Church of God or Church of Man?

There was an article in yesterday’s New York Times entitled “Pittsburgh Episcopal Diocese Votes for Split.” The article leads with the following:

“A wide majority of clergy and lay members of the Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh voted Saturday to leave the national church and align with a more conservative South American branch, adding to the fallout from the 2003 election and consecration of an openly gay bishop.”

The article goes on to suggest that there are other reasons for the split as well, but Gene Robinon’s name is mentioned quite prominently. I believe his appointment is the true impetus for the drive behind the church’s secession. Doesn’t really seem well-aligned with the actions of Jesus in the New Testament, if you ask me. He wasn’t one to reject the rejected of his time.

Makes you wonder if some Christians really are interested in following the example of Christ’s life and who is really pulling the strings of the faithful. Apparently, I’m not the only one to wonder this as the following quote from the same Times story attests:

“I cannot in good conscience vote for realignment,” the Rev. Kris Opat, a conservative who is curate of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Mount Lebanon, Pa., told the audience before the vote. “I believe it is the Lord, and not us, in control of this church. And I refuse to believe it is the Lord who is behind this fracture.”

It’s interesting that the quote from the curate of St. Paul’s. St. Paul was perhaps the most virulent of Christian apologists of his time. I can only imagine that he would have condoned the drive for secession – even if Christ himself would not have done so – purely based on his disdain for all forms of human sexuality.

Regardless, my point is that the split within the church is clearly about its members view of homosexuality and not about its concern with the teachings of Christ. It’s much more of a political statement than a statement of faith. A comment on the state of modern culture and a church’s refusal to accept its lack of influence in a purely human and secular arena.

It reminds me more of the action of child who, angry with his playmate, picks up his toys and leaves rather than a mature institution willing to learn how to work things out and fit into the world.