Posted on 11/19/2003 4:57:05 PM PST by ahadams2
SITTING BY THE PHONE
The Episcopal Church is having a really tough time dealing with the fact that they just got dumped by every Orthodox church in the world. James Solheim's Episcopal News Service story on it begins this way:
The consecration of Gene Robinson as the first openly gay priest to be elected a bishop in the Episcopal Church is clouding and complicating some of the church’s ecumenical relations—especially among the Orthodox.
Gee, ya think, Jim? Just because the Piskies went Scripture-optional is no reason for the Orthodox to get so snippy. The ECUSA's ecumenical guy thinks so too; indeed, Bishop Christopher Epting basically blames the Orthodox churches for the break-up:
"We are deeply saddened by the actions of the Oriental Orthodox Churches and the Russian Orthodox Church with respect to our ecumenical conversations,” said Bishop Christopher Epting, the Episcopal Church’s deputy for ecumenical and interfaith relations. “While we understand their dismay,
No, you don't.
we would have counseled them to heed the Primate’s advice to our own Communion members and ‘to avoid precipitous action’ at least until the new Eames Commission can do its work,” referring to a commission appointed by the archbishop of Canterbury following a mid-October meeting of Anglican primates in London.
You will have to read a considerable amount of Anglican writing(although I wouldn't advise it) before you run into a more egregious example of Anglican arrogance than that. In fact, I don't think it's possible to encounter more monumentally towering arrogance, Anglican or otherwise, than that one paragraph.
Quick history lesson, Eps. The Anglican Communion dates back to the middle of the 19th century. The Russian Orthodox Church is more than twice as old and other Orthodox churches, such as those of the Copts and the Syrians, are even older still. They have long histories, some dating back to the Apostles themselves; you do not. Why they should take any kind of advice from you about anything at all is a mystery that I cannot begin to fathom.
Epting also referred to an earlier comment from Presiding Bishop Frank T. Griswold who said, “Just as baptism establishes an indissoluble bond between Christ and the members of his body, so too baptism creates an indissoluble bond between the baptized. It is not always easy or comfortable to recognize the presence of Christ in one another. Even so, we are bound together in the same body, like it or not. And what is more, with our very differences, we are for one another’s salvation.”
I still haven't figured out what "we are for one another's salvation" means. I imagine Moscow or Istanbul might have an exceptionally difficult time translating the PrezBish's ludicrously inept attempt at profundity. But here's the deal, Eps. I am, indeed "bound together in the same body" with other Christians, whether they share my denomination or not. But in case you've forgotten, Jesus had this warning for those who blithely assume that they are in the Body:
Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity(Matthew 7:21-23).
You might want to pass that one along to Frank.
To be slightly more accurate, the Orthodox Church never took advice from the Episcopal Church on any theological matters but we felt compelled to act respectfully when the offered it out of common courtesy and simple politeness.
That was, of course, before the Episcopalians put the Orthodox in a position where extending courtesy and politeness was no longer possible.
Gotta wonder where the author gets his history.
Orthodoxy: Proclaiming the Truth since 33 A.D.
Yes, that certainly is true. In fact many hymns that are sung in the Syrian & Coptic church are hymns that actually date back to the disciples. Not one iota changed either.
Very true. the only differnce as you say, is the linguistical /ethnical and that is all.
LOL, though my first parsing of it went toward "pisces"...
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