A book by the Bishop of Buckingham, Alan Wilson, which urges the Church of England to support same-sex marriage and relationships, has been criticised for its departure from clear biblical teaching on human relations.
Alan Wilson rejects the idea that the bible forbids gay marriage and he claims that one in ten bishops could be secretly gay.
His claims have been described as “no surprise” by the Executive Secretary of Anglican Mainstream, Rev Andrew Symes, who says “the maverick Bishop” views have been well aired previously in the media including his recent support for “the cause of legalisation of assisted suicide”.
Andrew Symes asks, if Alan Wilson dismisses the “clear evidence of scripture about marriage and sex” to claim same-sex relationships are blessed by God, then what reason does he give for other boundaries which the bible sets about sexual conduct such as marriage being an exclusive union between only one man and one woman?
In his book, ‘Perfect Union? Understanding Same Sex Marriage’, published this week, Wilson says the CoE’s official position is only opposed to gay marriage because of “entrenched stereotypes about gay people”.
Andrew Symes responds: “Were all the great Christian minds down the ages stupid or bigoted and only in these last days have we seen the light?”
Andrea Williams of Christian Concern says:
“Alan Wilson is using his position to make a political point knowing that his position is in direct conflict with the Church of England' teaching on this matter.
"This book is a campaign tool. He is using it to apply pressure to the Church of England establishment to weaken its public stance on marriage.
“The book demonstrates no love or regard for the bible which graciously and compassionately sets out how to order our sexual lives through the life-long commitment of marriage between one man and one woman.”
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