Critics of the ACNA Bishops’ pastoral statement on same sex attractions have got it all wrong
by David W Virtue, Virtueonline:
It was inevitable I suppose. Whenever bishops speak, critics are sure to follow.
On January 19, the Anglican Church in North America (ACNA) published Sexuality and Identity: A Pastoral Statement from the College of Bishops. It sought to address at least three pressing questions:
• What should our biblical and pastoral response be to those within our Church who self-identify as Christians with same-sex attraction? This raises two more related questions:
• What is the biblical vision for transformation with regard to same-sex attraction?
• What is the most helpful language to employ in describing the reality of same-sex attraction?
The bishops issued a very irenic and carefully thought-out statement on human sexuality. Their statement was neither judgmental on the one hand, nor did it compromise the Scriptures’ clear prohibition against homosexual behavior, found primarily in the teachings of St. Paul on the other.
The College of Bishops spoke about sexual identity and invited Anglicans “to discern these matters within their own diocesan communities and ministries.” ACNA bishops were called on to provide pastoral guidance to local churches, without repudiating the clear teaching of Scripture. This they did. Diocesan bishops were given latitude on its implementation within their own dioceses.
It should be noted that the document was first and foremost a pastoral statement and not a theological statement. The Pastoral letter was one of our identity in Christ and not a theological statement about homosexual behavior. The ACNA bishops said they were committed to biblical sexuality and that they were wrestling with same sex attraction.
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