At the time of his assertion my son was in a place described as the “cradle of civilization” where people were trying to kill him. At this very moment the news from that part of the world remains unchanged if not worse. The scripture assert that there will be “wars and rumors of war” is much more accurate than the world having evolved.

If there are any who believe that through evolved enlightenment slavery has been eradicated one need only look at Boco Haran with ISIS and other Islamic terrorist organizations who regularly prove this to be untrue. In Kenya wives are forced to watch as their husbands are summarily executed for failing to prove they are Muslim. Women in territories captured by these thugs are forced to submit to the less savory aspects of Sharia Law which is noted for encouraging violence against them.

Some years ago following a meeting with an exceptionally difficult individual I was astounded that numerous facts and figures contradicting her position made no impression. Later a respected congregational leader told me that I was wasting my time because this person was a “true believer.” Not comprehending his meaning I responded that I too am a true believer. He then explained that she believed everything she believed to be the truth regardless of the evidence. Like their spiritual forbearer Jack Spong, today’s church leadership believes whatever they believe to be truth in spite of continued evidence to the contrary.

The absolute truth of the Christian Doctrine of Humanity has never been more self evident than it is today. Human beings are sinful, fallen and in desperate need of the redeemer. It is called the “Good News” for a reason, but like so many other aspects of the Christian Gospel it has been watered down through a misguided hope that the world might find it more attractive. The only consistent message seems to be one of affirmation for any and all behavior without any hope for transformation. Perhaps the most egregious example of our failures will be acted out beginning July 7th in St George, South Carolina as the Diocese of South Carolina and the Episcopal Church seek settlement of differences through the American System of Jurisprudence.

Over the past few months many truly concerned on both sides of this fracture have approached me asking for my “true feelings” about the upcoming trial. If it is comfort they are seeking my answers provide little. Upon entering the legal system Christian principles are no longer in play.

We have placed ourselves under a system in which the definition of a successful settlement is when both sides come away equally unhappy with the outcome. We find our future placed in the hands of a system where even its most successful practitioners acknowledge results are more reflective of legalities than justice. Our hopes rely on a system in which the cost are exorbitant while encouraging needless longevity when Holy Scripture provides us a healthier model for the settling of differences. If ignorance is bliss we are paying dearly for this trip into bedlam.

At the recent Executive Council meeting in Phoenix, Arizona the issue of the nineteen percent financial asking from the national church was discussed. It has always intrigued me that scripture uses the standard of ten percent but many diocese’s along the national church view their importance as being worth much more. One member suggested that perhaps an explanation for the lack of success in receiving the requested amount has been due to a poor job in explaining how the money is being used. The more accurate reason is that people are well aware of how the money is used and increasingly tired of the lack of accountability by those who are its stewards. It would be wiser to seek arbitration rather than litigation for our differences and invest the money in youth and college ministry.

We wonder why the Episcopal Church continues in decline even as we offer the culture exactly what is experienced daily in their lives. We cannot stand against a world whom we are called to transform because it is from them we seek validation. We will not condemn the horrors committed in the name of Islam because to do so might mean we will be regarded as unfashionably Islamophobic. So if the Executive Council of the Episcopal Church is serious in seeking answers I have sobering news. It is not the financial percentage creating the problem but the message. I have now lived long enough to see that the leaders of my church no longer even have to pretend to believe anything they find inconvenient.

The scripture reminds us to “beware when all men speak well of you.” My New Testament professor Howard Rhys loved to quote this passage to his students but then he would smile and add, “but remember, it doesn’t do much good when everyone thinks we’re idiots either.”

It’s going to be a warm July in South Carolina.

See you in St George!!

Ladson F. Mills III is a priest with over thirty years pastoral experience. He is retired and lives with his wife in South Carolina. He currently serves as Scholar in Residence at the Church of Our Saviour, Johns Island. He is a regular contributor to Virtueonline.