A New Synthesis or a Parting of the Ways 

The Rt. Rev, John H. Rodgers Jr. Th.D.

          The idea of getting the Primates into small congenial groups in  order to discuss the contradictory differences in the Anglican Communion is  an example of the impact of theology on practice. I used to think that the  constant conversation was simply a way of stalling a decision, wearing us  orthodox down, until we either gave in or left. But now I can see that,  while that may in part be true, it is more than that. It has to do with  one's theology. If one is a Hegelian, as the Archbishop of Canterbury seems  to be, (see Charles Raven's well written and researched book on the  Archbishop, "Shadow Gospel") then the logic that leads to mutually  contradictory positions, one of which , or both of which might be wrong,  gives way to thesis/antithesis/synthesis movement and the conversation never  ends. There can be no final contradictions, only the truth in the antitheses  caught up in next synthesis, which will call forth the next antithesis etc.     In the 19th Century this was applied to the New Testament canon by F.C.  Baur in which the thesis was seen to be a simple exclusive Jewish messianism  found in Peter, James and John (not the Gospel). The antithesis was provided  by Paul with his high Christology and missionary universalism. And, the  synthesis was found in the later so-called pseudo-Pauline letters and Luke  with its ecclesiastical institutionalism or "early Catholicism".  Unfortunately for this Hegelian approach to the Canon, careful exegesis  actually contradicted Baur and the approach was abandoned. It was neither  true to the texts of Scripture nor to the historical movement which it  assumed.    Perhaps there is a lesson in this for us today as we face what most of us  believe are genuinely contradictory positions. More discussion will not  erase the differences or provide a synthesis. It can only make the  differences sharper and clearer. Nor is it a matter of personal pique. We  may find that we actually like as well as love ( as we are commanded to do)  those with whom we profoundly disagree. We are faced with genuinely  contradictory positions. We either have in Holy Scripture the Word of God  written to which nothing is to be added or we do not,  We are either seeking  to devote ourselves "to the Apostles teaching, fellowship, the breaking of  bread and prayers" or we are not. There can be no doubt where historic  Anglicanism stands with its adherence to the Holy Scriptures as understood  and set forth in the first four Councils, the ecumenical Creeds, the 39  Articles, the 1662 Book of Common Prayer and Ordinal. While the Holy Spirit  may, has and will lead us into deeper and richer understanding and obedience  to the Scriptures, He will not contradict them. Here orthodox Anglicans  agree with Martin Luther for our hearts and minds are captive to the Word of  God and unless we can be shown to have misunderstood the Scriptures we will  not abandon the truth in Christ as we believe it to be. We will not and  cannot "go along to get along." It would seem that we stand at a point not  of a new synthesis but of a parting of the ways.    Hat tip: Fr. Dick Kim