Honest to John

Several years ago, one of our deacons lent me his copy of Eric James’ 1987 A Life of Bishop John A.T. Robinson which I finally read this month. The late Bishop Robinson of Woolwich was a theological liberal who seemed to thrive on courting controversy and challenging Christian orthodoxy (while simultaneously ascribing an early date to the New Testament books, unlike most of his ilk). Perhaps as a result of reading a biography authored by one of his friends and admirers, I improved my opinion of him as I turned the pages. Although I still don’t think him a likeable man, it was clear that he had a genuine piety and religious devotion; he was not just an atheist hiding under a bishop’s mitre. Towards the end I was even beginning to consider the possibility of him being a fellow believer, albeit one with certain heretical and objectionable views. Then James quoted Robinson’s posthumous Twelve New Testament Studies (1984) in which he declares:

“We shall never know, humanly speaking, who Jesus’ father was”

and that Christ was not “God dressed up in human clothes, a heavenly being who takes on manhood.”

I returned to my previously held position. Such blatant denials of basic Christian doctrine and New Testament teaching awakened me from my cosy slumber. It reminded me that apostates and non-believers often have deeply held sets of beliefs and a sincere piety with which to express them, while still rejecting God’s word, God’s plan, God’s promised Deliverer. This was the problem at the heart of the ecumenical movement: it conflated sincerity with truth, genuine theological commitments with holiness. Elijah never criticised Baal worshippers for disingenuousness and insincerity, but of believing and practising idolatry. Had they been mere hypocrites or 'nominals', they might have abandoned it sooner.

I may have improved my views of the man, but his teachings and assumptions were little less than denials of Christ Himself. James’ cover describes the Bishop as ‘scholar, pastor, prophet’. I can accept the first, maybe even the second, but the third requires a certain adjective.

Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. 2 Tim. 3:5