Classical Values :: apostasy and a choice of fruits

July 30, 2009

apostasy and a choice of fruits

The same place where I found the discussion of the Home Depot boycott also links a piece which maintains that the Episcopal Church is not merely guity of heresy, but apostasy:

Apostasy is a strong word. It is a word with a direct correlation with the Anti-Christ. Hence, it should not be used lightly in connection with a person, church, or denomination. 2 Thessalonians 2:3-4 says: "Let no one in any way deceive you, for it will not come (the second coming of Christ) unless the apostasy comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction, who opposes and exalts himself above every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, displaying himself as being God" (NASU). The ESV translates "apostasy" as "rebellion". Apostasy is an active rebellion against the true God (and thus, the truth) which leads to the ascension of false gods and false teachings within the heart of the Believer and within the doctrines of a church or denomination.

Therefore, to say a person or organization is guilty of apostasy is a serious accusation. But to remain silent and turn a blind eye to the truth when doing so has the potential to damage, if not destroy the spiritual life of others is even more serious. Thus, I am compelled by my conscience to speak words that may offend and anger some. That is not my intent, but I cannot remain silent when so much is at stake.

The Episcopal Church (TEC) is guilty of apostasy. The denomination is fracturing over the issue of homosexuality.

The writer apparently believes that condemnation of homosexuality goes to the very essence of Christianity -- to the point where anyone or any organization which takes a different view than his biblical interpretation is not merely engaged in heresy, but in apostasy (which means the complete rejection of one's faith.) Members of the Episcopal Church, therefore, are by his definition not Christians.

Certainly, if the Episcopal Church is no longer Christian, then neither are any other gay-friendly churches.

Well, what is Christianity, and who gets to define it?

Regardless of how anyone feels about homosexuality, since when did the biblical laws about that become such a cornerstone of the Christian faith that being gay-friendly became apostasy?

I mean, what about those who might reject other traditional rules? Like, say, the traditional penalty for apostasy:

If your very own brother, or your son or daughter, or the wife you love, or your closest friend secretly entices you, saying, "Let us go and worship other gods" (gods that neither you nor your fathers have known, 7 gods of the peoples around you, whether near or far, from one end of the land to the other), 8 do not yield to him or listen to him. Show him no pity. Do not spare him or shield him. 9 You must certainly put him to death. Your hand must be the first in putting him to death, and then the hands of all the people. 10 Stone him to death, because he tried to turn you away from the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery.

Is that scriptural authority or is it not? (It's from Deuteronomy 13:6-10.)

According to the man who charges the Episcopal Church with apostasy, the "apostasy" began with rejection of scriptural authority:

The Episcopal Church's slow leak toward apostasy has reached a reprehensible, yet predictable blowout. And it began when the authority of Scripture was first questioned and then abandoned. It is a lesson all Christians must learn. Once the authority of Scripture has been forsaken in favor of political correctness or to allow man to do what is "right in his own eyes" (Judges 21:25 ESV) apostasy will be the result.

As to the authority of what scripture, he does not say. Does some scripture carry more authority than other scripture?

Or would that be scriptural cherry picking?

posted by Eric on 07.30.09 at 06:49 PM

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Comments

Well, what is Christianity, and who gets to define it?

the pope maybe the bishop of Constantinople. the rest heretics

newrouter · July 30, 2009 08:27 PM

First let me say I am impressed with your knowledge of scripture, and second that scripture has always been cherry picked to support the unsupportable positions (even Hitler cherry picked scripture).

Hugh · July 30, 2009 09:51 PM

It is past time for Christians to return to the Old Time Religion. If it was good enough for Jesus it is good enough for me.

M. Simon · July 30, 2009 10:11 PM

In other words the Pope is a heretic and apostate.

M. Simon · July 30, 2009 10:12 PM

The simple answer is that it is the body of the Church that determines whether teachings are orthodox or not. In fact, most likely the vast majority of the Anglicans who live in Africa will break communion with the US Church which is dying anyway. Look at their numbers over time if you have some doubt.

And yes, for all time, the Church has regarded fornication as a serious sin. Fornication is no different whatever your partner.

ricksa · July 30, 2009 10:13 PM

Greetings:

I used to have a Political Science professor who used to be fond of saying that Americans think they want equality but really they want to be a little bit more than equal.

One of Christianity's current problems is not homosexuality, but the homosexual political agenda. My understanding of Christianity is that all sinners are welcome as in, "Let he who is without sin cast the first stone." Homosexuals have been involved in the Church all of my lifetime. The difficulty now is the political agenda being pushed on the Church under the guise of ersatz homosexual victimization. I have pretty much concluded that this effort intends to be a little bit more than equal. Their goal is to legitimatize their sexual deviance through any means necessary. Would any Christian even consider consecrating an admitted and avowed thief as a bishop.? I hope and think not.

The goal of the homosexual political agenda in the Church is to subvert it and its teachings. That may not be apostasy, but it's certainly within a stone's throw.

11B40 · July 30, 2009 11:49 PM

Well, since you ask: the New Testament is for the church, so cherry-picking from there has lots more weight.
Paul explained the law as a teacher leading to grace:
Romans 3 20,21
...No one will be declared righteous in His sight by observing the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of sin.
But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify.
There is lots to learn about the steadfastness of God's love through the ages by studying the older scriptures, but they aren't commands to the church.

Deb · July 31, 2009 07:39 AM

Exactly, Deb; there's a reason that Christians don't follow the Jewish dietary laws, etc. God, through the Holy Spirit, told Peter that wasn't necessary to be a Christian.

If a Christian chooses to keep kashrut, he/she can, but his status as a Christian isn't dependent on it.

SDN · July 31, 2009 06:21 PM