We have a problem of theology in our time and culture. I am not talking about the headline issues of human sexuality. I am talking about God.
It is fascinating that recent best-seller lists of books contain titles such as The God Delusion and God Is Not Great. I read another book recently of the same mindset titled Letter to a Christian Nation that argued that God is a hoax and religion is a detriment to healthy society.
Interestingly, I discovered that I agreed with many statements that the author made because religion in general, and Christianity specifically, can be used to launch fear, mistrust and destruction. Clearly, though, the God I worship is real and does not operate from fear and violence.
I noticed several things in reading this book. One is that the author valued something that Anglicans also deeply value: human reason. Our faith tradition encourages questions and the seeking of truth so as to deepen faith. We do not see faith as an attribute that avoids the intellect.
“We do not see faith as an attribute that avoids the intellect.” No, you most certainly do. Anyone who can say that an activity God declared abominable is suitable for the bishops of the church, has most assuredly avoided any rational intellectual engagement. The assurance that God erred, or changed His mind, or wasn’t serious about that, is based entirely on faith — faith in one’s self and one’s personal experiences or perferences.
Actually, I may owe Bp Smith an apology. The article he wrote was not bad at all, and I may have unfairly painted him with sins of his church. If so, I apologize. If he is satisfied with the trajectory of TEC, however, he needs to confront the fact that TEC no longer applies reason in the context of Scripture.
Cousin Vinnie;
Bishop Smith has just recently been ordained to the Episcopate (in March). I have found him to be sound bibically. His sermons have solid biblical basis and he often makes biblical references in them. I would not paint him with the same sins of many of the current HOB. His time will come for him to make his mark and I am confident that he will continue to preach the faith delivered to us by the saints. We are standing behind him and encouraging him as he prepares to become the diocesan on September 15. Please pray for him, this is a very difficult time to be a faithful bishop.
Thanks, garyec — I will pray for the Bishop. May he stand for the gospel despite all the pressures that will applied.
Cousin Vinnie,
I concern with garyec. My parents attended Holy Trinity in Melbourne when Dabny was the rector – my father on the search committee that called. Dabny was not his first choice, but he very soon realized that Dabny was the correct choice. While he might not call himself an “Evangelical Duck”, he certainly quacks like one. I hope and pray that he is not overwhelmed by the HOB club but remains part of the ‘loyal opposition’ to the TEC’s current heading.