Many of the bishops, who are opposed to broadening the field of who can be ordained, come from Africa where the Anglican church is thriving. And where did this belief system come from... It is likely that it came from those who brought it as missionaries carrying The Book of Common Prayer.
"Almighty Father, whose blessed son before his passion prayed for his disciples that they might be one, as you and he are one: Grant that your church, being bound together in love and obedience to you, may be united in one body by one spirit, that the world may believe in him whom you have sent, your son Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen" The Book of Common Prayer
It is my belief, Wayne, that the "one-ness", of which Jesus prays here in the garden, refers to that same Spirit making Him one with His Father and promised unto us through His resurrection. We, as men, do not know unity with each other concerning Him, nor with Him as individuals, other than in as much as we step into the reality of that Identity. The fulness of such experience is not a 24/7 walk and is known only as we thirst for it and are willing to surrender ourselves unto it. God help us otherwise in our stumbling down the path...
ReplyDeleteJim--I guess what I am hoping for in unity is not for all to have the same experience or beliefs, but at least some universal unity that comes in following Christ. and that some peace and understanding can emerge from it. let us stumble along.
ReplyDeletekievas--- thanks for stopping by and adding the last word
ReplyDelete