Posted on 03/31/2006 7:23:14 PM PST by sionnsar
The past three years have been, to say the least, trying for orthodox Episcopalians. Since the highly controversial actions of General Convention 2003, it seems barely a week goes by that some new outrage doesn't surface, revealing the attempts of theologically liberal Anglicans to make a mockery of our faith.
The latest example is a new translation of the Bible, this time into Greek, by The Rev. Hector "Freaky" Zazeeki, a street musician and Episcopal priest from San Francisco. Don't Felafel: The Good News in Greek has enraged conservative Episcoplians. Father Zazeeki is unfazed, insisting that Greek is a natural for Scripture.
Asked whether Father Zazeeki's translation perhaps veered into the heretical, noted conservative theologian Dr. Kendall Harmon replied, "Are you kidding me? This doesn't even rise to the level of heresy. Look... follow the bouncing ball: First it's the hip-hop mass, then it's the Greek Bible. Where does it stop? Hebrew? Pig Latin? The Psalms done in Cockney rhyming slang?"
Amid orthodox outrage throughout the Anglican Communion over Fr. Zazeeki's new translation, ECUSA Presiding Bishop Frank Griswold urges tolerance. "Divisions and polarizations are the order of the day both in our political and ecclesial life. I need to make plain that because something may appear to be an unfoldment of the Spirit in the life of the Episcopal Church that does not mean that it should or ought to become normative elsewhere." Bishop Griswold has appealed to all bishops to begin a "listening process" expected to take approximately ten years to complete.
Louie Crew, a gay activist and prominent Episcopal layman, dismisses the conservative criticism. "I don't see what the all the fuss is about. Greek is a natural 'next place' into which to spread a loving, tolerant, and inclusive Gospel."
Crew stresses that Greek brings to Scripture an unparallelled imprimatur of civility. "It's important to remember," Crew says, "that when Rowan Williams' ancestors were still running around in blue paint, the Greeks had been homosexuals for centuries."
Don't Felafel is scheduled for release in August.
Traditional Anglican ping, continued in memory of its founder Arlin Adams. Couple of hours short of April 1, but it's still very hard to differentiate this piece from the sort of thing we ordinarily see coming out of the Episcopal community.
The "short of April 1st" was noted in the comments in the blog...
You guys aren't planning any missionary work lately are you?
"Fr. Zazeeki"! MMMMM, Gyros!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.