Thinking Anglicans

Scripture and Sexuality

Scripture and Sexuality – our commitment to listening and learning is the title of a major lecture delivered yesterday by the Archbishop of Wales, Barry Morgan. Here’s how it starts:

Few people doubt that the 1998 Lambeth Resolution on Human Sexuality – Lambeth 1 10 as it has come to be known has not had a profound effect on the Anglican Communion. In fact you could be pardoned for thinking that the Anglican Communion since then has not been interested in any other topic, since it has dominated the Agendas of Provinces, meetings of Primates and of the Anglican Consultative Council. The ordination of a practising homosexual as a Bishop in the USA and the blessing of same sex relationships in Canada might not have had the repercussions they have had, if the Lambeth Conference in 1998 had not had such an acrimonious debate about sexuality. What I would like to do in this lecture is to look at Lambeth 1 10 and ask why this resolution rather than any other has caused such problems, for after all there were 63 pages of resolutions at the 1998 Lambeth Conference.

It’s an extended read, but well worth it.

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Göran Koch-Swahne
18 years ago

I rather think it’s time we have a look at the other 14 resolutions of Lambeth 1998!

http://www.anglicancommunion.org/lambeth/1/sect1rpt.html

John Wall
John Wall
18 years ago

A work of clarity and insight — wonderful! May it be widely read, pondered, and appreciated. JNW

Prior Aelred
18 years ago

It is indeed well worth the read & extensive study & reflection — I was most impressed.

Maybve Sydney’s suggestions of a looser relationship in the Communion is really the only way to avoid a split (although I honestly think it is too late for that)

Göran Koch-Swahne
18 years ago

It is loose.

Judith Guttman
Judith Guttman
18 years ago

I was struck by his reference to the Nigerian author who spoke of a culture of literalism and materialism there, which made literature unimportant and how-to books on Christianity and material success very popular.
This is one of the most helpful and thorough discussions of this issue that I have read.
Judith

J. C. Fisher
18 years ago

Three bits struck me from this wonderful piece (+Morgan’s erroneous “references to homosexuality in scripture” notwithstanding) 1. “Bishop Colenso, who was the cause of the calling of the first Lambeth Conference, was so partly because of his view that eternal punishment in hell was untenable. Few people would now want to disagree with him or see this as a communion breaking matter.” Few Anglicans disagree with universal salvation? I can only HOPE! 🙂 …and the resolution of the above Lambeth-initiating fracas: “It is also interesting to note that when the first Lambeth Conference was called in 1867 by Archbishop Longley… Read more »

Augustus Meriwether
18 years ago

Judith,

That is very interesting – since I’ve been in Malaysia, which also tends toward a literalist approach to scripture, the bookshops here are also brimming with ‘how-to’ books on Christianity and material success.

(Automated, electronically-operated, massaging armchairs are also extremely popular, but I’m not sure that means anything in relation to literalism.)

Dave
Dave
18 years ago

Dear JCF, God loves you!! But that doesn’t mean he “made you gay/queer” or approves of your homosexual desires; though He can forgive you.

Unlike contraception and divorce (in limited circumstances) and even women leaders (!), homosexuality is essentially sinful… According to ALL allusions to it in Bible it sits squarely is within the category of sinful sexual desires.

Fortunately, I am happy to report, God loves sinners like you and me!!

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