Thursday, July 9, 2009

Presiding Bishop

Episcopal Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori says it's "heresy" to believe that an individual can be saved through a sinner's prayer of repentance.


In her opening address to the church's General Conference in California, Jefferts Schori called that "the great Western heresy: that we can be saved as individuals, that any of us alone can be in right relationship with God."


The presiding bishop said that view is "caricatured in some quarters by insisting that salvation depends on reciting a specific verbal formula about Jesus."


According to Schori, it is heresy to believe that an individual's prayer can achieve a saving relationship with God. "That individualist focus is a form of idolatry, for it puts me and my words in the place that only God can occupy."

7 comments:

twinkle said...

Of course I do not support her at all, but I'm wondering what Bible she uses to support her belief.

Abba's Girl said...

I find myself not wanting to pray for her at times, which is the worst attitude ever. I met her a few years ago...several of her family members and I attend the same church. My Spirit filled, God loving priest is in CA now.

twinkle said...

I was raised Southern Baptist and gave my life to Christ as a young girl. It was simply I knew I was lost. I was convicted that I was a sinner. It was then that I accepted Jesus as my personal Saviour and was baptized. My testimony is that He has always been faithful to me. He is Alive and active IN me. I sense His Presence continuously in my good times and in my tough times. I don't know what I would do right now it it weren't for my PERSONAL relationship with Him.
I pray that she would have a road to Damascus experience with Jesus and never be the same.

Cheryl Barker said...

Goodness, I wonder what she believes does save a person if not his or her individual prayer of repentance???

luvmy4sons said...

I wonder what she does with the verse from 1 John 1:9 or Romans 10:9...hmmmm...I always compare statements aginst biblical truth...and this dos not stand up.

luvmy4sons said...

Oh and of course Romans 10:10...

annie's eyes said...

Her cry of heresy reminds me of another cry in Scripture to Christ himself from the Pharisees. I love the Episcopal Church, and yet I really am not sure at all what to do with it in my heart. It still hurts. I also just found out my friend, Beth is up for bishop of the Diocese of Connecticut. Connecticut, of all the places. Lord, let there be Light. I continue to pray. Love, Annette