Complaints dismissed against Bishop Joseph Sprague
Bishop Joseph Sprague is the United Methodist Bishop who has stated that he does not believe in the Virgin Birth or the Resurrection, and has subscribed to an alternative interpretation of the Trinity. I don't know how to explain it, here's a link to IRD's archives on the subject.
I've got some concerns about the viewpoint expressed by the supervisory response committee. When they say stuff like, "the theological and doctrinal issues raised in the complaint are already a matter of considerable public debate within the United Methodist Church," I wonder if there is any significant difference between the United Methodist Church and the Unitarian Universalist Association. There is, but only because of people like the Rev. Thomas Lambrecht, quoted below. I believe there is such a thing as Truth, that Jesus taught and showed it to us, and that we should do as God said to Peter, James, and John: "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him!" (Matthew 17:5 NKJV)
Quoting from the news article: "In response to the decision, the Rev. Thomas Lambrecht, spokesman for the complainants, said,
"The signers of the complaint against Bishop C. Joseph Sprague are deeply disappointed in the decision by the supervisory team to dismiss the complaint. Upon first reading, it appears the rationale of the complaint did not objectively consider our perspective, but was heavily weighted against our point of view.Posted by joelfuhrmann at February 22, 2003 12:44 PM"We affirm the supervisory team’s recommendations for theological dialogue and declare our willingness to participate. We believe, however, that we as a church need to go beyond dialogue to develop an understanding of what binds us together theologically in the United Methodist Church – what our theological identity is.
"This decision appears to give official sanction to the personal interpretation of our doctrinal standards in a way that diminishes their unifying and binding force. Sadly, this approach to theology within the United Methodist Church will only deepen our divisions and weaken the mission and ministry of our church.
"We call for the church, in a spirit of civility, mutual respect and fidelity to the Lord whom we serve, to reclaim ‘the faith that was once for all entrusted to the saints.’ (Jude 3) This is the faith for which the apostles and martyrs gave their lives – the faith for which many Christians suffer and die around the world today. This faith alone can provide the impetus for the loving, grace-filled ministry that will lead our church to become spiritually vital and growing once again." "