In the Wrong Camp

The Rapid City Journal features an article today on the conflict in the Anglican/Episcopal church over homosexuality; ultimately it boils down to following the Scriptures.

Conflict between liberal and orthodox church members in the United States and abroad reached a crisis in 2003 when the Episcopal Church consecrated its first openly gay bishop. The tensions with conservatives grew last year when the American church elected a woman, Katharine Jefferts Schori, as presiding bishop.

Bill Kunerth, a member of St. James Episcopal Church in Belle Fourche, has high praise for Jefferts Schori as a leader of peace and inclusivity and little patience for the Anglican ultimatum that was issued at the meeting in Tanzania.

“I thought it was very narrow and perhaps a little unrealistic,” Kunerth said.

Unrealistic to do what the Bible says? No human or church obeys the Bible perfectly, as we are all fallen creatures and the church is made up of fallen creatures. But to throw up your hands and admit defeat at the git-go...there's something wrong with that.

Hebrews 12:4 says, "In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood." This biblical admonition is a long way from, "...that's a little unrealistic."

And as for "narrow," here's what Jesus himself said about narrow (Matthew 7:13-14): "Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it."

Yes, the Bible is tough. Yes, the way of God's truth is narrow. But it's worth it!

And if you're going to call yourself a Christian, there is no other path for you. If you're looking for the easy, wide way, then you're in the wrong camp. You might as well move over and quit trying to fool people...and yourself.