Episcopalians refuse affirmation of Christ

Not to be out done by the Presbyterians redefining the concept of the Trinity, the Episcopalians have abandoned Christianity altogether. The defining belief of the Christian is that the forgiveness of sin and reconciliation to God is through the finished work of Jesus Christ and no other. The very name Christian means to be of Christ.

COLUMBUS, OHIO (6/20/06)-The House of Deputies of the 75th General Convention of the Episcopal Church today overwhelmingly refused to even consider a resolution that affirmed Jesus Christ as the "only name by which any person may be saved."

The Episcopalians think that is just too exclusive. They are correct, Christianity is exclusive, but it is meant to be so. Jesus Himself said "No one comes to the Father but through Me." Not ambiguous is it? If there were any other way one would think that He may have mentioned it? One would also think that if there were any other way outside of the death on the cross that He would have taken it? I don't begrudge the Episcopalians believing whatever they choose, I am just saying that they should no longer consider themselves to be Christians.

The Rev. Eugene C. McDowell, a graduate of Yale Divinity School and Canon Theologian for the Diocese of North Carolina rejected the statement but made a good point on the importance of doing good he emphasizes works over faith.

McDowell explained that how one lives his life is the more important issue than whether one affirms Jesus as Lord. To place a statement of belief over actions is the essence of "self-righteousness," he said. "Actions speak louder than proclamations. What Jesus calls us to do is to live our lives."

McDowell outlined his basic theology of grace: "Salvation by grace is remembering that we are the children of a living God. Grace is already there. And salvation is realizing we now live into that salvation. And sanctification is the transforming of my life from one that's me-centered to one that's God-centered."

Though this is true he implies a person need only do good to be acceptable to God. The grace he is referring to is available because of the death and resurrection of Jesus. The grace he describes however is one of merit because of the actions of the believer. This is not compatible with the teaching of scripture. If we could by our actions gain the favor of god, we would not be pleasing a true god because that would place god in a position of debt to us, an absurd idea. By what scale do we, a created being, obligate the Creator? It implies that He is in need of something we have to offer that He does not already possess.

Acknowledging Jesus as Lord is acknowledging from whom the power to change emanates. Take this analogy as the difference between the person who acknowledges the saving work of Christ to one who relies upon one's own efforts to live righteously.

Two carpenters are building walls. Both recognize that something is not right. One goes to the boss to point out the error and learn how to repair it. The other continues to finish the wall and covering it with drywall. It looks fine, but underneath there are problems that are not being addressed. One acknowledges his error the other tries to make up for it by making it look good. One satisfies his employer the other puts himself in charge in place of this employer. So it is with the grace of God. We acknowledge our weakness and seek the master's help, or we try to gloss over our error by our own actions It is by acknowledging Jesus as Lord that. We gain God's grace and power to change what is wrong. To do otherwise is not to hold the Christian faith.

Silver Blue over at Ramblings of Silver Blue linked to this post.


religion scripture Christianity Episcopal Church