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In August of 2007, we posted on the ACI site an essay by Dr. Jacqueline Jenkins Keenan. (Why Theology Should Precede Change ) In this essay, Dr. Keenan provided an overview of a number of recent scientific studies questioning the claims made by many that there is a biological basis to homosexuality that renders it an immutable condition. These claims have also been made by some leaders in the Episcopal Church as part of their defense of the church's affirmation of homosexual unions. They were made quite formally by the official response of TEC to the Anglican Communion's request for an...
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Several things need to be borne in mind about the Communion Partners Plan as it is discussed on the internet via the lens of news stories now appearing. The Polity of The Episcopal Church in respect of the Presiding Bishop. Particularly in a period of contestation about the role of the Presiding Bishop it is crucial to keep in mind the peculiar polity of TEC. Bishop Stanton of Dallas has been clearest about this in questioning the option of alternative Episcopal Oversight given that specific limitations already inhere in the office of Presiding Bishop. No metropolitan powers are attached to...
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The current public dispute over the canonical legality of the Episcopal Church's House of Bishops' recent vote to depose Bishops Schofield and Cox amounts at best to a severe embarrassment to the Presiding Bishop, her advisors, and the House itself; at worst, it exposes a travesty of Christian justice and prudence. How was it possible that the process and definition of terms demanded by the canons were not openly examined, discussed, and agreed upon prior to this vote, so as to avoid the prima facie plausible accusations now being made that appropriate consents were not in fact given? Indeed...
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[Editor's note: This is the third of a series of three reflections by Dr. Seitz.] John 19:17-42 "It is finished." Our first two lessons served to expose the depths of treachery in the hearts of us all, in the heightened form of Gentile power and Jewish fear and hatred. But through it all, Jesus was neither condemning nor vindictive. He stood forth as King, through all the worst thrown his way. By this show of unworldly power the opponents of his kingdom had the secrets of their own hearts revealed, because of this and in smite of themselves. One commentator has said: "Pilate's fear of the...
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[Editor's note: This is the second of a series of three reflections by Dr. Seitz.] John 18:28-19:16 "Pilate said to him, 'What is truth?'" With what deep irony does John report the transfer of Jesus from Caiaphas to Pilate. The Jews do not enter the Roman governmental headquarters for fear of defilement-in accordance with the law-and so do not hear the words they need to hear, and never will hear. Unless, like us, at a later day through this account from John. And the true Passover lamb is Jesus himself. They will not partake of him as they attend to the Passover requirements he is himself, in...
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[Editor's note: This is the first of a series of three reflections by Dr. Seitz.] Good Friday Service St Matthews Anglican Church Toronto21 March 2008 The Revd Christopher Seitz John 18:1-27 "And when he said to them 'I am He' they drew back and fell to the ground." Good Friday provides us a second occasion-the traditional occasion-to reflect on the Passion of our Lord. The Gospel of John is exactly suited (designed) for this. For it too is a second and more in-depth look at the Passion, than what we had in Matthew on Palm Sunday. It is possible to be too close to things to grasp their full...
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Easter Sermon Wycliffe College, Toronto 26 March 2008 Because of its reflective character, John's Gospel dwells on details and lets them speak in ways the other Gospels' proximity and excitement sometimes prevents. The beloved disciple is "he who remains," abides, literally leans on Jesus, and remaining is a key word in this Gospel. Because remaining allows one the space, the time, even the awkwardness of inaction, to discern and believe. John does not criticize the active role of apostles; this has its place in God's plans of sending forth and announcing and doing as Jesus did. But John stays...
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Biblical Theological Reflection and the Rule of Faith: Threshold Considerations In order both to set limits and for clarity’s sake—themes to which I shall return— the present essay will undertake theological reflection on covenant and the appropriateness of using this term for work presently before us in the Anglican Communion. This requires some threshold consideration. By ‘theological reflection’ I mean, giving a comprehensive account of Scripture with concern for its total, mutually-informing witness. I take this to be the concern of one of the Articles, with a long prior history, that...
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A Comment on the St. Andrew's Draft of the Anglican Covenant I A second iteration of a draft covenant for the Anglican Communion (the St. Andrew's Draft) is now circulating; and it is likely that some version thereof will be presented to the Bishops of the Communion when they meet in Canterbury this summer. At some point after this gathering, a covenant proposal will be circulated among the provinces of the Communion for ratification. There is no doubt that most (though perhaps not all) of the member provinces of the Communion will ratify a covenant within the next few years. The question is...
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Three events in the recent past have posed a serious question. Does the Presiding Bishop of The Episcopal Church (TEC) know what she is doing? The possible answers to this question have raised even greater concern than the question itself. For, I have concluded, if, on the one hand, she does not know what she is doing then TEC is without effective leadership at perhaps the most crucial time in its history. If, on the other hand, she does know what she is doing, she is leading TEC in directions for which she has no warrant. To be specific, her decline of an invitation to greet the Pope on his...
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