"You have heard that it was said, 'Eye for an eye, and tooth for tooth. BUT I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.

Who Is to Blame When the British Leave the Church of England?

Or of Lutherans: Who Is to Blame When Lutherans Leave the Church?

Or of Methodists: Who Is to Blame When Methodists Leave the Church?

Or of any Christian: Who Is to Blame When Christians Leave the Church?

SPIRITUALLY HUNGRY

For most Christians and Jews since the fourth century, the answer has been no and no. No major interpreters found such a promise there, and it wouldn't matter anyway. For what determined doctrine toward the people and land of Israel was tradition's interpretation of biblical texts, not the texts themselves.

I also stressed that, despite the difference over the Bible's teaching about sex and marriage, "there is no disagreement about the great dignity of all people, made in God's image and deeply loved by him. We all affirm the importance of welcoming everyone to our churches, whatever their sexuality or relational circumstances." Please do read the rest of that statement (see below), which says most of what I want to say again now.