1 thought on “Why I admire the Church of England – Spectator”

  1. ‘As the established church, the Church of England enjoys unique institutional and financial privileges. In return it has an obligation, albeit an informal one, to strive to understand and cater to changing social mores, rather than set itself apart from them’ (Times leader, 16 February 2017).

    The teaching of the New Testament is the exact opposite: “If the world hates you, (said Jesus) keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you.”

    The current Church doctrine of marriage is met with incredulity by many. How much more incredible is the Church doctrine of Man, that we are all born with a nature which is inclined to evil and are facing God’s anger and condemnation.

    All ordained persons have promised to be loyal to this doctrine as their ‘inspiration and guidance under God in bringing the grace and truth of Christ to this generation and making Him known to those in your care’. To proclaim that terrible but true warning, alongside the wonderful true proclamation of deliverance by submitting to Jesus Christ in repentance, faith, love, obedience and fear is a greater challenge to the Church than standing its ground on the same-sex disagreement.

    The Church of England faces a moment of truth. To be part of the British Establishment and a servant of Society or to be faithful to her Master and his Apostles, with all the disbelief, scorn, incredulity and, sooner or later, persecution which they endured.

    Phil Almond

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