Comments on: Windross’ dross: exposing a modern heretic

By: Julian Laughton

Julian Laughton — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 11:39:14 +0000

Thanks for introducing me to Windross. I’ve now read his book – which is excellent. Other Christian friends of mine are now also spreading the word of his book – which is correctly referred to on its back cover as an excellent tool for evangelism for 21st century people.
How small is your God at S Barnabus’ ? It/he/she seems to be as small as your appetite for personal growth, given your clear rejection from growing yourself further by reading and attempting to understand what Windross says.
Even though his book was published in 2004, it seems at this present moment to be escaping the walls of the Church and will be debated everywhere, as the good Bishop Spong says on its front cover.
Thanks once again.

By: Administrator

Administrator — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 16:10:44 +0000

I appreciate your comments and am truly sorry that you have found my post offensive. However I was clear that I was not attacking the man or his pastoral approach but his teaching. Furthermore whilst you offer evidence of a man who encourages faith I have recieved emails from other parishioners, past and present, lamenting his inability to embrace the creed and Gospels which you quote at me.

Ultimately I can only comment on Tony has put into the public sphere. And these tracts, published on his own website, do not lead anybody to study deep theology or tackle difficult texts. They merely encourage one to think that clever people do not accept miracles, do not need to Creed, do not require holy communion or a sacred priesthood, etc etc…. and it was for that reason I was offended and utterly disgusted myself. When people mock my orthodox faith I tend to tackle it. Is that so wrong? And pray how do you justify what has been written in these tracts? Or do you think they are evidence of justified Christian belief.

By: Chris Handley

Chris Handley — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 11:07:22 +0000

I’ve seen some misrepresentations in my time but Ed’s takes the biscuit. Sorry, Ed, but you really should take more time to think about what you read. I have had the privilege to be a parishioner at Sheringham St Peter while Tony Windross was in post. Tony’s sermons have been thought provoking, he’s never let the difficulties of thinking through the implications of christian theology and doctrine deter him from tackling them. And if you truly don’t think there are difficulties then you live on a different planet. Many of the congregation in Sheringham have relished the chance to study some of the great theologians when Tony has put on Study sessions. I know of no other parish where the congregation have been encouraged to tackle some of the more difficult theological texts. And I have to say, I find your ramblings incredibly arrogant and denigratory of those of us who struggle with some of the ‘orthodoxy’ you talk about. Perhaps, a closer study of the gospels (Jesus had a fair amount to say about the ‘righteous’) and the epistles (Paul had things to say about ‘humility) might temper some of your more extreme ramblings. I don’t wish to be rude but I find some of your statements to be highly offensive and unworthy of a priest in the Church of England.

By: The_Archer_of_the_forest

The_Archer_of_the_forest — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 01:16:52 +0000

Wow, I thought we just had that sort of junk in the Episcopal Church, but alas I see has spread to the shores of England as well. Can’t say I’m surprised.

As to the comment above, the definition of heresy is correctly understood not just as wrong or false teaching, but teaching that is so wrong or false that it is detrimental to the faith of the Church. I don’t like accusing people of heresy either, but I think that in this instance, that is a correct assumption. Claiming that the Nicene Creed, the most basic statements of the faith, as optional and wrong is heresy of the worst kind really.

Christianity is not a religion where we get to pick and choose whatever we want to believe. The Nicene Creed, as our Orthodox brothers reminds us, is an icon, pointing us to the Good News found in Christ, his message, his death, and his resurrection. To say the creeds are in fact pointing people away from the Good News is detrimental to the Faith of new believers who might be taken in by such claims.

By: Tom

Tom — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 23:01:59 +0000

I’m in two minds on this one. Certainly i don’t regard what this man preaches to be consistent with that which has been revealed in scripture and received through tradition, but i am very uncomfortable with bandying labels like heresy around. Above all, as I understand it, heresy is something which has to be declared through the consensus of the church and frankly don’t think it’s right for members of the church (and especially priests) to be throwing these terms around willy nilly. You’re right that this sort of teaching shouldn’t be tolerated in the church, but surely there’s room for grace and compassion before we stand on the hilltops shouting heresy?

(PS: Many thanks for this gift of a blog for a regular reader but first time ‘commenter’, from a current Westcott ordinand who also feels somewhat like a salmon swimming against the current!)

By: Fr David Clues

Fr David Clues — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 22:56:19 +0000

One glance at the endorsements for his ‘book’ tells us all we need to know – John Shelby Spong; Don Cupitt. Soooo yesterday. Mr Windross’ Tracts are not for our times; they might have made a ripple or two forty years ago. But alas there is one missing from the list – and one I hope you will turn your attention to (because it is probably the most significant) – Why bother to think about Tony Windross?
Best
Fr D

By: john

john — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 19:19:45 +0000

‘Anyone who reads this blog will understand that S. Barnabas (pictured above) is an orthodox Anglo-Catholic parish rooted in scripture and the real presence of Jesus in the sacrament. But not every Anglican thinks as we do, which is not necessarily a bad thing. At S. John’s, for example, we find Evangelical friends adhering to scripture but not sharing our sacramental theology. At Charles the Martyr Christians of a more liberal understanding but who stand by the words of the creed. I welcome both as part of my Anglican family and, even though we might disagree, could commend others to worship at such churches if they seemed appropriate.’

This is the sort of sentiment I dearly love to hear.

Ray: I think you grievously misrepresent the MCU. This statement (which I applaud) is broadly congruent with Father Ed’s.

By: MES

MES — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 17:51:57 +0000

Have just read all those pamphlets, with I hope, an open mind.The scary bit is it all sounds so reasonable, so now!
Look forward to reading your commentary on The Holy Communion tract.

By: ray

ray — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 15:50:11 +0000

Unfortunately he is far from being alone in promoting his heresies. The Modern Churchpeople’s Union specialises in this, along with Inclusive Church and other “bona fide” organisations attached to the C of E. All of these support TEC of America in its apostacy. The tragedy is, of course, that people’s souls are in jeopardy as a result. The statement that our “splendid”(?!) archbishop is good at thinking must have been made with tongue in cheek since these people plainly do not agree with him. This from the MCU’s website: “Both Williams and Wright [of Durham] show themselves to be dogmatic authoritarians.” As usual, the liberals are the most illiberal people around if you don’t subscribe to their liberalism.

By: Administrator

Administrator — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 10:20:12 +0000

Well there you have it! In some ways I lament the connection to home – as when I started writing he was simply an unknown priest whose pamphlets had fallen into my hands.

I could therefore never be accused of any personal connection or grumble. There is still no personal squabble….just the irony of the small world with paths crossed.

But let us stay generous, I am sure there are those who have valued his freindship and we must be careful to expose the folly of the teaching and not attack the man. As dad says, he is a good chap on a personable level