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I got an e-mail from Smitty today that linked to this post at Samizdata. The meat of the story:

Bishop Spong is the “Save the bible from fundamentalism” person (a favourite of certain liberal people I know in York) – and by “fundamentalist” he really means this word in its original sense, i.e. the “fundamentals” of Christianity such as the empty tomb (although, of course, he would be happy if innocent minded people just thought he meant stupid-southern-redneck-preacher by “fundamentalist”, which is the impression the media love to give). In any case Bishop Spong assumes that, being a social gospel person like himself, Rowen Williams also does not believe in the basic doctrines of Christianity (i.e. that, like Bishop Spong himself, he is using religion as a cover for the service of the collectivist cause).

So Bishop Spong was rather taken aback by Rowen Williams teaching the doctrine of the empty tomb, so shocked that he stated that of course Williams can not really believe in such doctrines (he must just be pretending in order to get along with the ignorant scum who make up most church goers) – but it is Rowen Williams’ reply that interests me.

Archbishop Williams replies that he is not pretending to believe in things in order to get along with ordinary people – he actually does believe in these doctrines, “I do not know how to convince him [Spong] that I do, but I do”.

Paul Marks then apologized for always assuming the Archbishop of Canterbury believed as Sprong did:

What I have done is make the same mistake (in reverse) as Bishop Spong.

I assumed that because Rowen Williams takes a certain political line (the “beardy lefty” line, as he said himself) he must be a fraud – he must be a fake Christian. Cong hiding behind a dog collar, trying to deceive people into taking the left hand path (in more ways that one).

I now believe that I was wrong – and because my judgement was based on prejudice (see above), not research, I was guilty of an injustice.

Mr. Marks is being very honorable here and gets high marks but think about that for a moment: how far has the Church of England fallen that it not only has Bishops who deny the basic tenants of the Church but that the default assumption is that the Archbishop of Canterbury does too.

Ironically, at Mass this was today’s Gospel reading:

Once when Jesus was praying in solitude, and the disciples were with him, he asked them, “Who do the crowds say that I am?” They said in reply, “John the Baptist; others, Elijah; still others, ‘One of the ancient prophets has arisen.'” Then he said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter said in reply, “The Messiah of God.”Luke 9:18-21

Note the actual reading when on through verse 24

I’ve written before about the basics of Christianity, just to remind everyone Basic Truth #1:

If Christianity is not true then no amount of belief will make so. All ones actions in support of Christianity will not matter.

If Christianity is true then no amount of disbelief will make it not so. All ones actions and denials will have a price that will come due.

Basic Truth #2:

It is diametrically opposed to the world, it’s belief system is an absolute:

Jesus Christ is the son of God, he died and rose from the dead for the forgiveness of sins!

It is either true or false. If you believe this to be false you are not a Christian, period. If you claim to believe it is true but act as if it is false then you have to resolve some issues.

Basic Truth #3 The world will give you a lot of love if you reject the church:

Someone once asked a famous dissenting theologian why she remained in the Church if she found so much of its doctrine and practice so detestable.

She answered, “It’s where the Xerox machine is.” In other words, she remains b/c the Church butters her bread and pays her rent. The Church provides her with the resources she needs to undermine the Church.

But don’t expect me or Michael Ruse Athiest to have patience with you on this issue:

I have little time for someone who denies the central dogmas of Christianity and still claims to be a Christian, except in a social sense. No God, no Jesus as His son, no resurrection, no eternal life – no Christianity.

Christ didn’t give us the choice offered above:

Either this man was, and is, the Son of God or else a madman or something worse. You can shut him up for a fool, you can spit at Him and kill Him as a demon’ or you can fall at His feet and call Him Lord and God. But let us not come with any patronizing nonsense about His being a great human teacher. He has not left that open to us. He did not intend to.

Bishop Spong has made his choice and he will live with it. I’ve made mine. It’s up to us to make yours; remember you have your entire life to make up your mind one way or the other…

…after that you’re on your own.

Update: Yes Minster had it pegged: