A Picture of TEC’s New Gospel

It looks as if The Millennium Development Goals have replaced the Decalogue.  Will they be included in the new liturgies in the new prayer book?—“Lord have mercy and incline our hearts to do thy will.”?

Johnson’s Third Law of Episcopal Thermodynamics: every joke you make about the Episcopal Church eventually comes true.

That photo isn’t for real, is it?

“Jesus wept.” John 11:35.

Moot’s Second Law of Episcopal Thermodynamics:

The total entropy of any isolated ecclesiastical system tends to decrease over time, approaching an infinitely minimum value.

Chris, the priest on the far left is your neighbor, The Rev. Michael Kinman of University City, Missouri, former Chaplain at Washington University in St. Louis, who now works full-time for a ministry that works toward advancement of the substance of the MGDs.

I’m, sorry, I mean on the far __right.”

Interesting.  Mike’s an old, and (once) a very close friend from high school days.  Sorry to see him that far over on the revisionist side of the line.

A sure sign of a weak Gospel is throwing up signs about wanting to feed the hungry as your main focus.  I mean, no one could be against that, right?!!  The ultimate fall-back.

What these folks don’t see is that a strong Gospel that strengthens families and rekindles a society’s commitment to right living and daily work is the ultimate poverty fighter.  Good sexual ethics is the ultimate weapon against STDs.  And so forth.  It’s the harder route, though.  Much easier to throw condoms and canned goods at the problem.

I assume that these commandments lead TEC to the obvious conclusion of endorsing the free market tax and regulatory policies in places like Hong Kong, Singapore, Taiwan, and South Korea that were so successful in rapidly pulling these nations out of the pits of post WWII poverty, as well as using DDT to eradicate malaria (the 6th Commandment) as places such as Uganda have done with success.  At last, I’ve found common ground with my former church!

I’d rather see a picture of the priests actually feeding people.  What a bunch of poseurs.

oscewicee wrote:

That photo isn’t for real, is it?

Yes, it is for real.  I found it here.

Judith L wrote:

It looks as if The Millennium Development Goals have replaced the Decalogue.  Will they be included in the new liturgies in the new prayer book?—“Lord have mercy and incline our hearts to do thy will.”?

I would not be surprised ... only 8 commandments as opposed to 10 ... it’s an easy sell.

Kneel before Zod ... uh ....
Kneel before the MDG

Whats the priest on the left got on her head?

I don’t know what she has on her head, but she appears to have nothing on her feet.  Perhaps it was Maundy Thursday.

At the original source, there is a pic of Bishops Gibbs and Schori standing in front of a panel of photos illustrating the MDGs.  The chick in the photo for #3, “Achieving Gender Equality,” has her bra strap showing.  Is the point that men ought also to show their bra straps?

Paul, I’m surprised- didn’t you know the MDGs died for our sins?

James…LOL… as a woman I need to tell you that it is a spagetti strap dress not a bra. Of course we can’t see the face to tell the gender. The female clergy is wearing thin strapped sandels. Very chic except with clerics on. Her hair is probably braided with ribbons in a German braid. Pray for me I think I’m turning into Joan Rivers. Maybe Sarah will open a thread for the fashion critics in all of us who would like to critique a few Bishops and their fashion sense…male and female.

There is nothing I can say kind about the MDG’s in place of a cross at the Eucharist, I’m afraid.

It looks as if The Millennium Development Goals have replaced the Decalogue.

They tithe with mint and anise and cummin, yet neglect the weightier matters of the Law.

Greg, once again you go over the top!! Woo hoo!! Let’s party down and skewer those reasserters over their desire to eradicate poverty!!

Unbelievable.

There’s something intrinsically wrong with the MDGs? There’s something intrinsically heretical with supporting them? Or is it just because Our Katharine supports them?

RoyIII: “I’d rather see a picture of the priests actually feeding people.  What a bunch of poseurs.”
Uncalled for. You have no idea what they do to feed people. None. Zip. You mean: Any time a priest is “caught” celebrating the Eucharist for whatever reason at any place—s/he is automatically a poseur?!? Good grief. Comment should be rejected.

Trey wrote:

Paul, I’m surprised- didn’t you know the MDGs died for our sins? smile

Hi, Trey!  They tried for six years to “get my mind right” ... but so far, I am still unreconstructed in this regard.

Whats the priest on the left got on her head?

Anselmic,
Propably a wiccan wreath! Just a guess!

PadreWayne, when you say:
“Any time a priest is “caught” celebrating the Eucharist for
whatever reason at any place—s/he is automatically a poseur?!?” I would respond much as Houseownedbythedog did.

If they worship before a banner emblazoned with the current phrase of the day, instead of the cross, or the Christus Rex, then yes, they are poseurs and engaging in farce.

Anyone else notice, if you follow the link in your comments, your get to a page with photos of the communion food, including some clearly leavened wheat rolls that look like someone ducked into the local Wegmans before service.  On the barefoot question, there two strands of possible influence: Roman Catholic monks sometimes went barefoot as a sign of renouncing material possessions (a much more substantive sacrifice when walking is your chief means of transport); and a of course from Eastern traditions (including oddball fusion liturgy, like the Cosmic Mass). The altar boys seems to be looking her direction… perhaps they should have included a footwashing?

I Took a little tour of convention highlights on the link that Anglican Beach Party provided.  I found the article written about Bishop Gibb’s address especially telling.
http://www.the-record.org/BIshopsAddress.html
“Gibbs saved any comment on the often-charged issues that face The Episcopal Church and the Anglican Communion because he believes “too much time and energy has been and is being given to discussing human sexuality. Much of the world outside the church is skeptical of a faith community that has a fixation on sex rather than on Gospel Mission. More importantly, our children, youth and young adults find our obsession with the topic embarrassing and boring. It is time we refocused ourselves on the task of bringing people to Jesus, not by winning arguments about sex but by living faithful lives centered in Christ.”

They just don’t get it…

There’s nothing wrong with the MDG’s, PW.  But you don’t need the church in order to implement them.  Lots of groups do that kind of work while managing to sleep in on Sunday mornings.  I have no doubt that those folks feed the hungry.  I seriously doubt that the hungry folks they feed hear from these people Who it was who sent them.  And if you’re feeding the hungry just so you can congratulate yourself on how much more splendidly wonderful you are than those sex-obsessed fundies over there, then not to put too fine a point on it but you might as well have saved your efforit.

Heh…I just checked. Even BabyBlue’s website links to the ONE campaign… Proves, I guess, that not all reasserters think alike. As if all progressives did.

Padre Wayne,

There is nothing wrong the the MDG`s per say.  They are quite noble and worthy goals.  What is wrong is putting them in place of the cross as something that should be worshiped instead of Christ.

I hope that makes it clear.

Heh heh.

Priceless.  I mean . . . you can’t make this stuff up.

But due to the past 48 hours . . . is there any chance that this actually occurred at a Bahai Faith Center and not an Episcopal church?  Perhaps it was put up at the Diocese of Michigan web site as a humorous example of what not to do?  Or as a special training tool for liturgists?

Or the banner was perhaps photoshopped in by Michael Daley?

I hope that this was carefully checked.  We don’t want to find out that this was actually done at a Jewish synagogue in Alabama.

PadreWayne,

allyHM and CJ beat me to it. No, there’s nothing wrong with eradicating poverty. But it’s not the eradication of poverty that’s alarming here - it’s the eradication of something far more important.

The Millenium Development Goals + One would be wonderful (with the One being taking the good news to the peoples of the world of God’s provision of redeeming grace through the cross and resurrection of Jesus). Unfortunately, we are dealing with people who are ashamed of the of the Gospel (and I am not talking about PW here) and don’t want to “offend people of other faith traditions.” Thus, they have taken up the MDGs without the gospel message.

One other criticism of the MDGs: Dedicating 0.7% of ones assets to eliminating world poverty is pathetic. Big whoop.

Sarah,

The photo is from the Diocese of Michigan’s diocesan convention, which was held at the Holiday Inn South in Lansing.  So, it was not taken at any Episcopal church, but it is of an Episcopal eucharist.

—Paul

Anglican Beach Party, sorry for doubting reality. :-( That picture is such an elegant summary of what has happened to my TEC. Another idol has replaced me…

One other criticism of the MDGs: Dedicating 0.7% of ones assets to eliminating world poverty is pathetic. Big whoop.

TEC is probably spending more than that on law suits against its own churches. I would have more respect if the church were asking for sacrificial giving - but isn’t it basically wanting money to lobby Congress? Somebody please correct me if that is wrong. I hope it is.

All of the stupidities of the last thirty years are illustrated in this graphic statement!

mmmm….KJS et al want to eradicate poverty while being willing to impoverish parishes, vestries, priests, etc. who do not agree with them via relentless litigation, loss of pensions, etc,....am I missing something???  PW does this make sense to you?

PW’s comment reminds me of Mt 26:7-11. There’s a proper time and place for everything.

As per the Bishop’s speech—

The bishop offered concrete examples of ministry initiatives that can lead to uncommon results.
“We do not have to accept a 47 percent functional illiteracy rate in the city of Detroit or similar problems in other parts of our diocese,” Gibbs said. “I commend the work of Bound Together in Pontiac and Bound Together-East operating out of Church of the Messiah, Detroit, in partnership with Christ Church Grosse Pointe.
“The effort of Bound Together in both locations is breaking the cycle of illiteracy,” Gibbs said.
————————————-
I am not aware of anything the Bishop did to make this happen.  These are good programs that actually do help students instead what the Bishop pushed last year (continue discrimination in college admissions by voting against MI Proposition 2).  I was the only speaker that spoke aginst the Bishop and said that we need to help lift up students in need, not just push them through to make a quota.

What gives here?  Was the golden calf out getting waxed?

And, in case anyone’s forgotten, the MDGs are a UN boondoggle.  You remember the UN, right?  The same bunch that just skimmed something like $20 billion off the top of the Oil-for-Food program?

The goals are swell.  The problem is the people running the operation behind them.

The main reason for poverty is pagan society.  If you want to get rid of poverty and not just pour money down corrupt black holes over and over then get the gospel to these cultures and give them freedom.  Often it is a cop out to just throw some money at it (especially if there is no sacrifice) and not pay the price to carry the life giving gospel.  Was it Peter and John who when asked for money from the crippled man declined but rather gave him what he really needed?  But if you are bankrupt spiritually the only thing you have to throw at the problems is some mammon. TEC is a non Prophet organization.  IMHO

hookemhooker: “All of the stupidities of the last thirty years are illustrated in this graphic statement!”

No, they are illustrated in this thread. I thought I could leave this site for a month and perhaps gain some perspective, perhaps be less emotional in responses and commentaries. I thought perhaps I was misjudging people on this blog. And so I returned.

Instead, it has become, sadly, not conservative, not orthodox, but toxic. Any semblance of rational, Christian charity and thoughtful expression, has been lost. Good people are maligned (and don’t say nyah nyah they do it over at Jake’s—violence—pistol-packin, guns-for-croziers—is NEVER condoned) with a maliciousness that knows no bounds. Good people are encouraged to keep other good people from Christ’s table. Good people are mislead and lured away from the Holy Gospel of our Lord. Right here. Right here on this blog.

Too bad. Perhaps T19 still has some sanity. Farewell again, all. See ya in Paradise—where God has spread a sumptuous feast for all humankind.

Isn’t anyone concerned about the bastion of germs that that ceramic chalice will become!?  Ugh!

I find it interesting that when Padre Wayne storms off to more civil environs, he chooses another reasserter blog.  Is there a message there?

Instead, it has become, sadly, not conservative, not orthodox, but toxic. Any semblance of rational, Christian charity and thoughtful expression, has been lost.

I’m glad I didn’t say anything about the dirty knife…

Aidan,
You wrote:

I assume that these commandments lead TEC to the obvious conclusion of …

To which I would humbly respond with a brief question. You are familiar with the standard U.S. military translation of the word assume, are you not? If so, I can only assume that you forgot to include the ‘wink’ smiley from the quoted comment.

Blessings and regards,
Martial Artist

Christopher Johnson,

You wrote (in part):

There’s nothing wrong with the MDG’s …you don’t need the church in order to implement them.

Although the first half of your formulation (before the ellipsis I inserted) is perfectly accurate and true, the second half is perfectly incorrect, which is a large part of the problem with TEC, or any other religious group, “signing on” to support them.

A short course in the basics appears to be in order for many on either side of the aisle. Goals cannot be implemented! They are objectives to be achieved (or attained, if you prefer). The reason there is nothing wrong with the MDGs is that they are all worthy objectives we should try to attain. The real problem with TEC’s “signing on” to the MDGs is that they are meaningless in terms of what is going to be done. Although goals cannot be implemented, programs can. The real question in all of this is how (<i>i.e., by what <u>specific</u> programs having what <u>specific</u> characteristics and attributes) are the goals to be achieved</i>? Until you tell me the details about the programs that are to be implemented no one can venture so much as a WAG^† as to whether those programs have any probability whatever of achieving the specified goals.

So, in TEC urging us (dioceses, parishes and parishioners) to subscribe to, and pay for, the MDGs, what you have is the exact equivalent of the old con game of selling someone a “pig in a poke.” That is what is wrong with the MDGs, Padre Wayne. It is something between a giant con game and the greatest idea that has ever come down the pike in human history. The only problem is, no one is talking about what the programs are, making it totally impossible to determine whether the whole effort is good, bad or indifferent. Until someone can deliver very specific details of the programs, no one should so much as discuss the MDGs—they are the international charitable equivalent of the vaporware of the software industry, or, perhaps more fittingly, of the abracadabra of the magician and prestidigitator.

Blessings and regards,
Martial Artist
———————-
^†—Wild A**ed Guess. Not to be confused with SWAG which is a Scientific WAG.

Dear Moot, please check your calculations. You have a sign reversal some where. May I suggest a corrected statement of Moot’s Second Law of Episcopal Thermodynamics:

The total entropy of any isolated ecclesiastical system tends to increase over time, approaching an infinitely maximum value.

Hi Iceworm,

How you wrote that is exactly how wiki worded it.  I flipped the wording, so that it would look like a TEC 2nd law of Thermo. 

As an engineer, it’s impressed me that most folks get the 2nd Law of Thermodynamics messed up.  How else could they believe in goo that turns into amino acids, for instance, or a “consensus of experiences” (common to a sub-set of modern folks) that turns into Special Revalation? 

Meanwhile, a hot cup of coffee will still cool off, if left by itself;  and a cold cup of coffee still doesn’t warm up, if left by itself.

Farewell again, all.

Yeah, yeah.  ‘Hello again,’ ‘farewell again.’  This Hegelian exercise on words and ideas effectively renders everything meaningless, after a while. 

See ya in Paradise—where God has spread a sumptuous feast for all humankind.

A feast prepared for the redeemed members of the Covenant Community. 

Farewell.  er, I mean, ‘hello.’  Oh, never mind.

Moot writes,

As an engineer, it’s impressed me that most folks get the 2nd Law of Thermodynamics messed up.  How else could they believe in goo that turns into amino acids, for instance, or a “consensus of experiences” (common to a sub-set of modern folks) that turns into Special Revalation?

The sun is a wonderful source of massive increases in entropy. Thus, when John and Jane Doe procreate producing Jonny and Janie right here on planet earth, the second law doesn’t mind a bit (to speak anthopomorphically).

I would have rephrased your Second Law of Episcopal Thermodynamics: The total entropy of any isolated ecclesiastical system tends to decrease over time, approaching an infinitessimal value. Of course, one cannot have a system of zero entropy, only entropy very small, a collection of frozen bodies with temperature approaching absolute zero. This will be the end result of the chilling lawsuits meant to stamp out any diversity. Those that don’t agree are unwelcomed out the door. The resulting remnant is a cold, dead church.

I followed Beach Party’s link to the diocesan organ which contained that photo, and discovered at the top of the page a helpful summary of the diocesan mission priorities:

Anglican Identity
 
Revitalize Congregations
     
Leadership Development
     
Youth and Young Adults
     
Justice, Peace, and Diversity
 

So, a godless faith produces a Christ-less mission. Good priorities all of them - but how about glorifying God, preaching Christ, exhorting repentance, wrestling in prayer etc?

It reminds me of that verse from Acts of the Apostles (I think):
“It would be not be right for us to neglect the ministry of leadership development and developing congregations, in order to wait on tables”

Or what that other guy said: “I resolved to know nothing among you except Anglican identity and justice, peace and diversity.”

robroy,

I stand corrected - the limit would have to be finite.  ‘Negative entropy.’  Duhhhh.  Time to peruse my old thermo text again. 

Thanks for catching that. 

I want to echo John Simmons’ comment.

This weekend I was taxi driver so a friend could visit a family he become close. They’re Mennonite and that evening was a annual conference for Christian Aid Ministries (CAM), which is base out of Ohio, but has a huge warehouse and canning operation in Lancaster, PA. That evening we went with the family to see a two hour slide show report of all work that was done. Windows have been fed in Haiti and Moldova, A school in war torn Liberia, Christian brothers and sisters are care for in many nations, there was water project in an Afghan village. Each is in line with the MDG’s. Yet there was a huge difference, the main driving force was Christ and a desire to share His love for His creation (there were many Bible quotes woven throughout the slide show to told their motivations).

This photo reminds me of a radio spot each morning “Pass it forward” (after the movie <u>Pay it Forward</u>) which highlights nice things done to say thanks and encourage folks to continue this behavior. Actually all good things, I laud the secular radio station for doing this and as a Christian, I don’t think I have a lock on niceness. However it’s only Christ’s commands that command be to be nice when people are difficult. When someone calls names and says how I’m toxic, the secular radio nice program does not have the same momentum as remembering the abuse I caused Jesus & what Christ did for me in return.

I think the MDG are very noble and laudable. However there are certainly finite and supposed to be met in eight years, so not so wise for any centuries old institution to make their central mission. Also I’m not sure pragmatism will not take over, I read on the World Bank site where DR Congo is in danger of not meeting the MDG, and the way many Least Developed Countries fact sheet were written, it seem the World Bank was focusing on nations were a return on investment was more measurable. What I say in the slide show were not popular foreign aid nations, so what is driving these people to disparate poverty or war torn nations? Why would they sow in areas that the human eye can see the field so easily torn up, in some cases literally was shown, but they went back and redid the work.

I think it is wrong to forget either the vertical and horizontal. The vertical dimension of the Church is the one through which people
renew their souls through knowing and worshipping Almighty God or horizontal dimension is the way the church reaches out to meet the
needs of fellow human beings. The horizontal and vertical dimensions formed the cruciform vision, which is what I believe the Bible commands us. The photo is a elevation of the horizontal with no reference point to the vertical other than a chalice, and the words above to not connect to the chalice, thus it could be unnecessary. In a proper relationship the two are intricately connected.

I hope this isnt too far afield, just wanted to show you what is happening in Columbus Episcopal church’s…
http://www.dispatch.com/live/content/local_news/stories/2007/11/05/Rabbi.ART_ART_11-05-07_B4_DN8CHSP.html?sid=101

I have some barometers that indicate how well we are doing. One of them is when Tom, The Seer Of Santa Fe, Clown Minister To The Stars, launches one of his confused “the buildings are for us” tirades. Another is the sudden apperance of Wayne, Padre To The Left, in any thread. They don’t show up unless we are scoring points. Nice to see ya Wayne. What’s got yer cassock in a ball this time?

Now that Al Gore is on the Hot Weather thing, and TEC is well on the way to curing poverty, I feel pretty good about all the great and meaningful things the left is doing.  Does anybody have a Gant chart, or timeline on when poverty and the hot weather will be fixed?

The MDG remind me of the endless staff meetings, mission statements, and administrative “blueprints” I have had to suffer through as a member of an educational bureacracy over the past 40 years.  Bet it makes one heck of a PowerPoint, though!

Looking for Leaders ... here is your timeline on elimination of poverty.

BTW—Firefox spell check can create more problems than it solves ...
“Widows have been fed in Haiti”

Teddy Mak—Ha! That’s a good prospective on blog life!

I am thinking of a new hymn celebrating the MDGs that can be included in the next iteration of the Hymnal.  An appropriate spot would be right after the goofy Hymn No. 412, Earth and All Stars (“Classrooms and labs, loud boiling test tubes . . .”).

PadreWaye

Good people are maligned (and don’t say nyah nyah they do it over at Jake’s—violence—pistol-packin, guns-for-croziers—is NEVER condoned)

That’s a joke.  I stopped posting at Jakes site maybe 15 months ago - precisely because he turned it into a free-fire zone.  His allies can say pretty much anything they want with impunity - my personal favorite being the time I was called a fascist for mentioning I was in the military.  Not one person on that blog - least of all Jake - raised an objection.  And do I not currently have credibility in your eyes to make this statement? 

carl

Steven in Falls Church ... the possibilities are endless.

I can easily see the MDG foamboard posters being placed in a church, 4 to a side, and used as a devotional exercise in place of the Stations of the Cross.  A brief meditation could be read (or a short liturgical dance number could be performed) at each station.

Stations of the United Nations??

Anyone else notice, if you follow the link in your comments, your get to a page with photos of the communion food, including some clearly leavened wheat rolls that look like someone ducked into the local Wegmans before service.

As someone who left a church because they once passed out the “Communion” elements (actually matzos & grape juice) as a after service snack, I actually squirmed in discomfort when I read the above.

Why? Because I know that it is way too likely a possibility.

*shudder* Its just dinner or a snack to some people no matter how or when it is served.

As for anyone picking or mocking the MDG’s, Padre Wayne, its not the idea of feeding people that we mock. Its the new world UN order behind them. Its their elevation into a new Gospel that is a problem. It is the idolatry on display in the picture that needs to be called out for the lunacy that it is.

As someone else has pointed out, where is the Cross? Either the MDG’s have taken its place in the minds of these folks or else they were just too lazy and sloppy to properly set up the altar. Either way, I see a big problem.

Beach Party Bingo, don’t tell the TEC leaders (surely they would never pick up the Bible and actually read that verse) about this.  On second thought, they would never admit that was in the Bible anyway, and if they did, they would spin it off (think “reason”, and throw in some good works stuff too).  But, at least they think they have it figured out.  Boy, if only they had come along earlier, we wouldn’t have all these problems!!!

As someone who left a church because they once passed out the “Communion” elements (actually matzos & grape juice) as a after service snack,

TEC has really deconstructed the eucharist, hasn’t it? Or was this some other church?  I thank God that I haven’t been exposed to this sort of thing. The eucharist - it’s just a meal.

We love to use symbols, metaphorical images, but sometimes our symbols speak a message we don’t intend. The folks burning flags in protest to the current government may intend their message to be “I hate Bush” but their symbolism says, “I hate America” - and that’s all of us. (I’m as suspicious of flag-waving patriots as any child of the 1960s, but burning the flag is burning the symbol of the nation,  not the symbol of its government. If that’s how you feel, have at it, but know what you’re saying.) In this picture, they have visually enshrined the MDG. The message may be that this is what we are focused on, but placing that list as they have, the visual message is: “Jesus? He’s not here.”

Dear PadreWayne,
Have a ball.

Fr. George was my parent’s rector when they both died in the late 80’s.  When I returned to my home parish in Chattanooga in 1998, he was still there and about to leave for Columbus. 
My heart breaks, and as the folks look down from the bastions of the Church Triumphant, I am sure they are disappointed as well.

Kyrie eleison.
Chip+, cj

Hosea6:6,

Despite what you wrote,

Firefox spell check can create more problems than it solves ...

which is pretty much true of any spellcheck software, I firmly believe that

SpellCheck is hear two stay!^†

[footnote added]

Blessings and regards,
Martial Artist
———————-
^†—Actual quote used as part of an email signature by an (extremely perceptive) Office Admin with whom I worked for about two years a decade ago.

carl,

Thank you for your loyal service to our nation, and God’s blessings on you for it.

Regards,
Martial Artist, LCDR, USN [ret]

Off topic, but relevant: Both lectionaries have a “stand firm” verse in 2 Thess. 2:15: “Stand firm and hold to the traditions which you were taught.” Looks like a possible sermon text to me.

MA—Thanks for the levity!

The United Nations Overlords have already taken over my former parish.  Check out its announcement this past summer for its kids’ Vacation “Bible” School:
 

Real Heroes, Vacation Bible School where children, ages 5-12, learn how they can make a difference in the real world as envisioned by the United Nations at the Millennium Summit 2000, 9 a.m.-2:30 p.m. June 18-22, St. *****, ***** room; $50, includes field trips, lunches, snacks (scholarships available).

Never too early to start brainwashing the younger generation to replace the Cross with the Millenium Development Goals.  As your photo so aptly demonstrates.

Hmmm. My previous post didn’t land - was I being bad? Or just (more likely) inept…

Kyrie!

-Patrick

Ahhhh yes - apparently inept then. *grin*

As someone who comes to my Anglican role later than most here (albeit with a strong upbringing in the Minnesota Lutheran (ALC) tradition, and nuturing in baptist, evanglical and messianic jewish heresies), the article prompted me to revisit commentary offered by the often controversial Gary North who wrote the tome entitled, “Crossed Fingers: How the Liberals Captured the Presbyterian Church” - a 1000-page work that he wrote over the span of 3 years. Which while of course having a focus on the Presbyterian Church contains much that enlightens about our own current state in the Episcopal/Anglican crisis. Let me offer a pithy excert form Chapter 13, which reflects the developments behind the content of the article:
” Capturing the Robes
American liberals adopted a culture-wide offensive strategy after 1865, a long-term strategy of institutional infiltration and capture. Three institutions were the primary targets of this strategy: the college, the judiciary, and the Church. I have called this strategy capturing the robes.(5) These three institutions have long possessed enormous influence in American life. All three are marked publicly by the wearing of black robes on formal occasions. Robes were the medieval world’s mark of judicial sovereignty. The liberals’ strategy has worked exceptionally well. They have captured the nation.(6)
In the institutional struggle for the control of the churches, liberal humanists became known as modernists. What was the nature of the liberals’ ecclesiastical strategy? It was primarily offensive. It was also conspiratorial. What do I mean by “conspiracy”? The word comes from two Greek words meaning “breathe together.” A conspiracy is an organized effort to steal a rival movement’s institutions through a strategy of misrepresentation, infiltration, and money—preferably money supplied by those people whose authority is being undermined.
There are two parts to a successful offensive conspiratorial strategy: external and internal. First, there is a frontal assault intellectually and financially from outside the targeted organization or organizations. This assault challenges the legitimacy of the presuppositions and actions of the targeted organization. Second, there is simultaneously a systematic, coordinated program of subversion from within. Subversives who hold the views and goals of the institution’s enemies “outside the walls” enter the targeted organization as if they were in agreement with the ideals of the intended victims. They have a hidden agenda. Their agenda is to conquer from within. They seek to gain positions of authority within the targeted organization. They spend decades to gain access to these positions. Theirs is a long-range strategy.(7) Those people who are committed to a long-term plan have a great advantage over enemies with a short-range mentality.”

Sounds very familiar somehow….

Speaking of a New Gospel This little goody needs it own thread
http://news.yahoo.com/s/time/20071106/us_time/anevangelicalrethinkondivorce

masternav

Thanks for the Gary North quote.  You might be interested to know that I worked for Gary one year (that is, for ICE), back when he was in Tyler, Texas.  I was just a lowly book-shipping clerk.  But, I was also in a Christian Recon band, the School of the Prophets ... those were heady days ... we were poised to take over the world.  LOL.

A Christian Recon band?  You played in camo paint and boonie hats with big knives strapped to your web gear?

Ed the Roman wrote:

A Christian Recon band?  You played in camo paint and boonie hats with big knives strapped to your web gear?

No, we weren’t as overt as that.  We pretty much looked like a bunch of hippies from Austin.  But with decidedly more aggressive “auras” ...

Here is the painting I did, which was going to be our album cover, only we never got a record contract.  Kemper Crabb was working on that for us, but our deal never was solidified.  The Rickenbacker 12-string (in the painting) is what I played in the band.  Wish I still had it.

Looking at the offending photo just now, it appears that someone either photo shopped in a crucifix in front of the convention posters or else there was in fact a crucifix there all along.

The cross was there in the photo all along.  Still, its scale (compared to the huge scale of the MDGs) makes it look like an after-thought.

Isn’t the cross in the photo a processional cross?

They probably processed in with the cross and that was the biggest one that the crucifer could carry. ; > )  Looking at other photos, it appears that the poster was up during the convention and that the Eucharist was done on the same stage rather than in a church off site of the convention.  It seems that unless they were going to move to a church for the service, it was probably reasonable to perform the service where they did.  I see some pectoral crosses in the photo as well.

As an aside, there is good news on just one of the MDG’s that we can all give thanks for this week.  Praise God from whom all blessings flow!

John316 wrote:

As an aside, there is good news on just one of the MDG’s that we can all give thanks for this week.  Praise God from whom all blessings flow!

Thanks for the link.  This is great news!