One phrase often on the lips of modern Episcopalians, who have fully embraced the new Episcopal Religion of a this-worldly salvation, is “living the Baptismal Covenant.” And they usually mean living and acting in such a way as to seek to promote peace and justice in and around this world and, at the same time, to affirm and work for the dignity of all persons, “just as they are.” They see Christ as the Symbol of this world-changing “salvation.”
Often this promotion of peace and justice is through the United Nations Millennial Goals and schemes. Below, however, is printed a news-story from the Episcopal News Service, which illustrates specifically an instance where the Presiding Bishop is deeply involved in activity which has, as its goal, “reconciliation” and “peace.” However, these two terms belong in the horizontal only and have no reference to the large theme of the New Testament where the transcendent, holy God is in Christ reconciling the world to himself and thus bringing peace between the Creator/Judge and his disobedient creatures. The terms are used in the common secular way of this cosmos only, and the God of the new Episcopal Religion is primarily an immanent Deity, a Deity of process and evolution, changing in interaction with the cosmos.
The amazing thing is that these new Episcopalians, led by the Lady Presiding Bishop in apostolic order, are so keen on their projects and so dedicated to them, when they can surely see that they are, as a group, both numerically and qualitatively very small players indeed in the universal promotion of peace and justice by the U N and other big organizations. It must be their religious zeal that keeps them going differing only from secular organizations in that they add “God” to their explanations and message.!
Working toward reconciliation
South Korea to host worldwide Anglican peace conference
By Matthew Davies [Episcopal News Service]
Peace initiatives and reconciliation on the Korean Peninsula will be the foci of a worldwide Anglican peace conference November 14-20 when more than 150 Anglican leaders, ecumenical guests and other participants will travel to South Korea for TOPIK (Towards Peace in Korea). The conference will begin with a three-day peace trip to Geumgangsan in North Korea, where delegates will meet employees of the Hyundai Asan Company and hear about its programs of development and economic support for projects in North Korea, including flood-relief aid.
The visit to North Korea will be followed by a four-day forum in Paju, near Seoul, South Korea. Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori will preach at the November 16 opening Eucharist, which is expected to draw more than 400 worshippers. The forum will introduce and summarize Korean experiences of war and forgiveness, conflict and reconciliation, and explore ways to contribute to establishing a permanent peace in Northeast Asia.
"This gathering promises to produce some lasting changes in the relationships with North Korea," Jefferts Schori said. "It seems especially timely given recent progress in talks with the North Korean government."
Full story: http://www.episcopalchurch.org/79901_91061_ENG_HTM.htm
If Mrs Jefferts-Schori, who claims to be an apostle for today, in succession to the first apostles, would be guided by the same first apostles, then perhaps her message and devotion would be different and she would be working to bring to thousands the peace that comes from above and passes all understanding and the reconciliation from the Cross of Christ which places guilty, repentant sinners in the family of God as his sons and daughters. But with the new Episcopalians “God” is LOVE and LOVE is every kind and helpful word and deed in this world—a kind of Pantheism of secular LOVE.
The Revd Dr Peter Toon
President of the Prayer Book Society 2007
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