J.I. Packer Quits Anglican Church of Canada

I heard this from the Christian Post via a link on the SermonAudio website:

J.I. Packer, one of the world’s most renowned evangelical theologians, left the Anglican Church of Canada, citing “poisonous liberalism” in the church body.

Packer, 81, who was named one of the 25 most influential evangelicals in the world by Time magazine in 2005, quit the Canadian arm of the global Anglican Communion with 10 other B.C. Anglican clergy last week, he said, according to The Vancouver Sun. They joined the more conservative and orthodox Province of the Southern Cone in South America.

The Oxford-trained theologian said he can no longer serve under Vancouver-area Bishop Michael Ingham, arguing that he “appears heretical.” Ingham had sanctioned in 2002 same-sex blessings in the British Columbia diocese of New Westminster, sparking international uproar.

In recent years, 28 parishes have voted to split from the Anglican Church of Canada, citing the denomination’s departure from Christian orthodox values and Anglican tradition. They have realigned with overseas Anglican provinces.

St. John’s Shaughnessy Anglican Church in Vancouver, which Packer is a long-time member of, left the denomination in February, placing itself under the authority of the Southern Cone province.

John Stackhouse, a professor of theology and culture at Regent College in Vancouver, sees two different bodes forming in Canada with the continual departure of parishes.

“Frankly, we have not seen this sort of thing in Canadian history, and I’m not sure we’ve seen it in Anglican history,” he said, according to The Canadian Press.

“With the significant size of these dissenting groups, and the international support for them … we may see two different bodies in one geographical territory,” he said, noting that Anglican churches traditionally have been determined through geographic, and not ideological, boundaries.

While the controversy has focused on homosexuality, Stackhouse says the issue is about more than sex.

“This is about the fundamental question of how we derive any kind of Christian truth,” he said, according to The Canadian Press.

Packer, who has outlined a conservative Christian theology in his 1973 bestseller Knowing God, described the Bible as “absolute” authority on divine truth and that it clearly describes homosexuality as a grave sin, as reported by The Vancouver Sun.

The Rev. Kevin Dixon, priest at St. Mary’s Anglican Church in Kerrisdale, meanwhile believes Packer is adopting a “literalistic” reading of the Bible.

“It’s important for people to understand that the holy scriptures is a very nuanced document. I think we need to allow people room to come to a new understanding,” said Dixon, the local newspaper reported.

“I have not always held the view that same-sex relationships are consistent with the gospel of Jesus Christ, but now I do.”

Packer argued that top leaders of the Anglican Church of Canada have changed their interpretation of Christianity while he and other conservative Anglicans have remained committed to traditional Anglicanism.

“I’m simply being an old-fashioned mainstream Anglican,” Packer said.

As conservative Anglicans believe the core beliefs of Christianity are being called into question by the Anglican Church of Canada, the small group of parishes that have left may just the first wave, some predict.

“Every diocese in which this (approval of same-sex blessings) has happened – or something like it has happened – churches have split off,” said Stackhouse. “This [issue] is very much in play now; this is not the end game at all.”

Over the weekend the Anglican Network in Canada, a splinter group comprised of parishes now under the authority of the Province of the Southern Cone in South America, held a conference where they welcomed Archbishop Gregory Venables, leader of that southern province. His arrival at the conference stirred controversy as the Anglican Church of Canada told him not to intervene in the country’s affairs. He refused, however, saying the conservative group of Anglicans wanted him there.

Well, it doesn’t surprise me. Packer is a theologian of the highest calibre and obviously his affinity to the Anglican church is way inferior to his superior love for God and His truth. All the best, Dr. Packer

My Background Part 2 - Who Rules the Playground?

Last time I gave you a bit of background to the scene which I was raised in. Today, I want to give you some history regarding some of the key players in African Pentecostalism. By the way, my consideration will not look at one major denomination, the Deeper Christian Life Ministry, for several reasons. Firstly, the DCLM [which I grew up in] has a clear reputation for being the ‘biblicists’ of African Pentecostalism. Its founder and General Superintendent, Dr. W.F. Kumuyi, a former Professor of Mathematics, has long been the object of scorn from even his own peers for his relentless desire to be 100 per cent Biblical, for which I believe he is to be commended. Secondly, Dr. Kumuyi himself has argued relentlessly against many of the peculiar practices and beliefs among his peers [which I'll document in part 3].With that in mind, let’s look at some of the major denominations among African Pentecostals.

THE CHRIST APOSTOLIC CHURCH

Most Nigerians know something of the CAC. A renewal movement from the Anglican Church, they seceded from the Anglicans due to doctrinal disputes. They rose to prominence during an outbreak of influenza in the year 1919, and the year after came under the influence of an American-based church known as Faith Tabernacle of Philadelphia. The movement, rooted in prayer and Pentecostal-like experiences, finally became a household name in 1930 when one Apostle J.A. Babalola was reputed to have raised a person from the dead, leading to thousands flocking to Ilesa, the home of the movement. The then-Faith Tabernacle of Nigeria then took to itself the name Christ Apostolic Church, by which it is known today. It is known for its vigorous beliefs in Holy Ghost baptism, miracles and offensives against ‘witches and wizards’.

THE REDEEMED CHRISTIAN CHURCH OF GOD

The RCCG, or Redeemed for short, was founded by a man called Josiah Akindayomi. Originally part of the famous Church Missionary Society, Akindayomi joined the Cherubim and Seraphim movement [long and short - they're a cult. Everyone in African Pentecostalism agrees on that...], however he soon claimed to be hearing voices from God to leave the C and S and begin his own ministry. [As an aside, with the notable expection of DCLM, whose founder was ejected from the Apostolic Faith movement for practicing unsanctioned evangelism and home Bible studies, all APCs start that way...]. In 1952, Akindayomi started a home group called the Glory of God Fellowship, later renamed as the RCCG.

Their real claim to fame is found in Akindayomi’s successor, Pastor Enoch Adeboye. Himself, a lecturer in Applied Mathematics, [it has always interested me how these men are so mightily educated...], Adeboye began as a translator to Akindayomi, before succeeding him after his death. Having met him in person, he is quite a humble and sincere man, yet he is determined to press on the mission of the Church which started with its founder. They engage in prayer and ‘deliverance’ meetings [more often than not done as all-night services] and believe in quite a few peculiar practices [more in Part 3].

THE MOUNTAIN OF FIRE AND MIRACLES MINISTRIES

Now I will try to be impartial at this point, though from the outside, I must say this - THIS GROUP IS ABSOLUTELY THE BEST EXAMPLE OF WHAT IS WRONG WITH APCs. The MFMM started in 1998, with its pastor, Dr. D.K. Olukoya,  a PhD in Microbiology, is known for his messages which are the classic topic of APCs - the spiritual realm. A relatively young church, MFM has exploded in size, partly due to the fearmongering messages about just about every evil spirit known to man [most of which are made up...]. The movement, known for its emphasis on ‘fire prayers’ has books with such titles as ‘Power against Marine Witchcraft’ and ‘Dealing with Satanic Local Technology’ - and cranks out dozens every year. [Again, how does a man as gifted as Dr. Olukoya,  with over 70 accreditable scientific publications to his name, get involved in foolishness like this.

I’ll wrap up there for now. Next time, I will begin looking at the practices and doctrines from a Biblical perspective.

 

Grace and peace,

YC