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Christianity Today, July (Web-only), 2009 |

SPEAKING OUT

The Heresy of 'Individualism'?

The 'individualism' we profess is not only not a heresy—it is at the heart of the gospel.

Richard J. Mouw | posted 7/15/2009 12:21PM

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We evangelicals can tell many stories of that sort. I wish that Jefferts Schori would listen to them and discuss them with us. And I wish also that, having discussed these things together, she would joining us in singing: "My sin—O the bliss of this glorious thought!—/my sin, not in part but the whole, / is nailed to the Cross, and I bear it no more, / praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul."

Call that "individualism" if you want. But for us not only is it not heresy, it is at the heart of what it means to affirm the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Richard Mouw is the president of Fuller Theological Seminary and author of Praying at Burger King.

Related Elsewhere:

Christianity Today has a special section on the widening division of the Anglican Church. CT is also posting news updates to the Liveblog.

Previous CT stories on ECUSA and Katharine Jefferts-Schori include:

Conservative Anglicans Create Rival Church | Top leader Duncan expects to see Episcopal Church 'displaced.' (December 4, 2008)

Conservatives Stunned by Bishop's Election | The new church leader supports same-sex marriages, vows to bend over backwards for those she disagrees with. (June 20, 2006)

Sailing Off into Irrelevance | The Episcopal Church's rejection of orthodoxy is sobering for evangelicals. (December 1, 2003)

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July (Web-only) 2009, Vol. 53

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Peter

Posted: July 22, 2009 8:49 PM

I was shocked by your report. Just typical - liberal Christians attacking Evangelicals. then I googled the article and wondered if Mr Mouw had actually read the article. I think this is a case where the author has read into the article his preconceptions about Jefferts Schori. She mades some telling points about the current financial crisis, ecology and mission. And I'm not a fan of hers. To be honest, the emphasis on personal slavation can be debased into individualism. I seem to remember an article in CT that suggested that there was an increase in churchless Christianity. I do come across people who say: You don't have to go to Church to be a Christian.

Lane	Posted: July 22, 2009 4:10 PM


I too am surprised that Mouw chose to focus on the scary pull quote being passed around the internet rather than on the entire sermon. Certainly, Bishop Schori has often been ham-fisted in her engagement of theological topics, but I expected less of a kneejerk response from Dr. Mouw. Did he even bother to read the quote in context?

susan

Posted: July 22, 2009 7:53 AM

THANK YOU, STEVE. YOU VERY KINDLY SPOKE THE TRUTH. I STILL BELIEVE THAT THERE ARE JUST TOO MANY SPEAKERS IN THE CHURCH REALM TODAY WHO DO NOT KNOW AND/OR DENY THE SCRIPTURES. THAT IS MY ISSUE WITH THE MOVEMENT GOING ON WHICH JOINS WITH THE "NEW AGERS". THERE IS NOTHING TO STAND FOR WHEN YOU LISTEN TO AND FOLLOW THIS WORLDLY NONSENSE. IT IS THE COWARD'S WAY, NOT THE WAY OF THE APOSTLES AND PROPHETS NOR OF JESUS THE CHRIST.

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