Posted on 12/11/2005 7:31:02 PM PST by AnalogReigns
The Very Rev. Dr.theol. Paul F. M. Zahl, Dean of Trinity Episcopal School for Ministry, a small evangelical Episcopal (yes...one of the few) seminary in Pennsylvania, spoke today St. John's Church, one of the largest Episcopal churches in Charlotte, NC.
Dean Zahl said he had no hope in ecclesiology rather full hope in soteriology...meaning he has no hope in the organized Episcopal Church of the USA, rather lays his hope only in Jesus Christ.
Interesting, Zahl sees the main problem not one of authority of scripture, rather that of "bishops gone wild" in a power-play of control of the ECUSA. The liberal bishops, while in complete denominational control, will allow no provision at all for those with a biblical/evangelical conscience.
As an example of this his seminary, Trinity Episcopal School for Ministry which is fully accredited, with very well qualified professors, and a 30 year history, has been 100% blackballed by American Episcopal bishops. This means that any graduate of this officially Episcopal school will not be ordained in the ECUSA....let alone supported while they go there. This in an era where something over 20% of ECUSA pulpits are empty....
While conservative evangelicals in the name of tolerance have put up with very liberal churchmen for decades, now that the liberals control things, there is no room for tolerance of biblical, evangelical, conservative Christians. A very sad state of affairs.
The only real long term solution, according to Zahl is to leave. A majority of clergy who leave the Episcopal Church actually become Roman Catholic. Most laity who leave become either Anglican Mission in America or Presbyterian Church in America.
Brothers, pray for your faithful brethren the Episcopal Church.
"While conservative evangelicals in the name of tolerance have put up with very liberal churchmen for decade..."
What can you say? They were fools.
Huh? Where and when did we ever put up with them?
"bishops gone wild"
is this from the same folks that brought us "girls gone wild"?
(Sorry. It was there.)
well both girls gone wild and some ECUSA bishops are shirt lifters :-)
Vicki Gene Robinson: proudly helping to bring tasteful music and liturgy back to your local Catholic Church.
LOL! Unfortunately both the local RC and AMiA parishes are not big into tasteful liturgy. We have a PCA church with a decent music program, but they're all hung up on that Calvinist thing.
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