Same-Sex Marriage and the Challenge and Opportunity of Liberal Theology

(Submission to the Anglican Church Commission on the Marriage Canon, Aug., 2014)

The Archbishop of Canterbury was recently quoted in Canada as saying he had ‘many questions’ when asked for his personal take on the issue of same-sex marriage in the Anglican Church. This is encouraging as up to now much of the ‘discussion’ on this issue has consisted of hurling vacuous insults back and forth. Those in favour of same-sex marriage have been described as un-Biblical heretics, apostates and non-Christian pagans. On the other side, those opposed have been described as hateful, homophobic, unloving holders of the pre-scientific and superstitious view of the Bible. Discussion on this level has polarized and fragmented the Anglican Church, distracted clergy from effective ministry and led to a steep decline in attendance. Many people - including Synod Delegates who will meet to possibly change the Marriage Canon in 2015; are confused, disgusted and I believe deceived by these simplistic arguments. The Anglican Church of Canada is now evenly divided. On one side many Anglicans have come to believe that a new, more loving and inclusive but vaguely defined Liberal Theology is an improvement over the more judgemental form of Biblical Theology found in many Anglican Churches. Others believe Liberal Theology, which affirms same-sex marriage, is actually a deconstruction of Biblical Theology and needs to be exposed and rejected. In order to discuss the issue of same-sex marriage from a clearer theological perspective we need to compare the two theologies. This is also an important opportunity for all of us to reflect on these differences as a Church and make a clear decision on whether to continue compromising with Liberal Theology or to change direction and embrace a more balanced form of Biblical Theology that includes both law and grace.

1.     What is Liberal Theology?
Liberalism is a philosophy of liberating people, often from religious doctrines that prevent them from – well, getting married! This philosophy has historically challenged the authority of the Bible and its’ interpretation by the Church on a range of issues. The result is that since the Reformation a new, largely unstated, Liberal Theology has developed to accommodate those who cannot believe in traditional Christian beliefs such as the Virgin Birth, the healing miracles and the sacrificial death of Jesus as atonement for human sin. The long history of this collision of science and reason with the supernatural spiritual worldview and claims of the Bible includes:

Proclaiming Truth To A Post-truth Culture Would Be A Better Way Forward For the Anglican Church

Following the traumatic emotional experiences of all the delegates at the last Anglican Synod, Archbishop Kerr-Wilson suggested the Anglican Church of Canada needs to "find a better way forward". Let me propose that since the bishops are consecrated and charged with the unique responsibility to "...guard the faith, unity and discipline of the Church." (BAS p. 637) a better way forward would be to take back this responsibility which they unwisely shared with Synod delegates. We are living in a very confused post-truth time when our House of Bishops badly needs to change direction from meekly pandering to special interest groups to avoid conflict; to boldly proclaiming God's grace, love, forgiveness and healing to all God's children. This will mean directly and publicly challenging the false teachers who many believe have been de-constructing the Christian Faith, clearly correcting the false teachings that have destroyed our unity and enforcing serious discipline on the clergy and bishops who are causing this disunity.

1. Challenging the false teachers who have been de-constructing Christian Faith

Jesus Christ Gives Us Spiritual Life - Proper 24

The Readings are about searching for something lost and rejoicing when it is found. The parables about lost sheep and a lost coin teach us the importance of not giving up and working hard to find the lost. In the Gospel Reading Jesus is specifically targeting the Pharisees who instead of going out to search for the lost were content, like many of us, to sit around and condemn sinners. Sinners are like the lost sheep because they have wandered away from the protection of the community to do their own thing. September 11 is a good time to honour the hundreds of policemen and firemen who chose to rush into burning buildings to find and rescue Gods precious children. By the way if you are ever driving past the Museum of the Regiments on Crowchild Trail in Calgary and notice what looks like a steel beam beside the old guns – it’s a piece of the World Trade Centre presented to Calgary firefighters who volunteered to help the day after.

1. Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners

The 7 Lost Spiritual Truths Churches Need To Recover (Chapter 3 of Recovering Truth, Freedom, and Democracy)

1: The Lost Foundation of Spiritual Truth

(Chapter 1:Recovering Truth, Freedom, and Democracy)

“Shared beliefs simplify the world, as well, because people who know what to expect

 from one another can act together to tame the world.”   

“The King James Bible was read in every church throughout the country (England) 

and the archaic language which was heard so regularly by so many

 embedded itself in the nation’s conscience and vernacular”.   

“Truth is a strong god that beckons us to the matrimony of ascent.”

R. R. Reno, Return of the Strong Gods: Nationalism, Populism, 

and the Future of the West

 In my first career as an economist, I was interested in why some countries developed politically and economically while others became failed states ruled by dictators. I discovered that real parliamentary democracy and the industrial revolution first began in England. The unique thing about England was that unlike Europe where corruption and wars of religion had discredited the Church; the Bible had been translated into English in 1611 and was the only book available to most people. It was deeply embedded in the culture.  

Personal freedom and thriving democracy have been seen in all places and times to depend on a Judeo-Christian cultural foundation of shared truths. Citizens can trust each other to keep God’s Commandments and resolve conflict by accepting the will of the majority.

The seven truths of the Judeo-Christian foundation of truth have been seen to be true in all places and times including our own. They are invisible spiritual truths. They are the supernatural dimension working in the natural or physical dimension. The evidence of these truths proved the authenticity of Jesus and the Apostles and the Church He founded. Together they form a complete, coherent understanding of the relationship between the divine and mankind. If one is not seen to be true, Christianity becomes incoherent. For example, if Jesus was not the divine Son of God, He could not atone for the sins of the whole world, and we are all spiritually dead in our sin.

1.1: The Holiness of God

The holiness of God is the sum and essence of the foundation of the supernatural truths that bind us together under divine authority and judgement. The Ten Commandments are rules for life that define how we are to obey God and love our neighbour to be in a holy relationship with God and our neighbour. “Holy Matrimony,” for example, is the spiritual opposite of same-sex marriage. God is not like us. God is the holy — pure, whole, complete, undivided, all-knowing, all-powerful creator of everything. We are unholy, impure, incomplete, divided, and unknowing. The central teaching of the Bible is that individuals who rebel against God’s order, like Adam and Eve, are guilty of sin (rebellion), made unholy, and cannot be in God’s holy presence in heaven when they die. 

1.2: The Process and Order of Creation

The creation story teaches us the importance of Darwin’s overlooked process of creation. Evolution and survival of the fittest is God’s order or way of ensuring creation evolves to show more of God’s glory. This is how things get better. The order of creation is from less complex and competent to more complex and competent. Humans are at the top and working together in obedience to God as stewards of creation. This is the opposite of our satanic woke diversity, inclusion and equity policies which discriminate against better, excellence and competence in rebellion against God’s plan. This is survival of the less fit, the different and the deluded. 

1.3: Male and Female Identity and Relationship

The Creation Story teaches us that man and woman are created to be signs of God’s glory in the world. They are jointly responsible for the continuing stewardship of creation. The Bible, physiology and psychology teach us that they are spiritually, psychologically, and physiologically designed to be opposite, interdependent, and incomplete without the other. Pope John Paul II described the greatest sign of the glory of God as the union in self-sacrificial love of these two opposites. They are spiritually joined together in Holy Matrimony to continue God’s creation of humanity.

1.4: How Satan and Spiritual Evil Works

The competition model in the Creation Story includes Satan who deceives Eve into disobeying God’s clear instructions not to eat the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. She says God told her she would die if she ate the apple. Satan said she would not die. Both statements are true. Eve, like us, would die spiritually and be put out of an eternal relationship with God. She would not die physically until old age. We have an enemy of our souls, with an army of evil spirits who try to tempt us, deceive us, destroy us spiritually and separate us from God. 

1.5: Jesus Divinity, Resurrection, and Forgiveness

“If you forgive anyone’s sins, their sins are forgiven; 

if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.”

John 20:23

Many Christians have not been taught the foundational biblical and spiritual truth that the Holy Spirit or Spirit of God came over Mary and caused her to conceive Jesus. (Matthew 1.18) If they cannot understand and believe in this supernatural truth, then they cannot believe in the divinity of Jesus. If Jesus was merely a man; then He logically cannot give His life for the sins of the world, and we are all dead in our sins. This all depends on the divinity and resurrection of Jesus. The Resurrection of Jesus celebrated at Easter is God’s divine yes to the New Covenant of Jesus. God would accept the sacrificial death of Jesus as full payment for all the sins confessed and taken to Jesus for forgiveness. Our part is to believe in Jesus and show this by repenting, confessing, and asking Him for forgiveness. The Resurrection is objective truth. The Risen Jesus was seen and touched by many people in different places. Many people in our time have spoken to Jesus in heaven and returned to earth. I have talked to one of them. The evidence is that the witnesses’ lives were and still are dramatically changed.

1.6: Supernatural Healing and Deliverance Ministry

“The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour.” Luke 4.18–19

Supernatural physical and spiritual healing and deliverance in Jesus Name is unique to Christianity. No other religion can point to the physical evidence of this healing prayer ministry in many places and times up to the present. The miracles were evidence of the authenticity of Jesus message. The ministry includes supernatural physical healing and deliverance from spiritual oppression, through the confession of sins, forgiveness in Jesus’ name, and prayer. Specifically gifted and anointed ministers act as a holy pipe through which the Holy Spirit can come and heal. In Chapter 9: Recovering Objective Truth (page 145) this is explained more fully for the many pastors, clergy and laypeople who are unfamiliar with this ministry.

1.7: The Holy Spirit as the Continuing Presence of Jesus

“When the Advocate comes, whom I will send to you from the Father — the Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father—he will testify about me.” John 15.26

The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Truth, revealing and helping us understand the teachings of Jesus and the Bible. As the continuing presence of Jesus, the Holy Spirit comes (when invited) to believers with an amazing outpouring of spiritual gifts. We experience the guidance of the Holy Spirit intuitively as our conscience. The gifts of the Holy Spirit include healing, words of wisdom, words of knowledge, faith, healing, miracles, prophecy, distinguishing between spirits and tongues. Paul explains that these gifts are given as the Spirit desires. They are not a sign of spiritual superiority to be used for personal gain but to build up the community of the Church. This is why different people have different gifts — and why we need to be together in a church community. 

To recover these spiritual truths, we all need to understand how they fit together and depend on each other as a coherent social foundation of discipline for the development and sustaining of freedom and democracy. 

 More Information

Recovering Truth, Freedom, and Democracy: Challenging Woke Totalitarianism is available from bookstores worldwide ISBN 9781775212737. $19.99 USD; Gishler Group $19.99 CDN in Canada - jgishler@gmail.com. and Kindle eBook ISBN 97817712744. $5.99 USD. For more information and sample content: “go to Spirituallifeteaching.info

Going Spiritual: Discovering, Developing and Healing a Spiritual Life is a comprehensive introduction to spiritual evil and healing and deliverance ministry. (ISBN 9781775212713.

Christians are Naturally Supernatural (Response to Cursillo talk April 9)

We have all heard of things happening in peoples lives which can not be explained by nature - what happens naturally, or at least most of the time. Miracles and statistically unlikely events lead to questions about God.

• Some people dismiss miracles as luck
• Others assume God may have acted but are confused about their faith
• Serious Christians are drawn deeper into their faith

1. Personal experience deepens our faith

Recovering Truth, Freedom, and Democracy: Challenging Woke Totalitarianism

Recovering Truth, Freedom, and Democracy: 

Challenging Woke Totalitarianism

(Print in Revision, available November 23)

It’s time for the silent majority to stand up and challenge the misguided dictates, social chaos, and totalitarian rule of New Left Marxist and extreme environmentalist, feminist, LGBTQ, diversity, equity and inclusion activists wherever they can.  This inspiring, researched guide exposes their false truths and empowers us to challenge and replace the leaders of churches, universities, schools, professional associations and governments who have failed us. The goal is to recover the Judeo-Christian spiritual truths, values and trust that all thriving democracies depend on; male and female identity; freedom of speech; and the democratic rule of the majority.

 

“…a comprehensive and thought-provoking appraisal of what ails our times.  It is well worth reading.”   Dr. Patrick Brennan

"Recovering Truth, Freedom, and Democracy: Challenging Woke Totalitarianism by John Gishler is an essential read for anyone seeking to understand or confront the prevailing worldviews of our time. A powerful wake-up call to Woke Culture, Gishler guides us back to truth, offering a hopeful vision that reawakens our understanding of what it truly means to love others as we love ourselves." Jonatan Chapman

Contents

Introduction: Woke is the Opposite of Truth, Freedom, and Democracy
1. Human Reason as False Truth
2. Liberalism as False Christianity
3. Climate Emergency as False Science
4. Feminism as False Female
5. Homosexuality as False Male
6. Diversity, Inclusion and Equity as False Justice
7. Death as a False Ending
8. Recovering Objective Truth
9. Recovering Freedom
10. Recovering Democratic Compromise
Endnotes

 

 Available

1. Print 222 pages ISBN 9781775212737. $19.99 USD from Amazon and bookstores worldwide on Ingram Content network 
2. Gishler Group $19.99 CDN in Canada - jgishler@gmail.com.) 
3. Better Books and Bibles, Calgary and participating Canadian bookstores
4. Kindle eBook ISBN 97817712744.  $5.99 USD

Sample:

Introduction: Wokeism is the Opposite of Truth, Freedom, and Democracy

                    

This inspiring plan explains truth as the existential crisis of our time. It gives the hope of ending woke social chaos, recovering freedom of speech and the objective truth of Christianity, sexual identity, climate change, diversity politics and finding a democratic compromise with minorities.

The cover picture of the January 6 riot in the US says it all. As Nietzsche warned and history has shown; when we lose our respect for divine truth; social order; breaks down and there will be mass violence followed by totalitarian rule. The good news is that the silent majority is tired of woke totalitarianism. The silent majority in the U.S. has revolted against Democratic Party wokeism and re-elected Donald Trump. New Christian churches are springing up that are teaching the objective spiritual truths of the Bible and thriving. A huge majority of voters in Ireland defeated their governing parties proposed woke agenda. Electric vehicles are piling up unsold in storage. Since 2023, 81 anti-D.E.I. bills that target programs at U.S. colleges have been introduced in 28 states. and in Congress. [i]

But this is just the beginning of the revolt of the silent majority against woke totalitarianism. Recovering truth, freedom, and democracy will depend on the silent majority understanding how we got into this mess and having the hope of this practical way forward to get out of the mess. 

This researched guide explains:

·      How dangerous and destructive wokeism is,

·      What objective truth is -- what has been seen to be true in all places and times and cannot be disproven – the opposite of false woke replacement truths

·      How we lost objective truth, including the 7 objective spiritual truths of the Bible all thriving democracies depend on,

·      How to recover objective truth and freedom, and

·       How to recover a democratic compromise between the needs and rule of the majority, and the needs of the minorities.

 

The Oxford English Dictionary defines woke as 

 

“Progressive or left-wing attitudes or practices, esp. those opposing social injustice or discrimination, that are viewed as doctrinaire, self-righteous, pernicious, or insincere. Hence: such attitudes or practices are seen as constituting a collective social movement or agenda.” (Downloaded Sept. 16, 2024)

 

 Woke began as a call to African Americans in the United States to become more alert to “racial prejudice and discrimination”.^[ii] An early example in the United States was the paramilitary youth organization the Wide Awakes. They which formed in Hartford, Connecticut, in 1860 to support Abraham Lincoln the Republican candidate in the 1860 presidential election. Local chapters of the group spread rapidly across northern cities and "triggered massive popular enthusiasm" around the election. The political militancy of the group alarmed many southerners, who saw in the Wide Awakes confirmation of their fears of northern, Republican political aggression. The support among the Wide Awakes for abolition, as well as the participation of a number of black men in a Wide Awakes parade in Massachusetts, likely contributed to such anxiety.”[iii] [iv]

 “Beginning in the 2010s, woke came to be used as slang for a broader awareness of social inequalities such as racial injustice, sexism, and denial of  LGBTQ rights. Woke has also been used as shorthand for some ideas of the American Left  involving identity politics and social justice, such as white privilege and reparations for slavery in the United States”.[v] [vi] [vii] [viii]

Wokeism is a mental stronghold. This is explained in psychology as a self-deception. The human brain automatically filters out information that it considers irrelevant to protect the mind from being overwhelmed with input from all the senses. It also filters out information that is stressful, so a person both knows and does not know, because the information does not come into the conscious mind. This is why you cannot argue with an alcoholic or terrorist. I explain mental strongholds from a spiritual perspective in Going Spiritual: Discovering, Developing and a Spiritual Life. They are caused by natural psychological self-deception and Satanic deception working together to build a mental stronghold, like alcoholism, that is difficult to overcome.

Wokeism is a failure to take responsibility for a failed lifestyle or culture and adapt to the truths and values of Judeo-Christian culture. Life is competitive. The most fit succeed. Those who fear God are obligated to self-sacrificial love of neighbour and care for those who are less fit. Giving away 10% of your income is a test of love. The truth of history is that cultures with Judeo-Christian faith, truth and values have been the most successful. Wokeism attracts those who are trying to get ahead, without adopting the spiritual truths and values needed to thrive. 

Wokeism is a child of Postmodern philosophy that is defined as 

 

“of, relating to, or being a theory that involves a radical reappraisal of modern assumptions about culture, identity, history, or language”[ix]

 

Postmodernism rejects concepts of rationality, objectivity and universal truth. Instead, it emphasizes the diversity of human experience and multiplicity of perspectives.”[x] Richard Wolin summarizes the conclusion of French philosopher Jean- Francois Lyotard’s pioneering work on postmodernism as “(there is no universal “truth” or “reason)””[xi]. 

Postmodernism is an irrational, atheist way of thinking that is based on minority opinion without any over-arching sense of order. In simple language it seems to be the chaos of liberalism gone mad in its rejection of historical experience, reason and divine authority and order. 

This has birthed the (to many) complete nonsense of “intersectionality”, a new word invented by critical race theory lecturer Kimberie Crenshaw. Intersectionality is the 

“…study of how overlapping or intersecting social identities, particularly minority identities, relate to systems and structures of oppression, domination, or discrimination.”[xii] [xiii]

 

Holy Spirit - An IntroductionTo Pentecost (Church Calendar)

The Trinity of God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit is one of the great mysteries – but then do we really think we can understand God? The Trinity is the best explanation available as it describes  three ways of thinking of God as a person – God the father / creator, Jesus the redeemer / human sign of God’s love and Holy Spirit as life-giver / sanctifier. The Bible and the church year in liturgical churches generally begins with God as father and the Holy Spirit as witness and helper in the Old Testament and moves to the birth and teaching / healing work of Jesus in the New Testament.  Jesus promises to sent the Holy Spirit after His sacrificial death and resurrection have created a new way for people to be forgiven and come into a right relationship with God. The church season of Pentecost which begins 40 days after the Ascension celebrates the dramatic outpouring of the Holy Spirit on all Christian believers. This season is the longest, and possibly most important time in the church year as it continues from June to the end of the church year in October. The Holy Spirit plays a central part in the growth and expansion of the church in Acts and the letters of Paul as teacher, life - giver / sanctifier, guide in decision making and helper / healer. We will examine what the Bible says about:

·      Who is the Holy Spirit?

·      What are the gifts of the Holy Spirit?

·      How can I experience the Holy Spirit?

Christians Have A Destiny As Children Of God

We live in a time when many people do not know who they are and where they are going. In contrast serious Christians know they are children of God and they are eventually going back to God. They also know that they have an enemy described in the Bible as Satan or the Devil; and a spiritual helper described as the Holy Spirit. Our lives are a struggle to overcome the temptations and deceptions of the enemy of our souls. The good news is that we are protected by God and guided and strengthened by the Holy Spirit. In the Parable of the Weeds, Jesus is giving us both wise advice and hope. The advice is to not get tangled up with evil people. The hope is the harvest, when we will go home to Jesus.

Christans Have A Destiny As Children of God (Proper 16)

We live in a time when many people do not know who they are and where they are going. In contrast serious Christians know they are children of God and they are eventually going back to God. They also know that they have an enemy described in the Bible as Satan or the Devil; and a spiritual helper described as the Holy Spirit. Our lives are a struggle to overcome the temptations and deceptions of the enemy of our souls. The good news is that we are protected by God and guided and strengthened by the Holy Spirit. In the Parable of the Weeds, Jesus is giving us both wise advice and hope. The advice is to not get tangled up with evil people. The hope is the harvest, when we will go home to Jesus.

1. Christians have a destiny

Most of us spend a lot of time trying to figure out what we are supposed to be doing. The Parable of the Weeds reminds us of an obvious but important truth. Seeds grow into what they are intended to grow into. If you plant wheat, wheat is what you get. Last Sunday, in the Parable of the Sower, we were reminded how fragile and vulnerable this process is. The idea of an enemy was introduced as one of the many ways in which the seed of the Word of God in the Bible can be lost or prevented from growing. The Readings for today help us understand our destiny and the challenges we face on the way to that destiny. In Genesis (28.10-19) we are reminded that we are not alone. We follow in the tradition of Jacob who had an encounter with God. He was told that he had one God and that that God would protect him and bless him with land and children. His destiny was to live under the spiritual protection and blessings of the Covenant with Abraham. Our destiny is the same except we are also promised forgiveness, the gifts of the Holy Spirit and eternal spiritual life if we live out our Covenant.  In the Romans (8.28) Reading, the Apostle Paul refers to this as "the redemption of our bodies". The seed does not remain a seed. It dies and gives birth to something much greater. It has a destiny and that destiny is to become a child of God. The Good News is that as a child of God, we will inherit what the Father has - eternal spiritual life with God.

2. Christians have an enemy

The Mystery of Life in Christ (Proper 16c)

 How can naturally unholy humans live in the holy and divine son of God who died 2,000 years ago? Christians believe Jesus created a new way of forgiveness and know how to be made holy. It is the idea of living in the Risen Jesus part that is a stumbling block for many:

·      Forgotten Jesus promised to send the Holy Spirit and to be with His followers always. 

·      The connection is Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Jesus and the continuing presence of Jesus in the world. 

·      When we are listening to Holy Spirit we are listening to Jesus and He is with us. 

·      Readings explain Life in Christ as a mystical relationship of focussing on and listening to the Holy Spirit of Jesus.

 

1.    Amos 8.1-12: A Famine of Hearing the Words of the Lord

Those Who Love God Are Promised a Kingdom

(Teaching notes for Proper 23, Year B 2012 by Rev. John Gishler)

The Readings remind us of our need to develop and maintain a personal love relationship with God if we wish to have an eternal spiritual life. The Proverbs remind us that there is justice and if we fail to love others, including the poor and vulnerable there will be consequences. James comes right out and says they will “...inherit the Kingdom He promised to those who love him.” (James 2.5) Finally in the Gospel Jesus uses the example of the non-Jewish woman (who was considered outside the Covenant of Moses) to teach us that those who demonstrate love by enduring rejection and come to Him in faith will be included in the spiritual kingdom.

1.     Jesus tested the Syrophoenician woman’s faith

1.1.   It was brutal – he called her a dog, unworthy of God’s attention

1.2.   She was not put off – she came back with a tremendous reply

1.3.   She demonstrated love in challenging accepted teachings

1.4.   Showed she believed God loved all people – not just the Jews

1.5.   Showed she believed blessings were to be shared with others

1.6.   Her love and faith were greater than her fear of religious authority

1.7.   Jesus in return loved her and honoured her request

1.8.   In honouring her request Jesus demonstrated love by taking a risk in offending the Jews and in  revealing His power over the demonic

2.     The Ten Commandments are key tests of our love of God

New Anglican Primate Drops Ball On First Run - Comment on Anglican Synod in Vancouver

It is sad that after 30 years of divisive debate and political pressuring our new Anglican Primate (senior Archbishop) Linda Nichols’ first comment on the defeat of the proposed change to the Marriage Cannon (church law) at General Synod was that the voting rules should be changed. It is not leadership to change the rules when you do not get your way. We have had a long and destructive debate between those who thought we could go against the clear teaching of the Bible and offer the sacramentof Holy Matrimonyto same-sex couples and those who did not. It has sidetracked the church from proclaiming the biblical Good News of forgiveness, healing and spiritual life in Jesus Christ to a whole generation, particularly to children and young people. 

Real leaders have the courage to change course when the direction is not working.