The risen Lord confronts a fallen church
It’s official, after years of impasse, the bishops of the Church of England have decided the church must bless what God condemns. There’s no change to the official doctrine of the Anglican Church that marriage is between one man and one woman for life. Instead there will be services of dedication and thanksgiving pronouncing God’s blessing on same-sex couples who marry or enter civil partnerships.
Caught between the teaching of Scripture and the spirit of the age, the bishops have attempted to have it both ways.
The Church of England is the established church of Britain. The Archbishop of Canterbury will crown King Charles. Anglican Bishops sit in the House of Lords. Once the political and cultural elites shifted it was inconceivable that the Church of England would not ultimately go with them.
All of Europe’s present and former state churches are in terminal decline. It’s not all bad news, every time they close a church due to dwindling and aging congregations, a piece of prime real estate is sold and the proceeds banked.
When Jesus rose from the dead he restored his failed disciples, opening their minds to understand the Scriptures, teaching them why the Messiah had to suffer and rise again and that repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem (Luke 24:44–49). He gave them the core missionary task of making disciples and planting churches to the glory of God. He promised them the power of the Spirit.
The restoration of a fallen church is possible, but only if it will place itself under the authority of God’s living Word, and dependent on the Holy Spirit get back to making disciples among every people and in every place.
The future of the Anglican Church will not be determined by bishops, but by the risen Lord, which should bring both consolation and the fear of God (Revelation 2–3).
