Post-Modern Episcopalian

In light of today's acceptance of an openly and practicing homosexual into the Episcopalian leadership, many wonder: "Just how did Christianity come to this?" I would suggest that it has been an ongoing process. It is a process helped along, no doubt by church leaders accepting a post-modern worldview. I point to a 1996 article written by a bishop of the Episcopalian diocese of Newark as an example. In this article, the Rt. Rev. John S. Spong, Bishop of Newark attempts to answer the question, "Can One Be a Christian without Being a Theist?" Key grafs:

On the idea of God as a supernatural, personal being that is intimately involved in human affairs:

"The Supernatural Being that we have traditionally called God has increasingly been rendered impotent by the explosion in human knowledge over the last five hundred years."

"Indeed, the idea of an external supernatural Deity who invades human affairs periodically to impose the divine will upon this world, though still given lip service in worship settings, has nonetheless died culturally. If God is to be identified exclusively with this theistic understanding of God, then it is fair to say that culturally at least God has ceased to live in our world."

On the question of being a Christian theist:

The real question then becomes, "Can Christianity be separated from ancient theistic concepts and still be a living faith?"

The clincher:

"So perhaps the major theological task of our times is to seek a new language of faith or at the very least a new way to translate those pre-modern theistic categories into the post-modern, non- theistic language of tomorrow."

If, perhaps, we understand that church leaders across denominations in America are adapting post-modern mindsets to "interpret" Jesus in the context of today, the acceptance of homosexuality should come as a surprise to none.