Forward in Christ F the Magazine of Forwardc in Faith North America

Vol. 9 No. 2 March, 2017

Forward in Christ F The magazine of ForwardC in Faith North America.

In This Issue: Lent The Bible And The Catholic Faith $30 Annual Subscription The Genie is Out of The Bottle $200 Bundle Subscription Cost or Value? Vol. 9 No. 2 March, 2017 Contents Published by 4 In The News Florida. Forward in Faith Fr. Michael Heidt is Editor of Forward in Christ and a mission 14 Cost or Value? North America priest in the Diocese of Fort Worth. Fr. Himes is Rector of Trinity Church in Marshall, Texas, which 5 An Appeal is in the Diocese of Texas (TEC). Upholding the Faith and Order Fr. Lawrence Bausch is President of He is also the Minister General of the Undivided Church FIFNA and Rector of Holy Trinity, of The Franciscan Order of the Ocean Beach, San Diego, Divine Compassion. California. P.O. Box 210248 15 Thinking Out Loud Business Office 6 Two Sermons For Ash William Murchison is an author Email: Wednesday and journalist. He lives in Dallas, Bedford, TX 76095-7248 Texas. Fr. Robert Crouse; Pope Francis. [email protected] 8 Fasting, Abstinence And 16 The Genie is Out of The Bottle More www.forwardinchrist.org The Rt. Rev. Paul Hewett is Bishop Fr. Gene Geromel is Rector of www.fifna.org of the Diocese of the Holy Cross, St. Bartholomew’s, Swartz Creek, Facebook: www.facebook.com/FIFNA which is comprised of churches and Michigan. Twitter: @FiF_NA missions affiliated with Forward in 18 The Bible And The Faith North America. 1-800-225-3661Editor toll free Catholic Faith 9 Seven Rules For a Holy The Most Rev’d Ray Sutton is Lent the Presiding Bishop of the Adapted from an anonymous tract Reformed Episcopal Church and The Rev’d Michael Heidt at Mount Calvary, Baltimore, Ordinary of the Diocese of 204 N. RosemontEmail: Ave. Maryland. Mid America. Dallas, TX 75208 10 Norman Churches And 19 A Tide in The Affairs of [email protected] Cathedrals Men George Hillard is a member and Alicia Geromel is an Educator and Forward In Christ former Senior Warden of Christ is married to Fr. Gene Geromel, Rector of Swartz Creek, Michigan. is sent free of charge Church Anglican, Southern Pines, to all contributing members of North Carolina. 22 A Guide to the 39 Articles Forward In Faith North America. 12 Parish Highlight Fr. Richard Cumming is Rector of Non-member subscriptions: St. Bede’s, Birmingham, Alabama. the Anglican Church of St. Mary the Virgin, Liverpool, New York in $200$30 per per annum. annum. 13 Forward in Faith Update Parish bundles of ten magazines per issue the Diocese of the Holy Cross. Subscription enquiries should be sent to Dr. Howell is Executive Director of FIFNA and a member of a MDAS parish, St. Nicholas, in Haines City, The FIFNA office above. Contact Julia Smead Renew Your Annual Forward in Faith Membership! Advertising

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Forward in Christ, March, 2017

3 In the News

CofE rejects Bishops’ Report:

The Church of England’s is offering Glitter Ash. According to Parity’s website, Glitter Generalbetween Synod a man has and rejected a woman. a report by the Church’s bishops Ash is a symbol of repentance as well as not giving up: which restated the Christian belief that marriage was “Ashes are a statement that death and suffering are real. Glitter is a sign of our hope, which does not despair. Glitter The report failed to gain approval in all three Houses signals our promise to repent, to show up, to witness, to of the General Synod, losing in the House of Clergy with 93 work. Glitter never gives up -- and neither do we.” voting in favor and 100 against. The report was approved According to Parity, Glitter Ash is also a symbol of bySynod the inHouse 2020. of Bishops and the House of Laity and is now resurrection and hope, “Glitter+Ash exquisitely captures barred from being discussed until the end of the current theworld relationship to see.” between death and new life. We do not live in fear of ash - of death - we place it on our foreheads for the inclusion.”Following the vote in General Synod, the Archbishops of Canterbury and York issued a statement urging “radical BishopThe sparkling Sutton ash Becomes can be boughtPresiding for aBishop: “donation” Forward of $10. in

Christian“To deal inclusion with in that the disagreementChurch.” and to find ways forward,” stated the Archbishops, “we need a radical new Faith North America Council member, Bishop Ray Sutton, has become Presiding Bishop of the Reformed Episcopal GAFCON UK has condemned the Archiepiscopal Church (REC). recommendation, claiming that the language of “radical Sutton takes over from the REC’s previous Presiding inclusion” will encourage further violations of the Church’s Bishop, Royal Grote, who died last year. Bishop Sutton will teaching on marriage and sexuality and that “Orthodox remain Ordinary of the Diocese of Mid America as well Anglicans across the country will be increasingly dismayed asappointment. taking on his new duties as Presiding Bishop. Sutton andBishop confused of by Sheffield: this.” has stated that he is “honored and humbled” by his new

The traditionalist Forward in “As your Presiding Bishop and Ordinary of the Diocese of Faith, Anglo-Catholic Suffragan Bishop of Burnley, The Rt. Mid America, although sad for the reason these transitions Rev. Philip North, has declined his call to become Bishop of have had to take place at this time, I am honored and Sheffield. humbledForward to servein Christ the Reformed Episcopal Church that Susan North’s decision followed outspoken criticism of his and I love so much.” appointmentpriesthood, would by supporters not be able of to the minister ordination to the of women.women his new ministry. congratulates Bishop Sutton and urges It was claimed that North, who believes in an all male your prayers on his behalf and that of the REC as he takes on Continuing Church Unity: priests in the Diocese of Sheffield. Bishop North’s decision and the circumstances that led A joint synod is planned for towomen it, have into called question. the Church of England’s ability to respect October, 2017, at which four Anglican Continuing Church the ministry of those who do not support the ordination of groups hope to work towards greater unity. ACNA Meets With PNCC: The synod will be held in Atlanta, Georgia, on October 2-6, at which the Anglican Church in America (ACA), the Anglican Representatives of the Polish Catholic Church (ACC), the Anglican Province of America National Catholic Church (PNCC) and the Anglican Church (APA), and the Diocese of the Holy Cross (DHC) plan to sign in North America (ACNA) met for the Tenth Ecumenical an agreement establishing full sacramental communion. The DialogueBishop MeetingPaul Sobiechowski, at St. Vincent’s Bishop Cathedral John Mack, in Bedford, Father four churches also intend to pledge themselves “to pursue in Texas, on February 15-16, 2017. aunited determined by commitments and deliberate to credal fashion orthodoxy; increasingly to traditionalfull unity.” According to their press release, the Churches are Senior Robert Nemkovich, Father Senior Augustus Sicard, SMOP, and Father John Kowalczyk, were in attendance Anglican worship; to the three-fold Apostolic ministry representing the PNCC. Bishop Ray Sutton, Bishop Richard of male bishops, priests, and deacons; and to traditional Lipka, Bishop Keith Ackerman, Bishop Jack Iker and Father morality in issues affecting the sanctity of life and human Thomas Vece, FSJ, were in attendance representing the ACNA. sexuality. The four jurisdictions claim some 300 churches Papers were presented concerning Apostolic Succession, in North America and more overseas. Please pray for the the Synods of the Church, and the Unity of the Church. The successAnnual of the Assembly: October synod. Eleventh Ecumenical Dialogue Meeting is scheduled for SeptemberGlitter Ash: 18-20, 2017 in Scranton, Pennsylvania. Forward in Faith North America’s Annual Assembly will be held in Hurst, Texas, July 26-28, on In a new variant on the traditional imposition the theme: “Celebrating God’s design for marriage, family of4 ashes on Ash Wednesday, the Gay advocacy group, Parity, and the single life.” Save the date! Forward in Christ, www.fifna.org An Appeal Fr. Lawrence Bausch asks for help

My purpose in writing this message is to ask your help in development of a new resource to assist FIFNA in equipping our members and engaging new people with teaching mate- rials. Before makingForward my request, in Christ I would like to review the works in which we are already engaged. Our readers of are quite familiar with knownour three is the most role public our leaders ministries: play ourin international magazine, our Chris annual summer Assembly, and our website. Perhaps less well - tian concerns. Often in collaboration with other agents and agencies, our members have engaged in conversations with catholic-minded Christians of many jurisdictions, Anglican and Ecumenical. Perhaps the most obvious fruit of these efforts to date was the coordinating of the International Catholic Congress of Anglicans in 2015. Additionally, our Fr. Bausch, on right Council member Bishop Ray Sutton was appointed as chair of Ecumenical Relations for the ACNA. Also, we have been producingrequest. a list of our members who would be available to well. make visitations for teaching and witnessing purposes upon a topical study like we are suggesting, let us know that as

Now, with the remarkable variety of internet sources, we Please send any recommendations and information to are looking for ways to take advantage of this situation to ourence FIFNA with thisoffice. and These would will like be toshared help, withplease those let uswho know. will enhance our ministries to better serve our mission. I would be working on collating. And, if you have had some experi- like your help in providing us with any particular online resources which we could include in the development of curri- Mypublish personal on our goal website would and be into Forward have some in Christ topical. study rec- cula for teaching and witnessing. You are probably aware of ommendations available to share at our July Assembly and some of the videos Bishop Ackerman has done. These have been well-received and are examples of what we are looking WithFr. Bausch every blessing for a holy Lent, toor ministry?learn about and include. What videos have you seen (on YouTube,We would for example) like to share which these have withproven others, helpful especially in your life as some may be grouped together topically. Suppose you want- ed to hold a Friday and Saturday teaching session in your region on a topic such as the roots of our liturgy and ritual, but couldn’t afford to invite a speaker or purchase materi- als. What if FIFNA could recommend a 4-video (or audio) set, which could be found on YouTube, a talk from one of our Lawrence Bausch is President of Forward in Faith North Assemblies on our website, and another accessible online America (FIFNA) and Rector of Holy Trinity, Ocean Beach, San source? We are asking for your recommendations, and, if Diego, California. you have had experience using them, to share about that as well. Also, if you have already collated someThe resources Palm for Sunday Collect Almighty and everliving God, who, of thy tender love towards mankind, hast sent thy Son our Savior Jesus Christ to take upon him our flesh, and to suffer death upon the cross, that all mankind should follow the example of his great humility: Mercifully grant that we may both follow the example of his patience, and also be made partakers of his resurrection; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord... for ever and ever. Amen.

Forward in Christ, March, 2017

5 Two Sermons For Ash Wednesday Fr. Robert Crouse

The series of Epistle and Gospel lessons for Sundays and Holy Days print- ed in our Prayer Book preserves for us a reasoned pattern of instruction, com- monsince throughout the early WesternChristian Christendom centuries. historically, and very little has changed

Thus, today we read a Gospel lesson which has been unchanged since the sixth century, when St. Gregory the Great finally settled upon Ash Wednes- day as the first day of Lent, while our Epistle lesson is one of the few altered readings, chosen for our Canadian re- vised Prayer Book of 1962. Although the season of Lent has alwaysthe wilderness, included sometimes forty days in of fasting,ancient imitating the forty days of Jesus in

Christendom it began earlier, because certain days – for instance Sundays, Saturdays and Thursdays, were sometimes excluded from the fast. Thus, our powerful account of his own trials and maturity, the good and honest heart, threema, were pre-Lenten apparently Sundays, all at one Septuag time or- sufferings in the vineyard of the Lord; the very habit of life of heaven, without esima, Sexagesima, and Quinquagesi- while the Gospel lesson, Jesus’ parable which – whatever our gift, our strug- ofGod, the said Sower, Jesus, explained is like seed, more sown fully in the gles and achievements – we are “noth- another beginnings of Lent, and their meaning of that struggle. The word of ing worth”; just “sounding brass and Epistle and Gospel lessons, which have tinkling cymbal”, just noisy nonsense. not been changed, retain that char- ground of human hearts. Like seed, it The Scripture lessons for those acter. And thus they serve for us as a is threatened by many perils: drought weeks of preparation have shown us three-fold and progressive introduc- andGod, chokingcertainly, weeds but only and in predators honest and of theNow meaning,it remains and only the to character, undertake and it, tion to the season, preparing us to un- one sort or another. It is the free gift of the urgency of the pilgrimage of Lent. derstand its message and meaning. In various way, they all present Lent in good hearts will it be cherished, and and today’s lessons urge us to do just terms of discipline and struggle, pil- cultivated, and bring forth fruit. that;mindedness; with penitence with a discipline for our which wicked is- grimage and labour, moved and sus- In the Scriptures for last Sunday, ness and carelessness and double- tainedma, we by heard the grace about of Olympic God. athletes, Quinquagesima, the Lenten theme Thus, in the Epistle for Septuagesi- was brought to still more perfect clar- not just external forms, but the inner ity, with Jesus’ announcement to the discipline of mind and heart; striving training with careful discipline to com- twelve: “Behold we go up to Jerusa- notonly forby worldlyearnest, self-improvement, and persistent, and but pete for a fading crown of laurel leaves. lem.” That is the central theme of Lent. for the treasure of eternal good. It is How much more earnest, says St. Paul, We go up to Jerusalem with Jesus, to must be the training and the discipline witness there the almighty charity of sometimes painful discipline that we of those who seek the incorruptible God in the Passion of his Son, and to are weaned from mindless conformity crown of spiritual good. And in the beto Jericho, transformed in that by Gospel that same lesson, charity. the to worldly ends, and find that renewal Gospel for that day, we heard Jesus’ As with the blind beggar by the road of the mind which is spiritual freedom story of the labourers, called into the and maturity. That liberation is what vineyard, each of whom – even those blindPaul told eyes us of onour the faith Epistle are to lesson, be opened that Lent is all about. “Behold we go up to who came at the last, eleventh hour – to the glory of his sacrifice, and, as St. Jerusalem.”hearts be also. There is our treasure, in received the same reward; reminding the charity of God, and there must our us that the prize of all our striving is, charity, that obedient, self-giving love, after all, God’s free and generous gift. that steadfast, clear-sighted willing of I want to finish with just a few words On Sexagesima Sunday, the Epistle the good, which is manifest in Calvary, of what I hope is practical advice for underlined again the theme of dis- is to be the substance of our own new Lent. It’s not easy – indeed, I’m afraid cipline and struggle, with St. Paul’s life, the very essence of our spiritual that sometimes it’s even presumptu- 6 Forward in Christ, www.fifna.org ous – to give detailed practical advice to a congregation in of pilgrimage to a spiritual Jerusalem, which is above, and general; but I would say just this: You are surrounded here free, and is our home. by opportunities – in this chapel every day, and every day in “Behold we go up to Jerusalem.” Amen. So be it. your academic and social life, and I hope you will not waste Robert Crouse was a Patristic and Medieval scholar, and a these opportunities. But, whatever your plans for Lent, I teacher and priest in the Anglican Church of Canada. See think they should include a careful, thoughtful and repeated http://www.stpeter.org/crouse. meditation on the Prayer Book lessons for the Lenten Sun- days, to discover for yourself the road they chart – the road Pope Francis “Return to me with all your heart... return to the Lord” (Jl 2:12, 13). “Assemble the harsh and hasty criticism, of simplistic analyses that fail to aged, gatherThe the prophet children, Joel even makes infants this at plea the breast,to the thepeople bride in- grasp the complexity of problems, especially the problems thegroom... Lord’s and name. the bride” No one (v. should 16). All feel the excluded:faithful people are sum- of those who suffer the most. Lent is the time to say no to the moned to come and worship their God, “ for he is gracious and asphyxia of a prayer that soothes our conscience, of an alms- merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love” (v. 13). giving that leaves us self-satisfied, of a fasting that makes us We too want to take up this appeal; we want to return feel good. Lent is the time to say no to the asphyxia born of relationships that exclude, that try to find God while avoid- ing the wounds of Christ present in the wounds of his broth- to the merciful heart of the Father. In this season of grace ers and sisters: in a word, all those forms of spirituality that that begins today, we once again turn our eyes to his mercy. reduce the faith to a ghetto culture, a culture of exclusion. Lent is a path: it leads to the triumph of mercy over all that Lent is a time for remembering. It is the time to reflect would crush us or reduce us to something unworthy of our and ask ourselves what we would be if God had closed his dignity as God’s children. Lent is the road leading from slav- doors to us. What would we be without his mercy that never ery to freedom, from suffering to joy, from death to life. The tires of forgiving us andwhere always we wouldgives us be the without chance theto begin help mark of the ashes with which we set anew? Lent is the time to ask ourselves out reminds us of our origin: we were Lent is the taken from the earth, we are made of time to start of so many people who in a thousand dust. True, yet we are dust in the lov- quietus hope ways and haveenabled stretched us to make out a theirnew ingstill hands wants of to God, do so. who has breathed his breathing again. hands and in very concrete ways given spirit of life upon each one of us, and It is the time beginning? He wants to keep giving us that to open our hearts Lent is the time to start breathing breath of life that saves us from every again. It is the time to open our hearts other type of breath: the stifling as- to the breath to the breath of the One capable of turn- phyxia brought on by our selfishness, of the One ing our dust into humanity. It is not the theasphyxia stifling that asphyxia smothers generated the spirit, by narpet- time to rend our garments before the ty ambition and silent indifference – an capable of turning evil all around us, but instead to make - our dust room in our life for all the good we are rows our horizons and slows the beat- able to do. It is a time to set aside every- ing of our hearts. The breath of God’s into humanity. thingsion, when, that isolates with the us, Psalmist, encloses we us andcan life saves us from this asphyxia that paralyzes us. Lent is a time of compas- dampens our faith, cools our charity and strangles every hope. To experi- say: “Restore to us the joy of your sal- ence Lent is to yearn for this breath of vation, sustain in us a willing spirit”, so life that our Father unceasingly offers that by our lives we may declare your us amid the mire of our history. praise (cf. Ps 51:12.15), and our dust – The breath of God’s life sets us free from the asphyxia by the power of your breath of life - may become a “dust of that so often we fail to notice, or become so used to that it love”. seems normal, even when its effects are felt. We think it is normal because we have grown so accustomed to breathing air in which hope has dissipated, the air of glumness and resignation, the stifling air of panic and hostility. Lent is the time for saying no. No to the spiritual asphyxia born of the pollution caused by indifference, by thinking that other people’s lives are not my concern, and by every attempt to trivialize life, especially the lives of those whose flesh is From a sermon delivered on Ash Wednesday by Pope Francis. burdened by so much superficiality. Lent means saying no to the toxic pollution of empty and meaningless words, of Forward in Christ, March, 2017 7 Fasting, Abstinence And More Bishop Paul Hewett gives advice

Some practical advice from the BishopThings of theto give Holy up: Cross for Lent.

Fasting – reducing the quantity of food,no alcohol by having and no only dessert. one full meal during the day, possibly with no seconds,

Abstinence – reducing the quality of food, by eating more simply, perhaps by not eating meat. For some people a good rule of abstinence would be to giveNotes up television about fasting for the and day. abstinence:

Ordinary Fridays are days of abstinence.days), and By traditionalWednesdays rules, and Fridays every day in a Prayer Rope or Rosary. The Rosary read Morning and Evening Prayer at in Lent is a day of fasting (except Sun- and the Jesus Prayer can be offered home. Do it once, by yourself, or with while in the car. The bumps on the back your family. Consider doing it (fully or Lentday andare daysGood of Friday.fasting andSundays, abstinence, since of the steering wheel can be used as a in abbreviated form) every day. Con- with special emphasis on Ash Wednes- Rosary or Prayer Rope. sider the use of the Family Prayer sec- • Make a list of people and/or tion on pp. 587-600 of the Prayer Book. they commemorate the Resurrection, causes to pray for and use this every • Go to Confession before Easter. are never days of fasting or abstinence. day; pray daily through the parish’s in- The word “Lent” is actually an Anglo- Thoseous manual who are labor, very should young, not very attempt old, or tercession list (copies are on the back Saxon nick-name in the household of infirm, or who are involved in strenu- table). Or, be especially in prayer every faith, derived from the word “length- day for one person. en,” now that the days are lengthening. to fast, or can fast from things other • Spend three, or five, minutes a than food. day in thanksgiving. Finish Lent with Lent is an opportunity to let God Give up one thing, such as sweets, a list of the many blessings you enjoy. open up a bigger space in you for Him smoking, reading magazines, or watch- You will get ideas from the PB, pp. 33, to fill. It is our journey toward Pass- ing television. Spend less time online or 48, 50-53, 83, 591 and the Psalms. over, which our Lord accomplishes on surfing the web. Work harder on giving • Say Psalm 63 while washing up in the Cross, so that we can, by dying and up your besetting sin(s) and cultivating the morning rising with Him, pass from the broken- itsGod opposite and others. virtue. For example, give • Clean some disorganized part of nessnew creation.of sin and death to new and inde- up complaining and cultivate thanking yourprocrastination. home, car, garage, cellar, etc. or structible life, in the wholeness of the Things to add (one or perhaps two. begin a task that has been delayed by Don´t attempt too much; do what is real- one, compliment or praise them in istic and practical): stead.• When inclined to criticize some- -

• To do any of the above, get up 10 • Use the money saved from fasting or 15 or more minutes earlier in the and abstinence for your mite box offer- morning. ing, or to put in the plate on Sunday, or • Really observe Sunday as the today give to a charity. Lord’schores on Day Saturday. by going to Mass and (to • Read a chapter of the Bible every the greatest extent possible) do your the Stations at home. The Rt. Rev. Paul Hewett is Bishop of the • Read a book on prayer or the life • Go to Stations of the Cross or do Diocese of the Holy Cross, which is com- ofday a saint prised of churches and missions affiliat- • Say 5the decades Jesus Prayer of the Rosary100 times every on • Read at home, or attend at Church, ed with Forward in Faith North America. one or more of the Daily Offices (Morn- 8 ing and Evening Prayer). Learn how to Forward in Christ, www.fifna.org Seven Rules For Lent Adapted from an anonymous tract

help.How to keep a holy Lent? Follow- ing these seven rules or guidelines will the1. Creed Education: and renew At Easter, our commitment and every Sunday, we affirm the Faith by reciting to it. In Lent we should take time to learn about the basic tenets of religion so that we can make our statement of belief with a good, fervent, conscience.

2. Reconciliation: Lent is a time of penance, when we tell God that we’re sorry for our sins, ask forgiveness and promise amendment of life. This can be achieved through the Sacrament of Confession, in which our sins are for- in Adoration, Confession,Thanksgiving vious benefit of conforming ourselves given and ourselves put right with God and Supplication (ACTS). In Lent we more closely to Him. In Lent we are and His Church. are called to rededicate ourselves to called to rededicate ourselves to this. make time to examine our consciences Godin this in way.prayer and all of us should make All of us should make the effort to assist 3. Self-Examination: Unless we the effort to spend more time with God those less fortunate than ourselves. 7. Scripture: We have the inestima- we fail to see where and how we’ve ble benefit of the record of God’s sav- gone wrong in life and therefore find it 5. Fasting: This helps us to refocus ingon Scripture, actions in which word contains and deed the in words Holy hard to go to God for His forgiveness. ourselves on Christ and God, denying Scripture. By reading and meditating Use this season to make a daily ex- ourselves luxuries we enjoy and hab- aminationmercy. of conscience so that we can its that bind us to the world. In Lent of Jesus Himself, we are able to draw turn to God more fully and receive His we should make a point of this, at least near to Christ and understand His will making sure we keep to the Friday fast for us. Use this Lent to read the Bible, of not eating meat and the Eucharistic especially the Gospel of the week. 4. Prayer: For us to grow in our fast of not eating at least an hour be- union with Christ we have to give our- fore receiving Holy Communion. selves to Him – He does not force Him- Adapted from an anonymous tract at self on us. The name given to this spiri- 6. Alms: By giving aid to the needy Mount Calvary, Baltimore, Maryland. tual self-offering is prayer, which is the we actively participate in the love of practice of lifting ourselves up to God Christ for humanity, which has the ob-

On Fasting Why have men always fasted? Originally, perhaps, to move the pity of heaven by a sort of hunger-strike: to show that their prayers were in earnest. But it is as necessary now as ever it was that we should show our prayers to be in earnest. God bestows himself on those who desire him. What then is the evidence that we desire him? Not words alone, feeling still less. Nothing but action can give seriousness to our desire for God.

We are in earnest if for God’s sake we displease ourselves. If we abstain from needless indulgence, much more, if we find the weak point in our service of God, and attack it with resolution. Resolutions are no good, unless we are prepared to find them broken, and to renew them, every day. It is no fast if it is easy. Displease yourself, and have fellowship with Christ. For he pleased not himself, and his prayers were heard. And for what did he pray? He prayed for, and obtained, our salvation. The Crown of the Year

Austin Farrer, Forward in Christ, March, 2017 9 Norman Churches and Cathedrals By George Hillard

In a fairly obscure 12th century church in the far south of England, I found these words written by a local historian. I think they are an accurate description of what it was like to go to church in the Middle Ages. From its beginnings, our church cherished the obscure mysteries of the Latin Mass, seen and heard in a stone edi- fice mostly dark and unheated, with a congregation largely illiterate and unversed in doctrine, the majority perhaps ill- clad or ill-nourished, drawn together in common worship in what was for most of them a foreign tongue1 but dimly un- derstood, yet which was an apt vehicle for their prayers and petitions as well as for priestly benedictions. During the Anglo-Saxon Period (449-1066) and beyond, “The Church” meant Rome, and the service described was from Medieval Catholicism. The last Saxon King (Harold) died at Hastings in 1066, and William became king. That is a long and complex story, with three men all claiming the throne. And well before 1066, a band of Vikings was granted lands in the north of France (911 is the prob- ableplished date, in and, battle, as onebut writer learned noted, French, it’s asbecame good as Christians, any). And thus, Normandy was established. They were already accom- andarchitecture. due to family relationships, had a claim to the throne in England. Now that is truly an oversimplification, but, on to ers; many Saxon churches were torn down and Norman The Normans were accomplished builders and organiz- churches built on their foundations. Others were left standing and were used but were modified and acquired Norman Lincoln Cathedral features: arches, doorways, windows, ceiling vaults, and sculpture. In many cases (again, our good fortune), some of the English churches standing today have well-preserved Saxon, Norman, and Gothic features. Some (St Alban’s Abbey north of London) have one style of arch on one side of the nave and another across on the other side. The Anglo-Saxons spoke Old English, a Germanic language. Thus with a priest from France, whose native language was French, but who read the service in Latin...it is no wonder that a goodly number of parish churches had numerous wall paintings, which have survived, and which illustrated stories from the Bible. And thus, the description of a Sunday in church in the year 1125 (above) con- veys an interesting experience. In recent years, I have attended Sunday services in England in a small stone church in which parishioners brought small squares of carpetNorman (cold architecture floors) and keptwas robusttheir over and- coats on during the service. The Nave, Hereford Cathedral well-designed. More than a few major 10 churches have survived almost intact. Forward in Christ, www.fifna.org They are sturdy; the arcades supporting the roof over the nave are large and very strong. The columns are simple and not ornately carved, with the exception of the great- estround, Norman rather cathedral, than pointed. begun Norman in Durham win indows 1093. are The rounded arches on topping top also; the but piers the stonewere - frames surrounding them may be ornately carved with chevrons and other designs. Norman towers have multiple windows and are not usually as tall as later towers. The walls are quite thick (every feature was, well, robust!) The pillars supporting the arcades (see photos) were finished on the outside and filled with rubble inside. 800 yearsas rubble later, inside some has of thesesettled pillars, and the no outsidematter how robust, have begun to fail structurally, Southwell Minster sheath has begun to bend or lean. Today’s technologyand concrete has is injecteda good answer: into the sonic column. devic - es locate the internal voids, holes are drilled, the Saxon arch and added a Norman arch. In the Midlands, Among the great Norman cathedrals, Gloucester is a good near Derby, they built a large Bishop’s Church in Melbourne. example of multiple styles: it has a fine Norman Nave and a It was between two jurisdictions and I believe the plan was Gothic Choir and Chancel, with flying buttresses and elabo- that if they could get a bishop to take up residence in Mel- rate stained glass windows. Two great abbeys, Tewkesbury bourne, he might control both jurisdictions. But no bishop and Romsey, are mostly Norman. Almost all the Norman ever agreed and to this day, they have a fine parish church. churches were begun about 1100, plus or minus 25 years or Of the well-known cathedrals, the great Norman church- so. The Normans also built parish churches, ranging from es are Durham (1093), Peterborough (1118-1197), South- small to say, medium. They used Saxon foundations, or add- well Minster (1120), Gloucester (1089-1120). In fact, one ed a distinctly Norman chancel to a Saxon nave. writer referred to Gloucester’s construction as the “sever- In one case (Kilpeck, near the Welsh border) they kept est possible Norman.” That means massive pillars, sturdy walls, rounded windows. I think that if asked, after I visited a Norman cathedral or abbey, I would say without hesita- tion, “very solid.” The chapel in the Tower of London, though small, is a classic of Norman architecture. These churches are in use today. I will reveal my favorites: (1) Durham is without equal, and contains the tombs of the Venerable Bede and St Cuthbert. (2) Hereford Cathedral, near the Welsh border, simply has character in a picturesque town. (3) Tewkes- bury Abbey, near Gloucester, is really solid Norman but love- ly inside. And (4) Southwell Minster is an almost complete Norman building just across from a building in which King Charles’ death warrant was signed. Now that is historic.

Church and Chapel at Worth Metravers, Dorset 1. From the parish history of St Nicholas and St Aldhelm, , Edward Caf- fery, 1992, page 3.

George Hillard is a member and former Senior Warden at Christ Church Anglican, Southern Pines, NC. He taught English and Philosophy at West Point, and has been studying Saxon The Nave, Southwell Minster and Norman churches in the UK for more than 20 years. Forward in Christ, March, 2017 11 Parish Highlight St. Bede’s, Birmingham, Alabama

St. Bede’s Anglican Church was founded by veterans of World War II in 1977. The journey of the parish began in a home of one of them, when like-minded worshipers came together for the first time. Meeting subsequent years in store fronts, the back of a restaurant and a friendly Lutheran church, the parish finally found a permanent home whenin a small, they historicalbought property community on Grant’s called Mill Road outside Birmingham proper

Irondale. The property flanks the Ca- haba, the state’s longest free-flowing river which propagates the Cahaba lily that grows nowhere else in the world. The founding priest of the parish, Canon William J. Marvin, a veteran of the Battle of the Bulge and a legend- ary priest, was responsible for start- ing seventeen parishes in Alabama and other states. As it happened, the property shown to the founding members wasness notGod the had property shown, whilethey were the church given; nior Warden felt the spirit of God move ter to show His power and favor, and however,would be inprecariously keeping with perched the faithful on the- him to request a purchase price from Jesus used water to complete the first the owner in 2013. Sadly, the property miracle at the wedding at Cana, dem- be the only place where water could be slipped from the owner through bank- onstratingwell, water established the metaphor a church. of everlast - side of a small mountain, it would also ruptcywalked to that the property bank, who with gave her it tomother Habi- ing life to the Samaritan woman at the tat for Humanity. The daughter who located. Every Saturday the men of the Why is this worth mentioning? We church built St. Bede’s as it sits today. took the original note card and walked believe it is no coincidence that the Beside it are flowers planted by two the property with her daughter. Mi- symbolteaches ofthe St. importance Bede is a and pitcher. miracu The founding church women. raculously, the Director of Habitat for story of St. Bede’s Anglican Church Reminiscent of Joshua and the tribe HumanityWhat had been called denied the by Senior man, Wardenwas re - of Israel, one of the founding members anddeemed gave by theGod. property to St. Bede’s. lous power of prayer, and is the result wrotethe property Deuteronomy that was 11:11-14 denied on the a notepar - of those prayers, faithfulness, and dili- card, then with her daughter, walked gence of the Golden Generation, and - The house on the property was re- their families. ish, claiming it in the name of Christ. furbished and, true to God’s faithful- Over the next thirty years, the prop- ness, the church gained a priest. This erty passed through seven residents, would be his home and a place for the St. Bede’s Anglican is located at 2350 none of whom were able to successfully members to gather and commune. Grants Mill Rd. Birmingham, Alabama getwas water. returned The tochurch them provided when the water Se The water that could not be found by 35210. Mass is on Sundays at 10 AM. to them from their well. This blessing all the other inhabitants of that land -Thewas Forward found now. in As Faith God hasDaily used Prayer wa-

O God our Father, bless Forward in Faith. Inspire us and strengthen our fellowship. Help us to witness to the saving power of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, that with love and patience we may win many hearts to Evangelical Faith, Catholic Truth, Apostolic Order, and Godly Life within the fellowship of thy Holy Church. We ask this through Jesus Christ thy Son our Lord, who liveth 12 and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. AMEN.

Forward in Christ, www.fifna.org Forward in Faith Update From the Executive Director My Sisters and Brothers in Christ,

Your Forward in Faith North Amer- ica (FiFNA) Council met in late Febru- ary at St. Vincent’s Cathedral in Bed- ford, TX. Much was accomplished over two days of discussion, prayer and fel- lowshipThe 2017 and I Annual would like Assembly: to share Plans with you a few highlights. entitled Celebrating God’s Design for wereMarriage, finalized Family for and this the Single year’s Life event, many places, Christianity continues to . In be influenced by secular constructs, and the very foundations of our faith and society are increasingly being un- dermined. More than ever, we need to return to God’s design for our families and how we live our lives. Our Assem- bly plenary speaker will be Dr. Kenneth Howell, a Roman Catholic layman with an extensive background in this area. In addition to the plenary topic, the As- and comments and you can send them sembly will also feature workshops on thatsure upholdabout women catholic in faithholy andorders, order, or As always, we welcome your ideas church planting and re-energizing par- there are individuals who are still un- ishes, as well as an interactive forum toEaster. me at [email protected]. on the future of Anglo-Catholicism in cannot provide a solid reason against Have a blessed Lent and a most joyous North America. this practice. In response to the 2015 The 2017 Assembly will be held membership survey, the FiFNA Coun- Blessings, July 26-28 and for the first time it will cil has authorized the development of Michael Howell, Ph.D. take place at the Hurst (TX) Confer- a one-day workshop that will focus on FiFNA Executive Director ence Center. The relative proximity to apostolic ministry and women’s ordi- the Dallas-Fort Worth airport and the nation. The proposed workshop would short walking distance to hotels, made beics availableassociated to parisheswith this and issue. other Our gath ex- it the perfect setting for http://www. this year’s erings,pectation and is would that this focus will on enable the key people top- fifna.org/2017-assembly/,event. Registration and other informa- - tion can be found online at or by calling to beCommunication better advocates and for the Social faith Meand- 1-800-225-3661.Workshop on We Apostolic look forward Ministry to dia:practice While of theForward undivided in Christ church. remains a Planned:seeing you.

Some Anglican jurisdictions valuable source of information for our are still considering whether or not members, the FiFNA Council recogniz- women can serve as priests or bish- es that there are many individuals who ops. For example, the Anglican Church communicate and receive information in North America’s Task Force on Holy in a different realm. We discussed how Orders has completed its final report, FiFNAreach a could broad increase constituency its use with of social our Dr. Howell is a member of a MDAS par- which the College of Bishops will dis- media (e.g., Facebook, Twitter, etc.), to ish, St. Nicholas, in Poinciana, Florida. cusspractice later is thiscontrary year. Weto scripture feel that thisand so, please take time to browse our He serves on the Executive Committee of is the best time for teaching why this ministry. If you have not already done the ACNA and is on the Board of Trinity School for Ministry in Ambridge, Penn- thatcannot within be part jurisdictions of the catholic and faith.parishes Facebook page (www.facebook.com/ sylvania. Recent experience has shown us FIFNA) and to follow us on twitter (@ FiF_NA). Forward in Christ, March, 2017 13 Cost or Value? By Fr. John Himes

Each year Forward in Faith gathers for its National As- worship but the Assembly is a unique opportunity to gath- sembly. It is not without cost that people from around the er with fellow believers of the wider Church in joy. It helps United States come together for three days of teaching, wor- to realize that we are part of a much larger whole. We are ship, and fellowship. For many of us setting aside funds to truly part of the Body of Christ serving him in this world. cover the cost of attending National Assembly is a major ex- It is often easier to simply keep a low profile in a world of pense we have to plan for. religious relativism; however such runs counter to the very Why do we come, more specifically why do I come. I am commandment of Christ to be salt and light. Presence at the one of the few members of Forward in Faith North America Assembly energizes me to be that salt and light. From my that is still in the Episcopal Church (TEC). You might ask conversations over the years with other attendees at the As- why in the world an Anglo-Catholic priest would remain in sembly I know that I am not the only one who feels that way TEC, honestly that is an entirely different article altogether. about attending. My focus in this article is why I choose to come every year Each of us brings the gift of presence to one another. I am and what it means to my spiritual welfare. not sure we each realize how important that is to the wel- Our National Assembly gives me the opportunity to fare of the whole. We come from a variety of jurisdictions, spend time in fellowship and worship with my brothers and ACNA, TEC, and the Anglican Continuum and as a result we sisters in Christ in a uniquely Anglo-Catholic environment. bring our different perspective to the assembly. We are the It is also an opportunity for me to learn. The teachings that Church gathered in unity of sacraments and of purpose; the have been offered over the last decade have helped me a way Christ intended. It is a time in which we are both fed and great deal in not only deepening my faith, but in my ability feeding others. We come away stronger and more dedicated to preach, teach and minister to my parish. It provides me into living out the mission of the Church militant. When we a way to keep the faith and to pass on the faith. My atten- exist only in the confines of our own parish or our own dio- dance at our National Assembly feeds my soul and my faith. cese or jurisdiction we forget that we are part of the entirety That dear friends is something that we each need in our life of Christ’s Body throughout the world. We often fail to see to holdthe soul. fast toWe the can faith certainly once delivered. encounter that in our parish that our brothers and sisters in different places are indeed Our National Assembly provides spiritual nourishment our brothers and sisters. At the assembly as we worship and learn together we are reminded of ourConsider union withYour Christ Call, and Saint Michael’s Conference Brethren (Northeast) Founded in 1960 Ordained Ministry. A Bishop Reflects on

The Rt. Rev’d. Jack Leo Worth.Iker, Third Bishop of the Diocese of Fort

The Parish Press, 289 pages.Consolation, $18.00. encour a - gement, inspiration, Holy Family Retreat Center andthose defensewho are ofon the West Hartford, CT Faith - addressed to

30 July - 5 August, 2017 “front lines.” From Seminary Graduations, Ordinations, Contact: The Rev’d A. Milton Cheney, III, Registrar Retreats, Chrism Masses, and Requiems, Bishop Iker [email protected] shares encouragement in ways that will inform all readers, lay and ordained. This book can easily be used for 401-397-9987 dailyPastors. meditations See: http://theparishpress.com. and Confirmation Classes, as people are given a glimpse into the mind and heart of a Pastor of 14

Forward in Christ, www.fifna.org with one another. We come away with a great awareness of ed of a commercial that ends with the tag line “Priceless”. who we are and who we are called to be as part of the Body The experience of being at the Assembly is priceless and has of Christ. value for my spiritual growth that is beyond measure. I pray I am well aware of the monetary expense of attending the I will see you at the National Assembly this coming July. Forward in Faith National Assembly. I am far more aware of the cost of not attending the Assembly and I am aware of the Fr. Himes is Rector of Trinity Church in Marshall, Texas, which truebe measured value of attending. in dollars Theand expensecents but I canonly deal in the with awareness by being is in the Diocese of Texas (TEC). He is also the Minister General frugal in my budgeting. The cost of not being present cannot of The Franciscan Order of the Divine Compassion (an Anglican Religious Order). that I had an opportunity to make a difference in the Church andThinking my voice wasn’t there. As to theOut value; wellLoud I am remind- By William Murchison ‘Fess up. in what seems like an eon. Or, to speak more precisely, you tion Legacy You haven’t wondered about the fate of the Prayer Book 1517-2017.” The conference haven’t wondered what the General Convention of the Epis- featuredaround majorthe copal was going to do, in a rough, physical way, to the liturgi- figures from calsame heritage time. of Anglicanism. munion, such This was likely for one of two reasons. Or both at the Anglican Com-

Reason 1. Having pulverized the earnest defenders of as the doughty the old prayer book – usually identified as “the ’28 book” – ethicist Oliver General Convention after 1979 turned its attention to other O’Donovan, of objects of destruction, such dioceses of a traditional bent. Edinburgh Uni- The church office at 815 Second Avenue in New York sensed, versity, and Dr. correctly, an incipient movement to come between General George West- Convention and faithful parishes that saw, correctly, Con- haver, Principal vention as complicit in Katherine J. Schori’s substitution of of Pusey House, United Nations theology for the real thing. That became the Oxford. big story; that, and the generally successful lawsuits filed by The fun of the thing was the reminder proceeding from the church’s lawyers against the rebels. notable papers and energetic discussion that, yes, what mat- Reason 2: People just got used to the new liturgical order, tered 500 years ago – in a salvational way, you might say through participating in it. – matters still. What we know in the 21st century as Angli- The Prayer Book, as an issue, faded quietly. Which is canism, and its Book of Common Prayer, were not conceived where the Savannah, Georgia, based Prayer Book Society in moments of academic fuss-budgeting. It mattered what comes in, with its appeals, sometimes harkened to, fre- you believed! It mattered how, and in what context, you quently ignored, to keep the faith. The society – of which I enunciated those beliefs, summoning others to acceptance am, full disclosure, a trustee – continues to spread the word and endorsement of the same timeless propositions. Which about the excellence of the not-quite-banned-but-neverthe- propositions had little enough to do, save in passing, with less-disused 1928 book. the frets and fidgets of the United Nations and its Millenial The society’s commitment comes to mind on account of Development Goals. its recently rekindled determination to publicize and pro- The MDG’s, which Katherine Schori kept perpetually tect the traditional book: known generally in the U.S. as the before the church, are hardly contemptible: peace, justice, ’28 book and elsewhere as the 1662; the idea being to rally clean water, etc. The faith transcends and catches up in its support for the distinctive stamp that Archbishop Thomas ample folds the entirety of worldly issues, which generally Cranmer & Co. put on Anglican worship in 1549. prove, on examination, to grow out of general failure to rec- The Prayer Book Society, catching a whiff of renewed ognize the fallen state of man and the sacrificial work of Je- danger to traditional worship, stemming from General Con- sus in the restoration of that state. “But thou, O Lord, have vention’s plan to move toward a new revision, is reinvigorat- mercytent…” uponSo the us, traditional miserable prayer offenders. book Sparespeaks thou to God those, con O ingthemes. its web presence, its respected magazine Anglican Way, God, who confess their faults. Restore those who are peni- and initiating national conferences on traditional Anglican worry about. - cerning the breach modern people hardly recognize, far less In February 2017, in Savannah, the society held a well- attended and intellectually nourishing confabulation – “An- The Prayer Book Society’s commitment is to win wider, glicanism Catholic and Reformed: Revisiting the Reforma- deeper recognition of the purityForward and intruth Christ, of March,Anglicanism’s 2017 15 traditional formularies: regarded by time-tested language and gestures the dispensable work of the Prayer Book so many in places of worldly authority Church of England took around the Society goes on and on, because such asdecent old-fashioned, burial, with unrepresentative some suppositious of world: the 13 colonies on the Atlantic work can never be completed. To know advanced thinking, and deserving of shore being in many ways the most in- “theretask. is no health in us” is to under- book. fluential recipients of that witness. stand, marginally, the magnitude of the new burial rite from some new prayer How the colonies have grown -- achieving unprecedented, in worldly To which the Prayer Book So- terms, influence; acquiring, with that ciety says: Hold on there. Stop, look, influence, the forgetfulness common and listen, as the old railroad crossing tominds self-made Episcopalians men and – those their who civiliza keep- cautionpolitical; phrased more like it. Thespiritual society – bathedunder- tions. The Book of Common Prayer re- stands its mission to be anything but William Murchison is an author and open their hearts and minds – of what journalist. He lives in Dallas, Texas. in humility, piety, and reverence. And it is like to be mighty yet needy in the Theprayer. Prayer, of Geniecourse! Prayer isin the presenceOut of ofthe Lord ofThe Hosts. The Bottlein- By Fr. Gene Geromel

My first two parishes were in rural areas where fellow priests were twen- ty-five miles away. Things changed when I moved to my present parish. The mother parish had three priests on staff not including the mission priests. Even better they were all members of the apostolic clergy group. This was a group made up of Orthodox, Roman and Anglican clergy. I learned more about the faith, worship and theology than I did in seminary. It was also fun. At my first meeting, I asked about complaints from my Altar Guild about the wine staining the purificators. I asked what type of wine they used. The Greek priest who was hosting the meeting brought out wine for each her mother would place a cookie on the table. It was one of the most interesting morning meetings I ever attended. charismatic influence. Their language, It was a dark red Greek wine. I asked music and style of worship were dif- rail. Since she was too young to receive thepriest priest next if to it mestained whispered his purificators. in my ear, ferent than traditional Anglicanism. communioncouple would she seek was out given a church a cookie where so He assured me it did not. The Russian Theresonal relationshipwas an emphasis with onJesus the giftsChrist. of that she didn’t feel left out. Today, that the Holy Spirit and the individual’s per- “Their purificators are red.” Scripture, sometimes without a rela children, toddlers, received. There were also moments of clar- They stressed the importance of Holy Faith has become an individual ity. At one meeting, the Anglicans were - thing much as in the time of Judges. discussing the various Eucharistic tionshipthe other to HolyEpiscopal Tradition. churches, In this somearea, Every man lived by his own conscience. prayers. There was animated debate some even lived in a commune. Among This would include actions. When I concerningsus was that the no value one likedof the Eucharistic ’28 or the was growing up you were baptized ’79 prayer book. The only consen- provided traditional services, some near birth. around the age of twelve had services in contemporary lan- you were confirmed by the Bishop and prayertradition”. C. My Russian friend once again guage, and others had both, at two dif- then received your first communion. whispered in my ear, “Options destroy ferent services. There were still Anglo- Early in my ministry there was a move- Catholics and Evangelicals, but now ment to be like the Roman Catholics This was nearly thirty years ago. there were multiple varieties of each. and admit children to Holy Commu- Sociologists were telling us then about In my first parish I had a wonder- nion when they were in second grade cafeteria religion. A decade before I ful summer family who had a five year and have confirmation at a later time. moved to Michigan there was a strong old. When she came to the Altar rail It was a consequence of separating the 16 Forward in Christ, www.fifna.org initiatory rites in the west many centu

- things in the Canons of the Councils of Sunday is the gate to Holy Week. Christ ries ago. But the ’79 Prayer Book also the church. Those who were excom- tallyour King misunderstood enters the Citywho of Christ Jerusalem. was. openednow debate the way paedocommunion. for infant communion More municated would sit in the back of Yet most of those who waved palms to- withoutoptions notthe Chrismation.only destroy tradition,Therefore butwe the church or in the courtyard. Think harmony. about this for a second. These people They saw him through their eyes and are excluded from communion. They their needs rather than God’s purpose. arethey singledknew there out, maybewas nowhere even pointedelse to Each day of the week we will read the I can drive west or south and find an at. Yet, they submit. Like St. Peter, Passion as portrayed by one of the four Anglican church where it appears you Gospel writers; on Maundy Thursday, can receive communion without being go, that Christ and his Church had the how Christ taught us to be servants. Do baptized nor confirmed. In one, they words to eternal life. we consider that servanthood also ap- would like you to be baptized but if you A cafeteria can be fun. I know some pliesall our to needs our willingness and wants? to On support Good Fri an believe that Jesus Christ is Lord you who go to “all you can eat” buffets. The imperfect church which does not meet areto anyone welcome no at matterthe communion what their rail. be At foodlike, isn’twhich all is that not good, necessarily but there what is lots is - the other, the cup of salvation is open of it. Sometimes we eat only what we day, we see the depth of Christ’s love - when he died for us sinners, even those liefs – Christian, Jewish, Muslim. I can good for us. Lent was always interest- who want to sing hymns we dislike, or drive any direction and find women at say the service too quickly or read the the Altar celebrating the mysteries. I During the closing lessonson Easter too Day slowly. we see At Christ the Easter breathe vigil, on can drive south or southwest where I we see the church in all her glory. And am back in the fifties and can enjoy the days of this Lent Prayer Book (’28) and be back at the we need to ask His church, as God the Father breathed low church I grew up in. life into Adam. This week we have the I think you get the picture. The ge- which choices and opportunity to see the glory of God’s nie is out of the bottle and I have no options lead to eternal church rather than focus on our expec- idea how to get him back in. But this tations and our needs. The Passion of article isn’t about the varieties of our life. Have we been Christ should burn away our imperfec- Anglican expression. It is about Lent. obedient and tionsOur as attachment fire burns to away a church the dross can be of As you read this you should be in the the silver. last weeks of Lent. The ’79 Prayer Book disciplined or has an excellent description of why forchoir many and reasons.music. Others I know attend people church who we have Lent in the exhortation in the merely lived in our go to a particular church because of its Ashthe church Wednesday and those service. who were Notorious to be comfort zone? sinners were being brought back into where the service is short. (I have Roman Catholic relatives who drive baptized were preparing to become across town to attend a Convent Mass Christian. When we make the sign of rather than go to the parish church the cross with Ashes on Ash Wednes- down the street because the Convent’s day we do it on the forehead. (Unless ing on the Tuesdays most of us in the Massdren areis fifteen sent away minutes and shorter.)do not disturb Some there is a bald man in front of us, then apostolic clergy ate lunch together. My go to certain churches because the chil- we have a whole canvas.) When I went Orthodox friends ate salad. Depending to Israel, my second day of the tour was on what week in Lent it was, they might the big people. Ash Wednesday. At the Church of the not put olive oil on it. There would be needYou to mayask which have choices lots of and choices options but Transfiguration I asked a priest if he lots of cabbage. Some of them gave during the closing days of this Lent we might give me ashes. He said the usual up marital relationships during Lent. prayersthis is the and way poured ashes the are Ashes sometimes right on This was hardly what they liked, but as lead to eternal life. Have we been obe- top of my head. My friends tell me that penance and discipline, it was (and is) dientown words and disciplined to portray or the merely road livedto hap in pretty effective. This was prescribed our comfort zone? Have we written our givenclothes in and Europe, throw just ashes as when onto peoplethem for them by church canons, so that it - in the Old Testament would rend their also gave them a chance to exercise piness? At the Easter service will we be repentance. - obedience.discipline. If every man is his own singing,is still time “Jesus to choose Christ isthe Risen way today”which selvesPius as Parsch a sign writesof extreme that insorrow the early and judge there is no obedience and little or Sinatra’s, “I did it my way.”? There

Perhaps you are reading this right leads to eternal life. church on Ash Wednesday the Bishop before Holy Week. This week gives us ofrepentance Rome would say havesome the prayers “notorious and pour sin- much to meditate upon and offers us ners” stand before him in vestments of the opportunity to increase our fasting, by adding some extra food to abstain Fr. Gene Geromel is Rector of St. Bar- ashespenance on untiltheir Easter.heads. TheyWe read would similar then from, or increasing our prayer time, tholomew’s, Swartz Creek, Michigan. walk out of the church and do acts of but also to try fasting from the concept that “the church is here for me”. Palm Forward in Christ, March, 2017 17 The Bible And The Catholic Faith By The Most Rev’d Ray Sutton

Our faith is steadfast, unfeigned, and the only true one, having clear proof from these Scriptures (St. Irenaeus, Against Heresies, III.21.3)

I was minding my own business sit- tingwas quietlythat sudden in the Dallas/Ft.sense that Worth someone airport catching up on emails. Then there was beside me, staring down. I looked up to find a nice, young, affable gentle- man. He introduced himself as a minister at the local .com Bible Church. I knew the one, a warehouse designed withture. the usual, functional “pill box,” non-transcendent, type of architec-

The personable clergyman com- mented, “I noticed from your clerical attire that you’re probably a Catholic priest.” He continued, “I didn’t quite understand the purple shirt though so even daily and at least weekly.” absent Scripture notion. The fact is I thought I’d ask.” I explained that I was as toI went why on people to explain, so committed “I just couldn’t to the to the contrary, it’s just not accurate a bishop on the Anglican side of Cathol- get a straight answer from my pastors to speak of the Holy Tradition of the icism. He didn’t really see the differ- Church as though it was made up apart ence of course, but it wasn’t long before Biblewas rather hardly hastily ever tookand crudely the Eucharist. tacked fromthe Catholic the source Faith. of the Holy Scriptures. we were in a friendly but somewhat po- And when they did have communion it The Word of God Written is the basis of lemical discussion from the outset. He challenged and I answered. priateonto the since end Jesus of a service Christ withturned crumbly water St. Paul provides the perfect meta- He was taken aback when I men- crackers and grape juice, hardly appro- phor of this organic cohesion when he tioned, “I used to go to independent was correct. describes the Church as, “the pillar of Biblehad been churches introduced as a collegeto the Episcopal student.” into wine.” At that he had to admit I Truth” (1 Timothy 3:15). In one sense I went on to explain that my family according to this metaphor, commu- I can’t say that I totally convinced nity comes before the Canon of Scrip- Church at St. Michael’s and All An- my young friend. Hopefully I was able ture. That is, the people of God exist gels in Dallas, Texas,Young when Life I was very to plant some seed that the Holy Spirit before Scripture is given. At the same young. Through the ministry of an or- will use at some point in his life. The time God provides His special revela- ganization named I had been script of his journey’s story is not over. tion of the Scripture to lighten the path taken to Bible churches. I went to them Perhaps we’ll see him some day at God’s on which the People of God are to walk. Scriptures.for a while, enjoying the warm Chris- altar receiving the Blessed Sacrament Both Scripture and the Church have an tian fellowship and the study of the according to the Scriptures. organic relationship to each other. Nei- Nevertheless, this conversation and ther was intended to exist apart from With a curious look on his face he othersThe like Biblical it have Catholic. provoked me to pro- the other. The Church is the pillar up- responded, “What happened?” He elab- isduce on, aThe series Bible of and articles the Catholic that I’m Faith enti. - holding and therefore at the same time orated, “You catholic types believe the tling, The first one under the Truth. As such the Great Tra- stuff that church tradition made up in- dition of the One, Holy, Catholic and Ap- stead of relying on the Bible.” He was It is no doubt true that there is a ostolic Church looks to the Holy Scrip- giventhat led great me back pause to the when Church I responded Fathers, common misunderstanding on the tures for guidance in faith and life. “Actuallythe ancient it Churchwas my and study her oftraditions.” the Bible Protestant side of the Lord’s Kingdom The immediate generation after the that Catholics follow tradition and not Apostles, what we call the Church Fa- theers Bible.and sisters I’m sorry ironically, to admit sometimes that even thers, speak of everything they believe I added, “I kept reading in the Book of on the catholic side many of our broth- and do as informed by the Holy Scrip- Acts that the first Christians took the tures. St. Irenaeus is but one example Eucharist18 every chance they could, advocate the same, a kind of tradition of countless many. He lived in the sec- Forward in Christ, www.fifna.org public, and, at a later period, by the will ondwho century. was discipled Growing by upSt. in John. Smyrna, Bishop he ous error. The result was the produc- listened to the preaching of Polycarp, of God, handed down to us in the Scrip- tion of the greatest creed in the history tures, to be the ground and pillar of of Christendom, the Nicene Creed. of ancient Lugdunum in Gaul, today our faith” (III.1.1). Irenaeus’ reference ditionThe became articulation known and as codification the regula orof Lyon, France, he encountered the he- to the “ground and pillar of our faith” this Faith Once Delivered into Holy Tra- retical teachings of a nefarious move- is directly from St. Paul’s magnificent ment called Gnosticism. Significantly, metaphor. Importantly, the verb “come rule of faith. Indeed, Holy Tradition was the Gnostics believed among many er- down,” or “handed down,” is the same perceived as so wrapped in the Holy roneous teachings that they received, word for tradition. Tradition was the Scriptures that to speak of one was to exclusive secretive revelation known means for receiving the Holy Scrip- refer to the other. In the words of R.P.C. only to them. Against such false teach- tures. In the Great Tradition, St. Ire- Hanson,second and “Certainly, third centuries there is evidencewho wrote in ingthe Irenaeusapostles wrote, does thus exist in the naeusher doctrine, accordingly especially taught thatthe doctrineGospel, abundance that the very fathers of the “Since, therefore, the tradition from was not created by the Church. Rather, most frequently of the rule of faith as Church,nished by and those is permanent apostles whoamong did us, also let originateScriptures in as Scripture. the interpreting Scripture regarded the uswrite revert the Gospel, to the in Scriptural which they proof record fur- trineThe in practice the ancient of looking Church to continued the Holy content of the Scriptures as materi- , not a, source of doc- ally identical with the content of the - rule of faith,Tradition or professed in the Early to draw Church all ed the doctrine regarding God,Against point- through all of the early conflicts. A pri- their doctrine from Scripture” (R.P.C. ingHeresies out that our Lord Jesus Christ is the mary case in point is Nicea, A.D. 325. Hanson,100, 110, 112). truth, and that no lie is in Him ( Bishops from around the world gath- (Westminster: Philadelphia, 1962), pp. , II.30.6)... ered for what is called the First Ecu- “Moreover, they [Gnostics] possess menical Council. They came to refute Thus, The Catholic Faith is deeply nothen, proof is oftheir their system, system, which which hasneither but the false teaching of Arius, who had grounded in the Holy Scriptures; the recently been invented by them...Such, taught that Jesus Christ is not Eternal former is not apart from the latter. God but a creation of the Father. the prophets announced, nor the Lord When the bishops gathered they taught, nor the apostles delivered, but graphically portrayed their commit- of which they boast that beyond all mentExcept, to thethe HolyEmperor Scriptures. was not They on sat the in others they have a perfect knowledge. a circle around the Emperor’s throne. They gather their views from other sources than the Scriptures (II:28.8; throne. A copy of Holy Scriptures was I.8.1)” placed on his empty seat, depicting The Most Rev’d Ray Sutton is the Presid- Thus Irenaeus concludes, “We have that the successors to the Apostles had ing Bishop of the Reformed Episcopal learnedwhom the from Gospel none has others come down the plan to us, of come to determine what the Holy Scrip- Church and Ordinary of the Diocese of ourwhich salvation, they did than at one from time those proclaim through in tures said regarding Arius’ teachings. Mid America. Their conclusion based on the Word of A Tide in The GodAffairs Written was that he ofwas in griev Men- By Alicia Geromel

With the election of Donald Trump, trimester, they haven’t been really pay- diaspread, has but become mostly even easier more to spot, flagrantly than whatever you may think of him as a ing attention, but I assume that is none off center. “Fake news” is more wide- person or a candidate, many things of us.) What I think may have changed havehad any changed, relation particularlyto an election. in For areas ex here is the stultifying and paralyz- ever. When you think about it, this isn’t which one wouldn’t immediately think ing impression that there was nothing as crazy as it seems. The only way the - to be done about the steady march of old media are ever going to get the ma- ample, the Pro-Life movement is sud- destruction over-running our nation’s jority of us “back in the box” is by con- denly pumped full of enthusiasm. Out culture. I could be wrong about that, vincing us that they were never wrong of apparently nowhere, a bill to prevent butsuddenly something is our has attitude definitely to the changed. media. in the first place. the abortion of a child with a heartbeat Another thing that has changed Some of us, particularly the young appeared in Ohio. Now it was vetoed by as well as the faithful consumers of old Kasich, but abortion was still outlawed Before,we know we it, onlyand to suspected make matters we werethat media, are already convinced that it is after 20 weeks. Who imagines this being misdirected or massaged. Now only those who are conservatives, fun- would have been possible even as re- damentalist Christians, or “right wing- cently as last year? (If someone thinks much clearer, instead of retreating ers”, who produce “fake news”. This is abortion was only legal during the first and retrenching, the mainstream me- a mistake.Forward I, myself, in Christ, have March, caught 2017 once 19 cerning the Church. However, there was a spontaneous and lengthy session about Reagan, Gorbachev, the Wall, the Ber- lin Air Lift, the Iron Curtain, and Soviet bad behavior in general, about which our college-age attendees knew virtually nothing. The result? Little understanding of why many older people are so profoundly against communism. So those of you with kids in college have some educating to do, because it ain’t being done there! Here is a short list of the “fake news” we covered: 1: The Dark Ages (which now, apparently, are the “same” as the Middle Ages) were superstitious, unscientific, barba- rous, and, yes, blame the Church for that. Just two little tid- bits proving this wrong (but I’ll tell you where to find more later): eye glasses were invented in 1280, and universities were started by the Church even earlier, in 1088, if not before. If you want proof of progress in the years immediately following the Fall of Rome, how about major advances in ag- riculture, architecture and use of wind and water power? 2: Christian persecution of the Jews was unique to Chris- tianity, constant and caused by Church teachings. This is a very pervasive lie. In fact, Church policy consistently de- fendedwere only the sporadicJews and theattacks official on doctrinethe Jews, was who “the were Jews in won’t such converta minority until in the Europe Last Day,that soany leave concerted them alone!” attempt Also, to therewipe

themattack out weaker would people. certainly On have the othersucceeded. side, Whythere were were there also any such attacks? Because people (bullies) will sometimes

persecutions in Islamic countries of Christians and Jews and reputable newspapers and news outlets in outright lies. Re- even persecutions by Jews against Christians, which few member, the pre-election polls were ludicrously wrong. And seem to think important enough to mention. I know, having personally witnessed it, that the numbers at 3: The Inquistion was crazy and evil. You can actually marches are manipulated, downward in the case of Pro-Life find articles online debunking this, so I won’t bother, except or Tea Party style events, upward in the case of causes sup- to say that the Spanish Inquisition executed between 3000 ported by the left. It behooves us all to beware. However, the and 5000 people over 350 years. Contrast that to some 50 old media is less and less popular every day. And we are all million killed by the Russian Soviet state between 1924 and learning to be our own researchersWashington and reporters. Post Atin athis lie 1953. point, it is not all that difficult to scopeBreitbart out fake news. For 4: Medieval Christians burned tens of thousands of example, it wasn’t hard to catch the witches; had a legal system that relied on miracles, as with while they were attempting to label as fake news.Breit- “trial by ordeal”; knew nothing about the philosophers and bartThey used an amateurish image of the red/blue Breitbart electoral writers of Rome and Greece or even burned their books; re- andmap knew and tried that tothe pass Post it off as a false map put out by lied on faith, not science, observation and experimentation; ally .used I happened by Breitbart to have seen the original article in were barbaric warriors; never traveled more than 10 miles by the electoral board. imageSo the was Washington a forgery. Post The wasmap creat actu- from home; blindly accepted everything the Church taught was the official blue/red one put out as “Gospel”; hated and abused women (hence witchcraft - trials); and encouraged slavery up to antebellum times in ing fake news while purporting to expose fake news. And if America. that’swho want confusing, to know I think or spread that’s the the truth, point. politically, economi bookFor Bearing a helpful False guide Witness to why this is all untrue, along with As a result of the necessity to question everything, those many other shockingly inaccurate historical myths, get the - , by Rodney Stark. This is an in- cally and socially, are in a better position than ever before to valuable resource for priests and laity alike to set the story actuallyways reach have closed an impact. minds, Contradicting just that it is easierthe popular to reach wisdom open straight. And the moment to do so is now, because people hasones. never been so easy. I am not saying here that one can al- havespeak been out and shaken rebuke and the ‘truths’ lies. they thought were axiomatic are being challenged daily. This is the optimum time to

Which brings us to religious truth. Or more accurately, This is not a moment too soon. Churches on all sides are the truth about religion, the church, Christianity and West- declining in membership, attendance, income and overall vi- ern Civilization. Recently, we had a youth retreat dealing tality. This is almost universal, as you can verify by checking with this very issue. Our theme was “Fake OLD News”, and out different denominational websites on participation and focused on “completely false things we’re taught in school giving trends. Those of us who are in continuing churches about20 history”. Of course we mainly talked about lies con- may think that this dwindling is occurring only among our- Forward in Christ, www.fifna.org what should we do? selves, due to divisions that took place decades ago, but it’s dividual,Rise up, but O asmen a group, and women we are of more God. likeNow this is our than hour. not. The So, just as bad, or worse, among those who remained in the metal is hot. The anvil is solid. The time has come to strike! mainline denominations. Something else is going on. Do not doubt that the Spirit will strengthen and amplify every- We all know that Christianity has been under attack for thing we do. ages. Stark goes into the causes of academic rot fairly well in hishas book,come startingback to frombite allProtestant Christianity, antipathy since towardsthe Western anything Catholic - possibly understandable, but a tactic that I know, I know. This is all very well, all this rousing rheto- ric,to build but whatup the are Church we to and do? proclaim I can’t tell the you Gospel exactly in wayswhat paryou Church has been impugned by association all the way back should do. I know what I have to do, but each person is called to Charlemagne and Constantine. He continues to trace the - trend through the Enlightenment authors and beyond. Now, ticularme to point to themselves the way. and their context. So I don’t have pre- of course, we face the perverse doctrines of “Post-Christian- scriptions, but I have a couple of stories to tell that seem to ity” a misnomer at the very least, since we are still around to be attacked. This, the fact that we are still around, is worth The first was told me by a member of the ACNA whose dwelling on further, simply because it should not be so. church was on the point of folding a couple of months ago. Let’s look at a partial list of the ways we orthodox Angli- While praying, she had a “word from the Lord” or rather, cans have been wounded: two messages. The first was an image of the persistent wid- Name-calling; loss (of territory, church buildings, friends, ow and the judge, saying, basically, “Never shut up”. The sec- allies – some who have gone to orthodoxy and some to Rome); ondartist. was She the told face me of that a young her church disabled was man the whoonly hadplace adopted where division from our home parishes, and in our current par- their church and, while challenged in many ways, is a gifted ishes, between our relatives and associates; misrepresenta- tion of our positions; the lies detailed above (and the shame he could “be himself”. So for this young man’s sake, she was and uncertainty they have caused so many Christians); the willing to make a fool of herself, going to the vestry meeting deaths of so many in the vanguard of our movement; doubt, thatthis churchhad been open.” called to make an end of her church, repeated- when God seems to have deserted us or to be foolishly silent; ly, constantly, and annoyingly saying, “Please, please, keep depression; hopelessness; fear for our livelihoods, our repu- tations and even our lives; exhaustion from working two or The upshot was that, beyond all expectation, the church three jobs, and doing tasks around the church which used to did not close. It retains no priest, has a visitor every oth- bewasted. done by others; and, perhaps most debilitating, the sense er Sunday, a Deacon’s mass on other Sundays and a Bible that everything we have ever tried to do for God has been study in someone’s home every Thursday. The people of

These are fearful wounds, and it is both our strength and our weakness that we haven’t taken account of them in full. When we look at the above in totality, wein toto run, the risk of utterly collapsing and retreating into despair. On the other hand, not seeing them but one by one, individually, has kept us from un- derstandingbe here. the overwhelming force the Enemy has brought against us. Logically, we shouldn’t still

Pause for a moment to let that sink in. In fact, take a walk, look at God’s world and think carefully about all the blows you have been dealt. Number them and tell them over. It’s safe to do that now, becauseGod. you almost certainly see what I am getting at. We are only still here because of the Grace of

Have a nice walk? Good, now on with the show… So, given that we have been and are under attack aspiecemeal. orthodox Shoot Christians, down this what heresy should here; we copedo? Typiwith- cally, our response has tended to be reflexive and this defection there; pray about this temptation to despair, or anger, or vindictiveness. Try this or that strategy for this or that issue; whatever, we’ve lacked a compelling, unified, overarching strategy to advance the Kingdom of God in the face of the opposition. And so we have survived, by God’s sovereign mercy, but we mostly haven’t thrived. Now this may not be thoroughly true of you, as an in- Forward in Christ, March, 2017 21 thisserious church diseases, have theybeen wereextraordinarily exhausted ever we are there are opportunities confidence, vigor and a chance to keep wounded, failed by priests, riddled by to nudge such people into investigat- fighting and, by the grace of God, evening a new vista. And, as the above sto- tually win the fight here on earth as it’s and they had just lost their only family ries show, God is more than capable of been won in heaven. with children.a checkered But, past they who did nothas give been up. a working in and through our weakness. The other story was told by a man We must learn to be bold again, to take confidence in this and, I’d argue, from church member for a year and a half, the times we live in. recently baptized and confirmed. He Something has changed, the mood originally came with a friend volun- of the nation has shifted. I don’t think teering after church doing flashcards we know its full depth or where or who withed he thecome children. help that He day, said he that had whenbeen it affects or how, and this may vary this friend called him up and suggest- from place to place and person to person. These things will become clearer knottingsmall, scattered a rope for and his ownbeaten suicide. down, as time goes by and we adjust, reach The point here is that we may be out and tentatively feel our way, all for the glory of God. Alicia Geromel is an Educator and is folks, but we are essential! We are So my suggestions are just guesses married to Fr. Gene Geromel, Rector of needed. The message of Christ is need- but my main message is one of hope. St. Bartholomew’s,Swartz Creek, Michi- ed. We can reach and save people. Con- Take heart! We are on our way; we gan. versations at work, on the bus, at social don’t know where, but we know God is Aevents Guide like weddings andto on; the wher- taking 39 us there.Articles All we need is renewed By Fr. Richard Cumming

St. Paul’s affirmation in Colossians 2, that we are risen with Christ, is piv- otal to the whole significance of the resurrection. For if the resurrection is about an event of significance to the lifeand ofhistorical Jesus Christ debate. alone, But thenthe whole it be- comespoint, assimply St. Paul a point tells ofus archaeological in Colossians, is that the resurrection of Jesus Christ untoour baptism new life we is are also already a resurrection both bur unto new life in us; and that through and in Jesus Christ: as we read in 2 Cor- ied and resurrected unto new life with - inthians 5, “therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” This makes the news of the resurrection something other than a mere datum of history and a subject the question for the rational grounds cance of the resurrection of Jesus for us of scholarly debate, since it makes the for the resurrection arises, instead of in 1 Corinthians 15, it is not necessary resurrection an event that is not mere- debating archaeological, textual, and for us to “prove” the resurrection that ly a subject of scholarly debate but is biological facts, as many evangelical we have proclaimed for 2,000 years, first and foremost an event of cosmic apologists do, we can answer in a far for the resurrection of Jesus Christ, as and existential significance for each morebecause straightforward we are already way resurrected that we be in- we have seen, is the axiomatic principle and every one of us. As St. Paul writes lieve in the resurrection of Jesus Christ of our existence as Christians renewed in 1 Corinthians 15, this is serious, for in the very core of our being by shar- “if Christ be not raised, your faith is him and have new life in him through ingsus inChrist the resurrectedis a premise realitywithout of which Jesus vain; ye are yet in your sins.” So when the power of his resurrection. Christ.we cannot The explain resurrection either of our our existence Lord Je- we encounter the polarity of the Chris- Viewed in this light, which is the 22tian and atheistic worldviews, when light in which St. Paul treat the signifi- Forward in Christ, www.fifna.org as Christians or that of the Church as the community called ly affirms the Catholic faith of the Nicene Creed, stating: “he into being by the power of the resurrection. As such, each ascended into Heaven, and there sitteth, until he return to and every one of us who confesses the Cathlic faith stands judge all Men at the last day.” It must be stated that Christ’s as living proof of the resurrection of Jesus. We all have new Ascension into heaven is not a marginal theological topic but life in Jesus Christ through the power of baptism into Jesus is crucial to the economy of salvation. In John 16, Jesus ex- Christ because Jesus Christ truly is raised from the dead, plains why his Ascension into heaven is so important, telling and so we know in our hearts that our Lord Jesus Christ is his disciples: “It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I raised from the dead just as firmly as, and precisely because, go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I we know in our hearts that we have new life in him. As we depart, I will send him unto you.” read in Galatians 2: “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless What does the Ascension of Jesus Christ mean for Jesus I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I Christ? The Ascension of Christ means what the Nicene now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who Creed declares, that Jesus Christ now “sitteth on the right loved me, and gave himself for me.” hand of the Father,” which means that, as St. Paul states in This argument for the resurrection of Jesus Christ, which Philippians 2, “God also hath highly exalted him, and given can be described as a transcendental argument from our him a name which is above every name: that at the name own resurrected life, can also be represented in the form of of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and a syllogism: things in earth, and things under the earth.” After his res- Major Premise: I am resurrected unto new life; urrection, Jesus ascends into heaven and is crowned King Minor Premise: Without the resurrection of Jesus Christ, of Heaven, reigning over heaven and earth by the decree of I cannot be resurrected unto new life; God the Father who, as we read in 1 Corinthians 15, “put[s] Conclusion: Therefore, Jesus Christ must be resurrected. all things under him.” This is why he states in Matthew 28, There remains, however, the objection that resurrection, just before he ascends into heaven, that “all power is given as a miracle, runs counter to the established laws of nature unto me in heaven and in earth,” and this is why we read in and so is intrinsically impossible. It is at this juncture that Revelation 17 that “he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and most traditionalists fall into the nominalist error, accord- they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful.” ing to which, since God is sovereign over nature, God can Jesus Christ is King of heaven and earth, since all things are do whatever he wants with nature, including violating the placed in subjection under him. Here there is no division of laws of nature. Such an appeal to the sovereignty of God is the world into a Christian sphere, where Christ reigns, and certainly tempting, but as many of us know, it is not cogent a non-Christian sphere, where Christ does not reign: Jesus is at all in dialogue with non-believers. Furthermore, it is not King of the entire created order. It is for that reason that, for theologically orthodox, since it categorizes divine agency as many centuries, the overwhelming majority of Christians a violation of the laws of nature, which reduces the Catho- assumed that the “secular” head of state would be crowned lic faith to a mere mythological conception. If we turn back bynot. the bishops of the Imperial State Church. Times may have to the deliberations upon the Incarnation in our discus- changed, but the truth of Christ’s universal dominion has sion of Article II, we find that one of the chief merits of the Christ is the juncture at which the Christian and atheistic teaching of the Chalcedonian Definition of 451 was that it In this article, we have seen that the Resurrection of distinguished the doctrine of the Incarnation from the stories of Greek and Hindu mythology, since the Incarnation of worldviews show themselves to be radically opposed. We our Lord Jesus Christ did not entail a nullification of human have also seen that the resurrection of Christ follows ineluc- nature but rather an elevation of human nature into union tably from the fact that we ourselves are already partakers with the divine nature. This, as St. Augustine was quoted of his resurrected life; and that as a miracle, the resurrec- as stating, is ultimately a form of grace whereby God ele- tiones, gratia does notnaturam contradict non tollit, the lawssed perfecit of nature. Finally, any more we noted than vates nature, uniting it to himself without annulling it, and the Incarnation contradicts the laws of nature – in both cas- we concluded on the basis of St. Augustine’s remarks that the Incarnation, as the elevation of man by grace into union the importance of the ascension of Christ into heaven, con- with God, is the paradigm for our own experience of grace. cluding that an Imperial State Church is a consequence of This principle applies equally to miracles as a form of Christ’s universal reign over heaven and earth. God’s agency in the world. Miracles are a means of grace, and therefore they are events of God elevating the life of the cosmos into union with himself to a specific degree that do not annulgratia thenaturam natural non life tollit, of the sed cosmos perficit but instead bring the life of the cosmos to fulfilment: to repeat the scholastic axiom, (grace does not destory nature but perfects it). This is perfectly logical: considering that all things are made by God and for God, it stands to reason that their elevation into union with God by grace Fr. Richard Cumming is Rector of the Anglican Church of St. should constitute not a nullification of their true nature but Mary the Virgin, Liverpool, New York in the Diocese of the Holy the radical fulfilment of their true nature. Cross. The views in this article are the author’s own, Forward Article IV also mentions the Ascension of Christ into in Christ invites your response. heaven, and in its treatment of the ascension, just as in its treatment of the resurrection of Christ, Article IV also plain- Forward in Christ, March, 2017 23 P.O. Box 210248 Forward in Faith North America

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