controversial issues

Theologically, I am a Reformed Evangelical Protestant. I am an ordained Anglican minister. It may be of some interest to you to know my stance on some controversial issues.

Scripture I hold that as all scripture is God breathed, then Scripture is both inerrant and infallible as it was originally given.

Justification I hold to justification by faith alone through Christ’s righteous life, sin-bearing death, and resurrection. I am opposed to the New Perspective on Paul, and believe that both the passive and active obedience of Christ is imputed to us for our justification. I hold to penal substitutionary atonement and propitiation, that Christ’s death turned aside God’s personal wrath against our sin, and merited our salvation. None of our works in any way are included in our justification, but faith is instrumental in our receiving the satisfaction and righteousness of Christ. Our works, however, are evidence of our claim to be Christian, and Christians are called to and will live a life of good works.

Baptism I personally operate on the policy that I baptize infants of whom at least one parent is a member of the church for which I am responsible or in which I minister (1 Cor 7:14; Art 27). Unbaptized adults should be baptized once they confess their faith and have had some instruction. I do not hold to the infant being regenerated by virtue of the ritual of water baptism, for the efficacy of baptism wholly depends on the worthy reception, that is, the faith of the recipient (Art 26), nor do I believe that the ritual of water baptism is absolutely necessary for salvation. Thus I do not practice indiscriminate baptism, and believe it is unhelpful.

Lord’s Supper There is no theological problem with non-Presbyters in good standing presiding over the Lord’s Supper as an expression of the Priesthood of all Believers. Communicants really commune with the risen Christ by faith in the supper, just as they do by faith when they believe his preached word or read the bible in faith, for the supper is a visible word (1 Cor 10:16, Art 28).

Sex, Marriage and Remarriage According to Jesus, marriage is between a man and a woman, for life, and to the exclusion of all others (Matthew 19:4-6). Homosexual desires and practise are contrary to God's creational purpose (Romans 1:24-27, 32). Therefore, marriage by it's very definition is between a man and a woman. Likewise, scripture is opposed to premarital sex, cohabitation, adultery, serial monogamy, polygamy, incest, and bestiality. The two blessed states for humanity is faithful marriage or celibate singleness. Both states are chaste and holy. Regarding heterosexual monogamous relationships. I can see no reason why I should not marry in church non-church going people where neither of whom have never been validly married previously. Marriage is a creational ordinance, and they may seek God’s blessing on them as long as they are prepared to do so according to our forms and with instruction from Scripture. On the matter of remarriage, I think it is biblically defensible to offer remarriage in church where the remarrying party was the innocent party to adultery or abandonment. It seems that Jesus recognized the previous marriages of the Samaritan women (John 4), and the distinguished them from the current relationship she was in. Thus, I also recognize those heterosexual marriages contracted subsequent to a first marriage which are recognized by Australian law. However, I reserve the right to personally not solemnize a remarriage in circumstances which I think contradict Scripture.

Charismatic and Pentecostal issues I think exegetically and theologically that tongue speaking in 1 Cor 12-14 was probably a gift of miraculously speaking a human language. In any event, the speaking of other languages, angelic or human, which the congregation does no understand is not permissible in our public meetings without interpretation (1 Cor 14:19, 28; Art 24). I reject the teaching that material prosperity is a sign of God’s blessing any more than disaster is, recognizing that God sends both disaster and prosperity for the good of those who love him (Romans 8:28). I reject the teaching that Christians should seek more money as a matter of godliness, for the Apostle urges godliness with contentment (1 Tim 6:6). Christians should be generous. Christian may use the tithe as a guide, though there is no law in the NT about tithing binding on the Christian. Healing is a matter for prayer and sickness is to be expected in our broken world, among both Christians and non-Christians, as an outworking of the punishment of death on sin in which we all share, and of the frustration to which God has committed the world. I do not hold to any form of ‘second baptism’ understanding. I do not believe we in any way get closer to God through a particular form of music.

Women’s Issues I hold to women’s equality in creation for different roles. I believe that Scripture teaches male headship in both the family (Eph 5:22ff) and teaching in the church (1 Tim 2:12). Thus I think that men who are able to teach should preach in the mixed congregations and also lead services and mixed bible studies. However, Scripture speaks of the contribution of women in the mixed congregation (1 Cor 11:2-16), which may well be recognized in the mixed congregation by women taking part in talks for children, prayer, bible reading, testimonies, and other words of ‘prophecy’. Women preaching and leading should be encouraged in women’s ministry groups and bible study. Gifted women should be encouraged to study theology and also employed in paid capacity wherever possible. Women’s ministry can be appropriately recognized in ordination to deacon(ess). However, women should not be ordained to presbyter or bishop, as that would give them authority over men in the church.

Amillenial I hold to an amillenial position, and do not make millennial views a test of the orthodox doctrine of scripture.

Creationism I do not see six-day creation as required by the Genesis text, but I also reject human evolution, theistic or otherwise. In views on human origins, I think the best position is to allow freedom of belief which doesn’t compromise (1) the man and woman’s dignity as unique image bearers; (2) and a single origin of a unified humanity from the first human pair (monogenesis); (3) the special creation of Eve. For more information, refer to my essay on Genesis 1:1-2:4

Predestination I hold to the reformed doctrine of predestination, that God chooses some sinners to salvation and passes over others, not according to his forseeing anything in them, but according to his own purpose (Rom 9:6-24, Eph 1:4-6, 11, Art 17). He then effectually calls them through the gospel, going before with prevenient grace. When I have been given the responsibility of appointing leaders, I expect that they can hold and teach the same.