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GRATEFUL THANKS to Thomas who – in his comment on Toxic Brand? - spelled out a vision for the Church of England “in an ideal world”. I commend it warmly and gladly:
Many thanks for this, Simon – echoing many things that I feel. In an ideal world, the Church of England would:
- Confidently go about worshipping God – Father, Son and Holy Spirit – with plenty of services (!) and making the most of the changing seasons of the Christian Year. However, the Trinitarian formula would be used not to condemn those of other faiths who see things differently – nor would it be used to bolster some of the more dubious theories of the atonement, where a wrathful Father needs to punish his innocent Son in order to atone for our sins.. Rather, the love at the heart of the Trinity would be reflected by the Church – in respecting and entering into mutually fruitful dialogue with those of other faiths (where we learn from one other’s insights about God). And an emphasis on the love at the heart of the Trinity should remind the Church that those “atonement theories” that focus on wrath have missed the point…
- Stand up for justice across the world. Of course, there are parts of the Church of England which do this brilliantly. Thank God that the bishops have stood up for those in this country who have to rely on food banks. But two concerns remain for me:
(a) how sad that the Church – which has been at the forefront of campaigns against racism and poverty – is not part of the solution but part of the problem on issues of justice for gay people and for women. When will we stop using a couple of verses from Leviticus and Romans to justify prejudices that must offend a God of justice and love? And
(b) an ideal Church of England would carry on serving the poor, and the marginalised, and any in need in our local communities, not just because this is an opportunity to “get them into church” and thereby “grow” (or convert them?) – but because Jesus commanded us to love our neighbour as ourselves. It makes me deeply worried that this kind of service to the poor – an end in itself for Jesus – is too often seen merely as a means to an evangelistic end. (As Martyn Percy points out, it’s not all about growth!)
- Engage in evangelism – but not an evangelism which says “Turn to Jesus, receive individual salvation, work out God’s plan for your life, and ensure you end up in heaven”, Rather it must be an evangelism which encourages people to see what God’s kingdom-project is all about, so that they too can be encouraged to play their part in bringing about God’s kingdom in the here and now, on earth as it is in heaven – for the benefit of all people.
I hope and pray that this ideal world will come!
Thanks for reading and for helping to prompt these thoughts…
Thomas