Mainstream Denoms are in the headlines again
The episcopalians have elected their first female bishop as head of the US church. And in a shocking surprise, she has said that homosexual behavior is not a sin.
Not wishing to be outdone in the headlines, the Presbyterians are looking to change the Trinitarian formula.
I don't know why these things keep making the headlines, is anyone really all that surprised? I mean, what WOULD surprise you about the mainliners?
Anyway, the retired theoretical mathematician turned bishop explains her beliefs with regard to homosexuality:
Asked how she reconciled her position on homosexuality with specific passages in the Bible declaring sexual relations between men an abomination, Jefferts Schori said the Bible was written in a very different historical context by people asking different questions.
"The Bible has a great deal to teach us about how to live as human beings. The Bible does not have so much to teach us about what sorts of food to eat, what sorts of clothes to wear -- there are rules in the Bible about those that we don't observe today," she said.
"The Bible tells us about how to treat other human beings, and that's certainly the great message of Jesus -- to include the unincluded."
The problem with this point is that it leaves it entirely in the hands of the individual to decide which rules to adhere to and which ones to reject. So, if the good bishop can reject the "rules" against homosexuality, then why can I not reject the rules against adultry? Or the rules about "loving your neighbor as yourself"? C'mon bishop...this is just "people asking different questions" here, right? Right.
And here are a few of the suggestions Presbyterians are offering for the new Trinitarian formula:
- Mother, Child and Womb
- Rock, Redeemer and Friend
- Lover, Beloved, and Love
- Creator, Savior and Sanctifier
- King of Glory, Prince of Peace and Spirit of Love
The second to the last one isn't all that bad (however, it's no replacement)...but if someone converts to Orthodoxy and they were baptized in the name of the "mother, child, and womb" by the presbs do you think they'd have to "git er done" again? But seriously, what's wrong with renaming the Trinity? Where to begin?
The Trinity is a Holy Mystery, one not easily explained and very much best left in the realm of apophatic theology. Which is to say, leave the titles as they have been given to us by God Himself in the person of Jesus Christ (a man, I might add). Attempts at finding gender inclusive titles often lead to stupidity (after all, Jesus was a man) and it may also lead - even force you to try and get behind the mystery of the Trinity. What exactly is meant by calling the Holy Spirit a "womb" or a "friend"? What might be implied by such invented titles? We Orthodox believe and take very seriously the mystery here and we rightfully worry about what speculation might arise...what presb minister will come and tell us how the Holy Spirit is NOT like a "womb" or not like a "friend"?
Such mysteries, these things which we "do not understand, things too wonderful for us" ought to best be left alone. Yes, let us "abhor" ourselves for thinking we can invent better titles, more accurate titles...and God forbid, more politically correct titles.
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Comments
Funny, I always thought it was to seek and save that which was lost, regardless of whether it was jewish or not. A mission far broader that 'inclusion'. Perhaps author of the quote needs to study a bit more
sf
It is seen in all attempts at egalitarianism. The Engineers, while attempting to level the playing field, end up turning everyone into functional units, rather than people.
How can you nail down God the Father, the Son, or the Holy Spirit into one specific function? When the Holy Spirit is present, God in His entirety is present. These folks are working their way toward "not offending" a whole lot of people right into polytheism or modalism!
Honestly, I am not surprised by PCUSA or ECUSA or any of the 'mainlines' nor even many of the Evangelical churches. They've elevated 'making the gospel relevant' so high that it has become an idol, one that has caused them to become utterly man-centered.
But that's the plan...as soon as they've messed with divine revelation then they can put anything in its place and, knowing our culture, they'll put something that makes them feel good, in essence, themselves.