Theologian J.I. Packer may be suspended
Earlier this month it was announced that the largest congregation in the Anglican Church of Canada had voted to leave the ACC to to become affiliated with the Canadian equivalent of the Episcopal Church's Network (which is now known as the Common Cause Partnership). We have a post with a video statement regarding the situation by the Canadian Archbishop just below this one.
There are implications to the decision though that were not immediately recognized. An article posted on Anglican Planet describes the situation:
"St. John’s was part of New Westminster until 2002 when the Diocese approved the blessing of same-sex unions and departed from what the evangelical congregation considered ‘biblical faithfulness.’ With several other like-minded churches they formed the Anglican Communion in New Westminster, which was still part of the national body. Now St. John’s has left the ACC as well.The rector, the Rev. David Short, and the assistant priest, the Rev. Dan Gifford, along with retired honorary assistant, Dr. James I. Packer, are expected to relinquish their ACC licences and receive new ones from Bishop Don Harvey to minister in the Anglican Network in Canada. Dr. Packer is a world-renowned theologian and prolific author probably best known for the Christian classic Knowing God."
J.I. Packers' teaching and writing is not commonly encountered the Episcopal Church, it is widely known and respected by Evangelicals in the Anglican Communion. The possible suspension of Packer may create a bit of a problem for both the Archbishop of Canada and the Archbishop of Canterbury given the reaction that could be expected from many parts of the Communion.
The full article from Anglican Planet is here.
