The cult surrounding the God of the Ancient Hebrews has never been static. It has always evolved and adapted, and that evolution and adaptation did not end with the closing of the Canon.
From worshiping the Creator and that Creator' God of Armies (El and YHWH) to worshipping one God. Child Sacrifice forbidden. The condemnation of slavery and the claiming of Imago Dei being a human thing, as opposed to being a King thing. From a wandering Tent, to a singular temple. Paul's claim that it was possible to be a Christian without also being a Jew. (A move with, from its own perspective, a similar lack of precedent as what we are talking about now.)
Our texts guide us, and lay down the pattern. But who knows what the next step will be? For me, the answer is made clear by one thing... seeing the work of the Holy Spirit so clearly carried out through some of my gay and lesbian brothers and sisters. If God is going to use them in ministry, who the hell am I to exclude them?
From worshiping the Creator and that Creator' God of Armies (El and YHWH) to worshipping one God. Child Sacrifice forbidden. The condemnation of slavery and the claiming of Imago Dei being a human thing, as opposed to being a King thing. From a wandering Tent, to a singular temple. Paul's claim that it was possible to be a Christian without also being a Jew. (A move with, from its own perspective, a similar lack of precedent as what we are talking about now.)
Our texts guide us, and lay down the pattern. But who knows what the next step will be? For me, the answer is made clear by one thing... seeing the work of the Holy Spirit so clearly carried out through some of my gay and lesbian brothers and sisters. If God is going to use them in ministry, who the hell am I to exclude them?
Eschew Verbosity
Presbyterian Church (USA) passes Amendment 10-A.
- 11/05/2011 05:39:29 PM
1483 Views
*NM*
What's the language? Did they at least TRY to give a doctrinal justification?
- 12/05/2011 02:10:46 AM
1059 Views
Thank you for that rousing argument against married priests.
- 12/05/2011 03:36:51 AM
978 Views
Why ARE you letting women into the priesthood?
- 12/05/2011 04:16:50 AM
905 Views
Because Episcopalians don't listen to the Bible much.
- 12/05/2011 05:47:03 AM
847 Views
That's just fine as far as I'm concerned
- 12/05/2011 02:23:44 PM
874 Views
Yes, I suppose a church could go that route.
- 14/05/2011 07:38:02 AM
819 Views
I'm not attempting to impose a dichotomy on the Bible.
- 14/05/2011 03:25:30 PM
893 Views
I don't even know what following the Bible in its entirety means.
- 14/05/2011 09:09:10 PM
1056 Views
As an exercise, I tried to think of how I would justify allowing homosexuals as clergy.
- 14/05/2011 04:19:43 PM
885 Views
Thanks (I'm actually OK with women priests though).
- 12/05/2011 07:09:11 AM
941 Views
There's ample precedent for female religious leaders, even within the bible.
- 12/05/2011 06:51:05 AM
996 Views
Since when is Moses' society the be-all end all?
- 12/05/2011 07:12:41 PM
846 Views
Since never, which is why I referenced five other eras you completely ignored.
- 14/05/2011 01:11:30 AM
952 Views
They did so, via negativa.
- 12/05/2011 04:22:17 PM
1010 Views
Sorry for the delay, particularly since it looks like I'll be spending a fair amount of time here.
- 14/05/2011 12:31:33 AM
818 Views
Your church has a constitution?!
- 12/05/2011 03:36:41 AM
887 Views
My Church has a congress! 
*NM*
- 12/05/2011 03:37:52 AM
426 Views
*NM*
- 12/05/2011 03:37:52 AM
426 Views
Haha no way! *NM*
- 12/05/2011 03:46:32 AM
384 Views
Well, we have one group of laity and one of bishops, so it is only mildy utter chaos. 
*NM*
- 12/05/2011 05:51:09 AM
420 Views
*NM*
- 12/05/2011 05:51:09 AM
420 Views
I'm happy to hear this, personally. I also wonder how you reconcile this with the Bible.
- 12/05/2011 04:11:31 AM
1058 Views
Every direct reference to homosexuality in the Bible is a reference to rape.
- 12/05/2011 04:12:43 PM
885 Views
Every single word that you wrote in your response is complete bullshit.
- 12/05/2011 05:50:07 PM
1022 Views
Knock off your eisegesis, try some exegesis
- 12/05/2011 07:02:45 PM
929 Views
I'm trying to figure out just what your "gifts" are, because I don't see any.
- 12/05/2011 07:30:39 PM
902 Views
There are cases in which hypocrisy is far better than the alternatives.
- 12/05/2011 10:04:32 PM
975 Views
Hypocrisy is better than, say, setting gays on fire, yes.
- 12/05/2011 10:10:40 PM
949 Views
My statement is that, from a pragmatic point of view, hypocrisy shouldn't be discouraged too much.
- 13/05/2011 10:05:39 PM
977 Views
Oh, is that how we're playing this, then?
- 13/05/2011 06:29:31 PM
915 Views
I'm not playing. I'm pointing out some glaring errors on your part.
- 13/05/2011 07:25:08 PM
812 Views
The Bible says what it says. The problem... people like to tell us just what else it's saying.
- 13/05/2011 05:31:29 PM
880 Views
You don't reconcile... you pick the parts you like and adjust the rest to suit you.
- 13/05/2011 09:33:54 PM
799 Views
Another example...
- 12/05/2011 09:19:52 AM
802 Views
If you claim to follow the entire Bible, then you are completely correct.
- 12/05/2011 06:04:38 PM
795 Views
On the contrary, this move will take some butts out of the seats.
- 12/05/2011 07:16:22 PM
851 Views
We both know that isn't the case
- 12/05/2011 07:55:41 PM
960 Views
Cool cool. I have a question on a semi-related note, about Protestant Gospels
- 12/05/2011 05:33:49 PM
919 Views
No Protestant denomination has added so much as a word to the Bible
- 12/05/2011 05:58:16 PM
793 Views
So, everyone hates Judith, then?
- 12/05/2011 06:40:11 PM
871 Views
The Catholics and Eastern Orthodox Churches accept Judith as part of Scripture.
- 12/05/2011 07:51:27 PM
818 Views
Does the Eastern Orthodox Church also segregate deuterocanonical works like Roman Catholicism does?
- 14/05/2011 02:19:03 AM
1127 Views
The Eastern Church bases everything on the Septuagint.
- 14/05/2011 02:34:41 AM
881 Views
That sounds appealing, and makes sense.
- 14/05/2011 02:44:56 AM
883 Views
Oh, I just enjoy calling Protestants "heretics" to remind them not everyone agrees with them.
- 14/05/2011 03:25:42 AM
836 Views
Re: Cool cool. I have a question on a semi-related note, about Protestant Gospels
- 12/05/2011 08:52:48 PM
849 Views
The NIV is terrible. The NASB has the best translation I have found (of the NT, at least).
- 12/05/2011 10:43:58 PM
1004 Views
I find this really weird, to be honest
- 13/05/2011 05:48:28 AM
904 Views
Well, it wasn't just Athanasius. But yes, we are lucky in that respect. *NM*
- 13/05/2011 06:32:48 AM
359 Views
Athanasius's list reflected the victory of Pauline Christianity
- 13/05/2011 02:52:53 PM
828 Views
There's a school of thought that says that's a strong vindication of Athanasius. 
- 14/05/2011 02:37:49 AM
774 Views
- 14/05/2011 02:37:49 AM
774 Views