Homosexuality wasn’t the only biblical issue on the Episcopal Church’s Agenda (Associated Press)
July 14th, 2006 by Peter Frank
Kendall Harmon linked this very helpful AP story on other scriptural matters discussed at convention. It is by no means exhaustive.
Other biblical moments at the Episcopal convention:
- One resolution commissioned publications “to address anti-Jewish prejudice expressed in and stirred by portions of Christian scriptures.”
- Another said “the Bible has sometimes been used to justify oppressive institutions and practices,” without listing particulars.
- With a statement about biblical authority to reassure fellow Anglicans, delegates dropped the key language that said “Scripture is the church’s supreme authority” and “ought to be seen as a focus and means of unity.”
- The convention shelved a proposal to declare that Jesus is “the only name by which any person may be saved” on the basis of his statement that “no one comes to the Father, but by me” (John 14:6).
- A Communion sermon by new Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori said Christians are children of “our mother Jesus.” Some objected to such gender-bending, but she drew upon metaphors from the 14th-century mystic Julian of Norwich. Underlying that, Jesus compared himself to a compassionate mother hen (Luke 13:34).