Buddhist Catholic Contemplative Evangelical General Christian Hindu Jewish Latter-day Saint Muslim New Visions Progressive Christian

Beliefs

Topics

Columnists

Resource Library

Research Tools

Video

Podcasts

Thought Readers

Faith In Media Tracker

Newsletters

Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In Subscription Support

Follow Patheos

Orthodixie

Home
Eastern Orthodox
The Episcopals in “Goodbye Yellow Brick”

The Episcopals in “Goodbye Yellow Brick”

Last updated on: February 22, 2007 at 5:52 am by Fr. Joseph Huneycutt

The Episcopals in “Goodbye Yellow Brick” 2007-02-22T05:52:00-06:00 Fr. Joseph Huneycutt

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Once upon a time, Episcopalians were, I believe, personified by Thurston Howell the Third. Every now and then you’d find the bumbling Anglo-Catholic version, ala Hugh Grant, or the warm and homey granddad, ala Bill Cosby. As time passed, one began to see firebrands with faces and viewpoints contorted by controversy — like, say (in a twisted way) Michael Savage.

Then, for what it’s worth, came the E.Y.W. — the Eternal Year of the Woman. They were ordained illegally … and later ratified. This, coupled with Prayer Book revision, split the church and set precedent for future distortions. Boy George became Fr George — who was later, of course, spotted in a tree … yes … k.i.s.s.i.n.g.

(Not to mention E.I.E.I.O.)

Now we come to Oz. Which explains the church hymnody, “Somewhere Over the Rainbow,” mentioned in yesterday’s post.

I am finally starting to get it. Not like the folks at Get Religion would define “get it” … [After all: “The Episcopal Church: Where neither politics or religion is spoken.”] … but, from that venerable site comes this:

There was a time when the Episcopal Church in the United States was known as “the Republican Party at prayer,” but in the last 30 years it has evolved into the Rainbow Coalition of Christianity.

There are hip-hop Masses, American Indian rituals to install a new presiding bishop and legions of gay and straight priests who don the rainbow stoles of gay liberation. Its pews are full of Roman Catholics and Christians from other traditions attracted by its aura of radical acceptance.

Now the conservatives who numerically dominate the global Anglican Communion have handed their Episcopal branch in the United States an ultimatum that requires the church to reel in the rainbow if it wants to remain a part of the Communion.

Read tmatt’s take.

The Rainbow Coalition of Christianity, viewed through a proper lens, could be a good thing. But when it fails to continually CONVERT it loses the Christianity part. The Scarecrow still sits in the pew lacking a brain, the Tin Man is missing a heart, and no courage is found in the Lion. Dorothy is still lost. And, forgive me, but God only knows what new ministries might soon be found for Toto if such a bereft coalition continues.

In a very strange way the fault may lie as equally with Billy Graham crusades as with Henry the Eighth. (Ya gotta admit Big Harry — and, especially, Elizabeth — must be rolling in the grave over this news.) By that I mean the hymn that helped to shape generations: “Just As I Am” —

Just as I am, thou wilt receive,
Wilt welcome, pardon, cleanse, relieve;
Because thy promise I believe,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

Just a I am; thy love unknown
Has broken every barrier down;
Now to be thine, yea, thine alone,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

The perversion enters when “just as I am” becomes “just fine by me.” I mean, even the devil accepts you “just as you are.” People struggling with sexual sin (I refuse to break it down to the G and L words) have always been welcomed in the multicolored tapestry of the Church. Yet, like the rest of us sinners, all are welcomed to continually struggle toward the Kingdom through fidelity. There’s no Fairy Godmothers, Magic Shoes, Flying Monkeys or Talking Trees. But there is forgiveness and salvation available for all.

Some day I’ll wish upon a star
And wake up where the clouds are far behind me
Where troubles melt like lemondrops
Away above the chimney tops
That’s where you’ll find me
Source

Uh?

No.

You can’t just click your heels nor merely dream of a magical land called heaven. But, by God’s grace, you may convert.

The Prodigal when he found himself wallowing in pig slop came to himself and said: How many of my father’s hired servants have bread enough and to spare, but I perish here with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son; treat me as one of your hired servants.”

And he arose and came to his father.

But while he was yet at a distance, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him …
Luke 15:17b – 20

As says our Lord, “Repent, for the Kingdom of God is at hand.”

Fall down. Get back up. Fall down. Get back up …

Goodbye yellow brick road.

Hello Reality.

And, yes, I know that it’s Episcopalians, not “Episcopals” … but.

The Tanzania Communique.

Uncategorized

Previous Post

February 21, 2007

Voulez-vous eglise avec moi ce soir?

Next Post

February 22, 2007 Britney Spears: Prodigal Daughter?

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Uncategorized

Select a Month November 2016 October 2016 August 2016 May 2016 April 2016 January 2016 September 2015 August 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012 April 2012 March 2012 February 2012 January 2012 December 2011 November 2011 October 2011 September 2011 August 2011 July 2011 June 2011 May 2011 April 2011 March 2011 February 2011 January 2011 December 2010 November 2010 October 2010 September 2010 August 2010 July 2010 June 2010 May 2010 April 2010 March 2010 February 2010 January 2010 December 2009 November 2009 October 2009 September 2009 August 2009 July 2009 June 2009 May 2009 April 2009 March 2009 February 2009 January 2009 December 2008 November 2008 October 2008 September 2008 August 2008 July 2008 June 2008 May 2008 April 2008 March 2008 February 2008 January 2008 December 2007 November 2007 October 2007 September 2007 August 2007 July 2007 June 2007 May 2007 April 2007 March 2007 February 2007 January 2007 December 2006 November 2006 October 2006 September 2006 August 2006 July 2006 June 2006 May 2006 April 2006 March 2006 February 2006 January 2006 December 2005 November 2005 October 2005 September 2005 August 2005 July 2005 June 2005 May 2005 April 2005 March 2005 February 2005 January 2005 December 2004 November 2004 October 2004 September 2004 August 2004 July 2004 June 2004 May 2004

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

Who interpreted Nebuchadnezzar's dream of a statue of gold, silver, bronze, iron, and clay?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Hosea Daniel Obadiah Ezekiel