This past Sunday we read the Parable of the Sower. Whenever the seed fell on the path, on stony ground, or in thorns, then the seed perished. When the seed fell on fertile ground, it not only grew but flourished and multiplied a hundred fold.
It was with this background in mind that I read on Monday of the Church of England voting to allow female Bishops. For those who believe that being a priest or bishop is just like any other job, subject to so-called "equity laws" (they should be called "sameness laws"), this is a long awaited victory.
For those who believe that priesthood is something other, something set apart by God for his own purposes, made in the image of the Son, and not alterable by his creatures, then this announcement can only be seen as a grave impediment to unity.
Sadly, the CoE is tripping further down the path of irrelevance. As the Parable of the Sower goes on to say: "But
since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or
persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away."
When you continue to change your doctrine to suit the whims of society, you have nothing to say to the culture for you have become the culture; you are therefore irrelevant. "What? You are still here? Go away, we have conquered you."
But it is no good to simply wag a self-righteous finger. We who are hearers should take heed lest we fall into the same trap -- for there is a promise and a doom:
"12 Whoever
has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does
not have, even what they have will be taken from them."
No comments:
Post a Comment