Giles Fraser, one of the liberal clerics who has resigned over the anarchist sit-in in the grounds of St Paul's, calls himself a Christian Socialist, but he is more socialist than Christian. He believes in women Bishops, gay marriage and does not believe in life after death. He also, until his resignation, lived in luxury in central London.
I dare say these people have their place, but it is not within a Christian church. I wonder if he might try a refugee camp in the horn of Africa or Darfur? One could at least respect that.
Christianity is about trusting in Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of one's own personal sins and receiving eternal life as a free gift from God. It is not about 'working your passage' by what you do in this life, but for those who think it is, 'working your passage' does not involve smells and bells and magic spells. Scripture tells us that it is impossible to work you own passage but for those who would like to try you might think about selling all your goods and giving to the poor, caring for those who are sick or imprisoned, feeding the hungry and providing fresh water to the thirsty. That doesn't mean going to coffee mornings and sitting on committees, but getting your hands dirty. It still won't be good enough, but at least the world will respect you.
I am moved to comment on the Church of England. The problem is the Establishment makes for easy living as Terry points out - we don't see Jesus living in loving buildings like St. Paul's. It also allows room for this social liberalism such as approving of gay marriage when the Scripture - is this not the authority for true Christians - seems to have a less tolerant view. Peter and Paul and the other Christian leaders had no church buildings, lived rough and were persecuted for their faith. Perhaps the staff of St Paul's, including the Archbishop, could reflect on this.
ReplyDeleteHaving said that against the Church of England, I attend an Anglican church in Wales, although I was raised in a Methodist tradition. If there remains any doubt that there are Christians in the Chruch of England, I refer you to the writings of the late John Stott, and the preaching, available on iTunes, from All Souls' Langham Place, where he was formerly Rector. Everyone should have the opportunity to hear Rico Tice.
My son attends a C of E church in the St Helen's Bishopgate tradition. Dick Lucas is a great Christian who has done much to complete the reformation of the C of E. Unfortunately, many members of the C of E remain unreformed and some have moved on to even greater heresies.
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