The RADEN Report
November 20, 2000R
ome And Daughters Ecumenical NewsUPDATE...
"I support a blessing of same-sex unions..." says NCC's General Secretary.
Here is the news article, exactly as it was posted by the NCC. I have added emphasis but no comments. My commentary follows after the >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> line.
National Council of Churches
EDGAR REMOVES NAME FROM "CHRISTIAN DECLARATION ON MARRIAGE"
November 17, 2000, ATLANTA, Ga. – Dr. Bob Edgar, National Council of Churches General Secretary, today removed his name from "A Christian Declaration of Marriage," released in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday, expressing concern that a statement meant to support married couples is being misused to attack gays and lesbians.
In his letter to the other signatories – Bishop Anthony O’Connell of the Roman Catholic Church, Dr. Richard Land of the Southern Baptist Convention and Bishop Kevin Mannoia of the National Association of Evangelicals – Dr. Edgar said, "I did not adequately consult with the 36 member communions of the National Council of Churches prior to agreeing to sign the statement.
"A number of the NCC member communions interpret the document more as a condemnation of same-sex unions than as an affirmation of marriage," he said. "The fact that the declaration omits mention of same-sex unions is taken by some as proof that all of the signatories disapprove of such unions."
He expressed his concern that "in our dangerously fragmented and violent society, misinterpretation of the declaration may be used by some as a pretext for attacks on gay and lesbian persons."
Dr. Edgar -- in Atlanta, Ga., for the National Council of Churches annual General Assembly (Nov. 14-17) – opened this morning’s plenary session with his apology for having "signed my name to a letter that committed us to a position that hadn’t been approved by a working group, the Executive Board or the Assembly …." He offered a "personal apology to those I hurt by that signature."
The NCC’s 36 Protestant and Orthodox member communions hold widely differing views on matters of human sexuality. The Council’s General Assembly – the NCC’s highest legislative authority, whose delegates represent the member communions – has taken no position on same-sex unions but had long-standing policy for full civil rights for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered persons.
"As a council of 36 diverse Protestant and Orthodox communions, the National Council of Churches itself does not ordinarily take positions on doctrinal matters such as standards for ordination or sacraments and rites, including marriage," Dr. Edgar said. "Such standards lie within the purview of each member communion."
"My personal views on certain issues are much more progressive than those of the General Assembly," Dr. Edgar continued in his comments to the General Assembly. "I affirm and support the inclusion of the Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches in our membership. I support a blessing of same-sex unions…."
In his letter to the three other signatories, Dr. Edgar said, "My hope, when I signed the ‘Declaration on Christian Marriage’ on November 14, was a sincere one that we could find ways to work together as Christians to reduce the high rate of divorce in our nation by better preparing people for marriage and supporting them in their marriage vows. I still hold that hope, even though I find that I cannot support this particular declaration.
He further said, "My withdrawal should in no way be seen as a weakening of my commitment to building the larger ecumenical table about which we have talked….I remain committed to that goal and confident that we can find ways to work together."
Already on Wednesday, Dr. Edgar warned against misuse of the "Christian Declaration on Marriage." He said then, "I believe that churches must support Christian men and women in marriage—especially in our "disposable society," where marriage is often diminished and undermined, a practice contrary to Christian teaching and heritage. This statement signals that churches can do a better job of offering married couples the kind of support that helps them keep their commitments."
But he went on to say, "I would not want this statement to be misconstrued as if it were an oblique comment on same-sex unions. Even more importantly, it would be unconscionable if support for married couples, so desperately needed today, were to be twisted into a weapon that can be used to attack gays and lesbians, their families and friends and all in our churches who love and care for them."
The full text of Dr. Edgar’s letter, faxed today, follows:
November 17, 2000
Bishop Anthony O’Connell,
Chairman
National Conference of Catholic Bishops
Committee on Marriage and Family Life
Dr. Richard Land, President
Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission
Southern Baptist Convention
Bishop Kevin Mannoia, President
National Association of Evangelicals
Dear Anthony, Richard and Kevin:
I write to remove my signature from the November 14, 2000, statement on "A Christian Declaration on Marriage."
I do so because I did not adequately consult with the 36 member communions of the National Council of Churches prior to agreeing to sign the statement.
A number of the NCC member communions interpret the document more as a condemnation of same-sex unions than as an affirmation of marriage. The fact that the declaration omits mention of same-sex unions is taken by some as proof that all of the signatories disapprove of such unions.
Further, I am concerned that in our dangerously fragmented and violent society, misinterpretation of the declaration may be used by some as a pretext for attacks on gay and lesbian persons.
My hope, when I signed the Declaration on Christian Marriage on November 14, was a sincere one that we could find ways to work together as Christians to reduce the high rate of divorce in our nation by better preparing people for marriage and supporting them in their marriage vows. I still hold that hope, even though I find that I cannot support this particular declaration.
My withdrawal should in no way be seen as a weakening of my commitment to building the larger ecumenical table about which we have talked. I have been heartened this week as Father John Ford, the Rev Jim is, and the Rev. Bernard Wilson spoke eloquently at our General Assembly from the Roman Catholic, Evangelical and Pentecostal traditions about the promise and potential of an expanded ecumenical vision.
I remain committed to that goal and confidant that we can find ways to work together.
May God bless you and may God guide us in our journey on the path of Christian unity.
Peace,
Bob Edgar
General Secretary
-end-
NCC
News Service/2000 General Assembly Index
NCC
Home Page
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SBC Extra! As we commented last week (RADEN 11-16-00), in our Baptist Faith and Message statement Southern Baptists have said what we believe the Bible teaches about the sanctity of marriage and the sin of homosexuality. Additional documents produced in conjunction with other groups can distort the biblical stands we have already made. Repeatedly, such interdenominational documents, endorsed by SBC executives but not approved by Southern Baptists as a whole, have proven to be very divisive within the Convention. (Heretical ECT documents endorsed by some SBC leaders provide a pointed example as to the danger of such joint statements.)Accordingly, it seems only reasonable to expect SBC agency executives to stay within the wise boundaries established by the Convention regarding cooperative involvements with other groups - or even the appearance of such cooperation. As has been repeatedly demonstrated, cooperation with other groups - even regarding social and moral issues - can create broad confusion as to exactly where Southern Baptists stand regarding theological issues.
The fact is, of the four signatories of "A Christian Declaration on Marriage," two represent religious organizations which include groups that maintain the ordinations of homosexuals; one represents a religious organization that forbids marriage to its leaders (see 1Timothy 4:2-3); and the fourth signatory, Richard Land of the SBC's Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission, is a Southern Baptist who has strongly defended the SBC's biblical stance regarding the sinfulness of homosexuality. Again, such interdenominational cooperation in jointly declaring a "Christian" stance on marriage is simply asking for misunderstanding. Scripture clearly warns us against aligning ourselves with those whose beliefs are in conflict with biblical truth.
While the text of "A Declaration on "Christian Marriage" certainly conforms to Scripture, the Bible still asks the question, "What does a believer have in common with an unbeliever?" and "Can two walk together, except they be agreed?"
A more personal note from the editor... I am a Southern Baptist. For years I watched as many in our Convention followed the same dangerous course charted by other denominations, a course toward liberal compromise and ecumenical apostasy. I have been encouraged over the past several years to see a general reversal of this trend and an increasing biblical unity of doctrine within our Convention.
But Satan's liberal agenda is not eliminated simply because it is opposed; it merely goes underground and attacks from other, less obvious angles. Interdenominational cooperation, joint public statements, and official sounding dialogues entered into by SBC leaders with those whose beliefs are in conflict with the inerrant Word of God has the very real potential to cloud the biblical distinctives of Southern Baptists. Witnessing to the lost is basic to our biblical beliefs, but giving the appearance that we accept as "Christians" those whose beliefs conflict with fundamental biblical truth... this is not the way to witness to unbelievers.
Being identified with such inclusiveness may be culturally polite, but it is certainly not biblical; it is not even "ethical." While we defend the equal rights and liberties of all, we must be clear and consistent regarding our position on biblical truth. We must be careful to avoid even the appearance of evil, not associating ourselves with anyone who calls himself a brother but who is supportive of those who practice ungodliness (see 1Corinthians 5:11).
One of our leaders has said he believes "the Southern Baptist Convention may be the last great bastion of true evangelical faith." It certainly behooves us to guard against all appearance of ecumenical inclusiveness. To me, it means something to be a Southern Baptist and our biblical distinctives are not negotiable. Apparently, Southern Baptists need to make a clear, unequivocal statement to our leaders and executives that while we do not pridefully see ourselves as "spiritual isolationists," we do resist even the appearance of ecumenical inclusiveness with any and all whose beliefs conflict with the Word of God.
Like I said last week, brethren, this interdenominational marriage document is nothing new... Just another little ecumenical vehicle, cleverly disguised by being associated with an otherwise legitimate promotion of morality.
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