The Church of England’s obsession with diversity is damaging its orthodoxy
by Archbishop Cranmer:
“Your Grace, do you by chance know what ‘Sexuality, composition of themed groups’ is? Or what it has to do with the price of fish?” tweeted George Trefgarne in response to the observation that out of 85 General Synod questions, not one was concerned with the plight of the world’s persecuted Christians. He was referring to Synod question No.9:
The Revd Canon Dr Judith Maltby (Universities & TEIs) to ask the Chair of the House of Bishops:
Q9 What steps are being taken to ensure that the themed groups as outlined in GS Misc 1158 which will contribute to a Teaching Document on ‘human’ sexuality are at least somewhat balanced in terms of gender?
This has nothing at all to do with the price of fish (or eggs, or the tea in China), but concerns the statement issued by the Archbishop of Canterbury for “a radical new inclusion” following the General Synod’s vote “not to take note” of a report by the House of Bishops on Marriage and Same-Sex Relationships. GS Misc 1158 is an attempt to put some radically inclusive flesh on the wordy bones: a co-ordinating group of bishops will oversee “thematic working groups” comprised of diverse clergy and laity aided by consultants from such disciplines as theology, biblical ethics, church history, sociology, anthropology, and genetics. Judith Maltby’s concern appears to focus on the gender (ie sex) balance of these groups. Her question received the following response from the Archbishop of Canterbury:
In putting all these groups together, we are seeking to ensure that a very wide range of differing experiences, views, perspectives and areas of expertise are included. GS Misc 1158 makes it clear that many places on the groups remain to be filled and it is premature to comment on the balances within the overall membership as we haven’t got there yet.
Gender (ie sex) balance (ie equality) is a curious fixation in this context. Why not racial balance, since different cultures derive different ethical understandings of human sexuality? Why not sexuality balance, since the human-human-divine relationship is manifestly differently apprehended? Why not diversity of sexuality balance, observing that not all LGBT Christians believe that same-sex marriage is even a thing? Why not conservative-liberal balance, since there is evidently a spectrum of theological understanding relating to these complex matters? Indeed, isn’t the traditionalist-progressive composition of these themed groups rather more significant than the balance of sexes? Isn’t that truly where proponents of revisionist heterodoxy will encounter the doctrine of the Christian faith as the Church of England has received it?
What about the equality of those who uphold biblical truth? What about the equality of those expound doctrinal error? There is no logical end to ensuring that Church of England working groups are balanced in terms of diversity.
Related Posts
Tags
Share This
