May 2005
He, (a bishop) must hold firm to the sure word
as it has been taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in
sound doctrine and also to confute those who contradict it.
Titus 1:9 (rsv)
This morning a number of us gathered for our regular Tuesday morning
Bible study. Today we finished a wonderful study of Paul's letter to
Titus where the apostle instructs Titus to appoint new leadership for
the Church. (See Titus, chapter 1 and 1 Timothy, chapters 3 and 4 for
Paul's instructions. ) Later in the afternoon, Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger
was elected Pope and took the name Benedict XVI. The news reported mixed
reviews about Ratzingers's election. Some are joyous that the church
would continue on the traditional path it had been on under John Paul
II; others lament his election for the same reason. The divide in
opinion is similar to the crisis we are facing in the Anglican
Communion. Do we uphold the doctrine and discipline as it has been
received throughout the ages, or do we change in accordance with the
accepted norms of culture and society?
This reminds me of a story in the eighth chapter
of 1 Samuel. When Samuel grew old, his sons were appointed to succeed
him. Samuel's sons were not faithful to God, and the people cried out
that they wanted a king as other countries had. A troubled Samuel went
to God, and a displeased God told him to warn the people of the
consequences. The people were stubborn in their demands, and God finally
said, "Give them a king." The outcome was that Saul was anointed king
and you can read about the trouble that followed in the historic and
prophetic books of the Old Testament. God will sometimes give in to what
we want, but we must be prepared to live with the consequences.
I believe the only way through the division we
live with is to seek the Lord in prayer and to humbly submit to the
guidance of the Holy Spirit who, in the words of Jesus, "will lead you
into all truth." How do we do this? First, Jesus taught us to pray, "Thy
will be done on earth as it is in heaven." We must seek God's will in
all things and never our own. That takes trust, obedience, and
submissiveness, which are not easy in a world where individualism and
relativism are the norm.
Second, we must study God's Word. The Scriptures
contain a history of God's interaction with His creation. God is the
same yesterday, today, and forever, and His ways are consistent
throughout time.
Third, we must listen to others in the Church
and never act unilaterally. There is a saying that goes something like
this, "That which affects all must be decided by all". No decision to
change official doctrine or teaching can or should be made without
consultation of the whole church. Historically, all official doctrine
has come by way of councils coming to truth by the leading of the Holy
Spirit. Finally, we must do all of this with patience, love, and
compassion for those with whom we disagree. Jesus' patience, love and
compassion for each one of us is the model we must follow. If we truly
submit to God in all things, I am more than confident he will bring us
to a place where we ill be one, just as he and the Father are on. The
question is: Are we willing?
Fr. David +
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