Episcopal Apostasy
A religious service in Los Angeles, California involving Episcopal and Hindu religious leaders received praise in this article from the LA Times. Apparently, the service was the brainchild by Episcopal leaders involved in a committee for “ecumenical and inter-religious affairs”. The head bishop of the Episcopal LA diocese issued an apology to the Hindus for “centuries-old acts of religious discrimination by Christians, including attempts to convert them”. The bishop was also committed to the renouncement of proselytizing those in the Hindu religion. A Hindu leader praised the bishop for the ceasing of proselytizing calling it a “great and courageous step”.
The Episcopalians and Hindus participated in communion together. However, the Orthodox Hindus didn’t drink the wine because it’s against their religion. The communion was followed by parading of a large painted image, then they knelt before the icon and anointed it with sandalwood paste. The sermon by a female Episcopal priest stated that “the Divine Presence illuminates the whole world” and “both faiths revere great figures who embody the divine light, who teach the divine truth”.
I have been aware of this ecumenical nonsense for some time and things only appear to be getting worse. However, I’m encouraged that Episcopalians have renounced proselytizing Hindus. They should leave the preaching of the gospel to those that understand the true biblical gospel. It seems the Orthodox Hindu showed more conviction than the Episcopalians by not drinking the wine during their communion. The Episcopalians have prostituted themselves for the sake of being models of good will.
It seems that the Episcopal Church (please don’t confuse this church with the Body of Christ) has ventured far down the postmodern path to a blending of all truth. The head bishop sounds like he could be a disciple of Brian McLaren who said,
I must add, though, that I don’t believe making disciples must equal making adherents to the Christian religion. It may be advisable in many circumstances to help people become followers of Jesus and remain within their Buddhist, Hindu, or Jewish contexts.” —Brian McLaren, A Generous Orthodoxy, p. 260
I happen to know that the biblical gospel was not preached in the Episcopal church that I attended growing up. The Lord was pleased to pluck me out of the Episcopal Church, where the whole purpose in attending a church service on Sunday was to get a copy of the program. Many people called it their “pass”, as if God would show favor to those who had their weekly “pass”.
6 Comments, Comment or Ping
Stephen Macasil
Forget the pass, I heard that somewhere near Trabuco Canyon they give Mulligans!
The most “unfunny” part of the story was taking communion with the Hindus.
Jan 21st, 2008
Lisa Madsen
To Drew Kerr,
May I have permission to copy your presentation of the biblical Gospel message that you posted in the Walmart/RW blog? It is excellent & I would like to make copies & give it to people. I don’t know how else to ask you. Thank you for your defense of the Gospel.
Jan 21st, 2008
Glenn Hendrickson
Reading about this stuff makes me want to barf. But you are right about them needing to back off from evangelism until they understand the biblical gospel.
It is ironic that my most recent memory of an episcopal church was a few years ago when the LDS had a new temple open up in Newport Beach. Mariners Church soiled the name of Christ by letting the Mormon church use their parking lot for their open house. However, the episcopal church across the street didn’t let the Mormons use their lot. They only let Christians use it who were doing evangelism on the sidewalk during the open house. I guess I want to think that not all episcopal churches are as bad as the one you wrote about.
Then again, not supporting a cult is a far cry from evangelizing to them (and I didn’t see any episcopals witnessing when I was).
Jan 21st, 2008
Stephen Macasil
“the Divine Presence illuminates the whole world” and “both faiths revere great figures who embody the divine light, who teach the divine truth”.
I wonder if there are any “Christians” that would agree with this.
Jan 22nd, 2008
John Newell
I live in the Los Angeles area and just about fell out of my chair when I read the article in the paper.
Thanks for bringing it to the attention of a wider audience.
“For Hindus, [the female Episcopal priest] said a number of figures embody the divine light and teach the divine truth.”
Well, so much for John 14:6.
Jan 24th, 2008
Will
Please. There is no need to be concerned about religious differences any more. The Alliance of Civilizations- a U.N program- is planning to police religious thought and teaching worldwide, particularly any religions that claim to have “the truth”. Then we can all be equal, and live happily ever after. Imagine…… (”war on the Saints”-?)
Jan 24th, 2008
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