Albert Mohler on California Episcopal Bishops' support of same sex marriage

"Not to Destruction, but to Salvation"

Friday, September 12, 2008

Excerpt:
In the majestic language of the 1928 Book of Common Prayer, a prayer offered at the consecration of a bishop includes these words: "Mercifully behold this thy servant, now called to the Work and Ministry of a Bishop; and so adorn him with innocency of life, that, both by word and deed, he may faithfully serve thee in this Office, to the glory of thy Name, and the edifying and well-governing of thy Church; through the merits of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the same Holy Spirit, world without end. Amen."

Later, a prayer calls upon the Lord to grant the bishop grace to "use the authority given him, not to destruction, but to salvation; not to hurt, but to help: so that, as a wise and faithful servant, giving to thy family their portion in due season, he may at last be received into everlasting joy."

Those beautiful words, "not to destruction, but to salvation," take on a deadly significance in the case of these bishops. They are leading their own church to destruction, and encouraging in the larger society what the Bible condemns as sin. These are shepherds who are leading their own flocks right off a cliff. Full Essay image