False Dilemma

In general, I don't clutter up other people's blogs with my graffiti. Others have the right to frame issues as they see fit. They also may rigorously defend their views, be they ultimately to be proven right or wrong. Anything appearing here, on the other hand, is utterly provisional.

One thought -- pursued across multiple posts -- is that an essential trait of 'catholicism' is the ability to contain within itself the complexio oppositorum. It is 'protestantism', by contrast, that usually pursues a rigorous, internal coherence, often to even its (quite frankly) absurdist, outlying conclusions. The latter insists upon "either/or"; the former embraces "both/and."

Anglicanism often gets it wrong, at least in its various (rigorist) interpretations. But into the muddle of "strong supersessionism" vs. a "dual covenant" theology, no one need go. All of the following can be true, without having to sacrifice one to the other, for the simple sake of seeming consistency. Consistency is only a hobgoblin and no virtue here. (For, after all, how can a strong supersessionist avoid failing into either antinomianism or Marcionism?)

THE Old Testament is not contrary to the New; for both in the Old and New Testament everlasting life is offered to mankind by Christ, who is the only Mediator between God and man, being both God and man. Wherefore they are not to be heard which feign that the old fathers did look only for transitory promises. Although the law given from God by Moses, as touching ceremonies and rites, do not bind Christian men, nor the civil precepts thereof ought of necessity to be received in any commonwealth; yet, notwithstanding, no Christian man whatsoever is free from the obedience of the commandments which are called moral.

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O MERCIFUL God, who hast made all men, and hatest nothing that thou hast made, nor wouldest the death of a sinner, but rather that he should be converted and live; Have mercy upon all Jews, Turks, Infidels, and Hereticks, and take from them all ignorance, hardness of heart, and contempt of thy Word; and so fetch them home, blessed Lord, to thy flock, that they may be saved among the remnant of the true Israelites, and be made one fold under one shepherd, Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, world without end. Amen.

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To the intent that, being admonished of the great indignation of God against sinners, ye may the rather be moved to earnest and true repentance; and may walk more warily in these dangerous days; fleeing from such vices, for which ye affirm with your own mouths the curse of God to be due.

CURSED is the man that maketh any carved or molten image, to worship it.
And the people shall answer and say, Amen.

Minister. Cursed is he that curseth his father or mother.
Answer. Amen.
Minister. Cursed is he that removeth his neighbour's landmark.
Answer. Amen.
Minister. Cursed is he that maketh the blind to go out of his way.
Answer. Amen.
Minister. Cursed is he that perverteth the judgement of the stranger, the fatherless, and widow.
Answer. Amen.
Minister. Cursed is he that smiteth his neighbour secretly.
Answer. Amen.
Minister. Cursed is he that lieth with his neighbour's wife.
Answer. Amen.
Minister. Cursed is he that taketh reward to slay the innocent.
Answer. Amen.
Minister. Cursed is he that putteth his trust in man, and taketh man for his defence, and in his heart goeth from the Lord.
Answer. Amen.
Minister. Cursed are the unmerciful, fornicators, and adulterers, covetous persons, idolaters, slanderers, drunkards, and extortioners.
Answer. Amen.