Observations: Fissures widen in Episcopal community

Sunday, August 5, 2012
By Joseph Bell

Excerpt:
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.

In 1976, with an eye toward modernizing Scripture, the Episcopal church’s General Convention approved resolutions to study the ordination of homosexuals. That set the stage for the 2003 installation of an openly homosexual bishop, the Rev. Gene Robinson in New Hampshire.

At the most recent General Convention, held in July, the church authorized a rite, called “The Witnessing and Blessing of a Life Long Covenant,” that will be used to sanctify same-sex couples. Supporters insist this is not a marriage ceremony but the assertion is more a thing of semantics than theology. This is undoubtedly another step in the Episcopal Church’s effort to craft a theology that views the Bible not so much as the word of God but as a manuscript that can be edited and updated to harmonize with contemporary social mores. Some members of the Episcopal hierarchy oppose the renovation. the rest

Perhaps the Episcopalian hierarchy is not working to improve upon man’s flawed comprehension of God’s will so much as they are working to improve upon the will of what they perceive to be a flawed God. That encapsulates the rupture within the Episcopal community. It will not mend.

Leading Episcopalian: Catholic Church a "Threat"
A prominent Episcopalian is calling the Catholic Church a "threat" and is accusing the Church of "stealing sheep."
Ironically, Reverend Ian Markham, Dean of Virginia Theological Seminary, is the author of the 2006 book "Why Liberal Churches are Growing." (How's that working out for ya'?)...