A fortnight ago in response to my blog on the new Anglican Province of North America, comment was made by Robert Ian Williams with respect to the fragile alliance of GAFCON. In particular it was alleged that Evangelicals could not, or should not, align themselves with Anglo-Catholics because of their denial of the 39 Articles in their continued use of the reserved sacrament and other ritualistic practices.

It is true that Evangelicals do not consider that it is appropriate to reserve the sacrament, either for extended communion or for the service of Benediction, as we judge it contrary to the black rubric. However it is another thing to charge those who engage in such practices as behaving in a way that is contrary to the gospel.  While we may consider that such practices have the potential to obscure the gospel, they are not contrary, in the sense that they undermine or contradict biblical teaching about the gospel.

The contrasting characteristic of the mainstream members of TEC is that they blatantly contradict New Testament teaching about the gospel. Although practising homosexual activity is the presenting issue, the departure from sound doctrine on a number of fronts, including the exclusive claims of Christ as the way of salvation, has placed impossible strains upon maintaining fellowship with such "professing Anglicans". Paul lists homosexual activity, along with other sins, as being contrary to sound doctrine that conforms to the glorious gospel of God (1 Timothy 1:10-11; cf 1 Corinthians 6:9-10).

Disputes unfortunately do occur between Christian co-workers. Euodia and Syntyche, for example, were ardent workers for the gospel but had a significant falling out with one another. Yet their names were still written in the book of life (Phil 4:2-30). Earlier in his letter to Philippi, Paul expresses exasperation that some gospel preachers preach Christ out of selfish ambition, while at the same time he thanks God that Christ is preached! Their behaviour, while receiving a rebuke from Paul, did not disenfranchise them as gospel workers who were spreading the fragrance of Christ.

In this life, we all fall short of the glory of God. While we strive to conform our behaviour to the pure teaching for the Word of God, we are sometimes blinded by our own culture or our own sinfulness from seeing things as we ought to see them. This is true of Evangelicals as well as Anglo-Catholics. However, what is true of both camps is our desire to proclaim the Lord Jesus Christ as the only Saviour, and the teaching of the Bible as the pure Word of God.

What is the reserved sacrament?
by Jeremy Halcrow

Many Anglican Dioceses - but not Sydney - allow the wine and bread from the Lord's Supper to be set aside or 'reserved' after the church service is finished. This practice is referred to as the reserved sacrament (see online dictionary definition here). The reserved sacrament is usually stored in a locked cabinet located above the Holy Table. One common reason for reserving the sacrament is so that it can be taken to the ill or housebound to allow them to share in the Communion.
However, sometimes this reservation is associated with 'Eucharistic adoration'. Anglo-Catholic theology places an emphasis on frequent communion, ideally daily. The unconsumed elements are typically reserved in a 'tabernacle' made of precious metal which is associated with various acts of reverence. When the sacrament is present, Anglo-Catholics will often genuflect when passing in front of it. When absent, they will bow to the 'altar' or Holy Table. This adoration is claimed to be a sign of devotion to Jesus Christ, who is believed by them to be literally present in the consecrated host.