You can read it without my editorial comments here. South Dakota plans to elect a new Bishop in 2009.
Last night, I posted the statement with a bunch of my own comments interspersed. You know what? Some of it was good analysis and fair questioning, but much was sarcasm. God doesn't need my sarcasm to run His church. The fact is that the Diocese has issued a theological ("knowledge of God") statement that does not once mention or point to Jesus Christ. Yes, they are wrong, but my sarcasm does not improve things a bit and only adds to the devil's work.
Lord Jesus Christ, I pray for a true, loving, healing and healthy Anglican witness to the Dakotas. In whatever you are doing, may you be glorified and people brought to new life in you. Forgive me for letting my harsh words distract from your glory and your work. Pray the Father to pour out the Spirit on all who are languishing under theological confusion or error. I ask this in your Name. Amen.
5 comments:
The Divine Partner won't show up for their wine and cheese party. But then, they haven't invited HIM.
Huh?!
Help us, Dear Lord, help us! The letter asks us to continue to pray for the clergy and the people of the diocese as "we journey together through this challenging and hope filled time in the life of our diocese."
I have been doing that for a long time now!
Oblate-BCA
I have never really understood the post-modernist's idea of being "Partners with God"...He is the Master, I am His bound slave...As Tonto would say, "What's this partnership business, white man?"
Fr. Tim+, my friend,
You have chosen the high road, in accordance with the biblical principle of making all our speech constructive: "Let no evil talk come out of your mouth, but only what is good for edifying others..." (Eph. 4:29).
But I'll remind you, brother, and all who may read this comment, that there is plenty of evidence in the Bible that sarcasm is sometimes appropriate, for many biblical writers indulge in it occasionally.
For example, see Paul's mocking comments in 1 Cor. 4:8, where he teases the carnal Corinthians who imagine that they are so super spiritual. And even the Master himself sarcastically called King Herod "a fox" (Luke 13:32).
And then there's good old Martin Luther. Now there was a master at sarcasm and open mockery of his theological opponents, calling the pope "the Anti-Christ" and so on.
So don't feel obligated to abstain from all sarcasm forevermore. As Ecclesiastes says, "There is a time for everything..." (Eccl. 3:1).
Sometimes, our opponents do things that are just so absurd or pathetic that you either have to laugh or cry, or alternate between the two...
Father Tim, Things usually get worse before they get better. I know its a cliche, but in the case of South Dakota, I think this will prove to be the case. Be a peace, my friend, you are right that "God doesn't need sarcasm to run His church." But He does need faithful priests such as you, so hang in there!
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