Liberal Christianity is paying for its sins

VirtueOnline-News ^ | 8/14/2006 | Charlotte Allen

[sionnsar]

The accelerating fragmentation of the strife-torn Episcopal Church USA, in which several parishes and even a few dioceses are opting out of the church, isn't simply about gay bishops, the blessing of same-sex unions or the election of a woman as presiding bishop. It also is about the meltdown of liberal Christianity.

Embraced by the leadership of all the mainline Protestant denominations, as well as large segments of American Catholicism, liberal Christianity has been hailed by its boosters for 40 years as the future of the Christian church.

Instead, as all but a few die-hards now admit, all the mainline churches and movements within churches that have blurred doctrine and softened moral precepts are demographically declining and, in the case of the Episcopal Church, disintegrating.

It is not entirely coincidental that at about the same time that Episcopalians, at their general convention in Columbus, Ohio, were thumbing their noses at a directive from the worldwide Anglican Communion that they "repent" of confirming the openly gay Bishop V. Gene Robinson of New Hampshire three years ago, the Presbyterian Church USA, at its general assembly in Birmingham, Ala., was turning itself into the laughingstock of the blogosphere by tacitly approving alternative designations for the supposedly sexist Christian Trinity of Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Among the suggested names were "Mother, Child and Womb" and "Rock, Redeemer and Friend." Moved by the spirit of the Presbyterian revisionists, Beliefnet blogger Rod Dreher held a "Name That Trinity" contest. Entries included "Rock, Scissors and Paper" and "Larry, Curly and Moe." ...

[sionnsar]

Traditional Anglican ping, continued in memory of its founder Arlin Adams.

FReepmail sionnsar if you want on or off this moderately high-volume ping list (typically 3-9 pings/day).
This list is pinged by sionnsar, Huber and newheart.

Resource for Traditional Anglicans: http://trad-anglican.faithweb.com
More Anglican articles here.

Humor: The Anglican Blue (by Huber)

Speak the truth in love. Eph 4:15

[ladyinred]

I am brand new to the Anglican Church. The first Sunday I attended, the Priest announced they had asked to be under the Archbishop of Canterbury along with many other Churches in the nation. I am not sure exactly what that meant, since I was a Baptist just a week before, but I assume it meant they disagree with recent decisions in the USA.

[Carolina]

It means that they would like to have the Abp. of Canterbury Rowan Williams be their shepherd instead of the presiding bishop (Schori) with whom they disagree substantially. In the wake of the Gene Robinson election and consecration, the worldwide Anglican Communion created a Panel of Reference to which aggrieved Anglicans could appeal. See if you can get a hold of the Windsor Report which details the crisis and the recommendations for living together as a worldwide communion.

The danger for those local bishops asking alternate oversight is that revisionist bishops could charge those bishops with "abandonment of communion", declare that seat empty and stick "one of their own", in other words, who sticks to the revisionist party line. In fact, this is happening now with Bishop Schofield of San Joaquin, California. His diocese allowed dissenting (read orthodox) parishes to leave the Episcopal Church. Well, judges ruled for the leaving parishes. The surrounding bishops have filed presentment charges against him. Very serious charge.

Hope I didn't confuse you further.

[GeronL]

Beliefnet blogger Rod Dreher held a "Name That Trinity" contest

You lost me. Rod Dreher is a fool.

[Carolina]

It's in reference to the Presbyterian Church's vote on new names for the persons of the Trinity...Mother, Child, Womb was one...the official formula for Baptism, IIRC, would remain Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. But in other prayers, there is a list of names that may be used to substitute for the "paternalistic traditional formulation".

The blogosphere made much mirth over it and a lot of blogs joked about the "rock, paper, scissors" thing before Rod Dreher. He's got the name recognition so got the "credit" so to speak.

[GeronL]

Mother, Child, Womb

Someone should just tell these weirdos they are NOT christians.

[Carolina]

Don't you know, you're just being exclusivist, paternalistic, unenlightened. God calls the church to be inclusive, tolerant, diverse, and accepting of the feminine divine. This means working to rid the world of malaria, AIDS, and intolerance. You know that, right? Because if you don't the mainline churches are working hard so that you will come 'round to their new call to justice. Oh, I forgot abortion and same-sex marriages being acceptable because God is a forgiving God and wouldn't want you to be so judgmental. Oh, and how could I forget...you have to understand that Jesus isn't the only way of salvation and that these churches are going to take back the Scriptures from right-wing fascists who have hijacked Scriptures and have used them to oppress the marginalized. So, you better get used to praying to Mother Jesus.

Whew! I think that covers it.

[GeronL]

so? I would also be right.

[Carolina]

Darn, I forgot the sarcasm tag. Sorry.

[xxyyxx]

I was certain Tomato, pasta and cheese would win first place.

[AnAmericanMother]

Doug Marlette (my favorite cartoonist since Jeff MacNelly's untimely death) even got into the act with a cartoon of a Presbyterian "Name That Trinity" panel discussion, with the goofy guy on the far right saying "Rock, Scissors, Paper".

In one of his usual marginal asides, somebody's leaning over to whisper to a minister, "I've got bad news. The EPISCOPALIANS are praying for us."

No sign of Marlette's Baptist Preacher regular, though.

[GeronL]

the entire 'debate' is ludicrous. If they want something different then they should start their own religion.

[Carolina]

"I've got bad news. The EPISCOPALIANS are praying for us."

LOLOL!