To Creed or not to Creed? – The "Australian Creed for Sexual Integrity" is a Divisive Banner, Tearing Communion Within Anglican Ranks

Progressive Anglican Response

To Creed or Not to Creed?

The "Australian Creed for Sexual Integrity" is a Divisive Banner, Tearing Communion Within Anglican Ranks

The "Australian Creed for Sexual Integrity," published on October 31, 2024, is touted by its supporters as a "clarion call for the church to return once more to the Bible's clear teachings on sexual integrity" and has recently been making its rounds across the internet. But as the echoes of this call reverberate through the Christian community, many progressive Christians find it to be a muted and distorted sound, drowned out by the deafening noise of hypocrisy and selective morality. As John Sandeman's article in The Other Cheek reveals, even within the conservative evangelical community, the creed is facing scrutiny and skepticism. This internal critique, coupled with the specific involvement of several Anglican leaders, further exposes the creed's limitations and underscores its potential for division and harm, particularly within the Anglican Church itself.

Can an Anglican in Good Conscience Sign? Potential Conflicts with the Thirty-Nine Articles and Faithfulness in Service

Given the foundational role of the Thirty-Nine Articles of Religion and the "Faithfulness in Service" code in Anglican identity, the act of signing the "Australian Creed for Sexual Integrity" raises serious questions of doctrinal and ethical consistency.

Potential Conflicts with the Thirty-Nine Articles

The Thirty-Nine Articles, which ground Anglican belief in the sufficiency of Scripture, the primacy of grace, and the authority of the historic creeds, caution against imposing extra-biblical requirements as conditions of faith (Article VI). The Creed's rigid definitions of gender and sexuality, and its claim to represent the only faithful Christian position, risk overstepping this boundary. By asserting that "any person's attempt to deny or change [their sex] distorts God's good design," the Creed not only excludes transgender and gender-diverse people but also goes beyond what Scripture unambiguously teaches—venturing into the territory of human tradition and interpretation.

Further, Article XX warns that the Church "may not ordain anything that is contrary to God's Word written, neither may it so expound one place of Scripture, that it be repugnant to another." The Creed's selective reading of Scripture on sexuality and its silence on the biblical themes of justice, mercy, and inclusion risk distorting the balance and breadth of the Anglican tradition. Article XI, which affirms justification by faith alone, is also at stake if the Creed is used to suggest that sexual conformity is a prerequisite for full participation in the life of the Church.

Potential Conflicts with "Faithfulness in Service"

The "Faithfulness in Service" code, adopted by the General Synod as the national standard for clergy and church workers, explicitly prohibits inappropriate discrimination (Section 4.8) and calls for the protection of the emotional and spiritual welfare of all people. By endorsing a document that defines marriage and sexual integrity in exclusionary terms, clergy risk violating both the letter and the spirit of this code—especially if the Creed is used to justify the marginalization or exclusion of LGBT+ individuals from ministry, leadership, or pastoral care.

A Question of Integrity: For Anglicans, the question is not simply whether the Creed aligns with personal conviction but whether it is compatible with the Church's own doctrinal and ethical commitments. To sign is to risk undermining the very foundations of Anglican comprehensiveness, charity, and justice. It is to raise a banner that, far from uniting, threatens to tear the fabric of communion.

A Gospel-less Creed?

Sandeman highlights the concerns of Murray Campbell, a Baptist pastor and member of the Gospel Coalition Australia, who questions the creed's theological depth. Campbell asks, "Where is the Gospel?" He notes the lack of emphasis on grace, forgiveness, and the eschatological vision for human sexuality and gender. This is a crucial point. A creed that focuses solely on rules and prohibitions, without offering a message of hope and redemption, is a hollow and ultimately un-Christian document.

As progressive Christians, we share Campbell's concern about the creed's lack of gospel-centeredness. We believe that true faith is not about adhering to a set of rigid doctrines; it's about experiencing the transformative power of God's love and grace.

Anglican Signatories: A Church Divided?

The list of initial signatories reveals a significant number of Anglican leaders, including:

• Bishop Glenn Davies (Bishop of the Diocese of the Southern Cross)
• Bishop Richard Condie (Bishop, Anglican Diocese of Tasmania)
• Rt Rev Christopher Edwards (Bishop of North Sydney, Anglican Diocese of Sydney)
• Archdeacon Susan Willis (Archdeacon, Anglican Church, Diocese of Tasmania)
• Rev Matthew Connolly (Vicar, St John the Baptist Anglican Church, Lilydale)
• Rev Jennifer Hercott (Registrar, Anglican Diocese of Central Queensland)
• Rev Dr Anne Hibbard (Minister, Diocese of the Southern Cross)
• Rev Daniel Avenell (Minister, St Luke's Anglican Church, Emerald)
• Rev Chris Bowditch (Rector, Lindisfarne Anglican Church)
• Rev Paul Hobby (Priest, Anglican Parish of Quamby, Diocese of Tasmania)
• Chap Stuart Woods (Chaplain, St Luke's Liverpool, Anglicare Sydney)
• Rev Neil Flower (Retired Presbyter, Anglican Church, Diocese of Sydney)
• Rev Hugh Prentice (Retired Anglican Minister, St Hilary's Anglican Church, Kew)
• Rev Ray McIlwraith (Retired Minister, Diocese of the Southern Cross)

This raises important questions about the state of the Anglican Church in Australia. Does the support for this creed reflect a widespread consensus within the church, or does it represent a growing divide between conservative and progressive factions? The involvement of these Anglican leaders in the "Australian Creed for Sexual Integrity" is likely to exacerbate these tensions and further divide the church.

Christian Nationalism in Disguise?

Sandeman also raises concerns about the creed's potential for Christian nationalism. He notes the inclusion of Australian flag colors in the logo and the deliberate release of the creed on the anniversary of the Australian Light Horse Brigade's charge at Beersheba. Campbell argues that these elements suggest a political agenda that may not be shared by all signatories.

This is a troubling observation. Christian nationalism is a dangerous ideology that seeks to merge religious and national identities, often at the expense of marginalized communities. By associating the creed with national symbols and historical events, its drafters risk aligning it with this divisive and harmful ideology.

The Voices of LGBT+ Anglicans: A Call for Inclusion

For LGBT+ Anglicans, the "Australian Creed for Sexual Integrity" is not just an abstract theological statement; it is a deeply personal and painful rejection of their identities and relationships. As Sebastian, a gay man in a same-sex marriage who felt called to ordained ministry in the ACA, told me, "It feels like the Church is saying that I am not worthy of God's love, that my relationship is somehow less valid than a heterosexual marriage."

A Path Forward: Reconciling Tradition and Justice

So, how can the Anglican Church of Australia navigate these competing demands and create a more just and inclusive community? Here are a few concrete recommendations:

1. Revise the Faithfulness in Service Code

The code should be revised to remove discriminatory language and ensure that it is consistent with anti-discrimination laws.

2. Promote Dialogue and Education

The Church should invest in education and training programs that promote understanding and empathy toward LGBT+ individuals.

3. Foster Greater Inclusivity

The Church should actively seek to include LGBT+ individuals in leadership positions and ministry roles.

4. Embrace the Bangalore Principles

These principles provide a valuable framework for balancing tradition with justice and ensuring consistency with human rights standards.

5. Address Clericalism

The Church must take concrete steps to address the dangers of clericalism and create a culture of transparency and accountability.

A New Creed for a New Day

In contrast to the "Australian Creed for Sexual Integrity," which seeks to impose a narrow and exclusive vision of sexuality and gender, we offer a new creed, one that is rooted in love, justice, and inclusion:

A Creed for Love, Integrity, and Inclusion

We believe in one God, the Source of all love, expressed in boundless diversity, revealed in Jesus Christ, and made present through the Holy Spirit, who calls us to lives of compassion, justice, and reconciliation.

We believe God lovingly creates each person with unique worth, embracing the beautiful spectrum of gender identities and sexual orientations, all reflecting the divine image. We celebrate the dignity and inherent value of every human being, without exception.

We believe God blesses loving, committed relationships that reflect Christ's self-giving love for the church, honoring the sacred bonds of mutual respect, fidelity, and joy, regardless of gender.

We believe God calls all people to responsible and life-affirming expressions of their sexuality, grounded in consent, respect, and mutual flourishing. We affirm the goodness of pleasure, intimacy, and connection, celebrated in ways that honor the well-being of ourselves and others.

We believe God calls us to lives of integrity, expressed in faithfulness to ourselves, our partners, and our communities. We honor diverse paths to wholeness, whether in singleness, partnership, or community, celebrating the many ways to experience love and connection.

We believe that sexual exploitation, abuse, and coercion are sins that violate God's love and justice, causing profound harm to individuals and communities. We commit to working for healing, accountability, and transformation, creating safe and supportive spaces for all.

We believe our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, and that Christ empowers us to live lives of love, compassion, and justice. We trust in God's boundless grace to forgive, heal, and transform, embracing the journey toward wholeness and liberation for all.

Amen.

Contrasting Visions: Love vs. Law

This new creed stands in stark contrast to the "Australian Creed for Sexual Integrity." While the latter focuses on rules, prohibitions, and exclusion, our creed emphasizes love, inclusivity, and justice. While the latter seeks to impose a narrow and outdated vision of sexuality and gender, our creed celebrates the diversity of human experience and affirms the worth and dignity of all people.

A Call to Embrace a New Vision

The time has come for the Anglican Church to embrace a new vision of sexuality and gender, one that is rooted in love, justice, and inclusion. We urge all Anglicans to embrace this new creed and to work for a church that truly reflects the heart of the gospel. Let us build a church where all are welcome, all are loved, and all are empowered to live lives of wholeness and liberation.

Building a Church of Love and Justice

The "Australian Creed for Sexual Integrity" may claim to offer a path to righteousness, but it risks leading the church away from the heart of the gospel. As followers of Jesus, let us answer a higher call: to love, to include, and to heal. The future of the Anglican Church in Australia depends on its willingness to embrace a more inclusive and compassionate vision of faith.