I received a message a few years back from a long lost time traveler friend of mine, Deep Pew. The envelope said, "Do not open until Easter 2023." I dusted it off and opened it up this Sunday, and this photo dropped out,
On the back was written in a familiar shaky scrawl, "Episcopal Church of Our Savior, Rock Hill, SC, Easter 2023."
My former parish.
Double checking with a current member, I was able to verify that this was not part of an Anglican disinformation scheme.
The LGBTqrs+ flag attached to the Episcopal flag with the "All are welcome" slogan should be enough to scare off most seekers, so that is a good thing. The orthodox are not welcome, their opinions are not welcome, their theology is not welcome. I know from personal experience. I was once asked to leave and join another denomination.
The real disinformation is that unlike Jesus' desire for us, the people attending services in this building have no intention of allowing the Gospel to transform sinners into the likeness of Christ. Instead "all are welcome" to remain unchanged, and to be celebrated for their lack of effort.
So it is an empty promise, "All are welcome", because Jesus came to save us sinners. Read the Gospels. He constantly reminded people of their sinfulness and need for repentance.
No one today gets a free pass either.
Not even those who walk into a building with a mash up of a flag like the one shown above.
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The rainbow sign is on their website, along with an Adult Forum in which they are discussing a book entitled, "Without Buddha, I Could Not Be A Christian." The Forum group is "religiously diverse."
ReplyDeleteI am familiar with the Forum that meets on Sunday mornings. They read Spong's books as well. They never began or closed a session with prayer. It used to be led by a philosophy professor who denied the physical resurrection of Jesus and mocked those who believed in a "walking cadaver". The rector at that time never objected or put forward the orthodox teaching. I could go on and on...
DeleteWhat I don't understand is why non-believers trouble to be part of an organization that represents itself as Christian. If they think it's nonsense, why even associate themselves with it? I don't believe what LDS (Mormons) believe, for instance. I wouldn't bother joining them to be an internal dissident, and then to push "true believer" Mormons out. What's the point?
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