What is heresy?
In the Macquarie Dictionary, there is a fairly straight forward definition of – heresy:1. doctrine contrary to the orthodox or accepted doctrine of a church or religious system. 2. the maintaining of such an opinion or doctrine. 3. any opinion or belief contrary to established theory.
So it is interesting when Episcopal Church Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori, in her opening address to the Church’s 76th General Convention (USA), presented on 7 July. Included this statement in her address: “ … The overarching connection in all of these crises has to do with the great Western heresy – that we can be saved as individuals, that any of use alone can be in right relationship with God. (sic)It’s caricatured in some quarters by insisting that salvation depends on reciting a specific verbal formula about Jesus. That individualist focus is a form of idolatry, for it puts me and my words in the place that only God can occupy, at the center of existence, as the ground of all being.”
Perhaps, I have an idea of what she was trying to say: a bit like James, a faith without an outpouring of love as seen in a relationship with others is not a faith at all. But, my interpretation of what she may have wanted to say – could be wrong.
What ever the Presiding Bishop meant to say – or meant to add, to qualify her statements – is now lost from the public record; quite a few blogs have picked up on these words.
In summary: her statement, as it stands, which implies that we can’t be saved as individuals is actually heretical – most of the New Testament and large bits of the Old Testament, highlight the fact that God seeks individuals who are lost, so that they may be saved to become members of His holy nation.
In 1 Peter 2:9 (NIV), we read: “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.”
Yes, we are a royal priesthood and a holy nation, made up of individuals – called (one by one) out of darkness into His wonderful light.
Posted on July 10th, 2009 by Shayne
Filed under: General
I think you are a little generous towards the Presiding Bishop. I don’t think she meant to say anythikng like what James says. What she said is in line with other statements she has made. She doesn’t believe in individual salvation. She doesn’t believe in salvation through Christ alone by grace alone. She believes that the cross serves as an example that we must suffer for the greater good of the poor and needy.
I think her statements show that she does not subscribe to the 39 articles and hence her vows at ordination and consecration were a sham.
But she is indicative of what is happening to the Episcopal Church in USA and the Anglican Church in Canada. My real concern is for the ordinary parishioners who site under this type of teaching week after week and think that it is correct.