After a passionate debate, Kootenay diocesan synod passed a motion encouraging all parishes to use inclusive language and imagery in reference to humankind and to God whenever possible.
"The following papers are a collection of [five] essays that were written at the University of Oxford during the author's sabbatical from parochial ministry during the 1996/97 academic year. ... I aspired to understand more precisely the nature of the Anglican Church's propensity to accommodate the values and norms of its wider culture. Along with many other faithful Anglicans, I have been increasingly distressed to witness the Church bow more and more to the modern equivalent of the Roman Caesar". -- Intro.
Contents: Introduction -- Inclusive Language for God : the Impact on the Doctrine of God and Implications for Worship in the Anglican Church of Canada -- Beyond the Debate over Religious Pluralism: Toward Mission in a Plural Society -- Transforming the Family: Social Influences and Theological Responses -- The Church in Conflict: the Pastor as Conflict Manager -- Reconciling Authorities: an Impasse in the ARCIC Dialogue.
"This book is based on two sets of addresses: the Martin Memorial lectures entitled `The Compass Rose : Flowering of Fading ?', given at the College of Emmanuel and St. Chad in Saskatoon in May 1999, and three addresses on the theme 'Composing the Lord's Song', given at the diocese of Calgary's `Theology Alive' weekend in October 1999". -- Acknowledgements, p. 7.
"I believe that Anglicanism is characterized by a distinctive way of doing theology. And I believe that a tolerance for diversity is an integral part of being Anglican. So I believe that our current struggles and debates are essential to being who we are, and I am hopeful that our diversity will strengthen us as we respond to God's call to be part of the church, the body of Christ. In `Anglican Diversity', I will articulate a foundation for this belief, then explore how such an Anglican identity can help us to respond to the challenges of the twenty-first century". -- Intro., p. 10.
Includes bibliographical references and bibliography, pp. 126-128.
Contents: Acknowledgements -- Introduction -- The Strange Land -- The Anglican Church: Yesterday and Today -- The Lord's Song -- Looking to the Future in Worship -- Looking to the Future in Ministry -- Social and Ethical Issues -- Living with People of Other Denominations and Faiths -- Authority in the Anglican Communion -- Conclusion: What is the Future of the Anglican Communion ? -- Appendix A: A Response to the 1998 Lambeth Conference of Bishops / Anglican Association of Biblical Scholars -- Bibliography..
OTTAWA (June 9) -- The General Synod of the Anglican Church of Canada, meeting in Ottawa this week, has approved continuation of work on a new hymn book.
The 300-member body passed a motion authorizing the Hymn Book Task Force to complete preparation of the new book, which introduces female imagery of God, inclusive language and a broad range of musical styles.
Synod members had the opportunity to express their views about the book during a 90-minute hearing held earlier this week.
Although some members objected to the creation of a new book when the church already has two official hymnals, most speakers expressed support for a book with a broader and more inclusive range of material.
In addition to well-loved traditional hymns, the new book includes popular folk tunes, gospel music, contemporary praise choruses and music from countries around the world. George Black, chair of the Hymn Book Task Force, told Synod the group also tried to find material on subjects which are under-represented in the existing hymnals, such as justice and peace issues and environmental concerns.
Not included in the new book are hymns which use imagery glorifying war, such as Onward Christian Soldiers.
Work remaining to be done on the new hymn book includes the selection of music and obtaining copyright permissions. The final version of the new book will got to the Anglican Church's Council of General Synod for permission to publish for use.
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Contact: Sam Carriere or Lorie Chortyk, Media Relations, General Synod. News Room: (613) 788-2600 ext. 2040 Cellular (613) 720-1468
The use of generic language in the Baptismal Service in the Book of Alternative Services was discussed, and there was agreement with the decision of the Doctrine and Worship Committee on the use of generic language.
Text
That this House of Bishops supports the position taken by the Doctrine and Worship Committee regarding the use of generic language in the Baptism Formula in the Book of Alternative Services. CARRIED #3-9-85
Notes
N.B. "Generic language" presumably means the formula "I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen". Inclusive language is not to be used with respect to the Trinity. Clarification provided by Liturgical Office -- 26 Oct. 1993]
The author discusses the importance of names, especially the names we use for God. "The problem isn't that we have so many images of God that we need to get rid of some of them, the problem is that we don't have, and never will have, enough images to let us really see who God is." Commenting on the fact that the Bible never explicitly calls God Mother, not surprising given the culture of the day, he nevertheless points out several examples of female imagery in scripture. "What is striking about most of these passages is that it is God speaking. What the men who wrote the Bible would never have thought to say about God, God says without shame. `As a mother comforts her child, so I will comfort you." "There are more ways than we can imagine to understand God, and we shouldn't be afraid of them. New images, such as God our Mother, if they are used reverently and worshipfully, are powerful and appropriate. Traditional images, like God our Father, if used thoughtfully and carefully, can teach us a lot about God. Impersonal images, like God as fortress and rock, can help us realize that God is more than just the sum of male and female, mother and father".
"This volume is a collection of essays offering a response to the Montreal Declaration. It furnishes a critique that is thoughtful and tempered, potent and vigorous. The several authors often reveal an appreciation for the theological conversation that has been developing out of the Declaration -- in fact, they have been profoundly absorbed in that conversation. However, when they examine some of the specifics of the Declaration, they find themselves severely wanting as an expression of Anglicanism or, indeed, of the fullness of the Christian faith" -- Foreword.
Contents: Foreword / Michael G. Peers -- Introduction: Recovering authenticity in Anglican faith and practice / John Simons -- Feminism and the Church : challenge and grace / Susan L. Storey -- Naming and glorifying the Trinity : a response to the Declaration's stricture / John Simons -- Towards a Biblical church : a plea for accountability in the way we use scripture / Paul Jennings -- The Word of God and "God's word written" : the Montreal Declaration on the authority of scriptures / Stephen Reynolds -- Humanity is one and history is one : Anglican social thought and the Montreal Declaration of Anglican Essentials / Terry Brown -- Faithfulness and change : moments of discontinuity in the Church's teaching / Gregory Baum -- Reflections on the "Anglican Ethos" : the dialogical middle way / Eileen Scully -- Study Guide / Paul Jennings -- Appendix : The Montreal Declaration of Anglican Essentials -- Contributors.
"This volume is a collection of essays offering a response to the Montreal Declaration. It furnishes a critique that is thoughtful and tempered, potent and vigorous. The several authors often reveal an appreciation for the theological conversation that has been developing out of the Declaration -- in fact, they have been profoundly absorbed in that conversation. However, when they examine some of the specifics of the Declaration, they find themselves severely wanting as an expression of Anglicanism or, indeed, of the fullness of the Christian faith" -- Foreword.
Contents: Foreword / Michael G. Peers -- Introduction: Recovering authenticity in Anglican faith and practice / John Simons -- Feminism and the Church : challenge and grace / Susan L. Storey -- Naming and glorifying the Trinity : a response to the Declaration's stricture / John Simons -- Towards a Biblical church : a plea for accountability in the way we use scripture / Paul Jennings -- The Word of God and "God's word written" : the Montreal Declaration on the authority of scriptures / Stephen Reynolds -- Humanity is one and history is one : Anglican social thought and the Montreal Declaration of Anglican Essentials / Terry Brown -- Faithfulness and change : moments of discontinuity in the Church's teaching / Gregory Baum -- Reflections on the "Anglican Ethos" : the dialogical middle way / Eileen Scully -- Study Guide / Paul Jennings -- Appendix : The Montreal Declaration of Anglican Essentials -- Contributors.
"This volume is a collection of essays offering a response to the Montreal Declaration. It furnishes a critique that is thoughtful and tempered, potent and vigorous. The several authors often reveal an appreciation for the theological conversation that has been developing out of the Declaration -- in fact, they have been profoundly absorbed in that conversation. However, when they examine some of the specifics of the Declaration, they find themselves severely wanting as an expression of Anglicanism or, indeed, of the fullness of the Christian faith" -- Foreword.
Contents: Foreword / Michael G. Peers -- Introduction: Recovering authenticity in Anglican faith and practice / John Simons -- Feminism and the Church : challenge and grace / Susan L. Storey -- Naming and glorifying the Trinity : a response to the Declaration's stricture / John Simons -- Towards a Biblical church : a plea for accountability in the way we use scripture / Paul Jennings -- The Word of God and "God's word written" : the Montreal Declaration on the authority of scriptures / Stephen Reynolds -- Humanity is one and history is one : Anglican social thought and the Montreal Declaration of Anglican Essentials / Terry Brown -- Faithfulness and change : moments of discontinuity in the Church's teaching / Gregory Baum -- Reflections on the "Anglican Ethos" : the dialogical middle way / Eileen Scully -- Study Guide / Paul Jennings -- Appendix : The Montreal Declaration of Anglican Essentials -- Contributors.
"This volume is a collection of essays offering a response to the Montreal Declaration. It furnishes a critique that is thoughtful and tempered, potent and vigorous. The several authors often reveal an appreciation for the theological conversation that has been developing out of the Declaration -- in fact, they have been profoundly absorbed in that conversation. However, when they examine some of the specifics of the Declaration, they find themselves severely wanting as an expression of Anglicanism or, indeed, of the fullness of the Christian faith" -- Foreword.
Contents: Foreword / Michael G. Peers -- Introduction: Recovering authenticity in Anglican faith and practice / John Simons -- Feminism and the Church : challenge and grace / Susan L. Storey -- Naming and glorifying the Trinity : a response to the Declaration's stricture / John Simons -- Towards a Biblical church : a plea for accountability in the way we use scripture / Paul Jennings -- The Word of God and "God's word written" : the Montreal Declaration on the authority of scriptures / Stephen Reynolds -- Humanity is one and history is one : Anglican social thought and the Montreal Declaration of Anglican Essentials / Terry Brown -- Faithfulness and change : moments of discontinuity in the Church's teaching / Gregory Baum -- Reflections on the "Anglican Ethos" : the dialogical middle way / Eileen Scully -- Study Guide / Paul Jennings -- Appendix : The Montreal Declaration of Anglican Essentials -- Contributors.