Posted on 01/17/2009 9:37:38 PM PST by F15Eagle
President-elect Barack Obama promised to make his inaugural events the most inclusive ever -- and he is making good on his promise. Just over two weeks after gay rights activists condemned his choice of Saddleback pastor Rick Warren to deliver the invocation at the ceremony itself, the President-elect and his inaugural committee announced the choice of Bishop Gene Robinson, the openly-homosexual Episcopal Bishop of New Hampshire, to open the mass event at the Lincoln Memorial with prayer.
Predictably, the committee insisted that the invitation has nothing to do with the furor over naming Warren, who angered homosexual activists and their allies by supporting Proposition 8 in California. "They called up and said this has actually been in the works for a long time," the bishop told The New York Times. He added that the committee also expressed, "and at the same time, we understand that people in the [lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender] community have been somewhat wounded by this choice, and it's our hope that your selection will go a long way to heal these divides."
The event Bishop Robinson will open with prayer will be a huge opening rally featuring major entertainment figures and a mass gathering on the mall. Artists invited to perform at the event include Bono, Stevie Wonder, and Bruce Springsteen, along with the Gay Men's Chorus of Washington.
The choice of Bishop Robinson is not a complete surprise, since the President-elect had met with the bishop during the campaign. Of course, Bishop Robinson is one of the most controversial figures in the entire history of the Episcopal Church. Controversy over his election has led to a schism in his church and a rupture that threatens to unravel the world-wide Anglican Communion.
One interesting facet of the controversies over Warren and Robinson is the fact that the inclusion of the one does not placate the critics of the other. Homosexual activists are still angry over the choice of Warren to deliver the invocation on January 20. A host of others will be offended by the choice of Bishop Robinson. These two responses illustrate the depth of the divide over the issue of homosexuality. The question cuts to the heart of issues including biblical authority and the very nature of humanity. Representation is undoubtedly symbolic, but Rick Warren and Gene Robinson represent radically divergent worldviews and incommensurate goals. They are not two very different representatives of one religion. They are instead two very symbolic representatives of two very different religions.
That point is made clear courtesy of Bishop Robinson. Consider this section of the report in The New York Times:
Bishop Robinson said he had been reading inaugural prayers through history and was “horrified” at how “specifically and aggressively Christian they were.”
“I am very clear,” he said, “that this will not be a Christian prayer, and I won’t be quoting Scripture or anything like that. The texts that I hold as sacred are not sacred texts for all Americans, and I want all people to feel that this is their prayer.”
Bishop Robinson said he might address the prayer to “the God of our many understandings,” language that he said he learned from the 12-step program he attended for his alcohol addiction.
Keep in mind that this man is the Bishop of New Hampshire for the Episcopal Church. He is "horrified" by the character of previous inaugural prayers as "specifically and aggressively Christian."
We can be fairly sure that, for Bishop Robinson, "specifically" and "aggressively" mean more or less the same thing. A review of most recent inaugural prayers reveals virtually nothing that could be fairly described as "aggressive" and remarkably little that can be described as "specific." The last two inaugurations have included prayers with greater specificity, to be sure.
The bishop's comments reveal just about everything one needs to know about his theology. He pledges that "this will not be a Christian prayer" and he "won't be quoting Scripture or anything like that." No, nothing like that.
Recent controversies over praying in the name of Jesus Christ will not be a factor here. Instead, the bishop said he might address his prayer to "the God of our many understandings" -- an expression calculated to be vague. Bishop Robinson says that he learned the language in a 12-step program he attended after developing an alcohol addiction.
"The crisis in the Church of England," wrote Clive James in The Dreaming Swimmer, "is that too many of its bishops, and some would say of its archbishops, don't quite realize that they are atheists, but have begun to suspect it."
The "God of our many understandings" is a confused composite -- a very postmodern idol. Clive James is quite right about the theological crisis of unbelieving bishops - but you need go no farther than New Hampshire to find an example.
Obamanation cometh
How long until America feels God’s wrath?
We are actively trying to divide the land of Israel my FRiend.
God has clearly warned against this in Joel 3:1-2, Daniel 11:37-39.
Joel tells us that God will bring Armageddon to pass because of that (Valley of Jehoshaphat). Isaiah 63 mentions the battle.
That day will come, unfortunately. And while it happens, a significant percentage of our population have voted for a man whose spiritual adviser celebrated 9/11 saying America deserved it and called Israel “that dirty word”.
I remember America through many tough times, in the 1970’s, 1980’s and the 1990’s. I am stunned how far and how fast we have fallen of late.
Stock up on food, water ... and a Bible.
And the lunatics in Iran are continuing towards their nuke to attack Israel. A confrontation is brewing there.
“I am very clear,” he said, “that this will not be a Christian prayer, and I won’t be quoting Scripture or anything like that. The texts that I hold as sacred are not sacred texts for all Americans, and I want all people to feel that this is their prayer.”
Bishop Robinson said he might address the prayer to “the God of our many understandings"
God is who He is, Vicky Gene. Pretending that He's something else won't make one bit of difference in the end.
This so-called “Bishop” Robinson has become simply a celebrity or poster-boy for gay-rights. Obama needs a symbol to molify some people on the left - trot out the Bishop.
Is merely all about him? While he enjoys his 15 minutes of fame (and perhaps because of it) his “church” is collapsing around him and won’t exist in 20 years.
The “leadership” that put Gene Robinson in have lost their collective minds.
Bishops are hip to the way of the word. Deconstructing the Bible so that it means nothing. “Words, words, words”: they are all aspiring Hamlets with a new existential crisis, a new play, acting all the time in their play within a play. Playing with words while not believing in truth gives them the edge as only Pilate understood. And when they are not Hamlet of the rotten state, they aspire to surpass Pilate. Not to be tied down to the word, to consult with Caesars, to oversee the temporal domain in temporal terms. In truth, they have no essence. Everything is true for them... a multitudinous array of gods, the pagan in the pulpit, they, therefore, can not lead. Pray for their miserable souls.
"...I want all people to feel that this is their prayer.”Bishop Robinson said he might address the prayer to “the God of our many understandings,” language that he said he learned from the 12-step program he attended for his alcohol addiction.
And what about a "godess of our many understandings"? This guy is clearly not inclusive.
I have met many a seminary student who say they believe the Bible, but when you put forth several basic verses, they have all sorts of reasons not to believe.
It’s stunning, really ...
Obama’s choir director at Trinity UCC was the openly gay Donald Young, so I doubt Obama can tell the difference.
I wonder if his murder has ever been solved?
Yep, it's all about Vicky Gene, isn't it?
I wouldn’t watch this disgusting sham of an inauguration if you paid me. The founding father’s must be rolling in their graves. Change has come to America. I truly fear for this once great country.
I will not be watching Obamanation either.
He’s hell-bent on spreading his error all over America.
And Obama is willing to assist him.
“Most inclusive inauguration...”
But no Catholics need apply.
Ah yes, and I suppose soon, we can erect a monument to the Unknown God.
“I will not be watching the Obamanation either.”
I might re-watch the Lord of the Rings trilogy that day. It seems appropriate.
My friend told me today that her company (a MAJOR insurance company) announced last week that based on the fact that the inauguration is of such historical importance, it will be televised live in the conference room for all the employees to watch. I think she may feel a case of not setting the alarm and waking up late coming on.
Also, I just saw on the news that Captain Sullenberger was supposed to do an interview on Monday with NBC. He suddenly “canceled”. 0 doesn't want his thunder stolen by a American hero it seems. This is all so disgusting.
As the saying goes: "if you dont stand for anything then you'll fall for anything".
Also with Obama's already HUGE ego and his constant desire for praise & attention like a little brat, he's gonna implode very very soon!!
I recall a proverb that goes "pride goeth before destruction".
“I will not be watching Obamanation either.”
I’m praying for that most unique of “wintry mix” possibilities; ice and burning ash.
good one
You may very well be right.It boggles my mind how far morals have fallen and how God is mocked and openly attacked.There seems to be a consensus among Christians I know that we are headed for a really dark and evil place soon.
It started in Nov 2006 and will increase.
I fear you are correct, what ever the precise form.
He's inclusive. I just don't think he has ever cared to distinguish between male and female, since it doesn't matter to him.
” Many Understandings” equals Confusion.
There are so many wolves in sheep's clothing along the way at different points pushing the world toward this end times apostasy, all playing their part.
The one and only way is only through Jesus Christ. No other way, no other name, no other door. All other ways must be rejected, all men saying there are many ways must be rejected completely, absolutely.
Robinson has been overcome with the spirit of Anti-Christ. He is his own god.
Any one who has ever experienced the undeniable presence of the Holy Spirit knows that this man cannot have done so.
I'd call it a close second to the EC selecting a witch as its head bishop.
But no Catholics need apply.
Let's be inclusive, No followers of the Christ need apply.
shalom b'SHEM Yah'shua HaMashiach Adonai
“the God of our many understandings”
How ‘bout the “God of really doesn’t matter”??
Has Rick Warren been “univited”? I didn’t read that in the story, but maybe I just missed it?
“collective minds.”
I think you mean “collective souls”.
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. Acknowledge the Lord in all your ways and He will make your path straight"... Proverbs 3:5
Some bishop ay?? try reading your Bible there bishop Gene... What a moron--- twisting the Word around.
How true...a read through the chronology of the Old Testament is a history lesson on kings and the state of the nation that both honored and dishonored the Lord God. Nothing new under the 'global warming' sun.
Yep. Tina Fey and SNL, the MSM and the Dem machine are high-five’ing each other.
While Obamanation moves forward ...
After that, I think not. The first 3 1/2 years will be fine.
shalom b'SHEM Yah'shua HaMashiach Adonai
Yeah, we seem to be edging quite a bit closer to that first 1,260 days.
Governments around the world are having to nationalize their banks, rather rapidly.
After that, I’d expect some currencies to disappear and be absorbed into others.
I’m wondering when the euro will be the only acceptable currency in Europe.
Some think that the collapse of the dollar will lead to the amero.
shalom b'SHEM Yah'shua HaMashiach Adonai
I don’t see any way to prevent its collapse. Obama is going to print more and more and we’ve already jumped a couple trillion or more of late.
Aye carumba
shalom b'SHEM Yah'shua HaMashiach AdonaiLook up; Yah'shua is coming soon.
How would Muslims react to an openly gay Islamic cleric?
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