What We Can Learn From the Episcopalian Controversy I. Introduction A. In August of 2003 at the General Convention for the Episcopal Church of America, the assembled body confirmed the election of V. Gene Robinson, a homosexual, as their "bishop" of New Hampshire 1. The confirmation, however, was not appreciated by many 2. Many are now discussing dividing themselves from the Episcopal organization, and many Anglican churches in Africa are contemplating severing ties with the American church B. We do not find the authority for such organizations and conventions nor do we see where there is authority to appoint persons to positions of authority in such ways C. We further find their acceptance and promotion of homosexuality to be deplorable in light of the teachings of the New Testament which condemn homosexuality as sinful D. Even though we perhaps do not predict that such things will come to churches of Christ, there is much we can learn from the controversy that this confirmation has caused E. This controversy can be seen as a microcosm in the ways that liberalism works and divides churches F. Let us examine the history of this controversy and then see what we can learn from it II. Quick History of Anglicanism/Episcopalianism and the Controversy A. The Anglican Church (Church of England) 1. Began around 1534 after a separation from the Roman Catholic church over the divorce rights of King Henry VIII 2. Accurately described as "Roman Catholicism without the pope" a. most of the ecclesiastical hierarchy was maintained with the Archbishop of Canterbury and the King (and/or Queen) seen as the titular heads b. similar beliefs, liturgies, etc. 3. After 1783, to be different, the Anglican churches in America called themselves the Episcopal church 4. "Anglican communion" refers to churches allied and nominally accepting the headship of the Archbishop of Canterbury around the world a. significant churches in Canada, Australia, USA, England, and in African countries b. strongest growth in Africa B. The Current Controversy 1. For many years homosexuals have been allowed to be members of the Episcopal church (and, for that matter, in most Anglican churches) 2. The issue of electing homosexuals to the position of bishop developed this year 3. Before the American controversy, a similar controversy threatened to erupt in England as a homosexual was elected and confirmed to be a bishop a. that individual, however, recognizing the imminent division that would occur if he accepted the position, walked away b. note the difference between the attitude in England and America 4. In America at General Convention in August 2003, confirmation of V. Gene Robinson was on the table a. resistance and disfavor of many parts of the Episcopalian organization and the Anglican churches throughout the world known b. the confirmation went ahead as planned regardless 5. Pleas for unity were stressed on both sides yet the confirmation went through anyway 6. What will happen? There will be stressed if not severed relations between the Episcopal church and the African churches in the Anglican communion, and many American Episcopal churches are contemplating leaving that organization III. What We Can Learn From This Controversy A. This controversy exposes well the ideology of liberalism B. Lesson #1: The two sides of the controversy were well-established at the beginning 1. Both sides knew that one another existed 2. Both sides recognized that unity was at stake C. Lesson #2: It was not essential for the homosexual to be elected as bishop 1. It was not an imperative for the homosexual to be elected: another candidate could have been found and installed 2. If there were truly a desire for unity on the sake of those we will deem as "liberals," the ones advocating for the homosexual as bishop, they would have recognized that it was not required for the man to be a bishop and that another could fulfill the role and not cause division 3. Notice that the homosexual candidate in England realized this and stepped down to maintain unity: he at least was consistent 4. The Americans, of course, force the issue and are willing to cause division D. Lesson #3: The homosexual was elected as bishop despite the knowledge of the controversy at hand 1. Many at the confirmation could have realized what was at stake and voted against him not because of belief of impropriety but just to maintain unity 2. This was not done; the confirmation was granted despite the knowledge that such an event would most probably lead to division 3. As it was said by the head of the convention, "Bishop" Frank Griswold: he saw "an incredible strength and joy despite the difficulties of some of the decisions we have had to make and the painfulness some of these decisions have caused within the community," ("2003 General Convention Leaves Legacy of Crisis and Opportunity," Episcopal News Service) 4. Did this stop them? No. E. Lesson #4: Those who advocated the homosexual's election put on a pretense of desiring to keep unity 1. These persons desired to keep unity, at least in name; but as we have seen, their actions have spoken the opposite tune 2. They desire unity as long as everyone agrees with what they want F. Lesson #5: The severance of unity, if it occurs, will be blamed on the more conservative persons 1. The consequences of this decision are not yet known, but if a divison does occur, who will be blamed? The persons causing the controversy by putting up a homosexual as bishop or those who will not stand for this? 2. The more conservative ones, of course, because it will be seen as them dividing the church over their position on homosexuals G. Throughout all of this, we see that the Episcopalians are happy after the conference because of the press they received 1. Even though they have caused great controversy, they are happy that they have received great media attention and consider it a great time to evangelize because they have publically demonstrated "tolerance" 2. They may receive converts because of this, but they are not being converted to the truth of God's Word but the say-sos of this denominational organization 3. Anyone who believes that there is profit in such an unnecessary controversy demonstrates a form of depravity! IV. Application A. We can take all of these lessons we have learned, remove the issue of "homosexual as bishop," and add instrumental music, building of a fellowship hall or gymnasium, giving the Lord's money to non-saints, and a host of other issues and the results would be the same! 1. they are not necessary but yet they will be forced upon others 2. those who advocate them profess a desire for unity yet work contrary to unity 3. when divisions result because of these innovations, the conservatives are blamed for the division and the liberals will walk away feeling justified! B. What has God said about these things? 1. Galatians 5:19-21: factious persons are regarded as those who practice the "works of the flesh," and those who do such things "cannot inherit the Kingdom of God" 2. Who are the factious ones: those who want the liberty or those who oppose it? 3. Romans 14 (especially Romans 14:13-15; 22-23) establishes that no one ought to put a stumbling-block in another’s way, and if someone does not have faith in a practice, to him that practice is sin 4. Therefore, if a group of persons would elect and confirm a homosexual as a bishop and many believe that this is a sin, those persons fall under the condemnation of Romans 14 and Galatians 5, not those who consider it improper 5. This is true of all the issues named above 6. Therefore, on the Judgment Day those who would force their liberties upon others will themselves be forced to account for their actions V. Conclusion A. We stand against the innovations of the Episcopalian organization and can properly see that this action is consistent with a group that has apostasized from the faith of the New Testament B. Nevertheless we have seen that we can learn much from what has been said and done in the controversy C. Let us continually stand for the truth of God in Christ Jesus and not go to the left or to the right in our obedience to Him D. If we can help you in any way let us do so as we stand and sing