We who preach the gospel must not think of ourselves as public relations agents sent to establish good will between Christ and the world. We must not imagine ourselves commissioned to make Christ acceptable to big business, the press, the world of sports or modern education. We are not diplomats but prophets, and our message is not a compromise but an ultimatum. A.W. Tozer
Therefore let God-inspired Scripture decide between us; and on whichever side be found doctrines in harmony with the word of God, in favor of that side will be cast the vote of truth. --Basil of Caesarea
Once you learn to discern, there's no going back. You will begin to spot the lie everywhere it appears.

I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has strengthened me, because He considered me faithful, putting me into service. 1 Timothy 1:12

Tuesday, February 5, 2008

The Episcopal Church is Apostate #2

I thought I had seen most of the heresy of the Episcopal Church when I wrote my last commentary. However, today I read the latest issue of the Spiritual Counterfeits Project’s Winter 2007/2008 Newsletter and came across another item to add to the list, and I don’t know how I missed this one.

It seems that the same bishop mentioned in the previous entry as apologizing to Hindus for evangelizing them is a member of the United Religions Initiative, which was started in 1995. In its charter, URI describes itself as “a growing global community dedicated to promoting enduring, daily interfaith cooperation, ending religiously motivated violence and creating cultures of peace, justice and healing for the Earth and all living beings…” As SCP states it, “URI leaders…have been open in their scorn for traditional Christian faith and practice.”

According to SCP, URI’s founder, Episcopal Bishop William Swing said “that if the First Commandment leads ‘billions of people from exclusive religions’ (Judaism, Christianity and Islam) to ‘oppose the godly claims of other exclusive religions, what hope is there for peace among religions.’” The members of URI’s board include Christians (Orthodox, Roman Catholic, Lutheran and Presbyterian), Baha’is, Muslims, Jews, Buddhists and Hindus.

Also according to SCP, “Anglican support for the URI is widespread; public opposition is rare among clergy in the Anglican communion. Aside from Bishop Swing, 20 active and retired Anglican prelates have supported the URI.” Former presiding Bishop Frank Griswold is one of them.

As a clue as to what sort of a “bishop” William Swing is, he has boasted that he “ordained more gays and lesbians than the rest of the Anglican church put together.” He has also “ordained more women than any other bishop in the history of the Church…” It seems proper to boast of apostasy in the Episcopal Church!

The Episcopal Church has proven itself time and again to be apostate and heretical. Real Christians should want to leave that denomination.

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