Interviewed by Couric, Pro-Robinson Bishop Says "We Respond to 'Reason,' Not only to Scripture"

The Today Show

[governsleastgovernsbest]

In the wake of sexual misconduct allegations against Gene Robinson that have postponed a vote on his candidacy for Episcopal Bishop of New Hampshire, Today Show host Katie Couric just completed an interview with two bishops with opposing views on the issue.

Bishop Thomas Shaw of Massachusetts is a strong supporter of Robinson's elevation. Bishop Edward Salmon of S. Carolina is opposed.

The most telling exchange came in response to Couric's question as to why or why not Robinson should be elected Bishop.

Bishop Salmon stated: "The answer is simple. Robinson's election would violate the tradition of the Church, the teaching of Scripture, and the constitution of the Church."

Given an opportunity to respond, did Bishop Shaw contest Salmon's reading of Scripture or the Episcopal constitution? Not at all.

Shaw's response: "We don't only respond to Scripture. We respond to reason, and to Jesus's message of love. This is a new time."

[governsleastgovernsbest]

Exactly, and by so clearly rejecting Scripture as authoritative, Shaw and his cohorts have come pretty close to admitting that.

[verity]

Is Robinson the he or the she of this relationship?

[TRY ONE]

Shaw's response: "We don't only respond to Scripture. We respond to reason, and to Jesus's message of love. This is a new time."

Compare to today's Liberal Justices of the US Supreme Court:
"We don't only respond to US Constitution. We respond to reason, and to the international view of things."

[Bigg Red]

FYI

[governsleastgovernsbest]

My previous post should read "I'm *not* buying into Shaw's" definition of reason.

[Credo]

Richard Hooker

...Shaw is clearly seeking to elevate reason above the other legs of the Church.

I think Hooker actually said "Right Reason as illumined by the Holy Spirit".

Actually, the libs are trying to elevate experience or feelings above all the three legs. Something Hooker would have been aghast at.

[70times7]

"This is a new time"

Ecc 1:9 The thing that hath been, it [is that] which shall be; and that which is done [is] that which shall be done: and [there is] no new [thing] under the sun.

I suppose the contradiction between these statements is irrelevant, because, after all, this is a new time.

[governsleastgovernsbest]

Yup, the Bible, the Constitution, they're living documents, and mean whatever Hillary Clinton tells us they mean. It takes a village to interpret the Bible.

[StriperSniper]

We respond to reason,

Then they should be scientists, not bishops.

[kkindt]

When the culture you live in exalts isogesis not exegesis and rewards 'creative' reading into the text meaning that was not obviously there or intended then you have this situation - rule by POWER not by LAW. Whoever can grab hold of the media and the powerful places in government i.e. 5 out of 9 seats on the court - rules America - regardless of how many of them there are. Our culture does now exalt 'reading into' the text or into a work of art or into any kind of situation. Instead of looking for the true meaning of words the culture insists there is no such true meaning - they mean whatever the power brokers want the words to mean.

The church has always been split since New Testament times and before with regard to the truth. Read Titus and other letters written by the Apostles - most of them contain warnings about those who were in the church and 'making up' what they wanted Jesus to be like or what they wanted God's will to be. The struggle in the church against those who want to be considered the 'true' church but who opposte the written Word of God will go on until He returns.

[sirchtruth]

How did this issue even get this far in a supposedly "Christian Church."

Suppose this was an fornicator? Coming out of the closet to claim his fornication acts, would they give him a chance to become a bishop?

...and for that matter, how hypocritical could you be for stoping a vote because this dude looks at porn and "touches" someone, at what point to this bunch is sin, sin?

[mhking]

We don't only respond to Scripture.

You're kidding.

I've heard it all now.

[clamper1797]

Seems to me that God pretty much expressed his opinion on the gay lifestyle in Sodom and Gomorrah (sp?). I personally agree with him ...

My future wife .... we're getting married Sept 27th .... anyway my ladies niece is a lesbian and lives with a lesbian lover. They decided that they wanted a child ... I call them "pet children" ... so she had herself artificially inseminated and ultimately had a beautiful little girl about 3 years ago. They sent my lady a picture of this little girl at age two posed with hands together looking skyward as if in prayer. I hand wrote a caption for this picture and taped it on the bottom of the frame .... it says "Please God Please send me a Daddy". My lady removed the caption when her niece came to visit.

Bottomline for me is if two lesbos want to carpet munch ... more power to em ... and if two QUEERS (screw the word Gay) ... if two QUEERS want to bugger each other ... go for it. BUT when these PERVERTS involve other people ... especially innocents ... and double especially innocent children ... even in cases like the example I described above ... then IMHO they deserve the wrath of God.

[governsleastgovernsbest]

Good point. Robinson divorced his wife and is apparently living with his boyfriend. What if a straight candidate had divorced his wife and was living with his girlfriend? Would he be considered bishop material?

[governsleastgovernsbest]

I'm glad that Shaw expressed the liberal view so clearly. He's really let the cat out of the bag. Episcopalians can now decide: do they want a church based on Scripture, or one based on the "reason" of the "new times"?

[mj1234]

Sorry - you havn't heard it all- here is a few more...

I am a druid priest- can I become your bishop?

I am a porn star can- I teach your sunday school?

I am re-writing scripture- can I be your savior?

These people are not that dumb- they have gladly excepted
Evil into their hearts- and now wish to promote this to their
CHILDREN!

[governsleastgovernsbest]

The essence of my post, and my analysis, is not a condemnation of homosexuality per se. Rather, I've focused on the fact that the liberals in the church have openly chosen to reject Scripture as authoritative, and substituted "reason," meaning whatever they currently think is right or desirable.

A religion that takes such an approach is simply no longer a religion, it is a social, cultural or political movement.

[MinuteGal]

I saw a lenghthy interview with Robinson last night and almost fell on the floor. His heresy is so apparant and blatant.

His view of the Holy Bible is the same as liberals seeking to destroy the U.S.Constitution i.e. that the Bible and the Constitution are not rock-bound, but "living" documents subject to interpretation and alteration based on the contemporary culture and whims of current generations.

Snakes-in-the-grass like Robinson don't fool around. They cut right to the chase to destroy our fundamental beliefs, protections and roots.

The Bishop is a genial backslapper with a disarming smile and an obstensibly sincere manner of speaking, but his eyes show no soul. An egotist, he's quietly cocky and covertly aggressive. He won't back down by withdrawing his name even if it means destroying his Church.

Watch the adoring women priests and laic females surrounding him, basking in his attention and touchy-feely embraces. They positively glow.

There must be a some kind of Jim Jones cult strain infecting the Episcopalian church. With hierarchal leaders like Robinson passing around the enticing wafers and grape kool-ade, it's no wonder.

Leni

[clamper1797]

Hey Guy; I got the info you asked for ....

The Largemouth Bass tournament series my friends are on is called the Hook series run by BassMasters. The name of the pro bass fisherman who was video taped at my dock by ESPN is Jack Wade out of Tenn.

But back to the topic .... These clowns have nothing to do with religion and everything to do with a political agenda ... IMHO

[governsleastgovernsbest]

Make Robinson a bishop, and the next thing you know BassMaster competitors will claim the right to chum the water and use live worms!