First, he seems to think that the Gospel – the Good News of Jesus Christ – is not so much the fact that we are reconciled to the Father through Jesus’ atoning sacrifice on the cross, but that Christianity, the Church, or indeed, God himself, places no restraint on our doing pretty much whatever we feel inclined to do – including marrying people of the same sex.
Second, forget all that “one flesh” nonsense, sex is not at the heart of marriage at all, companionship is. That is why married couples are mainly celibate, a regrettable misunderstanding that lead to the extinction of the human race around 200,000 years ago.
Third, when we feel guilty, we needn’t repentant of what we’ve done that caused the guilt. All we have to do is attend an Anglican Church where the priest will infuse us with a gooey sensation of self-worth, assuring us that it’s fine to keep on doing what is making us feel guilty – particularly if it’s have gay sex; sorry, companionship.
From here:
Bishop of Buckingham the Rt Revd Dr Alan Wilson this week spoke at a debate on the issue at Kidlington’s St John’s Church.
A prominent supporter of gay marriage, he told worshippers at the Broadway church that the Christian tradition holds “the root of marriage is not sex but companionship”.
He said: “The idea that marriage is about friendship has become extremely powerful in England.”
Christians must symbolise “good news”, he said: “One of the really painful things I have had to learn is how the Church can be really bad news to people”.
This can “stir feelings of guilt and lack of self worth”, but he said: “God has made us like that. If he wanted to make us another way he would but he didn’t.”
Just another example why the Anglican Communion is descending into the abyss. If the ABC does not take action to defrock so-called bishops who are clearly apostates he is not worthy of holding his position. Tragically many in the pews will simply accept this apostasy due to the fact that is stated by a person in a purple shirt and white collar.
I sincerely pray for the conversion and repentance of apostates such as this.
I am confused by both your and David’s comments. Are you both suggesting that the central root of marriage is sex and not relationship or companionship?
I agree that sex is usually a component but certainly not the root of my marriage.
I am certain neither David or I consider sex the root of any marriage but the issue is much deeper. When you have a so-called bishop stating we do not need to repent when we feel guilty or commit any sin. The other issue is to suggest that homosexual relationships are acceptable is totally and completely against the teaching of Scripture.
I stand by my comment that so-called bishops and any other ordained persons who reject either or both the authority of Scripture and the uniqueness of Jesus Christ should be defrocked.
I agree with your points and after re-reading the linked article, your points make sense. However; his points about marriage not being primarily about sex is very interesting and thought-provoking as it would certainly shift the debate on same sex marriage. I’m not saying that I fully agree with the Bishop but I do agree with him on what the root of marriage is.
The Bishop’s explanation that marriage is about companionship, not sex, logically suggests that we cannot exclude incestuous relationships (e.g., brother-sister or mother-son) from marriage, since unmarried close relatives often live together for companionship. And don’t forgot that “man’s best friend,” the dog, is a loyal companion.