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November 4, 2006
Jesus: The Only Way: Not for Schori.
Here is the most disturbing interview with Jeffers Schori, who is being sworn in as the new TEC Presiding Bishop.
ECUSA's Incoming Leader: Homosexuality Not a Choice, Jesus Not the Only Way Comments by Jefferts-Schori During Interview Appear to Contradict Scripture By Jody Brown and Allie Martin November 2, 2006(AgapePress) - She says she doesn't consider Jesus Christ to be the only way to God. She says she believes God makes some people "gay." And she's soon to be the leader of a mainline Protestant denomination in America.
In his letter to the Colossians, the Apostle Paul writes that "in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form" (Col. 2:9, NIV). But in an interview this week with Associated Press, Bishop Katharine Jefferts-Schori -- who is to be installed on Saturday as the first female presiding bishop of the Episcopal Church USA -- stated that Christians should not say that Jesus is the only way to God. "If we insist we know the one way to God," she said, "we've put God in a very small box."
In John 14:6, Jesus -- in responding to a question posed by the disciple Thomas -- said: "I am the Way and the Truth and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through me." But Jefferts-Schori says she disagrees with the idea that salvation comes only through trusting in Jesus Christ. "It's this sense that one person can have the fullness of truth in him or herself, rather than understanding that truth is -- like God -- more than any one person can encompass," stated the soon-to-be ECUSA leader.
<<<< Who cares what Shori opines about? However, as leader elect of TEC/ECUSA with these words she begins the dark ages in the annals of theology. Jesus' own words: "I am the Way and the Truth and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through me," are undermined by her comments or her take on this core belief of Christianity. If she believes that Jesus is not the only way, then Shori is on the same page with Buddhists who see him as the good incarnation, or the Hindus idealize him as a good teacher or the Muslims recognizing him as one of the prophets. Shori can very well share the belief of these other religions, who consider Jesus as one among the many ways, but unfortunately, she is the leader of a mainline denomination. Christianity is founded on this core belief, that Jesus is the Son of God, who is the only way, the truth and the life--the uniqueness of Jesus Christ. This is the beginning of the imploding of TEC. The next logical step would be to to deny the divinity of Christ, after having questioned his uniqueness.
Jesus being the "only way to the Father," as He says is what is so special about Christianity or our Christian faith, for which millions have shed their blood in defence of it. With the floating of this new ideology, Shori shares the same base as Spong and the like who have serious doubts about the resurrection of Jesus. Get lost if you don't share the faith of our fathers or if you can't foster the simple faith of the people. Go embrace any other religion, but stop disturbing the simple faith of Christians for whom Christ is, was, and will always remain the only way, the truth and the life.--the son of God who loved us and gave Himself for us.- Now back to the interview again.>>>>
Jefferts-Schori says she views salvation as the healing of all Creation through holy living. "I understand salvation as being about the healing of the whole creation. Your part and my part in that is about holy living," she offered. "As Christians we understand [salvation] as relationship with God in Jesus, but that does not mean that we're expected to judge other people's own commitments."Where does she stand on the issue of homosexuality? The Episcopal Church has been embroiled for years in a debate over the ordination of homosexual clergy and "blessing" ceremonies for same-sex couples. Jefferts-Schori supports both -- and in fact, she voted in 2003 to confirm her denomination's first openly homosexual bishop, V. Gene Robinson. She told AP that she does not believe the Bible condemns "committed" homosexual relationships. God, she says, made some people "gay."
Does she claim to know God's mind: Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD.For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.(Isaiah 55:6-9)-- Back to the interview
"Sexual orientation is pretty clearly defined at a very early age, before the age of reason. It's not a choice," she said. "In that case, a person of faith would need to say that it's a piece of how one is created." Consequently, she says, the Church should offer what she calls "a sacramental container" to help homosexuals find "holy ways of living in relationship."
Scriptures in the Bible about homosexual acts being sinful, she says, are misunderstood. "They're not about what today we see as mature human beings entering into committed relationships with each other on a full and equal basis," says Jefferts-Schori, who believes such "committed" relationships can be blessed. "The religious community's job, really, is to help all human beings find healthy and whole and holy ways of living in relationship."
We leave Schori with her thoughts, but she is still accountable for what she says and does. She will not go to heaven or hell alone. For that is the accountability of every priest and minister of His who care for His flock. In spite of these types of false prophets,the sheep need to know and follow His voice. .
Posted by frleo at November 4, 2006 10:10 AM
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