Episcopalians Elect First Woman Presiding Bishop
Episcopalians might be on the verge of a split after the election Sunday of the denomination's first woman presiding bishop. This move, after many others over the years such as the practice of ordaining women to the priesthood in 1977, the adoption of a more liberal edition of the Prayer Book in 1979, and the election of the denominations first openly gay bishop three years ago, could send the denomination's conservatives over the edge and out the door.
The threat to part ways has been a long-standing one and one wonders whether or not it will actually happen. Though Katharine Jefferts Schori of Nevada pledges to work with those who differ with her views, it is clear where she stands and what she will push for. Bishop Schori did not attend the consecration of V. Gene Robertson, the aforementioned gay bishop, but she did vote for him and celebrated his election.
It remains clear that the Episcopal Church of America, like it's brethren in England, will continue to marginalize themselves as a church (i.e. the Body and Bride of Christ) and as the voice of Truth within the world. It will be interesting to see if those who stand on Scripture as the Word of God will have the courage to move forward and, perhaps, out the door in order to move back to its historical and biblical roots.
The threat to part ways has been a long-standing one and one wonders whether or not it will actually happen. Though Katharine Jefferts Schori of Nevada pledges to work with those who differ with her views, it is clear where she stands and what she will push for. Bishop Schori did not attend the consecration of V. Gene Robertson, the aforementioned gay bishop, but she did vote for him and celebrated his election.
It remains clear that the Episcopal Church of America, like it's brethren in England, will continue to marginalize themselves as a church (i.e. the Body and Bride of Christ) and as the voice of Truth within the world. It will be interesting to see if those who stand on Scripture as the Word of God will have the courage to move forward and, perhaps, out the door in order to move back to its historical and biblical roots.
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Labels: David C. Price
posted by DAVID C. PRICE at 6/20/2006 09:35:00 AM
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3 Comments:
At the risk of revealing my naiveté, I cannot understand certain elements of the dispute. I DO realize that there is, usually, a desire within a person to 'belong' and to identify the Self, at least partially, by it's association with others who are similar in essence, philosophy and so on. As the Scripture asks, unless they are in agreement, how can two walk together? Perhaps a part of my perception of who I am, involves being a Catholic Christian, being a male, being an employee, a husband, and so on. Maybe that is the key. But it is puzzling to me that a person who violently disagrees with something thing that God, through the Scriptures and the consistent teaching of the Church for millennia, and even the natural law, would teach about human behavior, sexual or otherwise, would want to call themselves 'Catholic’ or, in this case, 'Anglican'. IF God says plainly that homosexual relations are wrong, and common sense tells us that the physical situations of anatomical structure are not conducive to homosexual relations, and IF a particular church says that it insists that its members follow the teachings of God, then WHY would someone who insisted on engaging in contrary actions, care about being called a member of any church? Surely it cannot be THAT important to their self-identity?? If I, personally, decided to defy the teachings of the Almighty, then personal integrity would demand that I no longer be called a Christian or present myself as one; so, why do the people who champion what Scripture calls depravity, wish to be considered Christians? I suppose it is merely a rhetorical question….
Thank you for your thoughtful comment. I don't know that what you say is rhetorical in that it really does make one wonder why someone would not simply walk away from the church rather than desire to stay and demand a change.
My thoughts on this lead back to and stem from something I've been reading and studying lately in Paul's two letters that he wrote to Timothy. In the second one, he writes the following warning:
"I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths."
People have wandered away from sound teaching of Scripture and, instead, want teachers who will affirm their own, selfish and fleshly passions. They have turned away from truth, claimed the Bible is wrong on these issues, and found people who will tell them that anything they choose is OK. They tell them God puts His stamp of approval on anything they choose, even though the very Words that God gave men to teach speak to the contrary. That's a dangerous business, but one that many, including the Episcopal church, is willing to take on.
many are willing to take on. {:-}
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