The Episcopal Church USA continues to stake out their territory as a “church unto itself” as opposed to a part of Christ’s body of believers with such decisions as 2003’s approval of the New Hampshire Diocese's election of V. Gene Robinson, as the organization’s first openly gay bishop. This year the “church” elected liberal Katherine Jefferts Schori as their leader. Along comes this not surprising bit of information about Ms. Schori courtesy of Newsbusters.org.
I know very little about Ms. Schori. I assume that she along with the Episcopal Church USA leadership believes in the core tenet of Christianity that Jesus Christ is Lord - even if it is clear that they reject some basic biblical teaching. My purpose for writing this post is however to give pause to anyone under her teaching who will hear positions that evidently calls into question the simple message of the Bible which is this: For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus. (1 Timothy 2:5 NIV - italics mine)
Most recently, she irritated some conservatives by speaking about "Mother Jesus" in a sermon....the website then goes on to quote Washington Post reporter Alan Cooperman who stated: To those who accuse her of heresy for referring to a female Jesus, she responds with a typically learned disquisition on medieval mystics and saints who used similar language, including Julian of Norwich and St. Teresa of Avila. "I was trying to say that the work of the cross was in some ways like giving birth to a new creation," she said. "That is straight-down-the-middle orthodox theology. All language is metaphorical, and if we insist that particular words have only one meaning and the way we understand those words is the only possible interpretation, we have elevated that text to an idol," she said in a telephone interview. "I'm encouraging people to look beyond their favorite understandings." Jefferts Schori's "all language is metaphorical" approach is a giant red flag to traditionalists…who believe that the Episcopal Church is heading toward schism because it has departed from the plain words of the Bible. – Newsbuster.orgAll language is metaphorical? I assume by that she includes the language of the Bible as well. If so...by definition, the Bible can mean whatever it is that the reader wants it to mean. Seems like a likely position to take, if one wants to shoehorn such positions as the acceptance of homosexual leaders in the church. The Bible may have commented on the coming of such "church leaders" as Ms. Schori in the following verse of scripture: But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them--bringing swift destruction on themselves. Many will follow their shameful ways and will bring the way of truth into disrepute. In their greed these teachers will exploit you with stories they have made up. Their condemnation has long been hanging over them, and their destruction has not been sleeping. (2 Peter 2:1-3 NIV) The Bible also warns: Don't let people waste time in endless speculation over myths and spiritual pedigrees. For these things only cause arguments; they don't help people live a life of faith in God. (1 Timothy 1:4 NLT)
I know very little about Ms. Schori. I assume that she along with the Episcopal Church USA leadership believes in the core tenet of Christianity that Jesus Christ is Lord - even if it is clear that they reject some basic biblical teaching. My purpose for writing this post is however to give pause to anyone under her teaching who will hear positions that evidently calls into question the simple message of the Bible which is this: For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus. (1 Timothy 2:5 NIV - italics mine)