Episcopal "Bishop" V. Gene Robinson, at his Blog "Canterbury Tales from the Fringe," writes about a hearing he attended recently which he found to be "inspiring and uplifting." He writes, "Last night's hearing on moving beyond B033 [the Episcopal church's moratorium on ordaining more homosexual "bishops" and blessing homosexual unions] was inspiring and uplifting. It helped me remember why we do this work. Story after story of how gay and lesbian people have found hope in The Episcopal Church and its proclamation of God's inclusive love, after years of abuse and exclusion by other churches. Most profound of all were the testimonies of numerous young people, who spoke eloquently and movingly about the kind of church they want to be a part of, in which there truly are no outcasts.." Full Blog post here.
Of course, such a "church" would not be Christian. The God of both Old and New Testaments loves all but has been known to be exclusive. Remember the Ark which saved Noah and his family? Outside there was wailing and gnashing of teeth.
When Jesus began His public ministry, He did so with the word "repent" (Matthew 4:17). And He advised the woman caught in adultery to "sin no more" (John 8:11). Likewise, in the case of the man cured at the Pool of Bethesda, Jesus advised him to "sin no more lest something worse befall thee" (John 5:14). When queried on the subject of how many would be saved, Jesus replied "few" because the "gate" to Heaven is "narrow" (Matthew 7:13-14). And while no one can pinpoint the precise meaning of the word "few," still, it is sobering that Jesus chose the image of a narrow gate.
Jesus is likened in the gospel to a stern master who has lazy servants flogged and murderous ones put to death (Matthew 21:41; Luke 12:47). And while it is true that Jesus is Mercy, He is also Justice. And for every parable illustrative of His mercy, there are three or four threatening divine retribution. The Judgment Day is always described as a day of wrath and never as a day of rejoicing (Proverbs 11:4; Zephaniah 1:15; Sirach 5:10; Romans 2:5; Revelation 6:17).
Just as some were excluded - almost all in fact - (because of their own sinfulness) from that salvation which was found in Noah's Ark [a figure of the Church], so too some will be excluded from the Heavenly Kingdom because they preferred their own will to God's: "The Son of Man will send his angels, and they will collect out of his kingdom all who cause others to sin and all evildoers. They will throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth." (Matthew 13: 41,42).
Of course, such a "church" would not be Christian. The God of both Old and New Testaments loves all but has been known to be exclusive. Remember the Ark which saved Noah and his family? Outside there was wailing and gnashing of teeth.
When Jesus began His public ministry, He did so with the word "repent" (Matthew 4:17). And He advised the woman caught in adultery to "sin no more" (John 8:11). Likewise, in the case of the man cured at the Pool of Bethesda, Jesus advised him to "sin no more lest something worse befall thee" (John 5:14). When queried on the subject of how many would be saved, Jesus replied "few" because the "gate" to Heaven is "narrow" (Matthew 7:13-14). And while no one can pinpoint the precise meaning of the word "few," still, it is sobering that Jesus chose the image of a narrow gate.
Jesus is likened in the gospel to a stern master who has lazy servants flogged and murderous ones put to death (Matthew 21:41; Luke 12:47). And while it is true that Jesus is Mercy, He is also Justice. And for every parable illustrative of His mercy, there are three or four threatening divine retribution. The Judgment Day is always described as a day of wrath and never as a day of rejoicing (Proverbs 11:4; Zephaniah 1:15; Sirach 5:10; Romans 2:5; Revelation 6:17).
Just as some were excluded - almost all in fact - (because of their own sinfulness) from that salvation which was found in Noah's Ark [a figure of the Church], so too some will be excluded from the Heavenly Kingdom because they preferred their own will to God's: "The Son of Man will send his angels, and they will collect out of his kingdom all who cause others to sin and all evildoers. They will throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth." (Matthew 13: 41,42).
For "Bishop" Robinson, the Church's authentic teaching regarding homosexuality [see here] constitutes "abuse." This should not surprise us. For the Holy Spirit tells us through Saint Paul that when individuals refuse to acknowledge God and His Eternal Law He hands them over "to their undiscerning mind to do what is improper" (Romans 1: 28). In other words, the intellect is darkened.
5 comments:
Apparently Robinson's inclusivism doesn't include Catholicism or sound doctrine.
When Saint Augustine, a real Bishop, says that, "Those shameful acts against nature, such as were committed in Sodom, ought everywhere and always to be detested and punished. If all nations were to do such things, they would be held guilty of the same crime by the law of God, which has not made men so that they should use one another in this way," how does he interpret these words?
Mr. Robinson is in dire need of much prayer. I pray too for his wife and children who are also victims of his disordered lifestyle.
Rev. Maro Bergner, founder of Redeemed Lives (www.redeemedlives.org), once practiced homosexuality but is now happily married to wife Nancy and is the father of five children.
Unlike Gene Robinson and other homosexual activists who would consign homosexual persons to an eternity of despair in Hell, Rev. Bergner helps others overcome sexual sin patterns through a relationship with Jesus Christ.
In his article "Go and Sin No More," (http://www.redeemedlives.org/GetArticle.asp), he writes:
"The most loving thing we can do for anyone caught in the grips of sexual sin is to help them bring their sin to the Cross of Jesus and there find forgiveness, redemption, healing and hope for a new beginning."
Gene Robinson, Jerry Maneker and other false lights would deceive others into believing that grave sin brings joy and peace. But common sense proves otherwise. The "gay" lifestyle is anything but as evidenced by the drug abuse, alcoholism and anger which almost always accompanies it. Gene Robinson has struggled with alcoholism himself.
What a shame.
Robinson and Maneker have no love for souls. Their message offers no hope, no peace, it is rather defeatist. Thankfully, authentic pastors like Rev. Mario Bergner offer real hope and real solutions. Outside of Boston call: 978-356-0404
Gene Robinson's hateful accusations against the Catholic Church reveal who he is: an anti-Catholic bigot.
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