Courtesy of Anne Wetzel
Frequently Asked Questions
[Written in 2004]
The AAC does not follow the literal words of Jesus on Divorce. Sometimes the overarching goals of scripture take precedence over 'proof texts' in Scripture. Translating the intent of the Bible across time, language, and culture is not as easy as it would appear on the surface. How can one be faithful to Scripture when, at a literal level, there appear to be conflicts among individual authors? Must one, for example, agree with Mark when he asserts that Jesus forbids divorce entirely or should one side with Matthew who assures us that Jesus allows divorce in cases involving adultery? Which clear words of Scripture should one follow if literalism is the name of the game? "The Episcopal Church as it currently exists takes the Bible too seriously to take it literally and is therefore empowered to embrace a Living Word of God." - The Reverend Susan Russellmore... Many at Via Media think that the cry for justice, an often repeated theme, found in the prophets, should carry far more weight in our theology than cultural adaptations in our times or in ancient times. "Far from 'choosing the ways of man over the ways of God' we have THANKFULLY taken yet another step on the journey to the place where one's theological orientation matters more than one's sexual orientation, where grace is more important than gender, and where we really mean it when we say we 'respect the dignity of every human being.' The Episcopal Church as it currently exists has chosen the ways of God as expressed by our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ: to love our God with all our heart, soul and mind and to love our neighbors as ourselves -- remembering that upon those two hang ALL the law and the prophets." - It is difficult to predict the far ranging implications for any new movement in society. Some in the Via Media movement would not welcome gay marriage. A novel concept a few short years ago, women priests have been so accepted in the church that the American Anglican Council, arguably one of the most conservative organizations in the church, accepts women priests as members. Far from undermining traditional marriage, the truth of the matter is that gay unions would seem to enhance it by adding greater numbers to a dwindling institution. By removing the restriction on gender more individuals are introduced to the values and support systems of monogamy. Heterosexuals, on occasion, have seemed to undermine the institution of marriage. " As a priest and pastor I have counseled many couples in their search for better, stronger marriages. I have never ONCE had a heterosexual in a troubled marriage turn to me and say, 'The problem with our marriage is the lesbian couple down the street.' Britney Spears did more to undermine the institution of marriage in the 55 hours between the time she said 'I do' and 'I don't' than any gay or lesbian couple ever dreamed of doing. The Episcopal Church as it currently exists has taken the bold and prophetic step of offering high standards of relationship (fidelity, monogamy, mutual affection and respect, careful, honest communication, and the holy love which enables those in such relationships to see in each other the image of God). Such a theology of relationship which transcends orientation will enhance -- not undermine -- the institution of marriage." - more... Bishops from nine of the Anglican Communion's 38 provinces have broken relations with the Episcopal Church in the United States since Gene Robinson's approval. These nine are in areas of the world where communicants tend to be much more conservative about homosexuality than members are in North America and Europe. "I got a letter today from a primate from another province that has been very fierce in its opposition to the Episcopal Church, and his letter...says, 'We love you, we have to say what we have to say, and please know how much we appreciate the various ways in which we can work together.' It’s somewhat paradoxical, but it’s real." "Our intention is to keep the relationships between the provinces as strong as possible. Because the issues in other provinces are death, disease, millions of orphans--and all we can do is talk about sex. I feel guilty that the Episcopal Church’s [problems] have been foisted off onto Anglicans worldwide. And the energy that ought to go into the relief of poverty and disease and caring for aids orphans all over Africa goes into protecting the Episcopal Church from some kind of a 'blemish' or 'impurity.'” "I’ve had a number of communications with people from other provinces who are formally rather condemning of us but quietly saying 'Thank you so much for doing this.'” - more... Not all those who disagree with Gene Robinson’s ordination agree that Scripture prohibits all homosexual expression. Some voted against Gene's ordination because they were worried about the unity of the Church. Although some were very much concerned that others in the church were not ready for an openly gay bishop, had all bishops voted their minds and hearts the support for Gene Robinson would have been much greater. "I don’t think the Scripture writers had any notion of homosexuality. My sense is their understanding was that everyone was heterosexual, and so you “behaved” in a homosexual fashion. In other words, it’s a free decision you would make. So you’re dealing with a reality that isn’t reflected in Scripture. Is this possibly an instance where we’ve learned something that takes us beyond the world of the Bible and therefore the texts used don’t really apply?" "A great many people have said to me, 'This is very complicated, but it’s truthful.' They mean that here is something we all know about [i.e. homosexuality], and the church has said, 'This is a reality, and we can see the face of God in the face of our gay and lesbian brothers and sisters.'” "Anglicans in this part of the world have always accepted the fact that there are different interpretations." - more... The real question is about Authority; our understanding of sexuality is informed by our understanding of Biblical Authority and interpretation. Historically the church has rethought the applicability, and interpretations of Biblical passages. At one time or another, the earth as the center of the physical universe, slavery, prohibitions on lending money at any interest, and birth control were considered part of the Apostolic faith. The bishops of Lambeth who in the most recent Lambeth Conference found homosexuality to be incompatible with the Bible resoundingly condemned Birth Control in 1910. Based on the church's past history should Episcopalians opt for an exclusive interpretation of Scripture? The commandment to love God above all and ones neighbor as oneself was regarded by Jesus as the summary of the Law and the Prophets. This would seem to be sufficient reason to include all those Episcopalians who intend to be faithful to their Episcopal Baptismal Covenants. more... Hasn't the Episcopal Church abandoned the historical faith and order of the Anglican Communion? "I look at the history of Anglicanism--in the 16th century you had, on the one hand, radical continental reform, and you had also English conservatism that wanted to maintain the Catholic tradition. These two very different ways of understanding what it means to be church were brought together in a tension, but the tension was then offset by the fact that they situated their life in worshipping with the Book of Common Prayer. We’ve been a community of divergent interests held together by common prayer. We deal with shades of gray." - more... When the laws of God conflict with the laws of man the laws of man have got to go. If the fullness of God's will were apparent to Christians, the world would likely not have a plethora of Christian denominations; some denominations insist that God did not want The Sabbath Day (Saturday) changed to The Lord's Day (Sunday). Another does not think it "safe" to use the Organ during worship service. The Episcopal Church as a very democratic institution has a proceedure of due process for change when a concurrence of Bishops, Priests, and Laity from all corners of the Church recognize that change is important. The wisdom, experience and judgment of the laity along with the years of theological education of clergy from everywhere complement each other as they reach agreement in this process. Surely bishops and priests who have dedicated their entire lives in service to the Lord would want to follow God's law. There is widespread satisfaction in the Episcopal Church with the idea of women priests and even among those who argue for realignment as evidenced by the fact that four of the five “convocations” of the Network of Anglican Dioceses and Parishes will allow women priests. Isn’t it curious that this "Network" that can’t agree within itself as to what position the Bible takes concerning female ordination is sure enough that it has the correct Biblical position on all other issues that it is willing to tear the church apart to achieve its objectives? more... Shouldn't the Primates of the Anglican Communion intervene to restore Orthodoxy in the United States? Each province in the Anglican Communion is autonomous. Each Province has problems of its own. For example, Bishop John Howe of Central Florida remarked in a letter to his Diocesan Board, "...it would be hard to find an Anglican congregation anywhere in Uganda that does not have among its active membership any number of polygamists." From the point of view of classical Anglicanism, Via Media members are orthodox. Orthodox is a word redefined by those in our church who would define only their narrow views as legitimate. What do you mean when you say that schism is the gift that keeps on giving? "When I was on Executive Council in the 80's, the Episcopal Synod of America was organizing and many in that group were trying to figure out how to leave ECUSA over women's ordination, among other things." "When I was sent along with Pam Chinnis,(President of the House of Deputies) Barbara Braver (Ed Browning's communications officer and who also Frank Griswold in that capacity) and Bishop Rusty Kimsey of Eastern Oregon to Ft. Worth as observers from ECUSA, we observed, in the gallery next to us, about a dozen men in purple shirts with large pectoral crosses. When I inquired who they were, the editor of the Diocese of Albany's paper told me they were leaders of some previous break away groups, who had now fallen out with one another and split, split again and yet again, until some led dioceses with one or two parishes, with a couple of dozen members. I think that this current schism, while being portrayed to be about orthodoxy, is really about power, and the fear of the loss of it. We've watched some of the same people, but certainly the same dioceses, go through this before." Can you give me one good reason for not joining the Network of Anglican Dioceses and Parishes? Ten Reasons for Not Joining the Network of Anglican Dioceses and Parishes:
Courtesy of: Progressive Episcopalians of Pittsburgh
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