More details, and commentary from Bp. O’Neill (et al.) here. The report itself is available here. More commentary once I’ve read it ….
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Diocesan task force report
More details, and commentary from Bp. O’Neill (et al.) here. The report itself is available here. More commentary once I’ve read it …….
Denver Post article here, which includes this charmer from Rev. Armstrong:
“I think it’s basically just an attempt by the peace-mongers in the diocese to get conservatives to behave themselves and be quiet while they move forward with the liberal agenda,” said Armstrong, who was not on the task force.
So I guess Matt 5:9 should be changed to say:
Cursed are the Peacemongers, for they shall be called the whore spawn of Satan.
Heh.
I find myself somewhat conflicted on the subject. On the one hand (and if I put this in far too scriptural a framework, consider the subject), Christ calls on Christians to be One with the Father. All are called, and loved, and forgiven, etc., etc., etc. Making divisions in the church, from that perspective, is a frightful crime.
On the other hand, there’s also the Christ who came to cause divisions, to set father against brother, etc. The Christ who didn’t seek to enter into calm dialog with the money-changers at the temple, or call for a time-out with the Pharisees.
I think being a peace-monger, which *I* would interpret as being someone who seeks peace at all costs, as the most desirable state, is not a good thing.
So, to that extent, I’m willing to defend Rev. Armstrong’s sentiments (in theory). At some point, it is not only desirable but necessary to say, “I can accept no further,” to draw a line in the sand, to take a stand.
On the other hand, while it’s difficult for me to argue whether Rev. Armstrong is (let alone should be) at that point, I can certainly find fault with his way of expressing it.
The Biblical basis of what Armstrong is driving at is found in Jeremiah 6. Here “peace mongers” are those who fail to head God’s warning and find his Word offensive but declare peace anyway.
9 This is what the LORD Almighty says:
“Let them glean the remnant of Israel
as thoroughly as a vine;
pass your hand over the branches again,
like one gathering grapes.”
10 To whom can I speak and give warning?
Who will listen to me?
Their ears are closed
so they cannot hear.
The word of the LORD is offensive to them;
they find no pleasure in it.
11 But I am full of the wrath of the LORD ,
and I cannot hold it in.
“Pour it out on the children in the street
and on the young men gathered together;
both husband and wife will be caught in it,
and the old, those weighed down with years.
12 Their houses will be turned over to others,
together with their fields and their wives,
when I stretch out my hand
against those who live in the land,”
declares the LORD.
13 “From the least to the greatest,
all are greedy for gain;
prophets and priests alike,
all practice deceit.
14 They dress the wound of my people
as though it were not serious.
‘Peace, peace,’ they say,
when there is no peace.
15 Are they ashamed of their loathsome conduct?
No, they have no shame at all;
they do not even know how to blush.
So they will fall among the fallen;
they will be brought down when I punish them,”
says the LORD .
Oops. That should be heed God’s warning, not head God’s warning.
Yes, that does sound like the spirit that Rev. Armstrong is emulating in his speech.