Posted by Hugh in 
Last night I went to Holy Trinity Eastbourne to listen to Dr. J.I. Packer speak, the title of his talk was ‘Lessons to be learned from the Canadian Church Experience’. This comes in response to the rumblings in the Anglican church and the personal experiences of Jim Packer and other Canadian ministers in dealing with their liberal Bishop, Michael Ingham. 3 months ago I blogged about these issues, Packers De-licensing and his response to Ingham.
With that background in mind Packer set out to define 4 terms involved in the current debates:
- Orthodoxy - Packer 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).
- Anglicanism - He highlighted two different views, those who saw Anglicanism as being bound up with historical practises (defined by traditions) and those who saw it as being defined by principles, as contained in the Creeds, Prayer Book, 39 Articles etc. Packer made it clear he stood in the 2nd camp - Anglicanism is based on principles. He also stated that he believed Anglicanism is “the richest version of Evangelicalism that the world has seen”.
- Liberalism - Dr. Packer used 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
- Homosexuality - He basically made it clear that he was talking about the practise and not the temptation. Packer gave examples of temptations and how we should not yield to them and included homosexual temptations in this - we should not yield to the temptations because the actions are defined as sin by the Bible.
Dr. Packer went on to give the basic facts about his situation in the Canadian church, the history, how it happened and how things stand now. He highlighted the changing situation, that Bishops are no longer just theoretical heretics but are heretics in what the practise. He referred to Acts 27:27, Paul in the storm and used this as a metaphor to speak of being faithful through the storm in the hope of reaching land.
Big Jim then addressed 4 questions in conclusion…
- What is God doing to the Anglican Communion?
- Purging of liberalism
- Preparing faithful Anglicans for counter-cultural and enterprising mission
- 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
- What are those who have ‘realigned’ to do now?
- Pioneer faithful Christian outreach
- Renewal of teaching, mission and discipleship
- How should English Evangelicals react?
- Watch and Pray
The question-time that followed came up with the usual questions from slightly ‘un-balanced’ folk, and a few good ones - “Dr. Packer, if you could have 5 minutes with the Archbishop of Cantebury, what would you say?”…
Packer stated that Rowan Williams’ views about homosexuality (documented before becoming A of C, and not changed since) mean that he is not qualified to lead the Anglican Communion and enforce rules layed down at Lambeth in 1998. Big Jim was clear, “Rowan Williams should resign”!
It so happened that earlier in the day I’d done some computer training with the Holy Trinity office staff, so as payment I got 3 free Packer books - God has Spoken, 18 Words, and Growing in Christ… good times.
Incoming Links (via Tecnorati):
- Packer calls on Williams to resign
Nigerian bishop Emmanuel Chukwuma called for Rowan Williams to resign with immediate effect. But the real news today is what the leading Anglican Evangelical J.I. Packer (somewhat surprisingly not at GAFCON but in England) has said. The following was reported by Hugh Bourne who heard him speak, and quoted by the Church Times blog: Packer stated that Rowan Williams’ views about homosexuality (documented before becoming A of C, and not changed since) mean that he is not qualified to lead the Anglican Communion and - Jim Packer: Rowan Williams should resign
was at Holy Trinity Church - Packer in Eastbourne
Some interesting Packerisms from here With that background in mind Packer set out to define 4 terms involved in the current debates: Orthodoxy - Packer sees this as a synonym for Evangelicalism which focuses on the teaching of the Bible (because it acknowledges the authority of the
And there was I thinking Anglicanism was a Broad Church.
Evangelicals must learn that the Church doesn’t belong to them, no matter how much they’d like to take it over.
Packer represents the ugly side of zealotry.
I’m guessing since you choose the title ‘Father’ that you are in fact a Catholic masquerading as an Anglican?
Packer represents orthodox Christianity, that which is revealed in the scriptures and is demonstrated by the Apostles and early church, and of course the reformers and Articles on which the Anglican church is built.
Hugh, you know full well there is not just one Tradition in Anglicanism.
The fact that you say I am “masquerading” proves my point. You want only one Tradition - yours, and everything else “purged”.
I guess that Packer is “orthodox”.
Is that why he was sacked?
PS I’m “orthodox” and am still employed!
Orthodox - Merriam Webster Dictionary
“conforming to established doctrine especially in religion”
See Packer’s point on ‘Anglicanism’ - it is based on principles not practise. Anglicanism is reformed and evangelical as is shown in the 39 Articles, the ‘established doctrine’ of Anglicanism.
The ‘established doctrine’ of Christianity is revealed in the Scriptures, and can be seen in the teaching of the Apostles.
Packer was ’sacked’ because some who deny orthodox Christian teachings have gained positions of authority in the church. Yes, the lunatics are running the asylum.
39 Articles - check out 4 and 18, basic Christianity, the likes of Ingham, masquerading as Anglicans, in fact masquerading as Christians do not believe the most foundational points of confessional faith.
Is there any chance of getting hold of Jim Packer’s talk from All Souls Langham Place? (he spoke there after the Eastbourne Event)