Episcopalians refuse affirmation of Christ

Virtue Online ^ | June 20, 2006 | Hans Zeiger

[MountainMenace]

COLUMBUS, OHIO (6/20/06)-The House of Deputies of the 75th General Convention of the Episcopal Church today overwhelmingly refused to even consider a resolution that affirmed Jesus Christ as the "only name by which any person may be saved."

[Aquinasfan]

Turn out the lights, the party's over.

[longtermmemmory]

I think this is intentional.

The episcopalians pushing this left wing manure have to be athiests who only see the church as a job.

[metmom]

Acts 4:8-12 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, "Rulers and elders of the people, if we are on trial today for a benefit done to a sick man, as to how this man has been made well, let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead--by this name this man stands here before you in good health. "He is the STONE WHICH WAS REJECTED by you, THE BUILDERS, but WHICH BECAME THE CHIEF CORNER stone. "And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved."

[AppyPappy]

"This type of language was used in 1920s and 1930s to alienate the type of people who were executed. It was called the Holocaust. I understand the intent, but I ask you to allow the discharge to stay," said the Rev. Eugene C. McDowell, a graduate of Yale Divinity School and Canon Theologian for the Diocese of North Carolina.

Wow. I'm surprised he didn't hold his breath until he turned blue.

[randita]

They have a fund established to protect the corporation from losing their grip on congregational property.

Visit any large city in the East and some the most impressive church structures you see will be Episcopal. But the congregations who frequent those edifices are graying and dwindling. Without heavy endowments, those old churches would not be able to keep their doors open. In Pittsburgh, one gorgeous stone church has been converted into a restaurant/brewery (The Church Brew Works). These old churches will be nothing but stones around the corporation's neck.

The action is in the suburbs, where newer, more alive churches have been started. Those newer churches are the ones located on valuable property which the corporation will fight for. Also overseas in poorer countries, it would be a crime for those congregations who decide to split to lose their property (in Africa, e.g.).

We need to pray for our kindred in Christ who find themselves in a very difficult situation because of the direction this convention is taking. Their paths will not be easy ones.

[longtermmemmory]

I bet they would reject any of the 10 commandments verbatim.

[Aquinasfan]

...the church is founded upon tradition and reason and many members believed that those who have not known Jesus can still be saved.

Yes, but the only name by which these people can be saved is 'Jesus.'

[Leatherneck_MT]

"My conclusion is that the Episcopalians no longer qualify as a 'Christian' denomination."

That's the only logical conclusion you can come to.

[patriot_wes]

"But the good news is that all the deck chairs were arranged properly."

And all the silverware had been neatly polished when someone felt a strange vibration and heard a crushing sound......

[Hegemony Cricket]

At least for themselves, personally. Now, maybe for the other guy...

[RFEngineer]

"I think this is intentional. "

There are some conservatives left in the Episcopal church apparently.....and they are trying to force the rest of the rabble to truly define themselves.

They have done everyone that remains an immense favor. There is no option for them but to split, if they are to remain Christian.

It's all done but the lawyering over Church assets.....

[Wuli]

The Christians in the Episcopal Church who asked for that vote did the right thing for themselves and those who stand with them - put the liberals feet to the fire, make them speak directly to core issues in a way that their answer defines them in a very basic way.

I think all illusions about the Episcopal Church are over.

[Skooz]

There is no other conclusion to draw.

Indeed.

Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins,

[meandog]

If I were an active Episcopalian, I'd be running for the hills to find a new denomination...

Just as I didn't run to Australia when Clinton was elected president, I'm not going to let misguided liberals run me out of my church.

[Psalm 73]

Big John 14:6 bump
"...I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life, no one comes to the father but through ME".
No ambiguity there.

[reagan_fanatic]

As an active Episcopalian, it doesn't surprise me...the church is founded upon tradition and reason and many members believed that those who have not known Jesus can still be saved.

How do Episcopalians reconcile that belief with what the Bible says about it:

Jesus said: "I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father but by me." (John 14:6)

[Skooz]

Maybe they subscribe to the Jesus Project thesis that Jesus really didn't say that. Or much else, for that matter.

[Constantine XIII]

Why do those people even bother, then?

[meandog]

Yes, but the only name by which these people can be saved is 'Jesus.'

There's a lot of ambiguity on this fact in the church; I know a lot of folks who believe the good Hindu, Jew, etc., can achieve salvation as well as many souls after death as Christ (according to Scripture) did descend into the dead to do just that... (I have mixed feelings on this myself).

[Little Ray]

Geez. If they feel that way, why don't they just become Unitarians?