A fifth Episcopal diocese is considering whether to withdraw from the national church over "a multitude of false teachings," including its liberal direction on homosexuality. The Diocese of South Carolina will hold a special convention this weekend to vote on five proposed resolutions that will determine their next steps.Diocese officials called for a special convention in response to The Episcopal Church's controversial actions in July, which included the approval of a resolution that declares the denomination's ordination process open to all individuals, including practicing homosexuals.
But human sexuality is only one of many concerns the diocese has. The Trinity, the uniqueness of Christ, scriptural authority, baptismal theology, and constitutions and canons are being subjugated to a "new" gospel.
"We face a multitude of false teachings, which like an intrusive vine, is threatening The Episcopal Church as we have inherited and received it from our ancestors," Lawrence stated. "I have called this the false Gospel of Indiscriminate Inclusivity because I see a common pattern in how the core doctrines of our faith are being systematically deconstructed." The diocesan bishop made clear that it is not The Episcopal Church that is the problem, but rather "it is those who have cloaked it with so many strands of false doctrine."
"I'm becoming a rare commodity I guess – an orthodox bishop within the church who is willing to risk," he said. "Now that heterodoxy is the dominant 'orthodoxy' of The Episcopal Church, it is those who believe like me who must challenge an unthinking conformity. How long we can do this – well that's the open question."
