Famed Theologian Leaves Anglican Church

Noted theologian J.I. Packer is leaving the Anglican Church of Canada, according to Charisma Magazine.

Packer said his departure stems from the liberal leanings of his former bishop, Michael Ingham. “He doesn’t believe the things God tells us in the Bible,” Packer told Charisma. “He believes homosexual unions can be a form of holiness. I believe homosexual unions are not part of God’s way. They are barren and mess up human nature.”

With the recent sanctioning of same-sex blessings in the ACC, 15 large Anglican churches in Canada, including St. John’s Shaughnessy, have left the church and joined forces with the conservative Anglican Network based in Canada. Lesley Bentley, spokeswoman for St. John’s Shaughnessy, said the 15 churches that left the ACC represent the number of people in 13 of the 29 dioceses in Canada. “Our church alone has 800 attending Sunday morning services,” she said. “We’re the churches who are growing and planting other churches.”

I'm sure this wasn't an easy decision for him, but when it becomes apparent that the church won't expel the unrepentant immoral, it's time to leave that church. It has compromised its integrity and its witness for Christ.

Packer did the right thing.

The Anglicans aren't the only church group struggling with error and glossed-over sin in their body. Those that fail to overcome it are going to become some of the most morally bankrupt institutions in the world. Some that have already embraced immorality fully are not only worthless for pointing people to the holiness God demands of us, they are actually encouraging people to sin.

I don't even want to be around to see it when the bill for accountability comes due from the head of the church: Christ.

HT to Gay Christian Movement Watch.