That the Episcopal Church is facing a likely split in the United States stirs little interest in most people.
But it should. It’s not about politics. It is about disagreements over basic issues of faith and message that should concern all who consider themselves believers.
The Episcopal Church is the name given to the American branch ”” or province ”” of the worldwide Anglican Communion based in Canterbury, England.
And there are many individual parishes and dioceses within the U.S. in serious disagreement with the directions taken in recent years by the church’s General Convention that constitute notable departures from the biblical principles upon which the Anglican Church was founded.
The issues are revisionist views on the nature and divinity of Christ and on the Bible as the final authority and unchangeable standard for Christian faith and the literary source of all things necessary for salvation.
In these parts, Lutherans dominate the land. The ELCA is really only a few years behind TEC in “the new thing”. Yet, you cannot believe the level of ignorance and “it can’t happen to us” mentality in my Lutheran friends. They are watching the Anglican Communion and TEC disintegrate and continue to think they are immune, or if the ELCA isn’t….at least their own parish would never fall.
In many parts of our diocese the Lutherans outnumber TEC parishes. In my area I have noticed is that this synod is more conservative while my diocese is becoming more liberal. Interesting enough, the Southwestern PA Synod (AKA Pittsburgh) is more liberal, just the opposite of the Episcopal Diocese. As my mother is now a Lutheran, having left TEC about 14 years ago, I do keep an eye and ear to what is happening.
I read this in the dead-tree Startlegram at lunch and meant to send it to you. Glad you got it. I wonder who will show up. Will the “Via Media” types come? Will they disrupt? Or perhaps picket and sing protest songs? I hope that videos are made and posted on the Internet, as with the recent Anglican/Orthodox confab.
Yes, I need to dial down the cynicism.
[i] We would appreciate it. [/i]
-Elf Lady