The Development of Doctrine Twisted by Stephen Cottrell

If you've missed me, I have to apologise. I have started writing two essay sized blogs, one on the Magisterium and one on the pastoral teaching of the Church regarding SSA, and I've just kept researching and adding more information. Part of the problem is I find all this so interesting!

I wanted to post quickly about the awful spectacle of the Church of England Synod last week.

**THE FACE OF THE SYNOD** If this bloke (above) was looking for attention, he has certainly got it, most of the mainstream media has selected him as "the face of the synod".

Everyone is saying that the Anglicans agreed to bless same sex marriage, but that is not in fact accurate. Despite the inaccuracy, I do think it is what the machinations ultimately will result in.

For the sake of accuracy as much as anything else, this is the wording of the final controversial motion as amended:


"That this Synod, recognising the commitment to learning and deep listening to God and to each other of the Living in Love and Faith process, and desiring with God’s help to journey together while acknowledging the different deeply held convictions within the Church:

(a) lament and repent of the failure of the Church to be welcoming to LGBTQI+ people and the harm that LGBTQI+ people have experienced and continue to experience in the life of the Church;

(b) recommit to our shared witness to God’s love for and acceptance of every person by continuing to embed the Pastoral Principles in our life together locally and nationally;

(c) commend the continued learning together enabled by the Living in Love and Faith process and resources in relation to identity, sexuality, relationships and marriage;

(d) welcome the decision of the House of Bishops to replace Issues in Human Sexuality with new pastoral guidance;

(e) welcome the response from the College of Bishops and look forward to the House of Bishops further refining, commending and issuing the Prayers of Love and Faith described in GS 2289 and its Annexes;

(f) invite the House of Bishops to monitor the Church’s use of and response to the Prayers of Love and Faith, once they have been commended and published, and to report back to Synod in five years’ time.

(g) endorse the decision of the College and House of Bishops not to propose any change to the doctrine of marriage, and their intention that the final version of the Prayers of Love and Faith should not be contrary to or indicative of a departure from the doctrine of the Church of England."

So it's a kind of have your cake and eat it approach that has left everyone involved very dissatisfied. This amended motion was carried in each of the three ‘houses’ of Synod (laity, clergy, and bishops). Bishops voted for it by 36 to four, with two abstentions, while clergy voted for it by 111 to 85, with three abstentions. The house of laity approved it 103 to 92, with five abstentions.

These figures show that there seems to be an apostasy most evidenced by the Anglican bishops. However Catholics can hardly celebrate, perhaps instead recognising a very similar direction of travel from numerous hierarchical voices among the Catholic prelates.

I have been ruminating in particular about the man pretending to be the Archbishop of York, one Stephen Cottrell, formerly of Leigh-on-Sea, Essex and then the man pretending to be the bishop of Chelmsford. As previously noted, it is truly extraordinary that this man is in the high position he holds given his lack of pretty much any grasp on theology or doctrine! This goes way back in his career as well. Take this post from me back in 2012 when I was stunned by Cottrell openly misrepresenting Scripture to try and manipulate Church teaching.

One of the most passionate and faithful speakers at Synod was Benjamin John, who gave an impassioned speech in defence of Christian teaching which went viral on the internet:

"Fear God, not man!" an impassioned speech by @benjamin_john at #synod about #llf pic.twitter.com/dX6ynt1JvN

— Rev Dan (@monoingles) February 9, 2023

In another moment posted on the internet (perhaps following on from this moment) Cottrell replies to John and, in supercilious and patronising tones, misrepresents completely St John Henry Newman's teaching on the development of doctrine to suggest that the revealed truth somehow changes from one thing into it's opposite thing:

"I am known for being gentle and cheerful, yet I have my limits and I'm afraid today they have been spectacularly breached."@Canonjjohn comments on the shameful treatment of his son, @benjamin_john, at the hands of @CottrellStephen https://t.co/xf97LQhhyQ pic.twitter.com/2JkQubla7U

— Christian Concern (@CConcern) February 8, 2023

This is such an abhorrent misrepresentation I seriously can't believe that he got away with it at all without challenge. Do none of these faithless people study any theology at all? Yes Stephen, an oak tree is contained in an acorn, but an acorn can't grow into an elephant!

A remedial course is urgently required. Here is Bishop Barron to advise the fundamentals of this important teaching:

 

 

And here is a great explanation from Brian Holdsworth: 

  

I suppose my big problem with Cottrell and the whole Anglican thing here is that they seem oblivious to the fact that they can only succeed in making themselves irrelevant.

I get that what motivates them is a desire to welcome and include. And we must welcome and include everyone; no one is not welcome in Jesus' Kingdom, that much is utterly clear from the Gospels. From Jesus' constant outreach to those marginalised in His society, those who were considered unclean and sinners. But the message he gave them was one of hope. That they did not need to wallow in self-pity and self-loathing but could be redeemed. He offered forgiveness and, most importantly, change.

We need to provide a space where Jesus can communicate that message inside the Church today. A space of welcome and love where everyone can feel the loving kindness of Gods's love. We need to build a bridge of love in order that God's message of grace can enter people's lives...If they want it!

However if we change God's clear message from one of a call to change and repent to one where that is not necessary because God accepts everyone just as they are...What use are we? What is the Gospel that we are preaching? That we are fine and everything is great and we don't need to change? That is the Gospel of the modern secular culture which continues to implode around us ever more violently. We cease to be salt and light. We cease to have any kind of recognisable message. We fail to address the crisis in our culture, a crisis of over sexualisation caused by exposure to pornography and violence. A crisis of abortion and surrogacy, selling women's wombs to the highest bidder and commoditising family making children the next must have fashion accessory. A crisis of suicide, of euthanasia, of bland indifference and apathy.

Yes in the current culture Christian teaching on sexuality does seem like a tough ask, but it is truth and so it is worth standing up for. Shame on those without the courage to do so!