As posted on VirtueOnline by David Virtue,
“Resolutions D025 and C056 sparked three roll call votes during the House of Bishops' sessions of the 76th General Convention in Anaheim, Calif.
The Rt. Rev. Kenneth Price, Bishop Suffragan of Southern Ohio, told the house on July 15 that the official tallies from the votes on D025 that rescinded the moratorium on gay bishops, on a motion offered by the Rt. Rev. Sean Rowe, Bishop of Northwestern Pennsylvania to discharge C056, and the final vote on C056 which authorized the collection and development of rites for the blessing of same-sex liturgies, would not be complete until the end of convention. “
The three bishops from the diocese of Texas voted as follows on D025, the Rowe amendment and C056:
Rayford High, Bishop Suffragan of Texas (n n y)
Dena Harrison, Bishop Suffragan of Texas (n y n)
Andrew Doyle, Bishop of Texas (n y n).
The recently retired bishop of Texas, Don Wimberly voted as follows:
Don Wimberly, Retired Bishop of Texas (_ _ n)
It seems as though Bishop Wimberly did not believe the first two issues important enough for his vote. One should note, however, Bishop Wimberly is well known for his abstinence in voting on these issues.
At first glance, one might guess that the new bishop of Texas, Andrew Doyle, voted the right way, no, on the resolutions pertaining to full inclusion of all sexual proclivities into the ordination process and the creation of rites for the blessings of homosexual unions. Yet, one must remember Bishop Doyle’s answer, when he was candidate Doyle, when asked about his position on allowing blessing of homosexual unions. He said that since the canons do not allow for it, he would not allow for it. Not a resounding prohibition of the blessing of homosexual unions. One presumes that when TEC dos allow for it in the canons of the church, he will certainly allow for it. One can also say, with some certainty, that Bishop Doyle will not object to the use of homosexual union rites within the diocese of Texas since now the resolution so firmly permits it. It is one thing to stand firmly against such heretical acts and quite another to take a legalistic position that places all weight on whether or not the canons of TEC say yes or no to the blessing of homosexual unions. So much for standing firm on the historical position of Scripture and the teaching of the Church as a defender of the faith.
Again, while his vote may look like he stands on the side of truth in voting against the two resolutions, one need simply look at his letter to the Archbishop of Canterbury and see through the thinly veiled defense of his vote.
“As posted on VirtueOnline by David Virtue,
“Resolutions D025 and C056 sparked three roll call votes during the House of Bishops' sessions of the 76th General Convention in Anaheim, Calif.
The Rt. Rev. Kenneth Price, Bishop Suffragan of Southern Ohio, told the house on July 15 that the official tallies from the votes on D025 that rescinded the moratorium on gay bishops, on a motion offered by the Rt. Rev. Sean Rowe, Bishop of Northwestern Pennsylvania to discharge C056, and the final vote on C056 which authorized the collection and development of rites for the blessing of same-sex liturgies, would not be complete until the end of convention. “
The three bishops from the diocese of Texas voted as follows on D025, the Rowe amendment and C056
:
Rayford High, Bishop Suffragan of Texas (n n y)
Dena Harrison, Bishop Suffragan of Texas (n y n)
Andrew Doyle, Bishop of Texas (n y n).
The recently retired bishop of Texas, Don Wimberly voted as follows:
Don Wimberly, Retired Bishop of Texas (_ _ n)
It seems as though Bishop Wimberly did not believe the first two issues important enough for his vote. One should note, however, Bishop Wimberly is well known for his abstenance in voting on these issues.
At first glance, one might guess that the new bishop of Texas, Andrew Doyle voted the right way, no, on the resolutions pertaining to full inclusion of all sexual proclivities into the ordination process and the creation of rites for the blessings of homosexual unions. Yet, one must remember bishop Doyle’s answer, when he was candidate Doyle, when asked about his position on allowing blessing of homosexual unions. He said that since the canons do not allow for it, he would not allow for it. Not a resounding prohibition of the blessing of homosexual unions. One presumes that when TEC dos allow for it in the canons of the church, he will certainly allow for it. One can also say with some certainty, that bishop Doyle will not object to the use of homosexual union rites within the diocese of Texas since now the resolution so firmly permits it. It is one thing to stand firmly against such heretical acts and another to take a legalistic position that places all weight on whether or not the canons of TEC say yes or no to the blessing of homosexual unions. So much for standing firm on the historical position as a defender of the faith.
Again, while his vote may look like he stands on the side of truth in voting against the two resolutions, one need simply look at his letter to the Archbishop pf Canterbury and see through the thinly veiled defense of his vote.
“As the Bishop of the Diocese of Texas, I want to confirm to you my commitment and the commitment of this diocese to continue the process begun with the Windsor Report. I also want to assure you of our continued support of the Covenant Process.
We as a Diocese have affirmed our desire to continue as a constituent member of the Anglican Communion, even though the Diocese of Texas is a diverse one, and some are in favor of the recent actions of General Convention. I am committed to listening and shepherding the entire Diocese of Texas.”
Please read it this way, “Although TEC just broke all ties to the balance of the Anglican Communion and gave you the raspberry, please know I still support you and so does my diocese. Well, at least some do. Others are very happy with what transpired at GC and are at the same time mad I voted the way I did. That said, I have to represent all views in my diocese so please know I am behind you, for the most part.”
Also note the bishop’s desire to stay within the Communion while the majority of TEC wants out. The good bishop and his diocese are still in until they get kicked out or at least marginalized by the rest of the Communion. Then the bishop may well find himself without a home. His position, like that of his predecessors, is that unless one is in full communion with the ABC, then one is not recognizable as being an Anglican.If TEC is out and he is still part of TEC, what is a bishop to do? We’ll see.
Finally, in his blog comments to those who followed the goings on at GC, Bishop Doyle wrote, “The truth is that ministry and mission in our congregations will be pretty much the same on Monday as it was on Monday several weeks ago.” It seems that the good bishop has missed the point and is blinded by how own desire not to see what really happened at GC. While mission and ministry may continue within TEC and the diocese of Texas, one can rest assured that it will be with far fewer people. Rather than seeing growth in the diocese of Texas or the TEC, numbers will continue to fall, offering plates will have less money in them and the Episcopal Church will continue her drift into irrelevance.
What a shame. The once great bastion of orthodox Christianity in America, the Episcopal Church, has now broken ties with mother Church and the majority of the Anglican Communion. No longer is she a place where one can hear the gospel preached on a regular basis and have one’s children taught the tenants of the ancient faith. Rather, she has become a place where if it feels good, it’s okay with the laiy and clergy to do it, regardless of what the Bible or thousands of years of Church teaching says.
Clarity was conveyed at General Convention. TEC wants nothing to do with the ancient and received faith of the apostles. So be it.
Sunday, July 19, 2009
Thursday, July 16, 2009
The Episcopal Church has sailed inrto oblivion
For those who still held out hope that The Episcopal Church might hold on to some thread of Christian identity and relevance in today's world, that ship sailed today when the House of Bishops approved resolution D025 which now allows any person with any type of sexual proclivity to be ordained into its ministry. Heterosexual, bisexual, homosexual, transgendered - name it and it is no longer an obstacle to becoming an ordained minister in the once great Episcopal Church in the U.S.
Gone are all the biblical qualities of those who enter the ordained ministry. Gone are St. Paul's admonitions that a bishop would be the husband of one wife. Now I suppose a bishop could have a wife, a gay lover and be himself or herself a transgendered cross dresser.
Gone are the admonitions that the leaders of the Church are to set a high moral example for the people of God they lead. Now they can simply mirror the basest of society and claim to be in touch with the people. Soon altars and tables around the Episcopal will be rife with any manner of sexual expressions with liturgies to follow soon thereafter. Soon the altars and churches of the Episcopal Church will look more like the altars of the goddess Diana or Baal or other pagan deities who serve at the altar of self-pleasure than the high altar of the risen Lord Christ.
Gone, it seems, are any hints of any sort of self-control, modesty or even humility. Taking their place at the high altar are lasciviousness, fornication, wickedness and adultery just to name a few.
The Episcopal Church, before General Convention 2009, was loosing members at a very rapid pace. With the actions of this General Convention, there can be no doubt that defections will rapidly increase. What makes all this even worse is that many of those who will leave TEC will be so demoralized and dejected with the church that they will simply stop going to church. The words of Jesus should echo in the ears of every person, clergy and laity alike, at General Convention who have perpetrated this evil:
"But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea."
Gone are all the biblical qualities of those who enter the ordained ministry. Gone are St. Paul's admonitions that a bishop would be the husband of one wife. Now I suppose a bishop could have a wife, a gay lover and be himself or herself a transgendered cross dresser.
Gone are the admonitions that the leaders of the Church are to set a high moral example for the people of God they lead. Now they can simply mirror the basest of society and claim to be in touch with the people. Soon altars and tables around the Episcopal will be rife with any manner of sexual expressions with liturgies to follow soon thereafter. Soon the altars and churches of the Episcopal Church will look more like the altars of the goddess Diana or Baal or other pagan deities who serve at the altar of self-pleasure than the high altar of the risen Lord Christ.
Gone, it seems, are any hints of any sort of self-control, modesty or even humility. Taking their place at the high altar are lasciviousness, fornication, wickedness and adultery just to name a few.
The Episcopal Church, before General Convention 2009, was loosing members at a very rapid pace. With the actions of this General Convention, there can be no doubt that defections will rapidly increase. What makes all this even worse is that many of those who will leave TEC will be so demoralized and dejected with the church that they will simply stop going to church. The words of Jesus should echo in the ears of every person, clergy and laity alike, at General Convention who have perpetrated this evil:
"But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea."
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
The Episcopal Church - Is she Christian?
The Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church (if one can truly call her a bishop) exclaimed that the idea of personal salvation through Jesus Christ is the "great western heresy." Such an idea, she said, is "caricatured in some quarters by insisting that salvation depends on reciting a specific verbal formula about Jesus.' Hmmm. What might St. Paul have to say about this?
Romans 10:9 , ".. if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved."
"You will be saved." I am not quite sure how Ms. Schori missed the point St. Paul is making about salvation in this passage. I am sure, however, that she is convinced that St. Paul did not really mean what he wrote.
Does St. Paul say anything else about a confession of Jesus as Lord and its impact on one's eternal condition?
In the very next verse, Romans 10:10, St. Paul writes, "For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation." St. Paul once again seems to be quite clear about the power of confessing Jesus as Lord. That Ms. Schori could miss this is extraordinary but I am sure she has what she considers a rotational reasoning that far surpasses the weight of Scripture and over 2000 years of Church teachings.
Let us see if St. Paul or any other New Testament writer might have had something else to say about confessing the name of Jesus and its effect on the eternal condition of one's soul.
St. John in his first epistle writes, "Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God." St. John seems to be saying that if one confesses Jesus is Lord God dwells in him or her. Thus, if God dwells in them, the act of salvation has taken place in that person's life. John wrote in this same epistle that if one does not confess Jesus as Lord and the Son of God, God does not dwell in him. Rather, the spirit of the Antichrist resides in that person. So, for St. John, the power of confessing the name of Jesus carries with it the power of salvation.
Once again, I am sure Ms. Schori believes that St. John simply got it wrong and that since she is far more evolved and enlightened that St. John, who was Jesus' disciple and rested on his at the Last Supper, she better understands what God really intends when it comes to salvation and confessing the name of Jesus.
Another, you ask?
In the Book of Acts, St. Luke quotes St. Peter who quotes the prophet Joel who said, " And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved." A three-fold witness to the power of confessing the name of the Lord. The prophet Joel spoke prophetically about Jesus and Peter spoke with first-hand knowledge of Jesus and the power of salvation that comes with confessing with one's mouth the name of the Lord.
One could go on and on throughout the Scriptures to show the blatant disregard for the teaching of scripture as it relates to confessing the name of Jesus that Ms. Schori has exercised. Such an exercise, while helpful, would only get the likely response from Ms. Schori and the majority of the Episcopal House of Bishops that proof texting is not the answer and that they, as enlightened and more highly evolved humans, better understand what God wants today than did these men in their time.
Given Ms. Schori's claim to hold title to what truth is, one must then conclude that if she makes no effort to retract her above cited statement and if the Episcopal Church's General Convention makes no effort to correct her then they no longer can lay claim to be a Christian church. TEC may as well simply acknowledge the fact that they have rejected Christ and join the likes of the Unity church where all beliefs are possible.
Please, Ms. Schori, like Ray Johnson from the 1970's Natural Light beer commercial who told people they could call him Ray or Jay or anything but they did not have to call him Johnson, please call yourself anything but Christian if you choose to continue to deny Christ.
Romans 10:9 , ".. if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved."
"You will be saved." I am not quite sure how Ms. Schori missed the point St. Paul is making about salvation in this passage. I am sure, however, that she is convinced that St. Paul did not really mean what he wrote.
Does St. Paul say anything else about a confession of Jesus as Lord and its impact on one's eternal condition?
In the very next verse, Romans 10:10, St. Paul writes, "For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation." St. Paul once again seems to be quite clear about the power of confessing Jesus as Lord. That Ms. Schori could miss this is extraordinary but I am sure she has what she considers a rotational reasoning that far surpasses the weight of Scripture and over 2000 years of Church teachings.
Let us see if St. Paul or any other New Testament writer might have had something else to say about confessing the name of Jesus and its effect on the eternal condition of one's soul.
St. John in his first epistle writes, "Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God." St. John seems to be saying that if one confesses Jesus is Lord God dwells in him or her. Thus, if God dwells in them, the act of salvation has taken place in that person's life. John wrote in this same epistle that if one does not confess Jesus as Lord and the Son of God, God does not dwell in him. Rather, the spirit of the Antichrist resides in that person. So, for St. John, the power of confessing the name of Jesus carries with it the power of salvation.
Once again, I am sure Ms. Schori believes that St. John simply got it wrong and that since she is far more evolved and enlightened that St. John, who was Jesus' disciple and rested on his at the Last Supper, she better understands what God really intends when it comes to salvation and confessing the name of Jesus.
Another, you ask?
In the Book of Acts, St. Luke quotes St. Peter who quotes the prophet Joel who said, " And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved." A three-fold witness to the power of confessing the name of the Lord. The prophet Joel spoke prophetically about Jesus and Peter spoke with first-hand knowledge of Jesus and the power of salvation that comes with confessing with one's mouth the name of the Lord.
One could go on and on throughout the Scriptures to show the blatant disregard for the teaching of scripture as it relates to confessing the name of Jesus that Ms. Schori has exercised. Such an exercise, while helpful, would only get the likely response from Ms. Schori and the majority of the Episcopal House of Bishops that proof texting is not the answer and that they, as enlightened and more highly evolved humans, better understand what God wants today than did these men in their time.
Given Ms. Schori's claim to hold title to what truth is, one must then conclude that if she makes no effort to retract her above cited statement and if the Episcopal Church's General Convention makes no effort to correct her then they no longer can lay claim to be a Christian church. TEC may as well simply acknowledge the fact that they have rejected Christ and join the likes of the Unity church where all beliefs are possible.
Please, Ms. Schori, like Ray Johnson from the 1970's Natural Light beer commercial who told people they could call him Ray or Jay or anything but they did not have to call him Johnson, please call yourself anything but Christian if you choose to continue to deny Christ.
Saturday, April 18, 2009
Easter + 7: Where Is Our Focus?
Seven days ago, the world-wide Christina community gathered to celebrate the Feast of Feasts - the resurrection of Jesus, commonly called Easter. Christians of every stripe sang praises to God for Jesus' victory over death and for opening the gates to heaven to all who call on Him as Lord and Savior. The day was a glorious day. Even some of the media outlets reminded viewers of the special day. That, in and of itself, could be described as a miracle.
Seven days has passed since Easter and we should ask ourselves the question, "where is our focus?" Are we still focused on the great event of the resurrection? Are our eyes still focused on the empty tomb and the various eye-witness accounts that reported the news of Jesus' resurrection? Is the joy of the Easter day still fresh in our hearts and clearly in our field of vision?
Or has Easter moved to the rear-view mirror and become simply another day that, while in the moment was great, is now only another day gone by? Has the joy of Easter been replaced by the woes of life and the worldly anxieties we daily face? Have we once again retreated into our lives so much that we miss the cosmic reminders of new life? Have we put away the leaven of malice and wickedness, of anger and resentment, of impatience and self-centeredness? Have we put on Christ and kept Him on? Have we taken in the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth, of joy and kindness, of honesty and grace, of compassion and mercy, of love and forgiveness?
Spring is the season of new life. Out of the death of winter comes new life. All around us we see earthly reminders of God's great work. God constantly uses His creation to remind us of His truths and especially important is the truth of the resurrection of Jesus. Out of His death came our new and eternal life. In and through God's grace, we, as Christians, have hope and we live a life of hope.
Let us daily put on Christ that we may daily be reminded that indeed we are dead unto sin and alive unto God through Jesus Christ. Let us daily shout the Easter acclamation:
Alleluia, Christ is risen!
Indeed, He is risen! Alleluia.
Seven days has passed since Easter and we should ask ourselves the question, "where is our focus?" Are we still focused on the great event of the resurrection? Are our eyes still focused on the empty tomb and the various eye-witness accounts that reported the news of Jesus' resurrection? Is the joy of the Easter day still fresh in our hearts and clearly in our field of vision?
Or has Easter moved to the rear-view mirror and become simply another day that, while in the moment was great, is now only another day gone by? Has the joy of Easter been replaced by the woes of life and the worldly anxieties we daily face? Have we once again retreated into our lives so much that we miss the cosmic reminders of new life? Have we put away the leaven of malice and wickedness, of anger and resentment, of impatience and self-centeredness? Have we put on Christ and kept Him on? Have we taken in the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth, of joy and kindness, of honesty and grace, of compassion and mercy, of love and forgiveness?
Spring is the season of new life. Out of the death of winter comes new life. All around us we see earthly reminders of God's great work. God constantly uses His creation to remind us of His truths and especially important is the truth of the resurrection of Jesus. Out of His death came our new and eternal life. In and through God's grace, we, as Christians, have hope and we live a life of hope.
Let us daily put on Christ that we may daily be reminded that indeed we are dead unto sin and alive unto God through Jesus Christ. Let us daily shout the Easter acclamation:
Alleluia, Christ is risen!
Indeed, He is risen! Alleluia.
Friday, April 17, 2009
America's Pirates
We have witnessed a tremendous event in the pirate attack on the Mearsk Alabama and the Navy's heroic rescue of Captain Richard Phillips. Those who sought to take what was not theirs met a deadly fate at the hands of Navy sharpshooters.
In this country, we are victims of piracy as well. Piracy is defined as a crime, such as hijacking, committed aboard a ship or aircraft. On this ship of state called the United States of America, the pirates have taken what is not theirs, our money, and are using it in a manner that is unacceptable to the majority of American citizens. Those pirates include President Obama, Tim Geitner, Ben Bernanke, Nancy Pelosi, Harry Reid and the democratic-led Congress. Included in this list of pirates are also all those republicans who voted for all the stimulus packages and bailouts, including President Bush. They have taken our money and given it to people they wrongly believe deserve it: AIG, GM, Chrysler, and other companies "too big to fail." Their actions are criminal, if not literally then figuratively. If we were to mismanage money that belonged to someone else, we would be help accountable. Yet, who is holding these men and women accountable?
Who will be the ones to come in and "take out," figuratively, these pirates? The only ones who can do that are the American people. We have to act like the Navy Seals and take these pirates out with the power of the vote. We must hold them accountable for their actions and make sure that our aim in the voting booth is as sure as the Seals' was on the Somali pirates.
Our outrage at these domestic pirates needs to be as loud as out outrage at the other pirates. While we must wait some 18 months before we can vote some of these pirates out, we must make preparation to act and not lose sight of this important mission.
If we fail to act, our country will continue to be held hostage by these pirates and we will continue to be held at gun point by high taxes, out of control spending and fascist policies that will continue to weaken this great country.
Let not these tea parties be simply a flash in the pan. Let us rise as our forefathers rose and answer the call to arms that we might once again regain control of our government and have a government that is actually "of the people, by the people and for the people."
In this country, we are victims of piracy as well. Piracy is defined as a crime, such as hijacking, committed aboard a ship or aircraft. On this ship of state called the United States of America, the pirates have taken what is not theirs, our money, and are using it in a manner that is unacceptable to the majority of American citizens. Those pirates include President Obama, Tim Geitner, Ben Bernanke, Nancy Pelosi, Harry Reid and the democratic-led Congress. Included in this list of pirates are also all those republicans who voted for all the stimulus packages and bailouts, including President Bush. They have taken our money and given it to people they wrongly believe deserve it: AIG, GM, Chrysler, and other companies "too big to fail." Their actions are criminal, if not literally then figuratively. If we were to mismanage money that belonged to someone else, we would be help accountable. Yet, who is holding these men and women accountable?
Who will be the ones to come in and "take out," figuratively, these pirates? The only ones who can do that are the American people. We have to act like the Navy Seals and take these pirates out with the power of the vote. We must hold them accountable for their actions and make sure that our aim in the voting booth is as sure as the Seals' was on the Somali pirates.
Our outrage at these domestic pirates needs to be as loud as out outrage at the other pirates. While we must wait some 18 months before we can vote some of these pirates out, we must make preparation to act and not lose sight of this important mission.
If we fail to act, our country will continue to be held hostage by these pirates and we will continue to be held at gun point by high taxes, out of control spending and fascist policies that will continue to weaken this great country.
Let not these tea parties be simply a flash in the pan. Let us rise as our forefathers rose and answer the call to arms that we might once again regain control of our government and have a government that is actually "of the people, by the people and for the people."
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Is Obama ashamed of being a Christian?
When anyone who claims to be a Christian asks that a Christian symbols at a Christian university be covered over, that person's commitment to his Christian faith immediately comes into question. Why would the president, who claims to be a Christian, insist that a Christian symbols be covered up when he speaks in a public forum? The fact that the speech was on policy is irrelevant. The answer given by the White House that the symbol was covered over because they wanted to have continuity between venues is weak at best.
One must wonder just how much Jeremiah Wright truly influenced him? Wright was the pastor who damned America. Obama not only seems to be ashamed of his own country, (listen to his speeches he gave throughout Europe) but also his own Christian faith.
It seems as though his wife's own shame about being an American has rubbed off on Barak and now this shame has infected his Christian faith.
One must wonder just how much Jeremiah Wright truly influenced him? Wright was the pastor who damned America. Obama not only seems to be ashamed of his own country, (listen to his speeches he gave throughout Europe) but also his own Christian faith.
It seems as though his wife's own shame about being an American has rubbed off on Barak and now this shame has infected his Christian faith.
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