Dedication and the Queen

Speaking at the Diamond Jubilee for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams based his remarks on Paul's letter to the Roman, chapter 12, verse 2.  He demonstrated the inadequacy of the modern current understanding of 'dedication.'

Rather, he brought the meaning of the word as understood in the biblical and classical languages to the attention of his multimillion person global congregation, saying that dedication has to do with the giving of oneself to a particular calling without allowing anything to distract from that divine calling.  It was about being single-focussed, single-minded determination to serve God first and foremost.

He then went on to say that in his application that the Queen was to do all she could to make her subjects happy.

What a reversal of what Paul actually wrote.  Dr Williams could and should have called upon the Queen to keep her coronation oath to maintain the Protestant and Reformed Faith; but he failed to do so.  He ought to have called her to repentance for her sins; but he failed in this too.  He ought to have encouraged her to serve the living God, revealed supremely in Jesus Christ, and to serve her subjects through her dedicated service to Him; again, the Archbishop failed to do this.

He failed, but I will take it upon myself to remind the Queen, "Your Majesty, I am a loyal subject of yours and honour you for the civic work you have done over the past 60 years.  I acknowledge the way you have united most of our people, as exhibited at the Jubilee celebrations.  


However, I would remind you of your coronation oath which you took in the Presence of Almighty God to maintain the Protestant Reformed Faith.  I humbly ask you to refresh your memory of what you vowed, and take whatever steps are necessary to change religious and ecclesiastical direction.  Please do not listen to what your advisers tell you regarding matters religious and theological.  It is quite obvious that they are mis-informing you.  Get back to the Bible, back to the great English reformers, to the Puritans, to Whitefield and the Wesleys, to Isaac Watts and Philip Doddridge if you want to get the right end of things.  Our country needs to be re-formed according to the Scriptures, and you can give a strong and positive lead in this movement."