Posted on 03/22/2008 9:24:07 AM PDT by Clive
Fidelity to revealed truth and historic Christianity should trump unity in the debate surrounding schism within the Anglican Church.
This contrasts sharply with the views of Rev. Paul Gibson, a liberal Anglican theologian who garnered attention for his essay recently on the Anglican Church of Canada website, in which he said schism is "not a catastrophic event" and is preferable to placating those who do not treaty "gays as equal" simply for the sake of unity.
This statement neatly ignores the reality one can treat gays with dignity and respect without necessarily condoning their behaviour or defying clear Scriptural teachings on homosexuality. In fact, the church is called to reach out to such people. This is the message of Jesus, who went out of his way to show unconditional love for everyone, but never retreated from identifying sin as sin.
Since the start of this year, eight Anglican parishes out of 2,000 have formally left the national church and have affiliated with conservative bishops who honour the Scriptures. The issue on the surface is performing blessings on same-sex couples. But this is only a symptom of a larger problem occurring in many denominations. Like many mainline Protestant denominations, the Anglican Church (at least in North America) has embarked on a more liberal direction.
This involves ignoring cardinal doctrines of the faith, like the Resurrection of Christ, the Virgin Birth, and the deity of Jesus Christ. In other words, many have denied what makes Christianity sacred and unique among faiths.
Looking at the Episcopal Church in American (this is the American version of Anglicanism), one can see figures like Bishop John Shelby Spong who has built his theological career on denying every single supernatural element of the Christian faith to the point where one wonders why he calls himself Christian.
In such a spiritual vacuum, why bother to attend church at all, many conclude.
Thus, is it any surprise congregations that hold to historic Christianity find themselves increasingly alienated from church leaders who deny every traditional doctrine at every turn? I strongly believe the dominant theological seminaries are largely to blame for this mess.
Ministers emerge from these places with only doubts about the Bible and traditional doctrines. They also have learned a "social gospel" devoid of any spiritual content that has more to do with trendy leftist politics than with the original Gospel of Christ.
What happens is these ministers are steeped in this indoctrination and then are shocked to find their older congregations actually want to hear about the truth of the Bible or desire to deepen their relationship with God. Statistics bear out the fact churches that hold to traditional doctrines and relevant spiritual teachings, like evangelical denominations, are the ones that are growing. The older Protestant denominations that have embraced liberal theology and left-wing politics are the ones selling off church properties because their congregations are shrinking.
People are clearly hungry for spiritual truth in this age of post-modernism and moral relativism. They don't hate gays, or anyone else, as these liberal theologians claim. They just want their churches to teach them what is right and wrong.
Until they do, expect only more schism.
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I seriously believe many of the ranks of the “preacher crowd” both in the traditional and televangilist fad practices are literally atheist priests who are just selling a product for their own personal gain. They don’t give a rats posterior about god, faith, or anything devine. They just want money.
ML/NJ
It either is true or it is not. One cannot take what one wants and disregard the rest.
Try as one might, arguing with the Bible is fruitless. It always leads to unbelief.
“We had some good “scripture” today.”
I enjoy reading Jewish teaching on the Old Testament (your present testament :) - the Jewish history of thought, reverence and focus on God often takes my breath away.
Although we believe differently, I cannot help but wonder that a true love for God wins over all. (Yes I know I am bordering on Chritian heresy... but I’ll take that up with Him).
It is written . . .
“I seriously believe many of the ranks of the “preacher crowd” both in the traditional and televangilist fad practices are literally atheist priests who are just selling a product for their own personal gain. They don’t give a rats posterior about god, faith, or anything devine. They just want money.”
I agree with you and why we don’t bother to go to church. There is one we will attend from time to time but we don’t go regularly because it is a bit of a commute. Other than that the others are like Oprah shows with entertainment driven feel good musak. It’s drifted away from Scripture - in fact Scripture is not highlighted at all. It’s dusgusting what the orangized church has evolved to - “seeker friendly” at the expense of serious meat shoppers ... not wanting to offend so they offend God with watereing down messages etc..
2Tim.4:3
[3] For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;
I suppose it is expected:
This is where we are at (the above SCRIPTURE VERSE).
Is there another?!
ML/NJ
I heard someone call these liberal “pastors”, “shoe salesmen running around barefoot.”
Excellent point. Must read in Jeremiah today. Thanks.
Scripture instead of theology or religion? Now there’s a concept!
In the past, the Archbishop of Canterbury has said that he is unsure whether God exists or not - how does someone get to be head of an entire church but can’t even assent to the most basic of beliefs? Now that Episcopal churches are leaving over the gay issue, I can only wonder what took them so long.
Not to mention that the Biblical Jeramiah was a Prophet of God and the angry man in Chicago isn’t.
I think that theology is important, as long as it supports Scripture and Doctrine/Dogma. It furthers understanding and knowledge.
HOWEVER, it can go seriously wrong, and it appears that this is happening a lot lately. We need serious orthodox theologians from all of the Christian faithful branches to stand up against the idiocy that passes for learned thinking.
Theology must serve the Christian Church, not undermine it.
This does not describe our Lutheran Church Missouri Synod Church. We are very serious about scripture and doctrine and sometimes people don’t like it.
Too many look at it as a job and a career, rather than a calling. That's driven me from the Methodist Church I was raised in. The idea of it being a job and career brings with it the political need to get along with those you view as the "majority" - in reality those who are loudest and most aggressive about demanding that the church change, get with the times, join the modern world, etc. That's why we see ministers preaching about how earth day is the essence of honoring god, when in fact it's a pagan holiday for the earth worshipers. Too few in the ministry truly have the calling - you can tell those who do. They believe the scriptures, will tell you that the truth isn't always popular, and that not everything is condoned by God.
I've had to fall back on the Bible, the writings of the early Methodists, and the knowledge that a church is wherever two or more gather in Christ's name.
I *think* he was under the impression you were a Jew, ergo “your” testament (what is referred to as the “Old Testament”), and the Testament of Jesus Christ (the “New Testament”).
I’m certain no slight was intended.
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