In a worship service that included readings from the Koran and Hebrew scriptures, and had open communion, the rector emeritus of an Episcopal church in California told the congregation that he no longer could "think about Jesus as the only way to God and to a saving faith."The readings from the Koran are reminiscent of a recent interfaith service in the Presbytery of the Pacific; a past "Universal Worship Service" at First Presbyterian Church in Yorktown, N.Y., in which the participants offered prayers to a smorgasbord of gods – including those who, "whether known or unknown to the world, have held aloft the light of truth through the darkness of human ignorance." The service, which the Presbytery of Hudson River promoted by e-mail to its ministers, included readings from Islam, Buddhism, Zoroastrianism, the tradition of the "Divine Female," Native Peoples and Judaism.
The congregation of Mount Auburn Presbyterian Church in Cincinnati, Ohio, and 13 congregations in the Presbytery of Hudson River in the past have practiced open communion, in which people who are not baptized – including nonbelievers – are invited to receive the elements.
At a recent worship service for the installation of the Rev. Samuel Lloyd, the new dean of Washington National Cathedral in Washington, D.C., the Rev. Dr. George F. Regas, Rector Emeritus of All Saints Church, Pasadena, Calif., told hundreds of Episcopalians that:
"I simply refuse to hold the doctrine that there is no access to God except through Jesus. I personally reject the claim that Christianity has the truth and all other religions are in error. Unfortunately, this is the position of the new Pope, Benedict XVI, who says salvation is only possible through Jesus Christ. I think it is a mistaken view to say Christianity is superior to Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam, and Judaism and that Christ is the only way to God and salvation. I've given my life to a different Jesus."
The congregation of Mount Auburn Presbyterian Church in Cincinnati, Ohio, and 13 congregations in the Presbytery of Hudson River in the past have practiced open communion, in which people who are not baptized – including nonbelievers – are invited to receive the elements.
At a recent worship service for the installation of the Rev. Samuel Lloyd, the new dean of Washington National Cathedral in Washington, D.C., the Rev. Dr. George F. Regas, Rector Emeritus of All Saints Church, Pasadena, Calif., told hundreds of Episcopalians that:
"I simply refuse to hold the doctrine that there is no access to God except through Jesus. I personally reject the claim that Christianity has the truth and all other religions are in error. Unfortunately, this is the position of the new Pope, Benedict XVI, who says salvation is only possible through Jesus Christ. I think it is a mistaken view to say Christianity is superior to Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam, and Judaism and that Christ is the only way to God and salvation. I've given my life to a different Jesus."
Regas is not the only church official to take controversial positions. In the past, United Methodist Bishop Joseph Sprague has denied Jesus Christ's eternal deity, his atonement for the sins of the world and his unique role as Savior, while Episcopal Church Bishop John Spong rejected a "theistic" God and denied the bodily resurrection and virgin birth of Christ.
1 comment:
The gentleman was right in saying he has given his life over to "a different Christ". Too bad there is only One Christ.
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