Syncretism is bad, mmkay?

21 comments ↓

#1 carey on 06.24.07 at 3:03 am

eep!?

#2 carey on 06.24.07 at 3:05 am

“Redding doesn’t feel she has to resolve all the contradictions. People within one religion can’t even agree on all the details, she said. “So why would I spend time to try to reconcile all of Christian belief with all of Islam?”

wtf?????? explain that please?? am I wrong in thinking that makes absolutely NO SENSE AT ALL?????????

#3 Chris Hubbs on 06.24.07 at 8:50 am

I read that story and was pretty much speechless. The words I had weren’t really repeatable. God, have mercy on us, and keep us grounded in the truth.

#4 Liz on 06.24.07 at 1:06 pm

Let me just say that I’m amused by the stark contrast between the comments left here and the comments left on the LJ feed. Perhaps, since I think it’s commendable and admirable what she’s doing, I ought to be commenting on the LJ feed along with the other people who seem to feel the same way, but… I’m responding here anyway.

Everyone’s faith is different. Every religion, every denomination, even every local parish have different beliefs, even if those differences are minor. Some people believe that what they believe is 100% truth and that there is no other way, but there is no one document or person who can say “this is the truth.” No one knows the truth until they’re dead (if then), and at that point, they’re not exactly in a position to share it with everyone else still on this earth. The Bible, the teachings of Jesus, they’re all very open to interpretation, and many, many people chose to settle for the interpretations that are spoon-fed to them. I find it highly commendable that this woman is choosing to think and feel for herself – she felt the presence of God among the Muslims, and she chose to act on that. Good on her.

And as far as her saying that she doesn’t feel the need to reconcile every little difference, again, I think that’s commendable. There are so many discrepancies among, as I said, even different denominations. Is it so wrong to say “I have faith that God will guide me in the right direction, even if I’m not entirely sure what to believe on x, y, and z”?

#5 Rae on 06.24.07 at 3:16 pm

You know, you can say that the Bible and the teachings of Christ are “very open to interpretation”, and I suppose you’re right in a sense. People are free to interpret anything in any way that they wish. Religious texts, technical manuals, school textbooks . . . all are open to interpretation. One common thread with all of these examples, though, is that there’s a generally accepted interpretation on primary matters (with some variation and disagreement allowed on secondary matters). For instance, if I’m disassembling a laptop at work, the technician’s manual says to remove parts in a particular order . . . but with some of those, if they’re removed in a different order, it’s okay. No harm, no foul. On the other hand, if I attempt to remove the processor before I remove the keyboard, I’m going to have a pretty difficult time. The processor is under the keyboard. It can’t be done (at least not without destroying the keyboard). Still, I was free to interpret the directions differently. But my interpretation would have been wrong.

Same thing with the Bible. There have been and always will be debates raging within Christendom about secondary matters . . . proper recipients and mode of baptism, how churches should go about helping the poor, the meaning of Communion, what kind of music to use in worship, whether or not Christians should be pacifists, etc. Disagreements on those things won’t be going away any time soon. Primary matters, though . . . like whether or not Jesus is the son of God, or whether he alone is how people are reconciled to God . . . those issues have pretty much been settled by church councils and affirmed time and time again by the community of faith over centuries of church history. People are still free to re-interpret Scripture on primary matters if they wish, of course, but they’re re-interpreting against years prayer and scholarship by a community. There’s a name for such folks. They’re called “heretics”. Usually, their church gives them the opportunity to repent, and if they refuse, then they’re given the boot and they go off and start a cult, never to be heard from again.

Not so with Rev. Redding. In feeling that she doesn’t need to “reconcile every little difference” (such as the Bible’s saying “Jesus is the son of God” and the Qu’ran’s saying “no he’s not”), she’s being commended by her bishop, not disciplined. It doesn’t surprise me, really, with the direction that the Episcopal church has been headed over the last thirty years or so . . . but it’s still disheartening to see the utter disregard and disrespect for history in a church so very steeped in it.

The bottom line is that the Christian faith is far bigger than what you or I or any priest or pastor thinks about it. It is not contained in individuals. It is in a community, and an interpretive community, at that. If one person decides to re-write the whole thing, then he or she can. I’m going to stick with the community that the faith has been entrusted to, though.

(By the way, I hope you’re not implying that all those who believe the widely accepted interpretation of Christian doctrine don’t think for themselves. That would be preposterous.)

#6 Israel on 06.25.07 at 1:21 am

As a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, (Mormon) when I read about stories like these, it simply reiterates the effects of the ‘falling away’ period mentioned time and time again in the scriptures. The so-called “mainstream,” is, from Mormons’ perspective, very much an apostate, divided group of good people trying the best they know how, to follow God…but a house divided cannot stand.

Isaiah 24:5

“The earth also is defiled under the inhabitants thereof; because they have transgressed the laws, changed the ordinance, broken the everlasting covenant. “

1 Timothy 4:1

“Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils”

Outside the distortion, there is truth and it has been restored in all its fulness and authority in one Church. His Church. Without coming across as arrogant, let me just state that the divisiveness is a direct result of Christ’s gospel lost when his apostles and prophes were killed and the authority left the earth.

But Christ’s gospel has been restored…
Restored Christianity: (URL removed by Rae)

What are you thoughts on the apostasy Rae?

#7 Stephanie on 06.26.07 at 12:04 pm

I have soooo many things to say here right now..

Must…resist…

#8 Jonathan on 06.26.07 at 12:28 pm

Finally. I can resolve my Christianity and Zeus belief tensions. Excellent.

#9 Rae on 06.26.07 at 1:29 pm

Israel – My thoughts on this particular apostasy are that it’s been a long time coming in the Episcopal Church and that stuff like this shouldn’t surprise anyone.

By the way, you might’ve noticed that I removed the link to your church. No hard feelings, I hope. But, this blog belongs to an evangelical, orthodox, presbyterian Christian, and — according to pretty much every ancient church creed — your church falls outside of the realm of orthodox belief. Therefore, if you leave a link in an attempt to subtly evangelize my readers, the link won’t be there for long Please feel free to keep leaving comments and engaging in these discussions, Israel. Seriously. I’ll even let you link to pages about your church, as long as it’s specifically pertinent to the topic at hand (for instance, a link to your church’s stance on alcohol/tobacco/caffeine in the “Bring The Wine” topic would’ve been fine). But I’d prefer it if you didn’t just come to spread LDS propaganda.

Thanks!

#10 Rae on 06.26.07 at 1:32 pm

Steph – Down girl.

Jonathan – You could do what Episcopal Presiding She-Bishop Kate Schiori does . . . just “live in the tension”. Enjoy!

#11 Stephanie on 06.26.07 at 1:38 pm

i’m not a dog, rae.

#12 Rae on 06.26.07 at 1:44 pm

But you are a girl!

#13 Greg Blosser on 06.26.07 at 2:04 pm

The episcopal church has apostate cancer.
Oh come on! That’s freakin’ hilarious!

#14 Rae on 06.26.07 at 4:17 pm

*rimshot*

#15 Greg Blosser on 06.26.07 at 10:05 pm

It just occurred to me that the photo of Zion PCA ought to be the image which accompanies this post.

#16 Rae on 06.26.07 at 10:30 pm

Because this post is on FI-AHH!

Or it’s flamebait.

Or the ECUSA is going up in smoke.

Pick one.

#17 Israel on 06.28.07 at 12:41 am

Rae, I was only trying to add my perspective. I’m always hesitant to do so, because it may come across in the wrong way in print. I know that you align yourself with different beliefs than I, that’s cool. ‘Propaganda’ wouldn’t have been my choice of words, but hey, it’s your blog, right? I’ve come to accept my faith is misunderstood by many. Thanks for your tolerance.

Just a comment, if I may, with regard to your statement above…I think it was interesting you stated that, “according to pretty much every ancient church creed — your church falls outside of the realm of orthodox belief.” See, my view is that the original church set up by Christ, is restored in its fulness by Christ today. But from someone outside my faith, I know it it may seem as you stated above.

Thanks again for making your blog fun to visit.

#18 Rae on 06.28.07 at 11:18 pm

Check your e-mail, Israel.

#19 Dad on 06.29.07 at 10:34 am

Israel seems a good man – well tempered – impressive – as seem all your friends here – ya’ll play nice.

#20 Israel on 07.01.07 at 12:07 am

Rae, thanks for the email.

#21 not another blog, v2.0 | Update on Episco-Muslim Priest on 07.18.07 at 9:23 am

[...] . . . while the Bishop of Olympia (under whom she serves) is “excited” about Anne Holmes-Redding’s Christianity/Islam mashup, the Bishop of Rhode Island (who holds jurisdiction over her ordination) doesn’t quite share [...]

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