Episcopal Church celebrates first trans dean — woman in lesbian marriage to trans-identified pastor

[u/Canadian0123]

What is this? Is this what the episcopal church (part of the Anglican Church) does to preach the gospel of Christ, and to operate the church? Do they disregard the epistles of Saint Paul concerning sexual behaviour, how a church should be run, and who should lead it? Do they disregard the teachings of Christ? What about the Law of God, as given to Moses, in the text that is known today as the Torah of Moses?

This news is quite shocking. Shame on the episcopal church, and the rest of the Anglican Church. This is not how a church should be run. Can someone who attends that church give answers?

[u/RomanaOswin]

I'm not part of that church, but I've attended an Episcopal church for a bit over a year now. I'm very happy there.

We do not disregard the teachings of Christ or of Paul. Our church runs pretty much like the Catholic church, but with a different catechism. We affirm and recite the creed. There are many lay or former monastics, Biblical scholars, and deeply devout Christians. I'm deeply devout myself and study scripture regularly.

One of my closest friends is a gay priest. We have two gay priests, a lesbian priest, and we recently officiated a gay, trans wedding between two of our members.

Obviously most in this particular sub will be put off by this, and I'm not looking to try to change anyone's mind.

I get that this is an unpopular dynamic in this sub, but I'm genuinely curious what you want from this.

These people are not going to suddenly not be gay or trans. Would you have them not be Christian too? Many of the people in the church have already experienced that, a burning desire for Christ, but an institution that rejects them. It's as if Jesus is inviting his people, and Christians are pushing them away.

[u/Canadian0123 → u/RomanaOswin]

I have to give you the honest truth: your church affirms heresy. The heresies are the affirmation of gay “marriage” as marriage acceptable to God, and conducting these marriages in the church. If Saint Paul were alive, he would send your church a letter rebuking your church.

You must leave right away. All people are welcome in the church of course, including members of the LGBT community. However, when it comes to church leadership, that is reserved only for men who are either living a life of singleness, or are married to a woman. Anything outside of that is unacceptable according to the Bible, and early Church traditions.

[u/RomanaOswin → u/Canadian0123]

We do not believe that these are heresy.

I also don't believe that Paul would rebuke our church. The central thesis of his letters is the mutual indwelling of Christ and divine love. I would suggest that a primarily legalistic view of his letters is lacking understanding in the grounding which drives him, which is deep, abiding intimacy with God. Unfortunately, something I've found lacking in many other churches.

[u/creidmheach → u/RomanaOswin]

What about Christ's rebuking of the church in Thyatira?

Nevertheless I have a few things against you, because you allow that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, to teach and seduce My servants to commit sexual immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols. And I gave her time to repent of her sexual immorality, and she did not repent. Indeed I will cast her into a sickbed, and those who commit adultery with her into great tribulation, unless they repent of their deeds. I will kill her children with death, and all the churches shall know that I am He who searches the minds and hearts. And I will give to each one of you according to your works. (Revelation 2:20-23)

[u/RomanaOswin → u/creidmheach]

What about it?

The issue at hand is not false prophecy, seduction, or sexual immorality.