. . .for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. . . Romans 3:23 NIV
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Message from Bishop David Anderson
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Bishop Anderson
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Dear friends in Christ Jesus,
My comments this weekend are my own, and stray from my usual focus on specifically Anglican issues. As Anglicans, however, we live in a complex world where some of the surrounding issues quickly become our issues when Anglicans and other fellow Christians are impacted by current events.
The news of an obscure video circulating around the internet demeaning the Muslim prophet Muhammad and the rioting and killing by Muslims in retaliation thereof is further proof of the insanity of our current world situation. Although some of the violence seems premeditated to coincide with the anniversary of the September 11 attacks, it seems that little provocation is needed to send old and young into the streets to demonstrate.
First, I would like to address the issue of the video - which I have not seen and don't intend to watch. It is reported that the video is highly critical of Muhammad, and makes accusations that would defame him. In the Western world, which today values freedom of expression and the freedom to believe or not believe almost anything, many believe that the producer of the video has a right to make such a presentation. Christians over the last twenty years have had to endure movies that libeled Jesus Christ and the Virgin Mary to name only two. Additionally, purported works of art that defamed and insulted Jesus or Mary have been produced and exhibited in public showings, and the fact that they offended and enraged many of us simply doesn't seem to matter.
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Personally, I want to uphold the right of other citizens to speak freely and to express their own beliefs, but I would urge people to do so in a factual, non-emotional and scholarly manner. I say this because some wish to express their opinions in a manner designed to offend. It seems in these cases that the offending and insulting of someone is a key part of the message. This is not only immature and socially irresponsible, but it is dangerous and can cause collateral damage to innocent victims. In short, I think the video producer had the freedom to make the video but was immature and irresponsible in so doing. My readers know my lack of pacifism and my willingness to point out spiritual shortcomings in certain faith groups, such as the Episcopal Church or Islam for instance, but I believe that strong criticism can be brought to bear and still be respectful of others, and that a civil discourse should be possible. Burning Korans, making videos that scandalize the Muslim prophet Muhammad and making cartoons that are equally insulting is not only insane, but bad manners, and gets innocent people killed. I want to say to the producer(s) of the video, 'shame on you!'
Now, I want to address the situation in that part of the Muslim world and culture where it is seen as proper if not obligatory to revenge any and every slight someone makes to their religion, their holy founders or book, and to use this as an occasion to riot, burn and kill. This shows to me a people collectively who are not yet able to use democracy responsibly (with full regard for the rights of minorities), and whose exercise of their religion is at the expense of the freedom of others to worship God as they understand him. To these mindless rioters and killers in the name of their religion I also want to say, "shame on you!"
Sometimes the U.S government's goals conflict with one another in their practical application. The United States believes in democracy, freedom of religion, and freedom to express one's self in words or pictures, to name only a few of our most precious cultural values. Without their paying adequate attention to the complexity of the Middle East and the Muslim world's history, our national leaders have pushed democracy ahead of other goals which has helped bring radical Islamists to power. The net result has been a tyranny of the most violent, increased persecution of religious minorities (often Christian), and great personal danger to anyone who is charged, however problematically, with blasphemy, damage to the Koran, or lack of respect for Muhammad and Islam.
Why is it that so many Muslims want to move to Europe or North America, but, once here, want to make it like back home with Sharia Law, suppression of women's freedom, and suppression of the free speech of others, and honor killing of any of their family members who somehow dishonor the family discipline or tradition? In a way, it reminds me of those who joined The Episcopal Church so they could change it into the liberal church it has become, and, in the process, make life untenable for those whose family had been Episcopalian for generations.
Although the Western world can still be a welcoming place for new arrivals, they need to accept that they are moving into our world with our values, laws and rights. If they want to live here with us, they ought to accept the values and the system we have in place. Otherwise, they should stay where they are, enjoying their cultural values and traditions. Those of us, either native born or newer arrival, who cherish the freedoms of our land, freedom of religion, freedom of speech, freedom to own property, freedom to own and use sufficient force to defend ourselves and family, to mention only a few, have a right to maintain these freedoms and not have them stolen away by individuals or groups who come here to take us back a thousand years. It is time for the Western world, and especially North America, to wake up and rediscover our beliefs and values that brought us this far.
When I talk about the United States of America and its founding values, there are many things that we were never taught about how strongly Christian values influenced its formative years, down to recent times. Do take the time to watch this video and take note of some of its interesting facts.
I want to close with this thought: in all of the evangelism that I have done in my 42 years in Anglican Holy Orders, as deacon, priest and bishop, I have engaged Mormons, Christian Scientists, Jehovah's Witnesses, Muslims and others in discussing their faith and mine. I have come to a realization. Few people join a religion because it is evil, bad, false, or heretical. Typically, they see some kernel of good, something praise-worthy and something that engages the better part of them, even at the expense of ignoring much of the rest of the faith they accept.
Most people are drawn to the good in something, and if we begin by criticizing their religion, pointing out all of its faults, evils, and falsehoods, they become defensive and argumentative, and their listening shuts down. Better to find out what it is that is good that draws them to their current faith, and how that engages them in a positive way. Then, building on their appreciation of good, share with them your encounter with Jesus Christ, and how he uniquely is God's special answer to our ills. If you build on positives you will go in positive directions. If you build on negative you will generally go in negative directions. I know that I will be considering this in the days ahead and hope that you will too.
Please pray for all who find themselves in the midst of this terrible situation in the Middle East.
Faithfully in Christ,
+David
The Rt. Rev. David C. Anderson, Sr.
President and CEO, American Anglican Council
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| Canterbury's Misdiagnosis: Anglican Perspective | |
September 13, 2012
The Archbishop of Canterbury recently gave an interview where he was quoted as saying:
"I think it might have helped a lot if I'd gone sooner to the United States when things began to get difficult about the ordination of gay bishops, and engaged more directly with the American House of Bishops," he said.
He went on: "I think the problem though, is that the demands of the communion, the administrative demands of the communion have grown, and are growing.
"I suspect it will be necessary, in the next 10 to 15 years, to think about how that load is spread; to think whether in addition to the Archbishop of Canterbury there needs to be some more presidential figure who can travel more readily."
In this week's Anglican Perspective, Canon Phil Ashey of the American Anglican Council looks at the Archbishop's diagnosis of the problems in the Anglican Communion and what the Bible says about how doctrinal issues should be dealt with.
View this week's Anglican Perspective here.
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Episcopal Priest Speaks of Need to Reclaim Liberalism Within Biblical Christianity
| Source: Christian Post
September 13, 2012
By Ginny Mooney
The Rev. John Liebler, an Episcopal priest, lost his faith in an ironic place: seminary. Studying for the priesthood in the late 1970s, Liebler was inundated with a theological liberalism that left him believing that Christianity, and all religion, was just a mirror we hold up to our own wishes rather than a window through which we see true spiritual realities. After a few years pastoring, he finally realized his spiritual emptiness.
We asked Liebler, who now leads St. Andrews Episcopal Church in Fort Pierce, Fla., about how he returned to faith, and why he believes orthodox Christians urgently need to reclaim liberalism. . .
CP: To conclude, how can Bible-believing Christians distinguish anti-Christian liberalism from those elements of liberalism that are in line with the Gospel?
Liebler: The first principal is to commit yourself not only to Jesus Christ as your personal savior but also to Him as your Lord and Master. As one submitted to Christ, allow no political or philosophical viewpoint to define your identity or to claim your loyalty. Second, let the Scriptures in their entirety speak judgment upon your life. If that judgment seems to be correcting ideas from the right or the left, so be it. Let Christ be your master, not a political philosophy.
Finally, take those biblically inspired injunctions and work to enact them in the world. If Christians today would follow this prescription rather than being hijacked by one political party or another, I believe we would see a new movement of God's power and wisdom applied to the social problems we face in our nation. The result would be increased hope, healing, and freedom to countless people far deeper and wider than any government program can offer.
Read the entire article here.
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My job is too big for one man, says Archbishop of Canterbury
| Source: The Telegraph 
September 7, 2012
By By John Bingham and Benedict Brogan
The outgoing leader of the world's 77 million Anglicans suggested a form of job share after admitting that he had failed to do enough to prevent a split over homosexuality.
Dr Williams said a new role should be created to oversee the day to day running of the global Anglican communion, leaving future Archbishops of Canterbury free to focus on spiritual leadership and leading the Church of England.
In his last major interview before he steps down later his year, he acknowledged that he had struggled to balance the growing demands of the job at home and abroad and admitted he had "disappointed" both liberals and conservatives.
He also said that the Church had been "wrong" in its treatment of homosexuals in the past but reiterated his opposition to same-sex marriage.
In a wide-ranging interview with The Daily Telegraph, Dr Williams also acknowledged that his handling of the controversy over the role of Islamic sharia law in Britain had caused "confusion" but said he stood by his central views. . .
Read the entire article here.
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AAC Editor's Note: After this article was published, the Anglican Communion News Service published the following comments from the Secretary General of the Anglican Communion.
The Secretary General of the Anglican Communion has responded to an article in today's The Telegraph newspaper that inaccurately stated: "The Anglican Church is drawing up plans. . . that would see the introduction of a 'presidential' figure to take over some of the global role of the Archbishop of Canterbury."
"The opening paragraph of this article is mischievous," said Canon Kenneth Kearon. "There are no such plans. The Archbishop of Canterbury simply said in the interview that he could see that in the future there might be some reflection on how the administrative load associated with the Anglican Communion might be better shared.
"The Anglican Communion has several decision-making bodies, one of which is meeting in a few months' time. Nothing like what this newspaper has suggested is on the agenda."
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Church of England: Women Bishops Draft Legislation
| Source: Anglican Communion News Service
September 13, 2012
The House of Bishops has today by an overwhelming majority settled the text of the legislation to enable women to become bishops in the Church of England.
The House of Bishops made clear its desire for the draft legislation to be passed into law when it goes forward for final approval to the Church of England's General Synod in November.
Speaking on behalf of the House at the conclusion of their meeting the Archbishop of Canterbury Dr. Rowan Williams said:
'Before turning to the matters we have been discussing, I want to say, on behalf of the Bishops, that our thoughts and prayers are very much with the people of Liverpool and all affected by the Hillsborough tragedy on this day when the report is released. The Bishop of Liverpool has done a great service in steering this work to a conclusion and helping us as a nation to confront this deeply traumatic memory.'. . .
Read the entire article here.
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Christian pastor jailed in Iran for 3 years is freed, watchdog group says
| Source: Fox News
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(Pastor Youcef greeted by his wife after being released from Iranian prison on Saturday. Photo courtesy of Facebook.)
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September 8, 2012
Iranian Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani, who was originally sentenced to death in his native country for his Christian faith, was acquitted of apostasy charges and released from custody.
Nadarkhani, 32, was imprisoned for three years and waiting execution for refusing to renounce his Christian faith. His charges were lowered to evangelizing to Muslims, which carried a three-year sentence. He was released with time served, according to the American Center for Law and Justice, a Washington-based watchdog group that had been campaigning for the pastor's release.
"Today our sources in Iran reported that Pastor Youcef was acquitted of apostasy and released from prison. After languishing in prison for almost three years, he has been reunited with his family," Jordan Sekulow, executive director of ACLJ said in a statement to FoxNews.com.
Read the entire article here.
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