* As always, there are hints that the fight is about more than sex. In the case of this showdown, it is clear that Williams is frantically trying to hold the communion together on a wide range of doctrinal issues, with sex as the issue that, alas, always grabs the headlines. Jefferts Schori, meanwhile, sees this through the lens of Romeaphobia and claims that Canterbury is trying to enforce an anti-Anglican form of creedal orthodoxy, with Williams playing the role of pope.
The irony, of course, is that Williams has already established himself as a progressive on sexuality. Williams knows, however, that there are other doctrinal issues at play that matter far more to traditionalists around the world. What might those issues be?
* So, if this ongoing spirit of Pentecost is leading the Episcopal Church to edit and update centuries of Christian doctrine on sex and marriage, what other doctrines are being affected by these Winds Of Change? That’s the big question.
First of all, looking at the picture of the PB: if the really unforgivable Anglican sin is bad taste, then Katherine is a gone-er.
Tmatt, the blogger of Get Religion, has three test questions on the nature of a reportedly Christian group. He added a fourth question concerning TEC They are:
[blockquote]Here are those questions again:
(1) Are biblical accounts of the resurrection of Jesus accurate? Was this a real — even if mysterious — event in real time? Did it really happen?
(2) Is salvation found through Jesus Christ, alone? Is Jesus the Way or a way?
(3) Is sex outside of the Sacrament of Marriage a sin? The key word is sin.
(4) Should Anglican leaders ban the worship, by name, of other gods at their altars?
How are these issues affected by this new Pentecost? Just asking.[/blockquote]
There is — sadly — lots of evidence out there to support the answer that TEC often responds negatively to the first three questions.
And in terms of #4, I myself have personally witnessed the full participation of a number of other religions in a prayer and worship service at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine in NYC, including Tibetan chanting, etc. This was not merely a demonstration but a religious event.
So I guess we are down on all counts.
To questions #1 – I say [b]”Yes”[/b]
To #2 – I say [b]”Yes”[/b]
To #3 – I say [b]”Yes”[/b]
To #4 – I say [b]”Yes”[/b]
If anyone answers “No” to one or more needs to go back to their Bible to read, digest, and study. But first pray for forgiveness and ask the Holy Spirit to fill your heart and mind that you may see the Truth.
TMatt’s “quadrilateral questions would serve the ANY church well. Before I left the Episcopal Church, I quizzed a number of vestry candidates using the original three. First, the pastor questioned my need to ask such questions. Then, when I got the responses (and 3 out of 7 did NOT respond!) they were not only revealing but abhorrent! There was only one person I would vote for.
Shudder. And I pray daily that God will reveal his Truth there.
It is the leadership of those ordained folks such as KJS++ which has brought the Episcopal Church to the sad position it is in. May God have mercy on their souls.