God no longer male, Scottish Episcopal Church rules

HT to Andre for the link

A new order of service produced by the Scottish Episcopal Church has caused controversy by removing masculine references to God.

"Female priests asked why God was still referred to as a man. The new form of worship, which removes words such as "Lord, he, his, him" and "mankind" from services, has been written by the church in an attempt to acknowledge that God is "beyond human gender". Episcopalian bishops have approved the introduction of more "inclusive" language, which deliberately removes references suggesting that God is of male gender." The article continues.

First, we already know that God is spirit and thus beyond human gender. Reiterating that fact by changing the  language is not necessary. That language is already in the bible. As John 4:24 states, “God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth.” God is a spiritual being. We all know that if we read the bible.

However, when the 'female priests asked why God is referred to as a man', their first answer should have been to refer to the scriptures. The answer is though God is Spirit, He chose to reveal Himself to humankind as male, and His son was revealed to us as a male also. It is too bad that the method God chose to speak of Himself and the way He chose to reveal Himself to us is not sufficient for the priests at this church.

Secondly, Jesus, His son, referred to Him as male.

John 8:19 - "So they were saying to Him, "Where is Your Father?" Jesus answered, "You know neither Me nor My Father; if you knew Me, you would know My Father also.""

John 20:17 - "Jesus said to her, "Stop clinging to Me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to My brethren and say to them, 'I ascend to My Father and your Father, and My God and your God.'"" The Apostles also referred to God as a male. (Jude 1:1; 1 Peter 1:3; 2 Thess 1:2...) I'm sorry that the way that our Savior spoke of our Father is not credible to the priests.

They use the word 'inclusive." The word 'inclusive' is always a code for 'man's fleshly desire.' God is inclusive because Jesus died for all of mankind. "[Jesus] is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.” (1 John 2:2 NIV)" If dying for the sins of every person who ever lived isn't inclusive enough for you, you need a new dictionary.

Changing the scriptures to align with individual desires or mass culture is not only dangerous, but blasphemy. Why? "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness," (2 Tim 3:16). The scriptures the Scottish Church is changing were delivered by God. Man's corruption of God's work is blasphemy because it directly disrespects God and His sacred Word. Again, to use an overused word, "all scripture" means ALL, inclusive of Genesis 1:1 to Revelation 22:21.

But! We were told that the days would come when people would not stand for the scriptures as is,  but succumb to the pleasant words of man, wanting their ears tickled instead. "For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear."

UK Telegraph article concludes, "the blessing at the end of services has been changed by some ministers from "Father, Son and Holy Spirit" to "Creator, Redeemer and Sanctifier". "The changing of God language is a little tricky," admitted Rev Darren McFarland, convener of the church's liturgy committee..." Well that explains it. A committee!

Comments

  1. I am astounded by the previously main stream churches which have chosen apostate teachings.
    The Lutherans (ELCA) for example. These are just setting the stage for the global one religion apostacy.

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