Silence is NOT Always Golden! RE: The Presiding Episcopal Bishop Elect...Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori

Silence is NOT Always Golden! RE: The Presiding Episcopal Bishop Elect...Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori
(18 Jul 06)

Tommy Franks says, “When good “Born-Again” Christians do nothing or keep silent about certain “Biblical absolutes”, it gives way for heresy, dissent, deviation, unorthodoxy, and heretical doctrine.” Therefore, the following are my personal remarks:

FACT 1: To begin with, let’s look at the facts to some of Bishop Schori’s remarks to Time Magazine.

Jeff Chu (Time Magazine): The issue of gay bishops has been so divisive. The diocese of Newark, N.J., has named a gay man as one of its candidates for bishop. Is now the time to elect another gay bishop?

Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori: Dioceses, when they are faithful, call the person who is best suited to lead them. I believe every diocese does the best job it's capable of in discerning who it is calling to leadership.

My Comments:

Tommy Franks says: Let’s see what the Bible says. “But before they lay down, the men of the city, even the men of Sodom, compassed the house round, both old and young, all the people from every quarter. And they called unto Lot, and said unto him, Where are the men who came to you tonight? Bring them out unto us, that we may know them” (Gen.19:4-5). (These men wanted to have sex with the two messengers.)
“And he looked toward Sodom and Gomorrah, and toward all the land of the plain, and beheld, and, lo, the smoke of the country went up as the smoke of a furnace” (Gen.19:28). (Because of the great sin of Sodom & Gomorrah, God destroyed them.)

God has always had some things to say about sodomy, homosexuality, gays, and same sex relations. It doesn’t take a Biblical expert to see the wickedness and depravity of the men of Sodom & Gomorrah. Clearly, they came to Lot’s home to homosexually rape and abuse these two visitors. And we are equally shocked at the willingness of Lot to give up his daughters to this mob. The sin of the men of Sodom is plainly connected to their homosexuality. There is no doubt that the Bible declares that homosexual
conduct is sin (Romans 1:26-28).

The Bible condemns homosexuality in the same context as it condemns incest and bestiality (Leviticus 18:22; 20:13). “If a man also lies with mankind, as he lies with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination: they shall surely be put to
death; their blood shall be upon them” (Lev.20:13).


FACT 2: If we ignore the word of God…and disbelieve it, then nothing is really sin, is it?

Homosexual advocates have an interest in saying that homosexuals are exactly like everyone else, except they love people their own way. However, when you observe the conduct of homosexuals, this is not the case.

Research indicates that 43% of homosexuals have had 500 or more sexual partners in their lifetime. Only 1% of homosexuals say they have had four or less sexual partners in their lifetime. According to the Unites States Department of Health and Human Services, 77% of homosexuals have met sexual partners in a city park.
62% in a homosexual bar, 61% in a theatre, 31% in a public restroom. Only 28% of homosexuals said that they had known their partners for at least a week before participating in homosexual sex.

Paul connects "burning lust" and a debased mind with male homosexuality in Romans 1:27-28. “And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompense of their error which was meet. And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient”. “Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them” (Rom.1:32).

Homosexuals also have an interest in saying that up to 10% of the population is homosexual. However, the truth is…according to the most reliable statistics, only 2.3% of men in their 20s and 30s have had a homosexual experience. Homosexuals also have an interest in saying that they were "born that way". All attempts thus far to prove this have been based more on wishful thinking than solid biological research, but if it is found to be the case, so what? The Bible teaches that we are all born with a predisposition to sin. It shouldn't surprise us that some 2% of the population finds that predisposition expressed in a homosexual desire. Homosexuals also have an interest in defining themselves as "gay," a word that used to mean "happy, carefree". It is a poor description of a lifestyle that has such a high rate of death, disease, and suicide!

“Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, And changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and four-footed beasts, and creeping things. Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonor their own bodies between themselves: Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen” (Rom.1:21-25).

Back to the Interview:

Jeff: Many Anglicans in the developing world say such choices in the U.S. church have hurt their work.

Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori: That's been important for the church here to hear. We've heard in ways we hadn't heard before the problematic nature of our decisions. Especially in places where Christians are functioning in the face of Islamic culture and mores, evangelism is a real challenge. [But] these decisions were made because we believe that's where the Gospel has been calling us. The Episcopal Church in the U.S. has come to a reasonable conclusion and consensus that gay and lesbian Christians are full members of this church and that our ministry to and with gay and lesbian Christians should be part of the fullness of our life.

My Comments: (See comments above.)


Jeff Chu (Time Magazine): Is belief in Jesus the only way to get to heaven?
Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori: We who practice the Christian tradition understand him as our vehicle to the divine. But for us to assume that God could not act in other ways is, I think, to put God in an awfully small box.

My Comments:
Tommy Franks says: What does the Word say? “Jesus said unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me” (Jn.14:6). “Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believes in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live” (Jn. 11:25). “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead” (1 Pet.1:3).

Fact 3: God is not in some small box. He is alive and well. Heaven is His thrown and the earth His footstool (Isa.66:1). Does this sound like God is in some puny little box? Hello! God honors His Word. “No man can come to Me, except the Father which has sent Me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day” (Jn.6:44). There is no other Way to God except through Jesus Christ! Period! Buddhism, Islam, Confucius, Shintoism, Hinduism, and atheism are the small boxes. They will not get you, me, or anyone else to Heaven. Only our Lord Jesus Christ can do that.

Jeff Chu (Time Magazine): What is your view on intelligent design?

Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori: I firmly believe that evolution ought to be taught in the schools as the best witness of what modern science has taught us. To try to read the Bible literalistically about such issues disinvites us from using the best of recent scholarship.

FACT 4: “All scripture is given by the inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works” (2 Tim.3:16-17). “For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart” (Heb.4:12). “(We) have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God” (2 Cor.4:2). “Making the word of God of none effect through your tradition, which ye have delivered: and many such like things do ye” (Mk.7:13).

My Comments:
Tommy Franks says, “The Bible is a literal Book that should be translated literally…where possible.” First, what is a literal translation? A literal translation is a translation that follows closely the form of the source language. In the Bible’s case, this would be Hebrew (Aramaic) (OT) and the Greek (NT). A literal translation refers to the result of translating text from one language to another. It is translating each word independently as opposed to translating an entire phrase. A literal translation also represents the precise meaning of the original text, but does not attempt to convey its style, beauty, or poetry.

With the above being said, I like to use and compare several translations; i.e., THE NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, THE NEW KING JAMES VERSION, THE REVISED STANDARD VERSION, The Living Bible, THE MESSAGE, and Interlinear Bibles.

Now, how can evolution taught in our schools be the “best witness” of what modern science has taught us? Am I missing something here? What does Gen.1:1 say? I do understand why investigative scientists universally accept that the cosmos, our planet, and life have evolved and continue to evolve. However, the National Academy of Sciences states unequivocally that creationism has no place in any science curriculum at any level. The real and honest nature of science complements
creationism. To some extent, there is evidence of biological evolution. However, to believe as a modern evolutionist (neo-Darwinian) and accept Darwin’s ideas about natural selection…is not the best witness of what science has taught us. Modern Science has taught us something far better…

Fact 5: Science often corroborates what is already recorded in the Bible. For example, species reproducing the same species is recorded in the Bible…God created everything according to its kind (Genesis 1). Science shows adaptation within species (micro-evolution), but not evolutionary transition from one species to another (macro-evolution, from one species to an entirely different species). The Bible agrees!
Science says that the entire human race might have come from just two people (Adam and Eve). The Bible agrees! Science says that human reproduction is observable and testable. The Bible agrees. A man and a woman can produce a third person and over time, you get a larger population. Science and the Bible agree! Science corroborates what the Bible says! Any other kind of human population generation has not been
observed or tested by science.

Science and the Bible: The point is, if the Bible shows an understanding of medicine and science that pre-dates man's understanding of medicine and science, then we can only conclude that there is a Mind out there who is way ahead of us. Rather than try to explain Him away at every turn, the more insightful conclusion might be to acknowledge Him and His great design and His creativity. If He's there and He's real, we can't dethrone Him. He's in charge and nothing can change that. Scientific discoveries are merely observing, understanding, and using systems that He has already designed. Theories attempting to discredit God's existence…like evolution from species to new species is an attempt to explain life apart from God. This will only lead us to mere rabbit trails which lead us to unanswered questions and frustration!

Why not acknowledge our Creator? What God has told us in the Bible about Himself, our world and our purpose, is a great starting place to understanding our life.

These are my thoughts…and I approve of this email.

American Anglican Council, Atlanta, GA

The American Anglican Council Statement Regarding the Nomination of a Non-Celibate Homosexual in the Diocese of Newark, NJ: The Council basically states: This particular person’s manner of life is contradictory to Scripture and the mind of the Anglican Communion and illustrates a theology outside the confines of classic Anglicanism.

Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams stated the following:
“In noting the fact that the Episcopal Church acted unilaterally not only in the Anglican Communion but also within its own province.”

He also emphasized that there are consequences for sacramental actions outside the bounds of Anglican faith.

The Archbishop said, “It isn’t a question of throwing people into outer darkness, but of recognizing that actions have consequences – and that actions believed in good faith to be ‘prophetic’ in their radicalism are likely to have costly consequences.”

Some of the leadership within The Episcopal Church USA…has clearly abandoned some of the most basic Christian doctrines of Christ and salvation as well as the holy institute of marriage and sexuality. Some of the leadership within The Episcopal Church USA…has made its decision to walk apart from the Anglican faith.

Several Dioceses have already requested alternative oversight, and it is anticipated that a number of other dioceses will follow suit. Some individuals have lost heart for Anglicanism. Some of the laity are departing The Episcopal Church quietly…and going to the Catholic Church (Rome) or independent churches, or most sadly, no church at all. Some fear that…tens of thousands of individuals will be lost from Anglicanism forever unless some immediate intervention is provided. The face of Anglicanism has been changed forever! And this is a very sad commentary!

The Good News is:

Even though there are only 2.3 million Episcopalians in the US, there are 77 million Anglicans around the globe.

We believe. God has a vision for us. We have a mission. We have a purpose. We have a cause.

HOLY SCRIPTURE:We believe the Old and New Testaments contain the essence of Christian doctrine and all things necessary for salvation. They reveal God to humanity, and tell of our response to God in history. The Bible helps us to know God's will, revealed through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. The Scriptures are the Word of God, proclaiming that Jesus - both God and human being - is Christ, the Messiah.

CHURCH TRADITION:We believe church traditions, developed under the Holy Spirit's guidance in each century since the birth of Christ, help us to interpret Holy Scripture through the experiences of early Christians. Our traditions have also helped us preserve hymns, prayers and liturgies that keep our faith vibrant and strong.

REASON: We believe reason helps us to penetrate the full depth of Holy Scripture and traditions. The Episcopal Church does not control interpretation or practice. Instead, Episcopalians are encouraged to use reason to explore and comprehend God's works; to make reasonable and responsible moral decisions under the guidance of Holy Scripture, the ordained ministry, prayer and in dialogue with the faithful.

Our Mission: We consider Christ's peace the mark of true leadership and it is from the Lord's peace that our leadership flourishes. The unique ministries of our leadership are…beautiful and creative worship with great fellowship, education, and personal support through various ministries.