Since God revealed himself in Christ Jesus- people have attempted to live according to his command. They have managed this, to varying degrees, only because Christ established his church on earth, and chose twelve Apostles to continue his ministry on earth. The Apostles would have failed in the task but that he promised to be with them, and sent his Holy Spirit, to guard, guide and protect them. He also inspired the Scriptures and provided the miracle of grace that we call the Sacraments.
But just as there have always been faithful Christians, so there have been others whose intentions are not so pure. Sadly the world has seen countless fools who would ‘improve’ or ‘add to’ what God has revealed (the arrogance of which is mind blowing!) Such people wrongfully suppose their own logic superior to the faith once delivered. They see Christ as somehow limited in his revelation and thus offer new reforms and opinions. Such people twist Christianity, promoting a new message or philosophy.
All wrongful or misguided teaching distorts, weakens and misrepresents the true and living Faith. Such dangerous teaching is called HERESY and is one of the gravest of sins of all. Why? Becuase it robs people of salvation. Instead of feeding people- heresy abandons them to the empty presumptions of this wicked world. Sincere Christians therefore have a duty, in every age, to denounce heresy whenever it rears its ugly head. (The picture today depicts S. Augustine defeating heresy in his day)
Some heresies are ancient- such as the ‘Arian Heresy’ which denied belief in the Trinity and claimed Jesus was less than God. In combating this lie the Church wrote the Nicene Creed – a clear statement of what true Christians ought to believe! It remains a useful benchmark for orthodoxy today.
Other heresies are new, such as the terrible heresy sweeping through the Western Church in our time. This new Heresy is now rampant in the Anglican Church (sadly)- and has grown in popularity since the 1960′s. It seductively suggests we should ‘reform’ Christianity and ‘bring it in line’ with more secular thinking. Fuelled by modern notions of ‘social justice’ (a good thing initself) it waters down the faith into something new and less demanding. No longer are we to be bound in obedience to the teaching of scripture and tradition- now may re-evaluate and re-interpret according to our feelings and desires.
It is due to this emerging ‘liberal’ heresy (an ironic name given its illiberal methods) that Anglo-Catholics and Evangelicals are in danger of being forced out of the Anglican Church on a matter of principle. Please note: I do not refer to old fashioned liberals here -those true believers who allowed for breadth of expression. No this new ‘liberal’ is something altogether different.
The new ‘liberal’ has a clear agenda forged in the politically correct arena of the modern world. It views traditional Christianity with suspicion and seeks to modernise what it sees as a stuffy, patriarchal and oppressive institution. The movement has gained much support, so much so that many in authority, Bishops especially, are now pursuing its goals. The new liberal does not wish to promote breadth of expression but breadth of belief. ‘Anything goes’ is the mantra- except of course faithfulness to scripture and tradition.
What is emerging is a new ‘quasi-Christian’ sect – something retaining a tiny portion of its Christian heritage whilst redefining doctrine according to whim and public opinion. An example can be found in the desire to abandon teaching on sex outside marriage – in order to champion not just homosexuality but even bisexuality and transgendered lifestyles. Or else we find it in the desertion of the traditional understanding of holy orders- in order to ‘invent’ the ordination of women and even the emerging suggestion of lay presidency (whereby anyone in the congregation can say Mass).
Let me give a frightening example (courtesy of Fr. Steele). The following is a ‘new Mass’ – produced in the Anglican Church of America to promote feminist philosophy. The desire is to refer to God in the feminine as much as possible (in blatant disregard to God who chose to reveal himself in the masculine)- even Jesus is called Mother here:
From the penitnential rite: (C = celebrant P = people)
Blessed be the Lady who births, redeems and sanctifies us.
P: And blessed be all of her creation forever. Amen
C: Nurturing Mother, our hearts are open to you. You know our yearnings and our deepest fears. Purify our hearts with your burning love, that we may learn to love you more and more. Amen.
C: Loving Lady, have mercy.
P: Mother Jesus, have mercy.
C: Loving Lady, have mercy.
Or else this from the Eucharistic prayer (as if it is theirs to tinker with):
C: May the Holy Mother be with you.
P: And also with you.
C: Lift up your hearts.
P: We lift them to our Lady.
C: Let us give thanks to Her.
P: If is right to give both thanks and praise.
C: It is truly right, Mother, to give you thanks; for you alone are the I AM, living and true, dwelling in light inaccessible from before time and forever. fountain of life and source of all goodness, you made all things and fill them with your blessing; you created them to rejoice in the splendor of your radiance…..Mother, we now celebrate this memorial of your redemption. Recalling Christ’s death and his descent among the dead, proclaiming his resurrection and ascension to your waiting arms, longing for his coming in glory; and offering to you, from the gifts your have given us, this bread and this cup, we praise you and we bless you…
I could go on but why bother? The full transcript is avaialble via De cura animarum.
Suffice to say… what on earth is going on? This utter nonsense is encouraged and permitted….but Christians like those in S. Barnabas’ are in danger of being bundled out of the door because we wish to stand up for the faith that has always been taught here? The need for prayers is obvious…..for these new liberals don’t simply want to ADD this bunkum to the Christian heritage. It is intended to replace it.
My dear brothers and sisters, we who ARE obedient and faithful must stand together. We must resist the pirates who threaten to overtake Mother church and steal our buildings and traditions. We must resist this hollow bastardisation of the Faith -for it is a slap in the face of Jesus. And we must stop the clelver games using language. Open your eyes and see…we who are faithful are in fact the true liberals- for we accept everything in the name of Jesus, drive no-one away and practice what we were commanded to do.
