American Bishop says Jesus was a sinner

The Church of England Newspaper ^ | April '03 | Church of England Newspaper

[churchillbuff]

A new row over whether Jesus sinned broke out this week around the controversial (Episcopal) Bishop of Pennsylvania, Charles Bennison.

Last year the radical bishop drew the fire of both the former and current Archbishops of Canterbury after his decision to sack a traditionalist priest. Both Dr Carey and Dr Williams told the priest, Fr David Moyer, that they would have no problem licensing him for ministry in their dioceses, despite the fact that he was deposed by the diocese of Pennsylvania.

But, according to critics in his diocese, his latest statement suggesting that Jesus sinned dwarfs any other incidents in his turbulent episcopate.

Tucked away in his Easter column in the Pennsylvania Episcopalian, Bishop Bennison wrote the statement: “Jesus acknowledged his own sin. He knows himself to be forgiven.”

In a column on the miracle of forgiveness, Bishop Bennison criticises “rigid obeisance to the divine will as set forth in certain laws or rules or canons.” He praises the ironic approach to sin and the law. He writes: “After his baptism, the Spirit did not protect Jesus from question, but rather cast him into the midst of them, he was between the wild beasts and the angels who ministered to him. He lived with the questions. He did not rush to judgement. He avoided the pitfalls of imperialism. He was ironic.”

Arguing that Anglicanism is borne out of the irony of the English, an island nation used to ‘muddling through’ with Common Law, he also took a swipe at those who wanted “to enforce UN Resolutions, set and keep deadlines and act pre-emptively against an incontrovertibly evil regime in Iraq.”

He added, “Others want to work ironically, patiently, broadly, expansively…”

The conservative ‘shock-jock’ Episcopalian journalist, David Virtue, said of Bishop Bennison’s statement that, “there is no historic parallel in contemporary ecclesiastical history for the bishop's latest outrage.”

Even Bishop John Spong, he said, had not gone so far, despite repudiating almost every other aspect of Christian belief.

Deposed priest, Father David Moyer, rector of the Church of the Good Shepherd said, “Here we go again with an outrageous statement from Charles Bennison that attacks the Christian faith, and misleads people who look to a bishop as a sound teacher and spiritual guide.”

[jammer]

That sort of crap is why I quit going to the Episcopal Church. A man who will say that cannot understand--or at least agree with--the fundamentals of Christianity.

[MHGinTN]

'... As a raging Lion, seeking whom he may devour.' Sadly, such an priest as this Bennison doesn't even realize whom he serves. He is not fit to serve the Eucharist.

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[snickeroon]

And I quit the United Methodist Church over the Elian controversy. Apostasy continues to rage, but by the grace of God we know the truth.... "And the truth will set you free."

[Cvengr]

"Arguing that Anglicanism is borne out of the irony of the English, an island nation used to ‘muddling through’ with Common Law..."

Reads as though he knows as much about law as the Divinity of Christ.

[LiteKeeper]

There goes the diety of our Lord!

[GOPrincess]

As in any church, there are bad apples. Bennison is among the worst of the worst in the Episcopal hierarchy.

There are many orthodox Episcopalians such as myself who are fighting to return the church to Biblical orthodoxy rather than giving it up to the crazies at the top of the U.S. (or Canadian) hierarchy. For anyone interested I recommend doing Google searches for "Virtuosity" (a frequently updated news digest which fully covers what's going on with the nuts like Bennison) and the American Anglican Council.

[VOA]

That sort of crap is why I quit going to the Episcopal Church.

Many moons ago, I was a heartbroken fellow when I broke up with a lady I hoped to marry.

Best thing that could have ever happened to me.
Because I would now probably be dutifully attending some liberal-wing Episcopal
congregation with her (and some offspring).

Ah, HE DOES work in mysterious ways...

Hard to believe General George Patton was a faithful Espicopalian. It certainly
WAS a different time...

[AlexW]

All I can say is I thank God that I left the Episcopal Church. It continues to sink deeper in depravity.

[churchillbuff]

I recommend doing Google searches for "Virtuosity"

I've been there, and it's depressing because it shows how widespread the rot is

[griffin]

"Bishop F***head?"

What comes out of a man's mouth is an indicator of what is inside.

[GOPrincess]

Many of the Founding Fathers were Episcopalians/Anglicans (formerly Church of England, of course - grin). President Bush 41 is an Episcopalian. President Bush 43 frequently worshes in Episcopal churches -- when he does not go to Camp David he and Laura go to St. John's near the White House. There are many, many Biblically faithful Episcopalians. Some have chosen to begin splinter churches such as the Anglican Mission in America (sponsored by Bishops from South Africa). Others such as myself are still holding out hope that we can turn back this craziness and reclaim our church. Please don't judge all Episcopalians by people like Bishop Bennison, who is a wicked man who needs to be out of a job in a hurry.

[Welsh Rabbit]

I was baptised an Episcopalian, but I don't really consider myself part of that church anymore. Where in the h*** does this bishop get his spiritual inspiration from? Scorses's Last Temptation of Christ?

[GOPrincess]

I understand what you mean, but what's important to keep in mind is how many faithful people there are in the pews who are willing to expose some of the goings-on and fight for the truth.

Frankly I will not be at all surprised if the American Episcopal Church ultimately splinters between the liberals like Bennison and Presiding Bishop Browning, and the Biblically orthodox. If that day comes I will certainly be a part of the latter group.

[Southflanknorthpawsis]

My parents left the Episcopal church about 40 years ago because the liberalism was seeping in way back then. What a shame !!!

It's happening everywhere now. I am a Missouri Synod Lutheran and we are quite conservative, but.......there are a few within the synod today that are trying very hard to change that.

I thank the Lord that my congregation and pastor have remained steadfast in the Word.

[secret garden]

The Church needs you back to counteract the lunatic fringe. Find a more conservative church. We need more sensible people to take the church back.

[jammer]

Thanks for the reply. My first experience was the Bishop's pastoral letter of 1981--I was the church organist. It so slammed Reagan and the vicious, mean ol' tax cuts (and everything else) that the congregation had a spoken mass (it was sung in our Church) and sang the final hymns a capella. There was no organist after about halfway through the letter. One would think that I would never go back, or that the Rector would not allow me back, but the congregation applauded my stand.

I came back and was warned every September about a coming "letter", so we had a substitute organist. But, finally, I just couldn't take it any more. Probably the Church can survive my loss much more than I can survive It's loss, but we have to make a stand somewhere.

[churchillbuff]

Please don't judge all Episcopalians by people like Bishop Bennison

Hey, I'm one myself ... which gives me a ringside seat on the circus. Sounds like you must be in a diocese or parish that accomodates conservatives. Pretty rare, from what I can tell.

Anyway, your optimism is probably closer to the spirit of the Gospel than my cynicism.