A number of pundits have noted that the Episcopal Church in America is no different than a number of mainline protestant denominations - the majority of which seem to have headed away from a literal application of Scripture and have adopted a "social gospel." Virtually all of those denominations are now in decline. I believe that the problem goes considerably deeper, and that it has its roots in the abandonment not only of Holy Scripture, but the God portrayed in Holy Scripture.

Traditionally, the Church of England and its American branch was rooted in the Judeo-Christian Bible, composed of Hebrew Scripture and the "New Testament" of Jesus Christ. A strong argument can be made that the Church of England is not an English reformation of Roman Catholicism, but has always been rooted in early missionary efforts to Britain. A Bishop in the fourth century observed that the Bishops in Britain remained true to the Faith, and some would contend they were true to those roots throughout a long and colorful history.

The nature and character of the God of the Bible has always been a matter of debate, but it is a debate that was settled (for the most part) in the first few centuries of the Christian Church. The essential beliefs of the Church were concisely put in the creeds. In the 1600's the Church of England put its distinctives into the formularies ... and the Church forged on with the Prayer Book, the Ordinals, and 39 Articles of the Faith that outlined the basics of the Faith it subscribed to, most notably: There is one God in three distinct Persons who was eternal. Jesus Christ (as Very God and Very Man) was born, suffered, died and was buried, rose again, ascended into heaven and will someday judge all men. Both the Hebrew Scriptures and the New Testament Canon is accepted as God's Word. The Nicene and Apostle's Creeds are to be taught and believed as being consistent with Holy Scripture. That man is sinful and in need of a Savior, and that our righteousness before God comes only through the merit of Jesus Christ. That anything less than or more than God's commandments are unacceptable. That salvation can be obtained only through Jesus Christ, and that there are Sacraments of the Church and there are traditions of the Church, all rooted in Holy Scripture.

The tradition of the Church of England and the Episcopal Church in America was clearly to honor Holy Scripture and the God of Holy Scripture. One cannot read the Prayer Book, or the ordinals, or the 39 Articles without the clear realization that it is the belief of the Church that we are beholden to the Creator and Sustainer of the Universe. We do not dictate terms to Him, He dictates terms to us. It is also clear that we must worship God in spirit ... and also in truth.

Worshipping Him in truth is to worship Him the way He really is, and not as we invent or imagine Him to be. How do we know who and what He is? Through Holy Scripture as revealed to us by the Holy Spirit. The God of the Bible tells us that He is immutable. From eternity to eternity He does not change. His attributes and qualities, His principles and commandments will always be the same. His way of dealing with His Creation will also stay the same.

Over the centuries there are those theologians who have drawn a distinction between the God of Hebrew Scriptures and the God of the New Testament: Yahweh of the "Old Testament" is harsh and cruel, and Jesus of the "New Testament" is loving, forgiving, and merciful. Nothing could be farther than the truth! The attributes of the God who outlines His love and redemption for the Nation of Israel in the book of Jeremiah, who gave them the Torah for their benefit, who David praises in the Psalms - is the same God who redeems the world through Jesus Christ. He is a God of many attributes, intricately and wonderfully balanced. He is at the same time holy and righteous and just, as well as loving, merciful, and forgiving. None of His attributes are compromised in the fulfillment of the others. The simple proof of that is in the story of the incarnation. Why did God the Son have to come to die and rise again? God's mercy and love for his ultimate creation could not come at the expense of His holiness and His righteousness. Jesus Christ was "made sin for us" because our sin had to be expiated in the manner God dictated.

God has not given us the right or the ability to pick those characteristics and attributes about Him that we like and reject the others, nor do we have the right to pick which principles and commands of God we wish to observe and to discard the others. God is an "all or nothing" proposition. He makes it clear in Holy Scripture ... worship Him in spirit and in truth or do not worship Him at all. The foundational mistake of the Episcopal Church in American in the past century was to re-create God in their own image and to leave Holy Scripture and the God of Holy Scripture behind. In their own minds what they are doing is viable, but it is simply not acceptable to the God of the Bible.

Jesus makes it clear in his questions to the people gathered to hear Him as recorded in the book of St. Luke, chapter six: "But why do you call me 'Lord, Lord' and do not do the things which I say?" We can find many instances in history where those who did not wish to follow the clear principles in Holy Scripture began to take the Bible out of context and parse words and phrases and write seemingly learned tracts to get around what Holy Scripture told us we should or should not do. The truth is thereby repressed, and sin is not only tolerated but promoted.

The Apostle Paul sums it up succinctly in his letter to the Romans, chapter one. He defines the action of carnal mankind and the results of those actions: "For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse." The pattern of mankind is also consistent throughout Scripture. The leadership of the Episcopal Church in America creating God in their image is no different than the Children of Israel fashioning a golden calf while Moses was being given the Ten Commandments. Assuredly, the results of both will be identical as well.

The Windsor report has asked the Episcopal Church in America to do two things consistent with God's dealing with his Creation: to repent and to change its ways to the ways of God as revealed in Holy Scripture. It is an "all or nothing" proposition. The actions of the Episcopal Church in the past few days shows it has no intention of doing so. Whereas the Windsor Report deals with only one issue, the principle it espouses transcends any one issue. The failure of the Episcopal Church to recognize God as God and to subject itself to His will, His way, and His time has far-reaching consequences that outweigh the particular subject matter of the Windsor Report. It has not only rejected the traditional Biblical position on social issues, but has changed the very nature of God and the Gospel itself.

Were we surprised when the leadership of the Episcopal Church began to focus on the love and mercy of Jesus to the exclusion of his holiness? Did we not see it coming? Were we taken aback when the leadership of the Episcopal Church began to redefine the Trinity and call upon the Holy Spirit to bless actions that the triune God clearly calls unacceptable and wrong?

Were we surprised when an ECUSA committee was tasked with the duty of re-evaluating Holy Scripture and its possible negative effect on the Nation of Israel? Were we shocked when the example given was the crucifixion? Clearly the angst of the historical Church against the Jewish nation for the death of Christ was done in ignorance. Not only was it prophesied that the Jewish people would reject their Messiah, it is clearly the sins of "mankind" that nailed Christ to the cross, not any one particular group of mankind!

Lately, the Episcopal Church in America and other denominations have sought to embrace the Jewish faith as an alternative to the Gospel and have agreed not to proselytize Jewish people. Are there various religious paths to God? Holy Scripture clearly says there are not: "There is no other name under heaven whereby we may be saved (Acts 4:12);" "For I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first, and also for the Greek." Article 18 also clearly states there is not: "They also are to be had accursed that presume to say, That every man shall be saved by the Law or Sect which he professeth, so that he be diligent to frame his life according to that Law, and the light of Nature. For Holy Scripture doeth set out only the Name of Jesus Christ, whereby men must be saved."

Those believing Christians who hold to Holy Scripture and the God of Holy Scripture have only one choice of action. In II Corinthians Paul quotes Hebrew Scriptures and advises Believers to "come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean and I will receive you." He goes on to say "therefore having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God." God does not tolerate unrighteousness, and neither can we. The early Church dealt with apostasy by banishing those whose views did not match Holy Scripture consistently or contextually. The Episcopal Church in America is now clearly apostate, and those who purpose to honor God cannot be in fellowship with them. Having said that, we must be mindful of our Christian duty. Our attitude towards those who are in heresy must be firm, but also loving. We cannot violate either the commands or the intent of Holy Scripture be it righteousness or mercy. Both are applicable in this situation. We must love them ... but we have no choice but to leave our erring brothers and sisters behind. To do anything less is not to honor the God "in which we live and move and have our being (Acts 17:28)." Regretfully we cannot include them in some sort of "lesser fellowship." It is as it has always been for those who follow Christ in spirit and in truth - "all or nothing."

---The Ven. Dr. Tim Klerekoper is Archdeacon in The Christian Episcopal Church. He belongs to the King of Glory Parish in Seattle, Washington. His Email is: hisemnce@aol.com