A Spiritual Challenge In The Third Millenium Of Christianity

[Liberal Crozier]

It is certainly clear to both Hollywood and to Church scholars that the first millenium of the Church had many issues to tackle. In fact, the entire Church only agreed up to the council of Chalcedon before a split occurred in the Eastern Christian fold which exists even today. By the end of the first millennium, we had what is still termed as the Great Schism between what is now Roman Catholicism and those Orthodox Churches in honourific communion with the Oecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople.

The Second Millennium produced both the Continental and English Reformations - similar in many ways, and unique in the fact that the former wished to retain the essence of the catholic sacramental faith. It was later that the acceptance of many continental reformation views on scripture and fiduciary faith created the melange still extanct today.

The Third Millennium has IMHO, also a similar challenge - and that challenge is to determine - whether Catholic, Anglican or Orthodox or truly Protestant in theology and belief - to severe ties with the "mainline" branches and to join gay and lesbian-affirming bodies who hold your views. Until and unless there is a price for their lack of advocacy, they will continue, as do the political liberals in your politics, to deny you the place in the pulpit or pew without prejudice. Do not misunderstand. Schism is a human failure. It speaks however to justice and truth as believers understand those dogmas and doctrines throughout the millennia. Re-grafting to the main body is more a Protestant concept....since for the Catholic, Orthodox or Anglican....the Body of Christ is where the bishop and his flock teach and live the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Faith.