Theologian Packer quits Anglican Church of Canada
by Lillian Kwon, US Correspondent
Posted: Monday, April 28, 2008, 21:56 (BST)
"This is about the fundamental question of how we derive any kind of Christian truth," he said, according to The Canadian Press.
Packer, who outlined a conservative Christian theology in his 1973 bestseller Knowing God, described the Bible as the "absolute" authority on divine truth and that it clearly describes homosexuality as a grave sin, as reported by The Vancouver Sun.
The Rev Kevin Dixon, priest at St Mary's Anglican Church in Kerrisdale, believes Packer is adopting a "literalistic" reading of the Bible.
"It's important for people to understand that the holy scriptures is a very nuanced document. I think we need to allow people room to come to a new understanding," said Dixon, the local newspaper reported.
"I have not always held the view that same-sex relationships are consistent with the gospel of Jesus Christ, but now I do."
Packer argued that top leaders of the Anglican Church of Canada have changed their interpretation of Christianity while he and other conservative Anglicans have remained committed to traditional Anglicanism.
"I'm simply being an old-fashioned mainstream Anglican," Packer said.
As conservative Anglicans believe the core beliefs of Christianity are being called into question by the Anglican Church of Canada, the small group of parishes that have left may just the first wave, some predict.
"Every diocese in which this (approval of same-sex blessings) has happened - or something like it has happened - churches have split off," said Stackhouse. "This [issue] is very much in play now; this is not the end game at all."
Over the weekend the Anglican Network in Canada, a splinter group comprised of parishes now under the authority of the Province of the Southern Cone in South America, held a conference where they welcomed Archbishop Gregory Venables, leader of that southern province. His arrival at the conference stirred controversy as the Anglican Church of Canada told him not to intervene in the country's affairs. He refused, however, saying the conservative group of Anglicans wanted him there.
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Added: Wednesday, April 30, 2008, 13:59 (BST)
One ancillary group of points that's largely been unmentioned:
1 J I Packer represents those who valued institutional loyalty to mainline Anglicanism.
2 He represents those who support women's ordination to holy orders.
3 He represents those who forbear Wesleyan Anglicanism within the general Anglican milieu.
Ergo, his departure signals a twilight of liberality and breadth among mainline Anglicans; it should be hailed as such to those who remain for those reasons.
Alec Ream, Ann Arbor, Michigan, US
Added: Wednesday, April 30, 2008, 12:55 (BST)
I believe it was Lenin who coined the phrase "the people have voted with their feet", and at time like this, and in situations that a stand has to be taken on belief in The Word of God, I applaud JI Packer's leaving and realigning with a more theologically sound church and denomination. Reading between the lines, I believe he has had to make a tough decision, and I wonder how many reading this report have had to make similar, or are contemplating, movement away from their churches' due to the same ethical dilemmas. May God be Glorified!
Philip Treagus, Reedy Creek, Australia
Added: Tuesday, April 29, 2008, 13:42 (BST)
This is a very grieving story, but I am glad that Packer is showing some integrity. Homosexuality is a sin. We are not to belittle or ostracise the individual but we are not supposed to accept the sin. Marrying and Blessing a same sex marriage is condoning and accepting their sin.
The greatest threat facing the church is her conversion to the spirit of the world. Do we fear God or man? Who's favour are we trying to win?
Rick, Oshawa,Canada
