The Anglican Planet: Views & Choice
As I searched through the internet this morning I found this site: The Anglican Planet.
I ask you to pay particular attention to this article: Essentials Responds to the HoB (House of Bishops)Statement.
I have similar concerns and feel increasingly sympathetic toward those in the Essentials Movement. No one should be marginalized, nor treated unjustly, but I fear that many in the church today are marginalizing the Scripture and Our Lord. With this said, again I wish to reiterate that I don't want to choose.
I would never define myself as a fundamentalist but neither would I be found to be a biblical liberalist. I have said often on this site and in my ministry that I am uncomfortable with the tone and tenor of leaders involved in this problem facing our Canadian Anglican Church. We as leaders and faithful Christians are being forced to choose a path, and neither seem appealing to me.
So called "liberals" who wish to bless same sex couples are asking "what would Jesus do?" They see Christ, in a faithful and sincere way, opening up to the marginalized and sexually accursed (such as the Samaritan Woman and the one caught in adultery). In their interpretation Jesus would welcome commitment and love, especially bound by God in his Church. The fear expressed is that we shall become like the pharisees, exclusive and not inclusive. In their view Jesus came to release us from any law.
So called "conservatives" likewise ask "what would Jesus do?" They turn to Christ seeing a dedication to the created order where a man is made for a woman and visa versa. God made male and female for each other and Jesus reiterates this along with God's views on divorce. Turning to the Old Testament and the epistles of Paul, they see a consistency of thought between sexual sin, immorality and public behavior that points away from any notion that same sex unions can be "sanctified." In fear they see God turning his face from the church today as he did in the Exile when Judah turned away from the law.
The problem I have is that both are so very arrogant in their words for the other "side." Everyone seems to have been placed into camps, forced to choose which side they are to be on. I have heard the most awful statements concerning the opposite side; words that would make your hair curl! I have come home from meetings, hung up the phone and closed down my computer after being doused with conspiracy theories and contempt. I have had more than my share of rolling eyes and looks of pity when I challenge opinions.
When I ask you, gentle readers, to pray for our bishops and for CoGS (the Council of General Synod) and for this beloved church of ours; I mean it. The real victor here is not the Gays and Lesbians or the Essential / Orthodox groups, the victor at present is the devil and the principalities and powers that are running rampant as we fight and fight over this.
Please I implore you to pray for this weekend as the CoGS meet, the fate of our Communion and the pressure to choose is coming closer, this weekend is more important that we may believe.
The Lord is Ascended; Come Holy Spirit Come...
I ask you to pay particular attention to this article: Essentials Responds to the HoB (House of Bishops)Statement.
I have similar concerns and feel increasingly sympathetic toward those in the Essentials Movement. No one should be marginalized, nor treated unjustly, but I fear that many in the church today are marginalizing the Scripture and Our Lord. With this said, again I wish to reiterate that I don't want to choose.
I would never define myself as a fundamentalist but neither would I be found to be a biblical liberalist. I have said often on this site and in my ministry that I am uncomfortable with the tone and tenor of leaders involved in this problem facing our Canadian Anglican Church. We as leaders and faithful Christians are being forced to choose a path, and neither seem appealing to me.
So called "liberals" who wish to bless same sex couples are asking "what would Jesus do?" They see Christ, in a faithful and sincere way, opening up to the marginalized and sexually accursed (such as the Samaritan Woman and the one caught in adultery). In their interpretation Jesus would welcome commitment and love, especially bound by God in his Church. The fear expressed is that we shall become like the pharisees, exclusive and not inclusive. In their view Jesus came to release us from any law.
So called "conservatives" likewise ask "what would Jesus do?" They turn to Christ seeing a dedication to the created order where a man is made for a woman and visa versa. God made male and female for each other and Jesus reiterates this along with God's views on divorce. Turning to the Old Testament and the epistles of Paul, they see a consistency of thought between sexual sin, immorality and public behavior that points away from any notion that same sex unions can be "sanctified." In fear they see God turning his face from the church today as he did in the Exile when Judah turned away from the law.
The problem I have is that both are so very arrogant in their words for the other "side." Everyone seems to have been placed into camps, forced to choose which side they are to be on. I have heard the most awful statements concerning the opposite side; words that would make your hair curl! I have come home from meetings, hung up the phone and closed down my computer after being doused with conspiracy theories and contempt. I have had more than my share of rolling eyes and looks of pity when I challenge opinions.
When I ask you, gentle readers, to pray for our bishops and for CoGS (the Council of General Synod) and for this beloved church of ours; I mean it. The real victor here is not the Gays and Lesbians or the Essential / Orthodox groups, the victor at present is the devil and the principalities and powers that are running rampant as we fight and fight over this.
Please I implore you to pray for this weekend as the CoGS meet, the fate of our Communion and the pressure to choose is coming closer, this weekend is more important that we may believe.
The Lord is Ascended; Come Holy Spirit Come...
1 Comments:
It's funny how our Lord "knocks" and gives us encouragement. Yesterday after I wrote this blog, I found myself wanting to subscribe to this Angican publication. In the afternoon lo and behold there it was in my mailbox!
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