The mystery of election. Many mysteries surround the doctrine of election, and theologians are unwise to systematize it in such a way that no puzzles, enigmas or loose ends are left. At the same time, in addition to the arguments developed in the exposition of Romans 8:28-30, we need to remember two truths. First, election is not just a Pauline or apostolic doctrine; it was also taught by Jesus himself. "I know those I have chosen,' he said. (Jn. 13:18). Secondly, election is an indispensable foundation of Christian worship, in time and eternity. It is the essence of worship to say: 'Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to your name be the glory' (Ps. 115:1). If we were responsible for our own salvation, either in whole or even in part, we would be justified in singing our own praises and blowing our own trumpet in heaven. But such a thing is inconceivable. God's redeemed people will spend eternity worshipping him, humbling themselves before him in grateful adoration, ascribing their salvation to him and to the Lamb, and acknowledging that he alone is worthy to receive all praise, honour and glory. Why? Because our salvation is due entirely to his grace, will, initiative, wisdom and power. --- John R.W. Stott

Dear Brothers and Sisters,
www.virtueonline.org
February 14, 2014

What in heaven’s name was Archbishop Justin Welby thinking? Inquiring minds would like to know.

Katharine Jefferts Schori, the presiding bishop of the Episcopal Church (TEC), will receive an honorary degree from Oxford University along with the of the world’s top scholars and fellow religious leaders.

“This award, richly deserved, affirms Bishop Katharine’s remarkable gifts of intellect and compassion, which she has dedicated to the service of Christ,” said Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby. Say what!

Of course institutions like Oxford are free to honor anyone they wish, but how can the Archbishop of Canterbury offer such fulsome praise for Presiding Bishop Katherine Jefferts Schori who, in defiance of Lambeth Resolution 1.10 (1998), has accelerated the unilateral innovations of same-sex blessings and consecrations of same-sex partnered clergy as bishops that have brought terrible division to the Anglican Communion? How can Justin Welby say with any ecclesial integrity that she has “remarkable gifts of intellect dedicated to the service of Christ” when the unilateral innovations she has championed have destroyed that deeper spiritual unity in Christ for which Anglicans pray—that spiritual unity which is the highest good of the Anglican Communion and the very basis for its mission? So wrote Canon Phil Ashey of the American Anglican Council.

An Oxford don wrote VOL to say the awarding of the degree to Jefferts Schori was “disastrous and derisory”. Consider that for the last seven years she has deposed more than 700 priests, spent upwards of $30 million to lawyers to fight for properties of faithful Episcopalians turned Anglicans, denied fundamental tenets of the faith calling among other things calling Jesus “Mother Jesus” and denying the need for personal salvation. She accused the Apostle Paul of being demon possessed, brought a known convicted pedophile into the church from Rome, and the list goes on and on.

One wonders what Global South leaders like Nigerian Primate Nicholas Okoh and Kenyan Archbishop Eliud Wabukala must be thinking. Whatever they are thinking, it surely confirms two things. The first is that Jefferts Schori is not a true Christian believer and secondly, that Justin Welby is prepared to put unity ahead of truth. He should also broaden his reading. It will undoubtedly confirm to orthodox Global south minds that, following Nairobi and GAFCON II, the Archbishop of Canterbury has now moved further away from Evangelicals in the Anglican Communion. That could be his undoing and might galvanize Church of England evangelicals to take a seriously hard look at the Anglican Mission in England as a flight to spiritual safety.

You can read several stories on this “historic” preferment in today’s digest. If you have limited time, read Ladson Mills III’s excellent take on this matter.

*****

Where does the money come from to fund the proposed “facilitated conversations” in the Anglican Communion? An insight can be gleaned from the blog of the Rev. Susan B. Snook who is an Episcopal priest, rector of the Episcopal Church of the Nativity in Scottsdale, Arizona, and a member of TEC’s Executive Council. She writes a detailed account of the meeting just finished in which we find the following statement:

“In addition [to funding a digitization project], we expect to use $312,000 in 2015 to support the Anglican Communion Office, in response to a request from the Presiding Bishop. If approved, this will raise our ACO commitment from $700,000 for the triennium to $1,012,000. According to Presiding Bishop Katharine, her request came not only in recognition of greatly improved relations with the Communion, but also as a gesture of support for some very beneficial work, such as the continuing Indaba project and reconciliation work. We did not officially vote on this request at this meeting, because it affects the 2015 budget, which does not come up for an official vote until October. However, I expect we will approve it then. Note that our 2013 and 2014 payments to the ACO were made as if we were spreading a total of $1,012,000 over three years. If the increased 2015 budget is not approved in October, the ACO will experience a severe cut, to $25,333 in 2015.”

This is very interesting. For “improved relations with the Communion” read “We can do business with Lambeth Palace.” At any rate, we now have confirmation that TEC is committing large sums to fund “Indaba and reconciliation”.

The increased money to the Anglican Communion Office is to buy even more influence with this liberal “instrument of unity” which Archbishop George Carey could not control. This will guarantee that Kenneth Kearon, the ACO’s General Secretary, will never entertain the ACNA and the money will be used to increase the liberal Western Anglican influence in Africa and other ports of Anglican call.

It is pure fiction to think that there has been “greatly improved relations with the Communion.” With whom? Certainly not with any of the African provinces (perhaps with a few dioceses). There is no hint, except possibly for Central Africa, that any minds have been changed. Jefferts Schori’s Marxian tear at Anglican orthodoxy is both relentless and unyielding. Millions are being spent on lawyers to grab properties that she neither bought nor paid for. Her theological utterances would mark her as a U Universalist Unitarian not a Christian as she has said repeatedly she would never try to convert a Muslim to Christ. All religions hold equally salvific value in her mind.

*****

The ACNA beat goes on. With a new parish here and another one there, slowly but surely, the ranks of Anglican churches continue to grow in North America. There are just two more examples just this week.

CANA (a constituent member of ACNA) is launching All Soul’s Anglican Church in Cherry Hill, NJ. All Souls is the newest CANA East Parish under the leadership of the Rev. Dr. Henry Jansma. The launch will take place this Sunday, February 16 with a service at 4:00 PM. The new parish is meeting at the home of Covenant Presbyterian Church (PCA) in Cherry Hill just across the Ben Franklin Bridge.

A website link can be found here: www.allsoulsnj.org

The church’s physical address is:
All Souls Anglican Church (meeting on the campus of Covenant Presbyterian Church)
520 Kings Hwy. South,
Cherry Hill, NJ

In Cranberry, PA, All Saints Anglican Church has a new name and a new Butler County home in Cranberry. The congregation of about 100, led by the Rev. Paul Cooper, took up residence in the former Crossroads Community Church at the intersection of Rochester and Haine School roads in January, ending its three-and-a-half year journey to find a permanent home.

Formerly St. Christopher's Episcopal Church in Marshall, the congregation was one of 41 to leave the Episcopal diocese in 2008 over theological differences. The congregation joined the more conservative, biblically oriented Anglican Church in North America, but legal differences with the Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh over property left the parish without a house of worship in spring 2010.

Today, one in seven Episcopal churches in North America is Anglican. By next year, it could be one in six.

*****

General Synod was in session in the Church of England this past week. A question was raised about the Anglican Church in North America (ACNA) by the ultra-liberal Canon Giles Goddard (Southwark) concerning the appointment of the Rev. Tory Baucom as one of Canterbury Cathedral’s Six Preachers from the point of view of the relationship between the Church of England and ACNA (with which the Church of England is not currently in communion).

The Archbishop of Canterbury’s reply as Chair of the House of Bishops: “Careful thought and assessment has certainly been given to the appointment of Dr. Tory Baucum from the point of view of the relationship between the Church of England and ACNA and also the relationship with The Episcopal Church of course with which the Church of England is in communion, and for that matter with the relationship with the Anglican Church of Canada who feel implicated in this, and also by a number of other churches around the Communion, particularly in the group known as the Global South. An invitation to be a Six Preacher is a personal appointment of the Archbishop and has no implications in itself as to ecclesial relationships. However this particular appointment is of a person who has a distinguished ministry in reconciliation, which he exercises carefully in his context. There was consultation with a number of people and the appointment has been enthusiastically welcomed by the local bishop of The Episcopal Church, bishop, Shannon Johnston, the Bishop of Virginia.”

Supplementary question from Canon Goddard: Could you just say what steps have been taken to ensure that this appointment is not taken to mean that clergy ordained in this country by overseas bishops, without the permission of the diocesan, are nevertheless recognized in the Church of England?

ANSWER: It will not be breaking new ground, because Tory having been ordained in The Episcopal Church, the permission can be given under Section 1 of the Measure.

*****

The General Synod of the Church of England wrestled with two issues on its collective mind - women bishops and all things gay.

London’s Daily Telegraph reported on the Archbishop of Canterbury’s speech to General Synod and noted that the battle for women bishops is now over. The progressives have won. The Church of England will have women bishops within the year.

As soon as the door closes on that conflict, Archbishop Welby prepares his troops for the next big battle: openly authorizing same sex weddings. Like every Archbishop in living memory before him, Welby straddles the fence with the usual “deer caught in the headlights” look that seems to come with the job.

Welby told the Church of England that refusing gay blessings would be viewed like racism. He also insisted that it is not “wishy-washy” to accommodate people with different views as the Church of England grapples with homosexuality and women bishops. Welby did acknowledge that many Anglicans would view the idea of special services honoring same-sex relationships as a "betrayal" of its traditions and even "apostasy".

Welby told the Church of England it may have to accept changes many members do not like for the sake of unity - as it prepares for a battle over wedding-like blessing services for gay couples.

In a personal address to the Church's decision-making General Synod, which met in London, he urged members not to be afraid of "incoherence and inconsistency" in some cases and "untidy" arrangements to avoid splits.

Naturally, he got taken to task for his comments – two of which can be read in today’s digest. What no detractor caught was the impact his words will have on the wider Anglican Communion especially the Global South who are watching and listening to every word he has to say. It is clear that he has distanced himself even further from orthodox African Anglicans and that could, in time, prove fatal.

*****

In Charleston, SC the legal beat goes on. This time the Diocese of SC is seeking to end TEC’s stalling tactics. They are asking the State Supreme Court to hear the denomination's appeal and a motion aimed at preventing further delays to adjudication of core issues. Bishop Mark Lawrence’s Diocese of South Carolina today is asking the court to intervene in an appeal filed "primarily for the purpose of delay" by The Episcopal Church (TEC) and its local subsidiary, The Episcopal Church in South Carolina (TECSC).

TEC's appeal challenges a lower court ruling on the process both sides may use in discovery leading up to a trial that will decide whether the denomination may seize South Carolina property, including churches and the diocesan symbols on the basis that he has been ordained by a bishop of a church in communion with the Church of England. It will not therefore be based upon the recognition and acceptance of the orders conferred by the ACNA.

*****

Just how much money has The Episcopal Church spent on litigation costs to take back properties they neither bought nor paid for? Canon lawyer and veteran ECUSA watcher A. S. Haley reckons the amount will be in excess of $40 million by 2015. He wrote a recent story on the subject. If you figure what the national church has spent and continues to spend and add in the amounts spent by individual dioceses (Los Angeles, San Diego, Ohio, Virginia, Tennessee, etc.) and you can easily see how, just by the end of 2015, the total spent on litigation-related items within ECUSA will easily be WELL OVER FORTY MILLION DOLLARS. Think about what that would have done for the mission of the church in saving souls, building new church plants and assisting the poor.

And Archbishop Welby praises TEC Presiding Bishop Jefferts Schori for her “compassion” and putting her forth as a role model no less. The ABC’s statement is so divorced from the reality of her ravenous persecution of the faithful that you have to wonder what Welby reads in his spare time!

*****

The TEC Diocese of San Joaquin is to get its third provisional bishop. Bishop Lamb, Bishop Talton, and now they have picked Bishop David Rice from Waiapu, New Zealand. A knowledgeable source from “down under” has told VOL that he is a thorough going liberal and will fit nicely into the diocese. There will be no theological culture shock for Rice.

*****

On the 7th of March, people in 170 countries throughout the world will be praying for Egypt during the World Day of Prayer. The 2014 theme is “Streams in the Desert.” In Egypt, the Nile River flows through desert lands bringing life. In the 2014 Day of Prayer, we are invited to seek the streams of living water which Jesus offers.

“I am delighted that the World Day of Prayer is focused on Egypt this year. I invite you to join with us in prayer for our beloved country Egypt,” said President Bishop Mouneer Anis of Egypt.

“For all Egyptians, the last few months have not been easy. The supporters of the former president attacked police stations and churches. Recently, there have been several bombs in Cairo and other cities, and it is clear that the terrorist groups are now targeting the police and the army. Pray that the hopes and dreams of millions of people, of a more settled, secure and democratic country, will be fulfilled. Pray that the future of our country will be more inclusive of all its citizens unlike the previous regime. Pray that God would give us grace in order to be gracious and forgiving towards those who seek to do us harm.

“In a time of conflict and violence, pray that the people of Egypt may experience His peace that passes all understanding. Pray for peace during the upcoming Presidential Elections. Pray for Egyptian Christians as we seek to be peacemakers at this point of time in Egypt and beyond.

“The World Day of Prayer has a specific focus on women. Every day, the Anglican Church in Egypt serves women, both Muslim and Christian, through literacy classes, micro-finance programs, health education and parenting classes, and through our hospitals. Pray for God to open doors for us to share His love, in both words and deeds, with all of those around us.

“The Anglican Church serves those who are marginalized, including children with disabilities and refugees. Pray that we would show God’s love to those whom we serve through these ministries.

“Pray that Christians would hold onto the promises of our Lord Jesus, that the gates of Hades will never overcome your Church. Transform us so that we might reflect your perfect grace and love.”

*****

PRAYERS are also sought for South Sudan. Bishop Grant LeMarquand of the Horn of Africa writes, “The churches in Sudan and South Sudan have asked that this Sunday, Feb 16. be set aside as a special day of prayer for South Sudan. Although a ceasefire was signed, it has been ignored by both sides. Much of the population of the country is displaced, either within the country itself or over the borders. Please pray for God to move the hearts and minds of leaders and people alike to turn from hatred to peace.”

Alison Barfoot, Assistant to the Archbishop for Int’l Relations for the Church of Uganda based in Kampala, added a note saying, “We, too, have many refugees pouring across our Northern border and ache for our brothers and sisters in South Sudan.”

VOL calls on all its readers to lay aside a time to pray for our brothers and sisters in South Sudan especially Anglican Archbishop Deng Bul and for Bishop LeMarquand.

*****

Death notice. Brother John-Charles, fifth Acting Primate of the Anglican Catholic Church died peacefully, with Canon Kirby beside him at the time. Canon Kirby will conduct the requiem Mass and funeral according to Brother John-Charles's instruction, writes The Most Rev. Mark Haverland, Ph.D.

*****

A Barbados Anglican priest is knocking fellow clerics for engaging in pillow talk with politicians in his country. Commenting on an opinion expressed by a talk show host on the “demise” of the Anglican Church, rector of St. Matthias Anglican Church Canon DeVere Murrell said the comment should have been about the demise of the Christian church.

“We are in danger of losing our identity as leaders of this country. Too many of our priests, too many of our pastors, too many of the ministers of our churches have got into bed with the politicians and those who do not have the best interest of this country and us at heart,” Murrell said to applause from members of the congregation.

He was speaking at a service to mark the 30th anniversary of the 184th intake of the Barbados Defence Force (BDF) of 1984. Murrell centered his sermon on Matthew 5:13-20 and the importance that has always been attached to salt.

*****

FINAL NOTE: Belgium has become the first country in the world to approve euthanasia for children of all ages after the country’s parliamentarians passed the controversial bill today in a vote of 86 to 44, with 12 MPs abstaining. Alex Schadenberg, executive director of the Euthanasia Prevention Coalition, called the move a “form of abandonment.” “Belgium has abandoned the elderly, and now they are saying they will abandon their children,” he told LifeSiteNews. Schadenberg said the new law is not about ending suffering for children with disabilities, but about expanding the “categories that are eligible for death.”

The beginning of the end of Western Civilization has begun in earnest.

*****

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