All Comments for: Too Unorthodox Even for the Episcopal Church? | Christianity Today

Free Newsletters:

RSS Feeds |

Audio |

Twitter

Home > 2009 > June (Web-only)

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

Too Unorthodox Even for the Episcopal Church?

Church leaders appear to have vetoed a bishop-elect for the first time since the 1930s. But few opponents are celebrating.

Frank E. Lockwood in Little Rock, Arkansas | posted 6/08/2009 09:58AM

Barring a last minute change of heart by opponents, it appears certain that Episcopal Church leaders have rejected the consecration of a bishop-elect who denies traditional Christian teachings about sin, ...

[Reader Reviews]

Average User Rating:

Rate and Comment on this article

Displaying 1 - 25 of 34 comments.

Page: 1 2

Show All

Joe	Posted: June 20, 2009 12:04 PM


Once the Bible is rejected as the authoritative word of God, anything goes! This is a classic example of a "slippery slope". What is the Episcopal Church's basis of support for not accepting this bishop candidate? Certainly not on Biblical!

Br. James-Aidan, FOCD

Posted: June 19, 2009 2:42 PM


At least it shows the TEC at least temporarily has established some sort of booundaries. The real question is not if, but when will all the boundaries of ortodoxy be completely ignored by the "proressive" emergent TEC?

Denise in NY

Posted: June 17, 2009 9:47 PM


Warren, I'm sorry to say I have to agree with you, but you are completely right. The church I grew up in is getting worse by the day. The diocese of Albany NY is still orthodox, although not entirely, but we are not even making a stand by distancing ourselves from the rest of the Episcopal church of USA, which makes me very sad.

Paul	Posted: June 17, 2009 8:39 PM

Wow. I was vaguely aware there were some non-traditional elements in the EC these days. But no idea it was this bad - Forrester obviously can believe what he wants to, but for him to be leading churches, let alone be nominated as a bishop.... Sounds like he'd make a great "New Age" leader, but he shouldn't call himself a "Christian" one - it just makes it that much harder for actual Christ-followers....

Johann

Posted: June 12, 2009 8:50 AM

Well, certainly this guy is a heretic, but I find it hard to understand on what basis other heretics are saying so. I mean, you all believe in private interpretation of the Bible, because as we all know, the Holy Spirit will inspire you to understand its true meaning. You would think that 30,000 Protestant denominations later, no one would really believe that nonsense, but apparently you all still do. So, on what what basis do you all condemn this guy? He's just exercising his right as a Protestant. If you regard people like Ken Hagin or Crespo Dollar as part of your invisible Body of Christ, why don't you accept this guy? Who's to say that your orthodoxy is the true orthodoxy?

Anonymous

Posted: June 11, 2009 5:31 AM


Hi! Ebanij vrot! 2kboe7pd33 tfgdygn3fh!

Warren in SC

Posted: June 10, 2009 10:59 PM


What's the problem? Forester's openly stated beliefs are right in line with most of the Episcopal Religion clergy I know of.

Albrecht

Posted: June 10, 2009 6:30 PM

"I know of others who, the more they studied philosphy and critical theories, either abandoned or compromised the historic Christian faith. It could well be Forrester's exploration of theology at seminary which led him to his current denial of historic Christian doctrine. To reject him as bishop-elect should also be seen as a condemnation of the system which taught, nurtured, and then promoted him." You mean a condemnation of a system which acknowledges reality?

Joseph

Posted: June 10, 2009 11:26 AM

Let's be clear - Thew Forrester is a heretic and should be expelled. A "Christian" who denies the existence of Satan, accepts the Quran as the Word of God, infers that humans are inherently good, and doubts Jesus' divinity harbors beliefs that are irreconcilable with the Christian faith. Thew Forrester also mentions the "continually evolving" Christian faith. However, the evolution he speaks of is a change from truth to deception. This man is a real danger - a false prophet and a wolf in sheep's clothing.

Scott

Posted: June 10, 2009 10:04 AM


I lived in a university town, and the local Episcopal church was the most Gospel-proclaiming entity in the area. So I have a great deal of respect for it. And the Book of Common Prayer is a wonderful, wonderful document, laden with Scripture. So before you damn the Episcopal church, please recognize its merits.

corpuschristioutreachministries

Posted: June 10, 2009 6:00 AM


For some strange reason your atricles always have something to make me laugh. This time it was simply reading the name 'Genpo' seems quite fitting! John

JJ	Posted: June 09, 2009 9:08 PM

I am a confirmed member of The Episcopal Church (TEC) so it is with great sadness that I make the following observations. Think about this... Kevin Thew Forrester is still a priest even if he is not given the purple shirt. He will be able to go back to plying his wares on the faithful in Northern Michigan. By the way, anybody out there want to volunteer to hold their breath until he is brought up on canonical charges related to his teaching of false doctrine and altering the Book of Common Prayer? His theological and liturgical innovations are fairly typical in TEC. He made the mistake of leaving a paper trail prior to becoming a bishop, and will now take one for the team of “progressives” that run our "church." I pray for Kevin. I can only imagine how it must hurt him to have bishops voting against him who are just as guilty of the same types of heresies. As a young priest coming up through their ranks he was probably following their lead--minus the duplicity.

George T.

Posted: June 09, 2009 8:10 PM


Christianity is Christianity. There is nothing wrong in knowing other religions. But to mix these with the teachings of Christ is going too far and does not make any sense other than appealing to greater congregations who in the long run will be confused.

Don	Posted: June 09, 2009 6:43 PM


Am I the only one who is shocked that someone professing such beliefs even made it to the point of an election? I am far from a theological purist but, in agreement with the good Padre, at some point the beliefs are so far beyond the boundaries that they no longer qualify as Christian.

alanps

Posted: June 09, 2009 4:11 PM


Good and interesting article - though I have to agree that the comment from Al Mohler is a very odd addition to the article. Al is not an Episcopalian so not sure why his views are of any interest here?????

Chan Kuhn

Posted: June 09, 2009 2:49 PM


When I read articles such as this my heart breaks and I wonder where on earth could he be coming from--he obviously doesn't even believe in the basics of Christian doctrine... I think he should be freed up to become a Buddist monk--he fits in there--not in orthodox Christianity. I pray God will have mercy on the ECUS.

John	Posted: June 09, 2009 1:35 PM


This is what happens when Apostolic Christianity is forsaken for theological development according to "private interpretation" of Scripture. Episcopal/Anglican bishops lost their Apostolic descent when they swore allegiance to the State over the Church. Now, without unity under the Bishop of Rome, anything is possible.

Ven. Dharmakara

Posted: June 09, 2009 11:34 AM


It is more than appropriate for any tradition to protect its fundamental doctrines, but, speaking as a Buddhist, it would be nice if you people finally stopped referring to the act of "taking refuge" as "Buddhist lay ordination" --- it is not.

Lar	Posted: June 09, 2009 11:17 AM

I guesse they have not gone comletely blind, though I still wonder how much of the Bible they have highlighted with white out. I am glad they have decided to draw the line somewhere, at least for a while. But real back bone draws the line where scripture doese. So they are just not as compromised as they could be. But lets not praise them for this. in our quest for world relavence I believe we are becoming less relavent for & to God Himself. Talk about a picture of Romans 1! Glad I am not in Canada or i might get arrested for refering to that. As For Ding Dang Dakotahgeo, I hope you & Jesus have it all worked out. Let's let God be the truth & every man a liar.

Christine

Posted: June 09, 2009 8:53 AM


Beware of false teachers - 2 Peter 2:1

george

Posted: June 09, 2009 1:13 AM


The Episcopal Church as it is now looks more like an apostate gnostic body than ever. To think it contains any trace of apostolic element is nauseating.

Jim Sparks

Posted: June 08, 2009 11:09 PM

According to the article, Kendall Harmon, canon theologian of the Episcopal Diocese of South Carolina, said, "In any other church—evangelical, Catholic, Orthodox, Pentecostal—this person wouldn't get to go to seminary, let alone be able to lead" an entire regional body. I must challenge this statement. Bishop Spong was purely "orthodox" (in his own words 'fundamentalist') in his early years, prior ot admission to seminary. I know of others who, the more they studied philosphy and critical theories, either abandoned or compromised the historic Christian faith. It could well be Forrester's exploration of theology at seminary which led him to his current denial of historic Christian doctrine. To reject him as bishop-elect should also be seen as a condemnation of the system which taught, nurtured, and then promoted him.

Glenn

Posted: June 08, 2009 10:43 PM

It is so good to see the Episcopal Church showing, as Mr. Carroll said, some backbone. I was beginning to think the EC was about to merge with the Unitarians! Still, if one is to lay claim to the label "Christian", one ought to at least believe what is written about Him in the one authoritative book we have, the Bible. But to deny any of what the Bible says about Christ is to deny His very existence. And haven't we been down that road several times in the past 1900 years?

Rob	Posted: June 08, 2009 9:26 PM


I will never understand why someone would want to be a minister if they don't even believe Jesus is the son of God. What a waste of time. Why would you spend your days talking to people about a subject you really have no strong conviction about. Become a history teacher or a social worker. These both have elements of ministry without actually needing belief or faith.

Roger

Posted: June 08, 2009 9:25 PM


If ever there was a good reason to bring back burning heretics at the stake - this man would be one of them.

Page: 1 2

E-mail this page

Write CT

Print this article

Post a comment