Father Lee Nelson has written an amazing post on the function of Erastian theology in Anglican thinking. For those wondering, Erastianism is the theological doctrine that the civil State governs the religious Church. The Church of England has been and is now an Erastian church. I thought this part of Fr Nelson’s post was golden:

Fast forward to our current battles and disputes. Parishes in California entering into civil suits against their dioceses. Bishops ignoring the courts’ decisions. Parishes and clergy in Connecticut embroiled in legal-battles. Parishes in the Diocese of Pennsylvania entrenched against their Bishop, again in civil courts. Though Anglicanism in the United States is de facto in a state of separation from the State, it appears that the Erastian tendencies of it merely continue.

In these sad days, it seems more expedient to sue the sinner than to deny him table fellowship. In essence, most Anglicans believe quite strongly that their governments should thank them for their “reasonability.”

I hope you’ll take time and read his whole post.

Father Lee Nelson has written an amazing post on the function of Erastian theology in Anglican thinking. For those wondering, Erastianism is the theological doctrine that the civil State governs the religious Church. The Church of England has been and is now an Erastian church. I thought this part of Fr Nelson’s post was golden:

Fast forward to our current battles and disputes. Parishes in California entering into civil suits against their dioceses. Bishops ignoring the courts’ decisions. Parishes and clergy in Connecticut embroiled in legal-battles. Parishes in the Diocese of Pennsylvania entrenched against their Bishop, again in civil courts. Though Anglicanism in the United States is de facto in a state of separation from the State, it appears that the Erastian tendencies of it merely continue.

In these sad days, it seems more expedient to sue the sinner than to deny him table fellowship. In essence, most Anglicans believe quite strongly that their governments should thank them for their “reasonability.”

I hope you’ll take time and read his whole post.