A Health Warning

Health warnings can be a helpful way of pointing out dangers in life. We all know that smoking is bad for our health, not least, because of the millions of pounds spent on ad campaigns and clear labelling; hazardous beaches carry warnings to prevent people getting caught up in a strong undercurrent; even foods now carry colour coded labels so that we know what is okay and what will educe a coronary!

However health warnings aren’t always used for good reasons…

The recent General Synod of the Church of Ireland passed a bill to put a ‘health warning’ before the 39 Articles, (the historic doctrinal statements of Anglicanism). This took the form of a preface which outlined the Church of Ireland's commitment not to offend anyone and to champion the Arch Bishop of Armagh's crusade of inclusivism (incidentally not leaving much room for a conservative evangelical position... but no surprises there)

"negative statements towards other Christians should not be seen as representing the spirit of this Church today." (http://ireland.anglican.org/cmsfiles/pdf/Synod/2009/bills/bill1.pdf)

Compare Titus 1:9
"He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it."
Here we see Paul encouraging the use of "negative statements" as he outlines that an overseer must be able to teach (give instruction) AND refute error (rebuke those who contradict it).

But where do you draw the line?
The problem with adding this preface is that we say “if you are offended by what you read here, don’t worry we don’t really believe that any more because it wouldn’t be ‘loving’”

Are we as a denomination in danger of becoming a caricature like Father Ted; “sometimes the Pope says things he doesn’t really mean”?

Health warnings can be good but they are designed to preserve life NOT a persons sensibilities!
The sad fact of the matter is that the liberal theology that has so infected the Cof I should carry a health warning to every congregation in the land;
“Listening to this lay person, Rector, Bishop or Archbishop can SERIOUSLY damage ones eternal health”