'Learn what we are not': Western Louisiana hosts Covenant presentation

Cheryl H. White, canon theologian for the Diocese of Western Louisiana, gave a three-part presentation titled "Towards an Anglican Covenant" in September. The pro-Covenant presentation is now available online through the web site of St. Paul's in Shreveport.

In a Google-able communication dated 2004, White noted that the term via media "never stretched so far as to include heresy of any nature."

[T]he “middle way” never implied that Holy Scripture or tradition could be ignored for the sake of diversity and inclusion. The traditional teaching of the historic church was cemented firmly in the via media of Elizabeth I, and for the orthodox among us, continues to be a cornerstone of our Anglican identity. To invoke the great tradition of the via media to justify sin is a grave injustice to the dignity and integrity of one of the most brilliant and comprehensive settlements of unity that the Christian Church has ever known.
Posted by Torey Lightcap on November 14, 2010 8:25 PM | |
Comments (5)

The basic point is sound enough. The via media does not include heresy, and Anglicans are creedal Christians. We also are committed to the truth and inspiration of the Scriptures (see today's collect) and repentance from sin. But then the massive nonsequitur. The changes we are going through are in respnse to Scripture and represent faithfulness rsther than sin

Posted by Bill Carroll [TypeKey Profile Page] | November 14, 2010 9:52 PM

Of course, the sixteenth century opponents of the Elizabethan Settlement argued precisely that it ignored scripture and tradition. Radical Protestants contended that its polity and worship were not biblical, and Roman Catholics thought that rejecting papal supremacy ignored tradition. And indeed, the rejection of the papacy was an innovation that required creative theological development to support it (something the author's article seems to reject out of hand).

Jonathan Grieser

Posted by Jonathan [TypeKey Profile Page] | November 15, 2010 7:47 AM

Bp Alan Wilson discusses whether ongoing revelation can teach new ways of being church or not here

Posted by Ann Fontaine [TypeKey Profile Page] | November 15, 2010 9:40 AM

"The traditional teaching of the historic church was cemented firmly in the via media of Elizabeth I..."

So,if everything has been settled once and for all, what role does the Holy Spirit have in the life of the church? What if the Holy Spirit disagrees with some of our "traditional" teachings? Perhaps Elizabeth number 1 & Cramner forgot to copy the Holy Spirit on their decision to how it would all be settled (once and for all).

Terry Pannell+

Posted by Terry Pannell [TypeKey Profile Page] | November 15, 2010 9:49 AM

I believe that we are known, at least in part by the company we keep. Dr. white, even within the context of this article runs with the "orthodox" group.
It is also difficult to discuss anything dispassionately when a key line from the webpage is "while the Episcopal Church moves towards ratification . . ."

Posted by Fred Schwartz [TypeKey Profile Page] | November 15, 2010 10:49 PM

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