First Things: Anglican Assessment (Must Read!)
September 26, 2006

Jordan Hylden writes:

For the first time in recent memory, Anglican conservatives have something to cheer about. Ever since the Episcopal Church’s general convention in June, things have been moving rapidly in the Anglican world, and this past week was no exception. There were not one but two events sure to shape the future of Anglican polity and doctrine, following fast on the heels of a major statement by Rowan Williams, Archbishop of Canterbury. But instead of the almost obligatory gloominess of conservatives in response to, well, any significant action of their church, there is today a powerful sense of hope among the Anglican faithful, thanks to the long-awaited convergence of Canterbury, the Global South, and a substantial number of orthodox American bishops. When Paul Zahl, dean of the evangelical Trinity Episcopal School for Ministry, says that the past week has been “jumping-up-and-down terrific,” one knows that things may at last be looking up. Of course, a certain amount of unpleasantness and uncertainty remains, seeing as it has become more necessary, not less, for liberals and conservatives in the Episcopal Church to effect some degree of ecclesial separation. There is no guarantee that this process will be amicable, but should it be carried off in a manner befitting Christians (that is, in a spirit of peace and mutual respect), a strong case can be made that Anglicans, finally, have reason to hope for the future of their church.

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