Some Comments from South to South Encounter, by Dean of Bishopdale Theological College, New Zealand

“CONCORDIA” is the Latin title of the 1580 Book of Concord, which is the collection of the Lutheran Confessions that all orthodox Lutheran bodies accept as “a true and unadulterated statement and exposition of the Word of God”.

Well, Harry, as always, I’m glad you chimed in and added a Lutheran perspective.  As a Missouri Synod Lutheran, you might also have reminded us that Concordia is also the name of both of the LC-MS seminaries.

As a NT scholar, let me add that there is an important Greek word that is synonymous with the Latin concordia and that’s homothumodon, which IIRC occurs about 10 or 11 times in the NT, always in the book of Acts, and is used by Luke to describe how the early Christians were all united and “of one accord” or one mind.

You Lutherans are right, Harry, that there is simply no substitute for doctrinal fidelity and unity in doctrine.

Thanks for posting this fine meditation, Sarah.  It’s comforting to be reminded that even in an extremely liberal province like New Zealand, there is at least one orthodox bishop and diocese left, i.e., the Diocese of Nelson.

David Handy+

Passages that are actually quite clear are made to say the opposite of their plain meaning. The logic and reasoning is strained and at key points quite incoherent.

Well that’s what happens when you take God’s Holy Word and try to twist it - you get utter nonsense…which is what the leadership of TEC expouses.

Passages that are actually quite clear are made to say the opposite of their plain meaning. The logic and reasoning is strained and at key points quite incoherent.

Since Denver and the rape of the Prayer Book I have had a sense of unreality, through a glass darkly if you will, over the written and spoken pronouncements of The Episcopal Organizaton. I remain dumbfounded that otherwise sane adults subscribe to these agonizingly illogical fabrications.

My thanks to the third world for their fundamental inability to accept lies, even when put forth by men and women with fancy educations and really neat hats.

David,

Not only the seminaries, but the colleges, many schools and some congregations.  We have absolutely no originality in the LCMS when it comes to naming things

Harry (#5),

LOL.  Thanks.

David Handy+

Thanks for posting this Sarah. One of the interesting statements that emerged through the plenary addresses (I think by ++John Chew) was the need to get away from an idealised vision of ‘Anglicanism’ identified with its English expression. As the Global South gain in confidence as a significant stake-holder within the Anglican world, they appear to me to be increasingly frustrated with inheriting a global north agenda, together with the control of communion instruments to achieve the outcomes predetermined in the proverbial back room (probably a literal one for that matter).

The more positive focus and energy (while responding with clarity to AC ‘issues’ as per the communiqué) was much more in exploring what does it mean to be Anglican (or more specifically, an Anglican expression of the one, holy, catholic and apostolic church) in the very divergent contexts as experienced within the global south. In their own words, this will require new expressions of being Anglican as necessary to meet the missional challenges of each context.

It is clear that this is not departing from the AC, nor providing alternatives to the Instruments of Communion, but it does signal that time, energy and precious resources will be given less to AC ‘Instruments’ and their associated initiatives, and more to Global South initiatives and the capacity to further the gospel mission affirmed (with passion) by the Global South.

Here in the Diocese of Nelson, and through our newly established and fledgling theological college, we have a joint initiative that we have named ‘New Anglicanism’. It is unashamedly ‘Anglican’ drawing on the radical and pioneering DNA that accompanied the formation of Anglican Church, but exploring how Anglican treasures old and new (see Matthew 13:52) can provide ‘deep church’ in our particular context. ‘New Anglicanism’ will focus on networking at grassroots level, and be particularly mindful that in a post-colonial age we are no-longer answerable to euro-centric masters. To be honest, I believe we in the ‘western’ church are still in our infancy when it comes to engaging with genuine theological and spiritual dialogue with non-western perspectives and experiences.

In many ways, the grass-roots networking mode of ‘New Anglicanism’ is very similar to the ‘Third Way’ discussions stimulated by Sarah’s post subsequent to GC 2009. If anyone wants to explore this further, you might visit the website for Bishopdale Theological College, and the link to the ‘Institute for New Anglicanism’. This is a positive and proactive initiative in seeking to get beyond to the reactive stance that we have been drawn into by events over the past decade.

To clarify: we are still ‘Anglican’ within the context of the Anglican Church of Aotearoa New Zealand and Polynesia, but seeking to be more intentional in addressing what it means for us in seeking (in God’s grace) to be Anglican in our context and in this point in history, while being faithful to our calling as members of the one, holy, catholic and apostolic church.

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Tim+ at #7,

Many thanks for your post, and for your courageous public stand at GSE. Given the wide variation in theology in the Anglican Church in New Zealand, I guess there are some who will crticise or persecute you for it.

It is heartening to see a seminary with a firm foundation - these are the best ways of providing strong clergy and laity.

Greeting from the west island (and note that, in Christian love, there is not a single sheep joke in this post).

Much appreciated MichaelA. As a long time resident of the ‘West Island’ (in exile..?), I appreciate your restraint regarding sheep And I shall similarly resist the temptation to allude to the map on my wall showing the three islands, with the western one in somewhat diminished size…

More seriously, I believe that theological education is a significant element at the heart of the problem, and potentially no less significant as a remedy. We are hopeful of some more intentional networking amongst colleges in Oceania to enhance our collective voice, and that was one benefit from some of our conversations with our Australian brothers while in Singapore. ++Sydney is a much appreciated pastor and mentor, and I was very glad to see my friend ++Adelaide standing with conviction alongside the GS in that context.

Cheers,
Tim