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
1496 Views
*NM*
What's the language? Did they at least TRY to give a doctrinal justification?
- 12/05/2011 02:10:46 AM
1071 Views
Thank you for that rousing argument against married priests.
- 12/05/2011 03:36:51 AM
995 Views
Why ARE you letting women into the priesthood?
- 12/05/2011 04:16:50 AM
922 Views
Because Episcopalians don't listen to the Bible much.
- 12/05/2011 05:47:03 AM
857 Views
That's just fine as far as I'm concerned
- 12/05/2011 02:23:44 PM
886 Views
Yes, I suppose a church could go that route.
- 14/05/2011 07:38:02 AM
832 Views
I'm not attempting to impose a dichotomy on the Bible.
- 14/05/2011 03:25:30 PM
912 Views
I don't even know what following the Bible in its entirety means.
- 14/05/2011 09:09:10 PM
1074 Views
As an exercise, I tried to think of how I would justify allowing homosexuals as clergy.
- 14/05/2011 04:19:43 PM
904 Views
Thanks (I'm actually OK with women priests though).
- 12/05/2011 07:09:11 AM
960 Views
There's ample precedent for female religious leaders, even within the bible.
- 12/05/2011 06:51:05 AM
1010 Views
Since when is Moses' society the be-all end all?
- 12/05/2011 07:12:41 PM
861 Views
Since never, which is why I referenced five other eras you completely ignored.
- 14/05/2011 01:11:30 AM
966 Views
They did so, via negativa.
- 12/05/2011 04:22:17 PM
1036 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
839 Views
Your church has a constitution?!
- 12/05/2011 03:36:41 AM
902 Views
My Church has a congress! 
*NM*
- 12/05/2011 03:37:52 AM
431 Views
*NM*
- 12/05/2011 03:37:52 AM
431 Views
Haha no way! *NM*
- 12/05/2011 03:46:32 AM
392 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
428 Views
*NM*
- 12/05/2011 05:51:09 AM
428 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
1075 Views
Every direct reference to homosexuality in the Bible is a reference to rape.
- 12/05/2011 04:12:43 PM
905 Views
Every single word that you wrote in your response is complete bullshit.
- 12/05/2011 05:50:07 PM
1041 Views
Knock off your eisegesis, try some exegesis
- 12/05/2011 07:02:45 PM
945 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
918 Views
There are cases in which hypocrisy is far better than the alternatives.
- 12/05/2011 10:04:32 PM
994 Views
Hypocrisy is better than, say, setting gays on fire, yes.
- 12/05/2011 10:10:40 PM
970 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
991 Views
Oh, is that how we're playing this, then?
- 13/05/2011 06:29:31 PM
927 Views
I'm not playing. I'm pointing out some glaring errors on your part.
- 13/05/2011 07:25:08 PM
832 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
896 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
818 Views
Another example...
- 12/05/2011 09:19:52 AM
817 Views
If you claim to follow the entire Bible, then you are completely correct.
- 12/05/2011 06:04:38 PM
812 Views
On the contrary, this move will take some butts out of the seats.
- 12/05/2011 07:16:22 PM
871 Views
We both know that isn't the case
- 12/05/2011 07:55:41 PM
976 Views
Cool cool. I have a question on a semi-related note, about Protestant Gospels
- 12/05/2011 05:33:49 PM
927 Views
No Protestant denomination has added so much as a word to the Bible
- 12/05/2011 05:58:16 PM
809 Views
So, everyone hates Judith, then?
- 12/05/2011 06:40:11 PM
890 Views
The Catholics and Eastern Orthodox Churches accept Judith as part of Scripture.
- 12/05/2011 07:51:27 PM
833 Views
Does the Eastern Orthodox Church also segregate deuterocanonical works like Roman Catholicism does?
- 14/05/2011 02:19:03 AM
1148 Views
The Eastern Church bases everything on the Septuagint.
- 14/05/2011 02:34:41 AM
892 Views
That sounds appealing, and makes sense.
- 14/05/2011 02:44:56 AM
900 Views
Oh, I just enjoy calling Protestants "heretics" to remind them not everyone agrees with them.
- 14/05/2011 03:25:42 AM
849 Views
Re: Cool cool. I have a question on a semi-related note, about Protestant Gospels
- 12/05/2011 08:52:48 PM
871 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
1016 Views
I find this really weird, to be honest
- 13/05/2011 05:48:28 AM
926 Views
Well, it wasn't just Athanasius. But yes, we are lucky in that respect. *NM*
- 13/05/2011 06:32:48 AM
366 Views
Athanasius's list reflected the victory of Pauline Christianity
- 13/05/2011 02:52:53 PM
838 Views
There's a school of thought that says that's a strong vindication of Athanasius. 
- 14/05/2011 02:37:49 AM
792 Views
- 14/05/2011 02:37:49 AM
792 Views