ENGLAND: NO ABSOLUTE TRUTH GOVERNS GRISWOLD’S THINKING IN BBC INTERVIEW

On March 7, 2004, Presiding Bishop Frank Griswold appeared on BBC Breakfast with Frost. His responses revealed a theological framework rooted in relativism and contextualism—not universal truth.

David Frost: “If it does lead to a schism… will it, in retrospect, have been worth doing?”

Griswold: Avoided the hypothetical, instead praising the “honorable” actions of the Diocese of New Hampshire and ECUSA, and expressing hope the Communion “will hold together in spite of differences.” He emphasized that “the contexts in which we do our theology are so very different,” suggesting moral positions shift based on geography and cultural pressure (e.g., “fierce” Muslim majorities allegedly constrain theological diversity elsewhere).

Frost: “Do you think [the Church of England’s ban on practicing gay clergy] is out of date?”

Griswold: Deflected: “Every province… has its own realities… The Church of England is going to have to figure out its own way.”

Frost: “Do you think… there will one day… be gay church weddings?”

Griswold: Again declined to predict, but conceded: “Looking at some of the pastoral responses… I think it may be the case that in the future there will be some pastoral response… that will be less guarded.”

His answers consistently avoided grounding in Scripture, creed, or historic Christian moral teaching—instead framing doctrine as culturally adaptive and provisional.