Bishop of Oxford speaks to General Synod on LLF

The Rt Revd Dr Steven Croft, Bishop of Oxford, addresses General Synod on 8 February 2023, supporting a motion from the House of Bishops on Living in Love and Faith.

[aurelius]

From an Orthodox perspective, that one priest or bishop feels able to 'revisit' and thereby reinterpret the scriptures and tradition and come to whole set of conclusions completely at odds with 2000 years of traditional Christian morality, pretty much ecapsulates the entire problem here. I pray for my many dear protestant friends and family, who are faithful followers of Christ in their own way, that this descent into hell - dressed up as mercy (it is really simple sentimentality) encourages them to stand firm in their witness. As an Orthodox priest, I will try to welcome and treat with love and dignity anyone who comes to me, no matter how disfigured their life - but I will speak to them the Truth (in love) about their need for repentance (God knows we all need it!).

[peeceei]

I believe the Bishop is in error and has just made up his own Jesus and God. Jesus's interactions with people were NOT always loving, permissive and affirming of unrighteousness, especially to the then pharisees who like today's bishops Christ described as vipers, white washed tombs leading people to their spiritual death. He described them as wolves in sheep's clothing who were devouring the flock instead of leading them to that is the fruit by which we know these bishops.

[MotherMissionary]

Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord, ' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my father in heaven.

[barbaralucas]

I disagree about the “moving forward”, I see it as “moving down”.

[johndeighan]

When the witness of Scripture and Tradition is clear, there’s no room for discernment. We are not supposed to “discern” the ten commandments, we are supposed to obey them.

[iancoulsonbellmentoring]

Jesus demonstrated the love and acceptance of God but he also calls us to leave behind our sinful lifestyles (John 8:11).

[kiwihans]

Since the apostle Paul warned that it would be amoung the 'bishops' in the church that apostate teachings would arise at Acts 20:28-30, its no wonder that the ratios of those accepting a 'blessing for same sex couples' ( Directly opposite to 1 Cor 6:9, 10) amoung the BISHOPS who met to vote on the subject was overwhealmingly 95% in favour while the deacons & members were only around 50/50! makes one think doesnt it?

[colinsmith]

I think Jesus must be weeping wondering what kind of humanity he died for. The Church is so focused on conforming to woke ideaology it has forgotten to help house the poor and afflicted. Because it is far easier to conform to societal wishes than it is to open it's churches up to give shelter to a homeless person or a place to to take refuge for a few hours away. The seeming to be compassionate rather than being compassionate has what the church has become.

[simonpaulmiddleton]

It is not a traditional view of marriage that is being held by those who disagree with the trajectory of the C of E. It is a biblical view of marriage. There is a difference

[botham]

The very people (our bishops) who should be safe-guarding the truth of God's word are riding roughshod over it. The very people who should be points of unity are doing all they can to cause division within the Anglican Communion, within the house of bishops and at deanery and parish level. Instead of driving out error our bishops are driving it into the church. Lord have mercy.

[SilverRocketStar]

I do not know what bible he has been reading because it is not any I have read. Yes! we need and should have love and compassion to all peoples but Jesus himself said he had not come to change the laws . It was so important that Jesus came from the house of David the prophesies and traditions mean that we today are forgiven in Christ. If those traditions where not held so dear back then as to whom the messiah was going to be well anyone could have said he was a messiah . It seems that the Synod is too scared to stand up against the woke agenda for want of being seen as wrong. Give onto Caesar what is Caesar and on to God what is Gods. The Church is not here to bend its knee to the politics of the world but to glory of God alone.

[elizabethryan]

I want to admire and respect this man for being prepared to change his views where he thinks he should, and for standing up for what he has come to believe is right. But I feel that he and many others are profoundly deceived. 💔

[proberts]

Married at St Ebbe's, and I played the organ!!

[Ray-tl]

Jesus did warn us about wolves in sheep’s clothing

[retribution]

I don't want to judge anyone or their lifestyle, but this clearly fly's in the face of biblical teaching. " Go and sin no more ".

[wallacewhybrow]

They have the nerve to wonder why their churches are empty. Not a true believer among them.

[barbarabeavon]

Does it mean Jesus preached one Gospel and then His disciples went out and preached another. God forbid that these voters have altered the Gospel that was preached.

[bfitzsimmonds]

Jesus said by their fruit you will know them - here are the observable fruits for sinful behaviour.

Galatians 5 when the fruit of flesh (sins) are clearly stated, The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality (including homosexuality), impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.
Galatians 5:19‭-‬21

And what about Timothy 1 where Paul call homosexuality a sin - We know that the law is good if one uses it properly. We also know that the law is made not for the righteous but for lawbreakers and rebels, the ungodly and sinful, the unholy and irreligious, for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers, for the sexually immoral, for those practising homosexuality, for slave traders and liars and perjurers – and for whatever else is contrary to the sound doctrine that conforms to the gospel concerning the glory of the blessed God, which he entrusted to me.
1 Timothy 1:8‭-‬11

Why does the CofE affirm sin or "bless" sin?

[johnbristow]

The Bishop doesn’t seem to realise that true love involves guidance and discipline.

[johnwat]

Perhaps we need a better definition of fruit! On the one hand smiley happy people getting what they want, on the other a Crucified Christ doing what his father wanted rather than what he might want!