Wielding A Sword For ECUSA

Concerning the possibility of the Episcopal Church sanctioning same-sex union ceremonies,  The Dallas Voice reports that Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori spoke optimistically about the possibility: 

"'I don’t think it’s going to happen this year,' Jefferts Schori said, adding that the national church’s General Convention undoubtedly will revisit the issue when it meets again in 2009. 'I think it certainly will happen in our lifetimes.'”

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It's hard being an Episcopalian in pockets of the deep South.  It's hard to be an Episcopalian anywhere thinking is discouraged.

This week my local Episcopal Church began a study of  Ray Vander Lann's Faith Lessons produced for the James Dobson Ministries.  It is a program that carries the viewer along on a tour of the holy land, referring to the Old Testament and deriving lessons of faith from the experience.  What most horrifies me about the study is the fundamentalist call to intolerance, the political call to take control of culture and the battle cry to get sinners (as defined by the Old Testament) under control least we all end up being punished for their sins.  This is Fallwellism repackaged. 

Examples of Fallwell der Lann teachings:

"God abhors abominations. An abomination was anything associated with the worship of other gods, or any behavior that distorted the standard of living God intended for humans.  Leviticus 18 included a list of improper behaviors such as adultery and homosexuality. As God demonstrated by sending the Flood and the judgment on Sodom and Gomorrah, he will punish those who practice these unlawful behaviors." [note:  a couple having sex during the time of a woman's period is one of the Levitical abominations Vander Lann forgot to mention here] 

and

"When we look at the history of Lachish, we realize how important this calling is: If we do not persuade our culture to obey the standards found in God's Word, God may send earthly judgment on the entire culture—not just those who persist in doing wrong."

and

"But imagine what would happen if every Christian became a shephelah person remaining faithful to God while actively confronting the evil around us. With God's blessing, we could effectively transform the world."

and 

"Law, education, music, politics, the Internet these are just a few of today's irons.  If Christians will seize these tools and combine them with their unique God-given gifts, there's no telling what kind of mark we can make on our world.

What kind of iron will you take hold of?"

and

"The battles are numerous. Pornography, injustice, abortion, and greed—these are just a few of the evils that we must defeat. These evils are deeply entrenched in our culture, making them difficult battles for Christians to fight."

It is most interesting that Vander Lann admits that " Jesus did not confront sin in the same way, but he challenged it nonetheless by sacrificing himself for others."  Yet the ultimate conclusion he draws is not that we should follow Jesus' lead, rather we should recognize that "God's standards for sin never change, he is just as angered by abominations today as he was during biblical times." 

I'm no Bible scholar, but I do wonder a few things.  Firstly, how does Vander Lann know what God feels?  Secondly, I do know that Christ did not mention abortion or homosexuality as sin.  A thinking person has to wonder if fulfillent of the law through the New Covenant did, in fact, change God's standards for sin.  I know that under the New Covenant  substance replaced form and Jesus taught that there is nothing that enters a person from the outside which defiles; rather things that come from the inside are what defiles a person (Mark 7).  And as for Christian politics, I think that there can be no doubt that Jesus taught us to seek the kingdom of heaven rather than take over the next election.

I joined the Episcopal Church because it is a church that does not teach its members to judge other people or get them under control by condemnation. It is the only church I know that teaches the love and tolerance of Christ, and it has traditionally taught members to think.  It recognizes that culture today is not culture of ancient Israel, and the Jewish Levitical code cannot be our standard for morality.  When I was confirmed I was pretty sure that no one would require me to wield the sword of the Spirit, so to speak. 

What to do?  Not much.  I will say what I think, and I will not financially support my local church as long as it engages in fundamentalist teachings; instead I will give my money to ECUSA.  I think that these are legitimate swords to wield in a free society.

Comments

[Dan Hardison]

Well said Jan. Your comment about why "I joined the Episcopal Church..." are my sentiments as well. Thanks.

[Jan Neal]

Thanks, Danny. It's good to hear from you. Jan

[Robin Janning]

As usual, Jan, you get right to the heart of the matter. The reason I "joined the Episcopal Church" was that it seemed, as a matter of policy, to encourage growth into the spirit of Christ and to support a mindful relationship with God. It did not rap me on the knuckles and say "oh no, you can't envision God as the Ground of Being..." And one of the first words from Bishop Katharine was "Shalom"

[Jan Neal]

Shalom, Robin, shalom...When I hear the word, I think of you.