Response To A Blog

Earlier today I read a blog from a friend of my wife's from college and was pretty distressed by the spin she put on my post from Monday titled Danny's Dilemma Deferred, Distress Distinguished.

A quote from her site reads as follows, "Basically he said that he wants to go to the Catholic church because they hate the gays and beleive in transubstantiation."

Now, I have reread my post a couple of times and nowhere in it could I find myself saying that I wanted to be Catholic because they hate gays. I didn't even mention transubstantiation. (Although, I do believe in transubstantiation.)

I am leaving the Anglican Church because of their actions at General Convention 2003, yes. General Convention 2003, however is only the tip of the iceberg. But I, nor do any orthodox Anglicans, Catholics, or any professing Christian hate gays. That is not Christianity. Please listen to me when I say this and try to suppress the gay/lesbian propaganda against the church. Liberals in ECUSA have said that orthodox Episcopalians are upset about a gay bishop because they hate gay people. That is simply not true! (The revisionists of ECUSA are so inclusive until they disagree with you and then watch out!)
Christians are called to respect the dignity of every human being. And part of respecting their dignity is speaking the Truth in love. The problem with a gay bishop or priest (besides homosexuality being against scripture and having Lambeth 98 affirm that it was contrary to scripture) is that they are supposed to be leaders and role models of their Christian flock.

During the ordination of a priest, the ordinand is asked by the bishop:
Will you be loyal to the doctrine, discipline, and worship of Christ as this Church has received them? And Will you, in accordance with the canons of this Church, obey your bishop and other ministers who may have authority over you and your work?

To which the ordinand responds:
I am willing and ready to do so; and I solemnly declare that I do believe the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments to be the Word of God, and to contain all things necessary to salvation; and I do solemnly engage to conform to the doctrine, discipline, and worship of The Episcopal Church.

A priest is also asked:
Will you do your best to pattern your life (and that of your family, or household, or community) in accordance with the teachings of Christ, so that you may be a wholesome example to your people?

The priest answers I will.

Gene Robinson, who divorced his wife to be with his gay lover, should have been defrocked as a priest for not following these vows. He is not a wholesome example. But as we have come to see the Anglican Church has no discipline. (Look at Bishop's Spong, Ingham, and Pike to name a few.)

Let's see what is required of bishops!

At the bishops ordination he is asked:
Will you guard the faith, unity, and the discipline of the Church?

The bishop to be responds:
I will, for the love of God.

He has not guarded the Faith as a priest. He should not be a bishop.

If a heterosexual priest divorced his wife to be with his lover he would not be made a bishop!
Although I do know of a heterosexual priest who did divorce his wife for his lover and he is still a priest. One of the reasons I am leaving the Anglican Church.

Now you may say that we are all sinners. If we kicked all the sinners out, you would have an empty church.

Yes, we are all sinners, but we are called to repent! Jesus said to the woman who committed adultery, "Go and sin no more." He didn't say, "I love you. Keep on sinning."

The Gospel is about transformation, not affirmation! Why do you think God sent his only son to die for us? We need redemption for our sinful ways. Repent and do not let Christ's death be in vain!

The blogger also said on her site, "Why is it that the rules man has created in the form of organized religion have any bearing on how I live my life and how I have a relationship with my God?"

To her I say, man did not create the rules. God did. Man is carrying out those rules because that's what God has told us and it has considerable bearing on how you live your life and how you have a relationship with God!

I thank you for reading my site (I don't need to mention your name, you know who you are.) and I pray that you truly see what God has intended for you. Transform your life to do his will. It's not easy. It's not supposed to be. Put your faith in God and you will be alright.

I write out of love for you (though you may not believe it) and wish you the best. Put away your anger and open your eyes, ears, and heart to God and you will be transformed!

For a very good article on homosexuality and scripture click here.