A couple items of interest this morning in the theological news.
First, it would appear that a group of Episcopals will withdraw from the Episcopal Church to form an Anglican Church in North America. I personally regret this. It is an all too familiar occurrence in Protestant church history. I obviously don't know the situation in any detail. Perhaps the leadership of the Episcopal Church is incorrigible.
But it seems to me it is one thing to leave a parent group in protest over injustices perpetrated on others (like leaving the Methodist Church over its support for slavery) and another to leave in protest of the ordination of a gay bishop (where one is protesting a church leader, as the Donatists did when they left the church in the 400's). I wonder the fate of a group founded on separatism and that of a church left without loyal opposition in its midst.
Like I said, I don't know the details.
Second, William Placher has died. This is quite a shock, since he was just on our campus a year ago this time. The shock to those who know David Dungan, a New Testament scholar, is even greater, since he was just with them at SBL last week.
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8 comments:
I did read about the split just recently. I have a friend who is on the inside of it all, but was unable to tell me details in August. But, it had to do with money, via property....as well as the "moral question".
I think group mentality is so dangerous, as I have written about "Becoming Evil"(James Waller), which any ordinary person can do in playing out a role or function in a group.
Yes, it can be "fot the greater good" (and usually is, as that is how people buy into it in a religious situations!) or for "morality"(self-righteous indignation).
But, a group mentality does not lend itself to independent thinking, because the focus is on the "role" to be performed. It creates a "culture of cruelty" because it is based on group think and everyone has to play the same tune of identificaion.
Of course, plans can be speedily carried out this way, but it does lead itself to horrendous ostracities (genoicide, ethnic cleansing) and mob behavior.
"Group think" is complete identification with the role, or the organization (loyalty), religious identity (faithfulness and righteousness) or nationality (tribalsim).
This is why academic freedom is important, as it challenges "one way of thinking" and especially in religious climates, where God is being "used", for group behavior! In fact, "God justifies" such behavior!
In regards to morality, "God" becomes useful for the purpose of discrimination, persecution, ostracism, etc. It has been only the ones who questioned the status quo that brought about a fuller understanding of "morality". But it was not according to the prevailing "morality".
Ethics challenges the priorities we adhere to and why. I don't believe that God is a useful means to an end, as He is the end. So, an individual's commitment to a particular group must be based on personal conviction and commitment of heart, but they cannot and must not put their head in between their legs! That is, if love trumps "morality".
Ken,
Just a note: I am not sure that what is happening here is quite the same as a group of people pulling out of a denomination to form a new denomination. Rather, in this case, this is a group of churches who are aligning with the Anglican Communion in a different way. They have not left Anglicanism, but the Episcopal arm of the Anglican communion.
Also, there are a number of issues here than the ordination of Gene Robinson. Robinson's ordination brought to a head many of the simmering issues (deeply theological and ecclesiological) within the Episcopal Church.
However, with that said, I am deeply saddened by this series of events. I don't believe this was th time to pull out from the Episcopal Church.
Chris Bounds
Thanks as always, Chris, for important clarifications...
Ken, Tory Baucum who is the rector at Truro Church, which I presume is involved in this split, was a prof of mine at Asbury.
A more loyal Anglican you couldn't not find.Yet the way he has been treated personally by the so called "liberal" establishment of the Episcopal church has been nothing short of appalling. Tory has personally turned the cheek time after time after time. He is not a rabid heresy hunter wanting anyone who differs from him out the episcopal church. If he is involved I know he will have come to the decision after years of agonizing and with great personal regret.
The church he has gone to pastor had its lay leadership threatened with criminal prosecution for simply being at the church building they had helped support and were they had worshipped by those who control the denomination.
I do regret church splits and yes they do happen too easily. I am not sure that is what has happened here though. It is too easy for those with the ecclesiastical power and hands on the purse strings to abuse that power and make life so difficult for others that they are eventually forced to leave. The establishment despite their actions in provoking the rift then claim that the other group are schismatics.
When you look at the creeds and values of historic Anglicanism I believe that a good case can be made for the current establishment of the Episcopal church in the States being the ones who have left the church.
In pschological terms blaming the victim is scapegoating, instead of taking responsiblity, as leaders. And the "gospel" is known as "Jesus scapegoated for us". Nice to think that out theology supports such things as scapegoating...instead of personal responsiblity and accountability.
Having worked for a publication designed for renewal of a crumbling mainline denomination for a couple of years, all I can say is, that while division is extremely costly, I also understand what many people are thinking when they choose it.
When the grassroots becomes disheartened because the episcopacy ignores their pleas for godly leaders, when resources are drained from true ministry to deal with recurring activist activities, then many people "vote with their feet" - they tire of fighting basic doctrinal battles, and simply leave, to go to another denomination that isn't fighting over basic creedal faith.
Many times this is done as a last resort, after years of spiritually exhausting battle to simply carry out orthodox faith and ministry within one's own denomination.
I tend to agree with the flavor of the other comments here, but you have reminded all of us that we should weep over what is happening with the Episcopal Church.
I think it is hard to remain the loyal opposition when you are treated as outsiders by the leadership of your group. And I think this is what has happened with the ECUSA and is happening to some other denominations here in the U. S, conservatives are made to feel like pariahs at their conferences, as the radicals literally take over.
I just talked with my friend today, and it seems that the "south" church arm is not educated as it concerns Scripture's "inspiration", as they want to maintain an inerrancy position. I don't think that continuing to believe a fable is good of growth, intellectually, morally or spiritually. People always need to seek educatiing themselves. Of course, there are reasons why one wants to hold onto certain fables, but I don't think that they are healthy ones. Usually, personal reponsibility suffers, which is what the "south" church needs.
I find that the Anglican/Episcopol church has left a place for many kinds within its walls, I don't think that the "south" church is understanding the diversity that should be representative of the Church...
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