THOUGHTFULLY DRIVING THE PORCELAIN BUS

A Column by John S Schroeder

August 8, 2003

Some news week, huh!? From my perspective the two big stories are the Terminator running for California Governor and the actions of the Episcopal Church. I am truly hard pressed to decide which is more important.

The California recall election is one of the greatest political risks taken in the history of our republic. As I have said before, we need rid of Gray Davis – no doubt about it. Unfortunately, the problem is much larger than him, and the process is such that we could end up with a real idiot like Gary Coleman for Governor. That said, at this point in the very short race, Arnold Schwarzenegger is the run away leading candidate, and has been virtually crowned by the press already. I find myself in a position where I must prioritize my issues. Arnold will try his best to balance the budget, but on everything else he might as well be a Dem. That probably means he will get what he needs on the budget, but we will end up with gay marriage or some other equally offensive social garbage. But with no budget we cannot even fight over the other stuff, so….

One could say that such a move is not surprising from a denomination, the origins of which lie not in theological reform, but in monarchial convenience, but that is still no excuse. Even a reprobate like Henry VIII would have found this a compromise too far. This is not divorce where the language of scripture is couched in preferences. This is not the role of women in which the language of the New Testament is both very narrow and somewhat ambivalent. No, the language of scripture in this instance is the language of command and condemnation. Proponents of this action argue not about interpretation of passages, but about the actual authority of scripture. Such argument can only lead to the church losing its moorings completely.

I have always said that in our time God reveals Himself to us in two verifiable ways. The first is in scripture and the second is in each other. Since these people will not listen to scripture, other Christians must act. The Anglican Church must schism. Those that rightly believe in the authority of scripture simply cannot continue to exist in an organization that blatantly rejects it, the concept is too fundamental to what it means to be a Christian. Christians in other denomination must act to support those within the Episcopal Church that uphold scripture. This is the only avenue left by which God can reveal Himself to those on the other side.

Financial and prayer support is the place to start. I have already contacted a friend in the Episcopal Church to get information about where I can send some money. I urge anyone who reads this to do the same.

I have also written to a few friends in my church. This issue is unfortunately too divisive to make it an official church issue, but I do think anyone can contact their friends and neighbors and organize. Coordinate the collection of money, write letters of support, solicit others to do the same. Pray together!

The last few years have seen many things that make one wonder if the end times are at hand. But none, no none, have made me wonder like this.

 With Love,