KEY POINTS:
I have been following, with increasing perplexity, the pronouncements of a relatively senior member of the Anglican clergy, and the discussion that has arisen apropos his remarks.
Richard Randerson has admitted publicly that he has become an agnostic, which the Oxford Dictionary defines as a "person who believes that nothing is known or can be known of the existence or nature of God".
Mr Randerson, however, says he is an agnostic who believes in God but is more comfortable with God existing in forms such as "love" and "spirit" than as a supreme being.
He says he does not believe that Adam and Eve were real, or that there is any proof the Virgin Mary gave birth to Jesus in a "gynaecological miracle".
Yet he proclaims "I'm not just some wishy-washy non-believer as [some] would like to make out."
Now Mr Randerson is dean of the Cathedral of the Holy Trinity in Parnell and thus is administrator and chief priest of a building not only erected to the glory of God the Father (and supreme being) but to the Holy Trinity consisting of Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Also, Mr Randerson is assistant Bishop of Auckland, a position he was inducted into just over four years ago.
The Anglican Prayer Book service for the ordination of bishops contains these questions and answers.
Presiding bishop: "Do you believe that the Bible contains all that is essential for our salvation and reveals God's living word in Jesus Christ?"
Bishop-elect: "Yes, I do ... "
Presiding bishop: "Will you maintain the doctrines of the faith as this church has received them?"
Bishop-elect: "Yes, I will ... "
Immediately before these questions, the bishop-elect (and all present) recites the Nicene Creed, which begins: "We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen."
It continues: "We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God ... For us and for our salvation he ... became incarnate from the Virgin Mary, and was made man."
In the Prayer Book is a catechism, which contains the essential doctrines held by the Anglican Church. The catechism affirms both the Apostles' and Nicene Creeds, and adds: " ... God creates all the worlds that are, and is sovereign over all" and " ... Jesus is the only Son of God, conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary."
In the secular world the foregoing would be seen as the terms of employment to which prospective employees agree before taking up a position.
And it is taken for granted that if an employee disobeys or resiles from any of those conditions of employment, he or she would expect to face at best a warning or a request to leave, or at worst to be dismissed.
So my question is this: If as an ordained Anglican clergyman Mr Randerson no longer believes in God as the supreme being, and if he no longer believes in the virgin birth of Jesus Christ, how come he is still dean of Holy Trinity Cathedral, vicar-general and assistant Bishop of Auckland?
I understand from conversations with genuine Anglicans who are familiar with the workings of their church that once a parson reaches a certain level of authority in the church it is well-nigh impossible to dislodge him (or her).
But that's irrelevant to my way of thinking. If I, as editor of a Christian newspaper, found myself no longer believing in that which my employers hold as fundamental Christian truth, the first thing I would do is resign.
Another cause for perplexity is Mr Randerson's activities as a member of the interfaith reference group which is looking at the framework for a national statement on religious diversity.
He has raised two questions which have surprised other members of the group, including the non-Christians who recognise that this is still traditionally a Christian country.
He has suggested the Parliamentary prayer should be reviewed; and that the prayers said at Anzac Day services should be stripped of specifically Christian references by omitting the concluding references to Jesus Christ.
His argument is that if Christian prayers are said in public in a country which has become multifaith and multicultural, people of other religions will feel excluded - although there is no evidence whatsoever that this is the case.
For those readers alarmed, disturbed or disheartened by all these goings on, here are a few words taken from a document released by the Catholic Church in New Zealand called Worshipping Under Southern Skies: Rediscovering the Beauty of the Mass.
It says (to all Christians, not just Catholics): "The life of God and the Church is an objective truth. Our growth in faith occurs when we allow ourselves to receive the revealed heart of this truth.
"We find our human health and happiness when we allow this truth to settle in the depth of our hearts. This is a tall order. People today have an inherent suspicion of anything promoted as unchanging truth or doctrine.
"The Church is not formed by our opinions and reflections. The Church is not even formed by our sound theological knowledge or just action.
"The Church is the Church of God, brought into existence by the will of God and maintained in time by the power of the Holy Spirit."
So be not afraid.
