I’m very grateful that Sarah Hey sent this reminder yesterday to her mailing list about the failure of the House of Bishops at the 2003 General Convention to affirm that “Holy Scripture (contains) all things necessary to salvation: so that whatsoever is not read therein, nor may be proved thereby, is not to be required of any man, that it should be believed as an article of the Faith, or be thought requisite or necessary to salvation,” as set forth in Article VI of the Articles of Religion established by the General Convention on September 12, 1801.”
Sarah writes:
During all the chaos of General Convention 2003, one resolution was quite useful. It was resolution B001 and was an attempt to leave the convention with an affirmation of what we as Episcopalians believe.
Interestingly enough, it failed to pass. But . . . there was a roll call vote, and so we have on the record who voted for the resolution, and who voted against. Some have said that this was the most important action of that General Convention.
Sarah suggests that you:
Read the resolution below (follow the link) and see what you think about it—as well as who voted for and against it. Follow this link to the complete message in Sarah’s email archives.
Shortly after the 2003 General Convention, The Rev. Jeff Black wrote an revealing article explaining the significance of the failed B001. Closing his article, Jeff wrote:
Beyond the coldness, something deeper was revealed - a serious breach of personal integrity. These Bishops require whoever wishes to be ordained by them to swear something. In fact each ordinand must say, “I solemnly declare that I do believe the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testament contain all things necessary for salvation.” If you don’t swear that, you don’t get the job. Think of the hypocrisy of refusing personally to affirm what you require your subordinates to swear!
To the Bishops who voted against this resolution: I am a priest of no especial repute, having served for 28 years, so I have no position from which to command your attention or to compel your agreement. But as a brother in Christ, I tell you that you have deeply insulted your office, that I believe you owe repentance to God and an apology to the entire church. You have, by your action, forfeited any authority over me.
Follow this link to Fr. Black’s full article.