Amazing turn of events in Canterbury ...
Gays must change, says archbishop
Jonathan Wynne-Jones(Filed: 27/08/2006)
The archbishop of Canterbury has told homosexuals that they need to change their behaviour if they are to be welcomed into the church, The Sunday Telegraph can reveal.
Rowan Williams has distanced himself from his one-time liberal support of gay relationships and stressed that the tradition and teaching of the Church has in no way been altered by the Anglican Communion's consecration of its first openly homosexual bishop.
The declaration by the archbishop - rebutting the idea that homosexuals should be included in the church unconditionally - marks a significant development in the church's crisis over homosexuals. According to liberal and homosexual campaigners, it confirmed their fears that the archbishop has become increasingly conservative - and sparked accusations that he has performed an "astonishing" U-turn over the homosexual issue.
Liberals who had previously hailed his appointment said they are dismayed that he appears to have turned his back on an agenda that he previously championed.
I bolded the word "agenda" on purpose. Conservatives are accused of creating the "gay agenda" when in reality there are many gay centric agendas out there. One of these agenda's is right here right now: the redefinition and re-commissioning of the Church away from a redemptive gospel to a socially acceptable gospel. I am glad to see the Archbishop rethinking his views and holding to a truly redemptive view.
The revelations came in a newspaper interview last week in which the archbishop denied that it was time for the church to accept homosexual relationships, suggesting that it should be welcoming rather than inclusive. "I don't believe inclusion is a value in itself. Welcome is. We don't say 'Come in and we ask no questions'. I do believe conversion means conversion of habits, behaviours, ideas, emotions," he told a Dutch journalist.
"Ethics is not a matter of a set of abstract rules, it is a matter of living the mind of Christ. That applies to sexual ethics."
Amazing turn of events. The gay centric contingent is of course outraged:
Chris Bryant, a homosexual Labour MP, said that many people would feel betrayed by the archbishop's comments. "The Church of England wouldn't survive without gay clergy in inner cities.
"People will feel this is a huge betrayal. Rowan has refashioned the Church of England into a narrow-minded, conservative sect."
Sect? Narrow-minded? Re-fashioned? The church wouldn't survive? Pretty dire pronouncements on a church supposedly about the gospel of Christ, not the social agenda of gay identified leaders. If a church is only based on what gay activists want, yes, it will fail. Any church based on any issue outside of Christ crucified will fail. If the church is truly based on the Gospel of Christ, nothing will be able to stop it's effectiveness.
In reality, the church will also thrive if the Archbishops calls for biblical sexual stewardship within the leadership.
Liberals, meanwhile challenged the archbishop's attempt to downplay his involvement in the homosexual movement, claiming that he had in fact played a significant role in spearheading moves to make the Anglican Church more tolerant.
The Archbishop certainly has plenty to do and he doesn't need to bow to pressure from the world media or the gay centric contingent in his ranks. At the same time I would love to know more about how he went from affirming gay defined relationships to calling for repentance of homosexual activity. I also pray that the Archbishop will help to create resources and support for those seeking freedom from homosexuality. Calling for repentance and sanctification is wonderful but must also be accompanied with equipping and loving counsel for those seeking freedom from homosexuality.