INTERVIEW: Rev. Grahame Wray (Free Church of England-Evangelical Connexion) & Rev. Donald Veitch
Rev. Grahame Wray (Free Church of England—Evangelical Connexion) and I chatted about “ecumenism” as a controlling force in the Free Church of England under Mr. Fenwick, the FCE’s Primate. Old Catholicism did not occur this morning, but some sort of ecumenical move with the Tridentistic Old Catholics? Removal of Reformed Theology? Baptismal regeneration and Real Presence in the Holy Communion are held by the FCEers including a stress on Apostolic Succession. Of note, it is reported that Mr. Fenwick puts tradition on par with Biblical supremacy. He stormed out of an interview with Bishop Arthur Bentley-Taylor in his doctrinal exam as switching from the CoE to the old FCE. Ex operate operato and opus operatum appear to be operative under priestly commands. The new FCE, like the Reformulated Episcopal Church (new REC), disdain the historic past and claim to “be the only voice” for their histories; that has an agenda. Those without the histories and theology of the Reformed past—the naïve—are vulnerable or indifferent. The top leaders speak and “Obey the Bishop” or “The Bishop has spoken” are thematic. Mr. Fenwick has declined an interview with Rev. Wray. Apparently, he cannot brook difference. The old FCE’s and the old REC’s “Declaration of Principles” were noted, including suspension and disdain for them. Although not discussed, we would add the current move by new REC Bishops are conducting a search—a “grab and hide” operation to sweep up the old REC BCPs, but that’s an aside. Mr. Fenwick, like Mr. Sutton, speak frequently of the Reformed believing in the “Real Absence” and impugn sola scriptura. The aspect of Also, we discussed ReNew, AMiE, and GAFCON.
1. Future discussions on these two volumes as keys to Fenwick's agenda for the FCE. These two volumes were mentioned. Mr. Fenwick’s “The Free Church of England: Introduction to an Evangelical Catholic Tradition” https://www.amazon.com/Free-Church-En... and his “Anglican Ecclesiology and the Gospel: Renewing of a Vision” at https://www.amazon.com/Anglican-Eccle... .
2. Proposal of questions for Mr. Fenwick. Sola Scriptura? 39 Articles? Baptismal justification? Reformed Theology? Declaration of Principles? Cranmerian double predestination? And more. Old Catholicism? Real Absence?
3. Raison d’etre for the old FCE-EC and the old REC? Connections to Church Society, ReNew, AMiE, GAFCON?
4. Ecumenism, Mr. Fenwick, Mr. Sutton, Mr. Iker, Mr. Ackerman and the vision for it?
