It is with profound sadness that I write to you today. I have been a follower of Jesus since my conversion in 1963 and an ordained member of the Church of England since 1971.
Following the press release by the House of Bishops that prayers for same sex blessings will be permitted from Sunday 17th December 2023, I am writing to let you know that I can no longer be in communion with you, or any archbishop or bishop who voted for, or is in favour of the Commendation of PLF. I humbly call upon you to repent of your action, which is plainly forbidden by Holy Scripture, for the sake of your own spiritual wellbeing, as well as that of many same sex couples who may be misled into believing a ‘different gospel’ (Galatians 1:6) that their lifestyle and behaviour is approved by God.
The blessing of same sex couples is not a matter of adiaphora, it is a first order, or salvation issue. Scripture teaches that same sex activity (arsenokoitai and malakoi) (1 Corinthians 6:9.100 is sin which if not repented of, will exclude people from heaven. To say, or even give the impression of saying, that the Lord approves of same sex activity, is not a part of the biblical gospel. The biblical gospel requires repentance of sin as well as a trust in Christ.
Therefore your action in promoting the blessing of same sex unions puts you into the category of a false teacher, for which Scripture has strong words. The apostle Paul is worried that the Corinthian Christians are being led astray from the true gospel.
2 Corinthians 11:3,4
“But I am afraid that as the serpent deceived Eve by his cunning, your thoughts will be led astray from a sincere and pure devotion to Christ. 4 For if someone comes and proclaims another Jesus than the one we proclaimed, or if you receive a different spirit from the one you received, or if you accept a different gospel from the one you accepted, you put up with it readily enough…..”
2 Corinthians 11:13 – 15
“For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. 14 And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. 15 So it is no surprise if his servants, also, disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their deeds.”
Similarly, Paul is concerned that the Galatian Christians are also being led astray.
Galatians 1:6 – 9
“I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— 7 not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. 8 But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed. 9 As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed.”
The Cornes Amendment (paragraph g. ) of the February 2023 Motion states:-
“…..The Prayers of Love and Faith should not be contrary to or indicative of a departure fm the doctrine of the Church of England.”
You claim that the prayers comply with this condition. We do not know what legal advice was offered to the House of Bishops, since they have refused to make it public. However, the 12 bishops who wrote the dissenting letter in October 2023 said:
“….Indeed, legal and theological advice the House has received suggest clearly to us that the decisions of the House may fall short of this commitment.”
A straightforward reading suggests that the Prayers fly in the face of the received doctrine of Holy Matrimony, and also directly contravenes Lambeth Resolution 1.10 This is sophistry at its worst.
Where is your theological rationale for this divisive decision? Whatever happened to Lex orandi lex credendi? Are you now saying that the Prayers you commend are not what you believe?
We are left in the dark as to whether the commended prayers have any theological legitimacy or any legality at all.
2 Corinthians 4:2
“But we have renounced disgraceful, underhanded ways. We refuse to practice cunning or to tamper with God’s word, but by the open statement of the truth we would commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God.”
I am not at this time planning to leave the Church England, which fortunately, is greater than its archbishops and bishops. My own diocesan bishop voted against the commendation of the Prayers, so I have no problem with acceptable episcopal oversight.
I shall continue to pray for the archbishops and bishops and members of General Synod, that all will repent of their heterodox views and actions and return to the true, historic, biblical and orthodox Christian faith. I also pray that the Church of England will experience a revitalising and renewing touch by God’s Holy Spirit, that we may be a powerful and life-giving witness to the transforming power of the Lord Jesus Christ and his gospel throughout our country.
Yours sincerely
Brian Shersby
