(Resolution 1:10 called on Anglicans to uphold faithfulness in marriage between a man and a woman in lifelong union, and said that abstinence is right for those who are not called to marriage.)

Dr. Packer recently had his license revoked by revisionist Anglican New Westminster Bishop Michael Ingham. He is now officially aligned with the Anglican Network in Canada, (ANiC), a rival, alternative orthodox Anglican Church in that country.

At the meeting in Eastbourne, Packer laid out four issues in the current culture wars debate among Anglicans. The issues are Orthodoxy, Anglicanism, Liberalism and Homosexuality.

On Orthodoxy, Packer said that he sees this as a synonym for Evangelicalism, which focuses on the teaching of the Bible (because it acknowledges the authority of the Bible) and on the message of the Gospel (being based on Faith and Repentance).

On Anglicanism, Packer highlighted two different views - those who saw Anglicanism as being bound up with historical practices (defined by traditions) and those who saw it being defined by principles contained in the Creeds, Prayer Book, The 39 Articles etc. Packer made it clear he stood in the second camp - Anglicanism is based on principles. He also stated that he believed Anglicanism is "the richest version of Evangelicalism that the world has seen".

On Liberalism, Packer used the 4 S's to define liberalism.

* Subordinates Scripture to the culture and individualistic Christian experience
* Sanctifies the Secular
* Scales down the Supernatural
* Sweeps away Biblical Standards On Homosexuality.

He made it clear that he was talking about the practice and not the temptation. Packer gave examples of temptations and how we should not yield to them, including homosexual temptations. We should not yield to temptations because these actions are defined as sin by the Bible, he said.

Dr. Packer gave an historical overview of the situation in the Canadian church, its history, how it happened and how things stand now. He said that bishops are no longer just theoretical heretics, but are heretics in practice. He referred to Acts 27:27, where the apostle Paul stood faithful in the storm. He then used this as a metaphor to speak of being faithful through the storm in the hope of reaching land. Packer then asked: What is God doing to the Anglican Communion?

* Purging of liberalism
* Preparing faithful Anglicans for counter-cultural and enterprising mission Question: What is the pattern of 'alternative oversight' doing to the Anglican Communion?
* Drawing together a fellowship of the Orthodox
* Parallel jurisdictions are disrupting the traditional diocese/province model Question: What are those who have 'realigned' to do now?
* Pioneer faithful Christian outreach
* Renewal of teaching, mission and discipleship Question: How should English Evangelicals react?
* Watch and Pray

http://www.holytrinityeastbourne.org.uk/sermons/20080624talk.mp3
END