Saturday, February 26, 2005
Schism!
The Episcopalians are being slowly, painfully evicted from the Anglican communion. Yesterday the was a bit on Boar's Head Tavern about it, and an article in the NYTimes today. The issue, of course, is the elevation of an avowed and practicing homosexual to office of bishop by the Episcopalians.
Since the Reformation churches have split, combined, re-split, fought, argued, changed... almost continually. This does not trouble me terribly. This particular split troubles me for two reasons. My denomination, PCUSA, has faced and is continuing to face the homosexual ordination issue, and we will likely split if it comes to pass. We will not be able to do it as cleanly or neatly as te Anglicans and Episcopalians. For us it will be a feast for lawyers. Secondly, to the best of my knowledge that such a difference in doctrine has occurred based on extra-Biblical concerns. Homosexual ordination is not a question of applying a hermeneutic from within scripture, it can only be arrived at by applying extra-Biblical hermeneutics.
At such a point, I truly wonder if schism is sufficient. Denouncement is mandatory. But I wonder of the interdenominational community of faith should not rise up and "strip" the parting faction of the title "Christian?"
Since the Reformation churches have split, combined, re-split, fought, argued, changed... almost continually. This does not trouble me terribly. This particular split troubles me for two reasons. My denomination, PCUSA, has faced and is continuing to face the homosexual ordination issue, and we will likely split if it comes to pass. We will not be able to do it as cleanly or neatly as te Anglicans and Episcopalians. For us it will be a feast for lawyers. Secondly, to the best of my knowledge that such a difference in doctrine has occurred based on extra-Biblical concerns. Homosexual ordination is not a question of applying a hermeneutic from within scripture, it can only be arrived at by applying extra-Biblical hermeneutics.
At such a point, I truly wonder if schism is sufficient. Denouncement is mandatory. But I wonder of the interdenominational community of faith should not rise up and "strip" the parting faction of the title "Christian?"
