Here is a tweet by the Archbishop of Canterbury where he informs us he has been meeting people to discuss “peace and reconciliation as people of faith.” Not, you will note “as Christians” but “as people of faith”, a designation so devoid of meaning its use can only be attributed to a severe case of pathological platitude syndrome. After all, there is no such thing as a person with no faith: atheists have faith in their own rationality – usually misplaced in my experience – Druids have faith in animism and contemporary Anglicans have faith in dogma-free homoerotic subjectivism.
True peace and reconciliation can only be found through Christ; perhaps that has just temporarily slipped Justin Welby’s mind.
It must be an afternoon for irritating Canterbury tweets. Here is another one where Welby is reimagining religious leadership for the greater good of the world. Surely you can only reimagine something if it was imaginary in the first place? I suppose that does make sense if Welby is applying it to his leadership of the Anglican Communion.
Very well said, David.
It’s very J.C.Flannel, isn’t it?
And only last week I had occasion to look up the meaning of “syncretism”. Strange to see our fearless leader(s) trying to live it, or at least promote it. Reminds me of Jesus’ words about ‘a man believing rightly’.
I think religions can meet on points of commonality: the fundamental belief in One God being the most important shared doctrine among Christians, Jews and Muslims. Beyond this there are also some shared social perspectives such as charity and good works and opposing government initiatives that threaten the value of human life (e.g., abortion, euthanasia and so forth).
But this sort of thing can’t be taken too much further because very quickly, doctrinal differences come to the fore. Christians cannot compromise on Christ as the Son of God; Jews do not believe he was the Messiah and Muslims view him as a prophet only. These are utterly insurmountable differences in terms of faith.
Yes, most religions believe in only “one god” but their doctrines definitely do not follow the teachings of Scripture. In fact the teaching of Islam is that if you are not a believer in their god you should be killed or pay substantially to stay alive. There is really only ONE GOD and that is taught by true Bible believing Christians.
The problem with the ABC is that he portrays that all gods are the same but that is clearly NOT correct. He has made himself subject to the teaching and moral standards of the civil government rather than be true to the vows he has made before God.
Most of the general public believe there must be a “god” but are not prepared to recognize our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
I for one have zero interest and absolutely no intention of reconciling with muslims nor anyone else that denies the Divinity of Jesus Christ for such reconciliation would require that I do something that would legitimize their unbelief in Jesus Christ. And Jesus Christ did say that those of us that deny Him in this life he will reject on Judgment Day.
However I will be enthusiastic in any effort to convert anyone to Christianity.
This not just should be the position of all Priests and Bishops, this must be the position of all Disciples of Christ, both Clergy and Laity