Church of England told to stop watering down faith
by Ethan Cole, Christian Post
Posted: Monday, May 26, 2008, 17:27 (BST)
The Church of England is divided over a proposed motion urging it to proclaim Christianity as the only way to salvation and offer strategies on how to evangelise Muslims.
Senior church leaders as well as some Muslim figures have voiced anger at the motion proposed by Paul Eddy – a lay member of the church’s General Synod, according to the BBC. Eddy, along with traditionalist Anglicans, argues that the Church should stop avoiding hard questions about its beliefs.
The Church of England must make it clear that it believes in what the Bible says about Jesus being the only way to salvation, he said. Currently training to become a priest, Eddy believes that being upfront about the Church’s beliefs will be helpful to Muslim-Christian relations.
“Most Muslims that I’ve talked to say, ‘I really wish that Christians would stop watering down their faith and expecting us to do the same,’” Eddy said on BBC Radio Four on Sunday. “Until we start really saying what we really believe in our faith, there will be no respect.”
Eddy went on to note that Muslims expect Christians to believe that Jesus is the only way to God.
“They will expect us – if we’re true Christians – to try to evangelise them, in the same way they will expect us, if they’re true Muslims, to adopt their faith,” he said.
But the problem is that the Church, in an effort to be inclusive and to avoid offending people of other faiths, has “lost its nerve” and is “not doing what the Bible says”, he claims.
"Both Christianity and Islam are missionary faiths," Eddy pointed out. "For years, we have sent missionaries throughout the whole world, but when we have the privilege of people of all nations on our doorstep, we have a responsibility as the state church to share the gospel of Jesus Christ."
He urges Anglican bishops to give Church members advice on how to evangelise, and how to better support Muslims who have converted to Christianity and who are now ostracised by their communities.
The proposal is expected to be discussed at the General Synod summer meeting, being held from July 4 to 8 in York.
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The comments below are readers' personal opinions and are in no way intended to reflect the editorial opinion of Christian Today.
Added: Tuesday, June 3, 2008, 16:13 (BST)
I agree with Paul Eddy. This is not a subject that should be left alone as if we had reason to fear a debate since we have the ultimate TRUTH and that must favour the exposing of falsehood and heresy having as it does within it such violence and anger that I have witnessed first hand. If only a few bishops would take up the debate it would draw the Church of England to confront the evil within our land and save many from deception.
JASON
Jason Westrope-Mann, Chadwell Heath, Essex
Added: Thursday, May 29, 2008, 16:55 (BST)
I agree with Mr Eddy. We Christians must not avoid the pure truth of the Bible. We must express it in love and in a timely manner. Many times, we can first introduce Jesus to others gradually as 1) friend, then 2) Saviour, then 3) Lord of our life. We don't have to (actually, we must not) bludgeon others with the Bible, but we must proclaim the truth contained within. Probably the most important aspect of our personal witness is that we must actually live the Bible message - at all times.
Steve Bonrepos, Modesto, California, USA
Added: Wednesday, May 28, 2008, 15:49 (BST)
Paul Eddy is right, in that the C. of E. is failing to do what the Bible says when it avoids teaching that the only way to God is through Jesus. It is also failing to do what the Bible says when it refrains from campaigning for adulterers, homosexuals and rebellious teenagers to be stoned to death. Long may it continue to use its sense of discrimination, however vexed 'Bible Believing Christians' may feel.
R. Lane., Birmingham, England
Added: Tuesday, May 27, 2008, 10:56 (BST)
I am entirely in agreement with this motion. However, what we need in discussion with non-Christians is always to maintain a sense of humour. I find it is not difficult to declare loudly to anyone, that if they do not accept Jesus into their lives, they will rot in hell! The conversations have been simplistic through to quite deeply theoretical, but I have always parted company in good spirit and friendship.
People take their faith (or lack of it) far too seriously. We only have to look at some of the expressions on the faces of congregation members. I am not suggesting that some do not have serious concerns in their lives, but with Jesus in your heart the experience is uplifting and laughter becomes an integral part of one's life. God bless.
Mathsteach2, Barbados
Added: Monday, May 26, 2008, 20:34 (BST)
I feel we should remember the words of our Lord Jesus found in (Mark 8:38) "If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation,the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his Father'sglory with the holy angels." As christians we should be loving to all regardless of what people believe,but like St. Paul said in Romans 1:16,"I am not ashamed of the gospel because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyonewho believes..." Jesus Christ is not a way,He is the only way ordained by God.
Pastor Kevin P. Bartholf, colonia,N.J. USA
