[Bishop Seabury Church]…is not alone in its decision to withdraw from the Episcopal fold. For decades there have been increasingly impassioned and heartfelt disagreements within the Episcopal community with respect to Christianity and the proper interpretation of the Bible.
The rip in the fabric of the Episcopal Church in the United States of America began tearing at least as far back as the 1960s when California Bishop James Pike decided the Holy Trinity did not exist and there was no Virgin Birth. Heresy charges were invoked against Bishop Pike but there was no will to move forward. For whatever reason (perhaps Pike’s beliefs were quietly shared) the church failed to reprimand the obstinate bishop….
That was an unusually good piece for the mainstream press. I think it pretty much nails the main issues.
The chasm which has opened in the Episcopal Church is now so wide that it can never close. It is unbridgeable.
I nearly choked on my coffee when I read this paragraph:
“Individuals are free to embrace any religion they choose, or no religion, but it is irrational to declare oneself a Christian and then set about ignoring difficult parts of Scripture so that the word of God might bend to your will. That is what the leaders of the Episcopal Church invite the faithful to do. Consider Christianity, they declare, and if there are passages in the Bible that you can’t wrap your mind around, we will address those concerns with a vote at the General Convention. That’s not theology – that’s therapy. It’s not about salvation – it’s about affirming things you want to be true.”
Amen! Very thoughtful and correct response to the situation!
Anthony, you have it right. TEC should change its name to the old Flip Wilson “Church of Whats Hapening Now”. Take the vestments of a Christian Priest, the look of a Christian service and then turn them into “what you want it to be today that makes you feel good” TEC has walked away from Christainity and leads its followers to damnation with what it teaches today.