/7281