Incredible, but perhaps not terribly surprising, the Church of England is exploring stripping gender-specific references to God - obviously in a desire to "modernize" the perceptions and sensibilities of a changing society. This tells me many within the Anglican hierarchy do not accept Scripture as being God-given, believing that it's merely a tradition which needs questioning, and thus, changing. But when ANY church separates it's doctrine from God's word, it will cease to be a truly Christian church founded upon the writings the Lord inspired and gave His Church. How ironic, with all of the historical frictions and blood shed over the Reformation and theological battles over the Catholic Church's often upholding church tradition to be equal in authority with God's teachings, they appear to be going down a very similar path. This will cause Scripture-believing Anglicans to leave their church in droves!
You have to understand that King Charles is the Supreme Governor of the Anglican Church. Ultimately, the King will have a say in this, not his Majesty’s silly underlings who wear the funny robes. My guess is King Charles’ advisors will caution against gender-neutral terms for God. The commentators on the YouTube video you linked to as much said the same.
As for your belief that “this will cause Scripture-loving Anglicans to leave their church in droves”, keep your pants on. It ain’t gonna happen.
"I never said that all conservatives are stupid people but it is true that most stupid people are conservative."
-John Stuart Mill
Flie, you’re right, Charles may well astutely oppose it. But IF such is ever embraced, Anglicans that hold Scripture as being God-given will leave. And depending upon where the would end up, their reactions might well be a big positive for the health of God’s worldwide Church.
Philip wrote: ↑Sat Feb 11, 2023 8:03 pm
Flie, you’re right, Charles may well astutely oppose it. But IF such is ever embraced, Anglicans that hold Scripture as being God-given will leave. And depending upon where the would end up, their reactions might well be a big positive for the health of God’s worldwide Church.
Well, I don’t think the recent history would agree with you. Catholics have largely remained nominally Catholic even after the Vatican forbade followers to use various forms of contraception. The same may be said about the RC Church’s views on abortion and now, euthanasia for the terminally ill. The present pope’s views on homosexual unions are distasteful to those Catholics I know so they just criticize the pope. By and large, Catholics have continued to do as they please with little regard for the Church’s interdictions. This is the year 2023, not 1523.
While some Anglicans will change teams and join a Protestant denomination because their church promotes a gender-neutral Lord’s Prayer - Our God who art in Heaven, hallowed be Thy Name, Thy Dominion come... - I doubt most will. I suspect they will do as Roman Catholics have done: slowly disappear from church pews but continue traditional rituals associated with baptism, weddings and funerals.
"I never said that all conservatives are stupid people but it is true that most stupid people are conservative."
-John Stuart Mill
