The most senior English Bishop to appear at the GAFCON conference in Jerusalem has spoken of the need for Christian churches in the west to “recover their nerve”.
Bishop Michael Nazir-Ali, of the diocese of Rochester in the United Kingdom, announced this week that he would not attend the Lambeth Conference.
He told the Global Anglican Future Conference pilgrims today that, "The future of the Anglican Communion is to be found in its authentic nature, not in recent innovations or explanations."
That nature, he said, is submitted to the authority of scripture, confessing, and governed by councils with the ability and authority to lead the church and teach the Christian faith.
No church, said Bishop Nazir-Ali, can have any other basis of authority than scripture.
"The Bible is the norm by which we appreciate what is authentically apostolic,” he told delegates.
“That is the reason for the Bible being the ultimate and final authority for us in our faith and our lives and this is the reason why Anglicans have taken our study of the Bible so seriously."
Bishop Nazir-Ali also spoke of Anglicanism's "translatability" and the need for a increased emphasis on mission to those who have not yet heard the Gospel.
Sadly, he said, just as the need for Christian witness is greatest, there is a reluctance to speak about faith in Jesus, even among Christians.
"Let us pray we are able to recover the Christian nerve in the west and to make sure the gospel is not lost," Bishop Nazir-Ali challenged.
Christian right to witness to Muslims
Later at a news conference, Bishop Nazir-Ali, who has been a student of Islam for 30 years, clarified his comment related to the Christian's right to witness to all, including to Muslims.
"Just as Muslims have a right to invite others to join Islam [referred to as Da'wa], Christians have a right to invite others to Jesus," he said.
He added that he supported Christians serving Muslims in such practical ways as in schools and hospitals.
Click here to watch Bishop Nazir-Ali address a media conference on the positive Christian witness to Muslims
When asked about his attendance at Lambeth in the news conference, Bishop Nazir-Ali said that his not going to Lambeth later this year is a matter of conscience for him.
"My difficulty in attending has to do with being in Eucharistic fellowship with and teaching the common faith alongside those who have ordained a person to be bishop whose style is contrary to the unanimous teaching of the Bible and of the Church down the ages."
Though he added that if the impediment were removed, he would gladly attend.
GAFCON key to clergy education
Earlier in the day, Rev. Cesar Guzman, from Chile, who is involved in the Theological education group, told a press briefing the GAFCON conference working group is dealing with the crucial issue of strengthening education of clergy and lay people.
“We’re hoping that GAFCON will facilitate the sharing of resources - some form of network of conservative theological institutions - something along those lines”.
