The original article is here, and Bishop Bird’s response is in the Letters section of today’s National Post and on Holy Post:
Re: Gaining Respect; St. Hilda’s Parish Is No Longer An Outpost Of Orthodoxy But A More Acceptable Manifestation Of Anglican Faith, Charles Lewis, June 12.
After reading this article I am left asking the question: What criteria did reporter Charles Lewis use in declaring a small group of conservative Christians a “religious revolution”? What he reported on is, in fact, a process of maturation within the world-wide Anglican Communion. It is a lot like adolescence, as people jostle for position in the midst of a debate. Dioceses, like the one I lead, advocate for the full inclusion of gays and lesbians in the life of our Church.
For many of us, the kind of inclusion that Rev. Paul Charbonneau [who opposes same-sex unions, and who led St. Hilda’s Church out of the Anglican Church of Canada] speaks of is not acceptable.
What is so ironic is that he is part of a small splinter group that represents less than 2% of Anglicans in North America. They would have us return to a way of thinking that is much closer to the last Reformation that began in the 15th century, as opposed to moving us toward a new Reformation.
At the heart of our exciting vision for the Diocese of Niagara is a call for prophetic social justice making, a continuous culture of innovation and a strong desire to engage with the people of this generation and walk with them in their search for God and their desire to change the world.
As Anglican Archbishop Desmond Tutu has stated: “God just wants us to love each other.” Many, however, say that some kinds of love are better than others. But whether a man loves a woman or another man, or a woman loves a man or another woman, to God it is all love, and God smiles whenever we recognize our need for one another.
I will leave it to your readers to decide what a religious revolution really looks like in this day and age.
Bishop Michael Bird, Anglican Diocese of Niagara, Hamilton, Ont.
I sent the following to the Editor;
So if I just go and take Bishop Bird’s wallet out of his pocket and spend all his money then that would be fine by him, because he has to accept my behaviour unconditionally.
John – Do you think they’ll print it?
I guess we’ll see. I don’t get the paper, so someone will have to let me know.
Anyone wishing to respond to Bishop Bird can also do so on Holy Post here
John K (and David et al) I am sure glad and praise God that you people are on HIS side.
Bishop Bird clearly illustrates his secularized political intentions while also showing himself to be capable of logic that one would expect from the brains of those characteristic of his namesake – I should take that back as it is an insult to the intelligence of our feathered friends! His attempt to identify “reformation” in terms of the heretical “forward” directions of the ACoC would actually be comical – if it wasn’t so serious a ruse. Re-formation looks back to a solid foundation and re-establishes itself upon that foundation. In the Christian sense that foundation is Jesus Christ including the wholeness of His Divine Being as He is shown to us in the Divinely Inspired Written Word of God! That foundation is completely and wholly “inclusive” in inviting all humanity to the foot of the Cross and the benefits thereof. In that foundation is the recognition of sin and the all-inclusive calling of individuals to repentance and salvation. This is the direction of the True Christian Church. This so-called “bishop” is trying to move toward a “reformation” based upon something that is totally opposed to the foundation of Christianity. In doing so he wishes to “run down” Orthodox Christians who hold to the Gospel of Jesus Christ once delivered. But, fortunately for him, the inclusiveness of the True Christian Church can still perform its role as ambassadors for Christ in calling him back to the foot of that same Cross – if he has the humility to recognize the open arms of Jesus for repentant sinners. Please pray for this poor lost “bird” who is playing the role of what Jesus called a “blind guide!”
I could not agree more with Father Winslow. Michael Bird – note I do not refer to him as bishop as he has denounced his vows and allegiance to our Lord & Saviour – serves a different master and his arrogance has caused him to believe the authority of Scripture is subject to his approval. Both he and Michael Ingham have become soldiers of another army and that army is out to destroy both the church and the faith of those in the pews. His words are nothing more than political rhetoric designed to mislead.
The proof of this is in the actions taken by both his diocese and New Westminster against orthodox believers.
I particularily liked his use of the word love. I imagine that Bishop Tutu in his quote that God wants us to love each other would not mean that every man should love every woman like a husband loves his wife (and vice versa). All I could think when he said that God smiles on all love, was ‘would God smile on a man who loves a 10 year old boy’. There is an appropriate love that an adult male can have toward a young boy (taking care of and a desire to teach), but it is certainly not the sort of love that Bird is implicidly talking about when speaking about same sex relationships (which involves sexual expression in the same way that love between a husband and wife implies sexual expression). Anyway, it amazes me that an educated man could put forward such foolish arguments.
your fellow unworthy servant in Christ,
Brian DeVisser
Wouldn’t it be great if David had an opportunity to interview him?
Kate:
I would think that Bird would never allow himself to be interviewed by David……He (bird) would be made to look foolish with his oh so intelligent statements…….nothing so blind as those who will not see!
We can post what we want and it will have no impact on Bird and Ingham and the rest…..they cannot and will not understand the Gospels and the Holy Scriptures n’or will they rellent from their course. Apostates they are and will remain.
I hope that last sentence of yours is wrong, but I think you are probably right.
So sad to hear a so called leaders of our faith so far off base. They are not my leader anymore. ANiC here I come.
They will be looking for a job soon so because the Acoc is just about done. God will not bless this group.
Bring on a revival Dear Lord. Amen
Kate and Jerry – I know of a fellow who made a living selling slaves against their will, killing many just to get them to market. -He wrote “Amazing Grace”. Another fellow use to persecute Christians with such zeal that he rose quickly within the ranks of his organization, obtaining status far above His station. He became a Saint: and in regard to the Lord’s great commission, could be considered the father of the Christian church to the Gentiles. Of course I speak of St. Paul.
My point is this: Regarding the will of God, we should never say never even about such as Michael Bird.
Many items sold today display something very proudly what is it? It is tested by a testing agency such as the good housekeeping institute. For many shoppers, the presence or absence of such a recomendation has a significant impact on their decision to buy the product. In reading Psalm 90Moses speaks of a seal of approval,this one is not found on a product but on a life; one issued, not by a testing agency but the great God Jehovah Himself. In contrast to the briefness of human life, God reserves His stamp of approval for endeavors of eternal significance.One such stamp of approval would be for someone who abides by the word of God and applies it to their lives daily, Not adding too or taking away one period or comma,or as the Bible says one jot or tittle.Earthly products soon rust and wear out but God’s word stays the same forever. God’s seal of approval is the mark of eternal life for those who walk in His commandments.Whatever is done apart from God ends in death; Whatever is accomplished for His Glory lasts for eternity ( matthew6:19-21) One day we will have to give account to God for the people we lead astray.We are not doing anyone any favor by blessing things that Paul says is an abomination.And i believe Paul was lead and guided by the Holy Spirit, Not just the Spirit of the age.
#14 I know, I know. I did say that I hoped he was wrong.
Questions for Bp Bird: how do you know that? Not from scripture, obviously, as it says the complete opposite. Are you claiming some kind of secret knowledge of the Deity that no one else has? A new Revelation, in fact? And, final question: do you realize that this would be heresy?
John K [#1],
Your letter made it into the print edition.
#14 Stuck in Toronto:
Matthew 10:16 (New King James Version)
16 “Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves.
Stuck: methinks that you are indeed either employing the above Scripture in your words or else you are somewhat naive as to what these apostates are doing and I don’t think you are naive.
They edited it rather heavily, but it still makes a point, I guess.
“But whether a man loves a woman or another man, or a woman loves a man or another woman, to God it is all love, and God smiles whenever we recognize our need for one another.”
This man is void of even a basic understanding of love. If we are in a state of recognizing personal “need” than love has been put on the shelf. Love is about being “dead to self”.
“I will leave it to your readers to decide what a religious revolution really looks like in this day and age.”
There are those who recognize 9/11 as a “religious revolution” of this day and age, is that what he is talking about? Or is it something more subtle like this new age approach and bastardization of God’s Gift of Love.
“I will leave it to your readers to decide what a religious revolution really looks like in this day and age.”
Yes! I’m glad when the ball is in our court. Let’s foster a Jesus-revolution that is Spirit-filled and firmly rooted in scripture. One where the church stands unwaivered by the liberal whims of self-protectionistic leaders. The Bishop talks about looking forward to a new reformation – right on! I’m excited about a reformation that rediscovers Jesus and stands in awe of his call to make disciples. I’m passionate about a reformation where Bishops spend more time teaching about the redemptive work of Christ, than parading around in sanctimonious fashion (the bishop’s page on the diocese of Niagra website is just a showcase for religious pomp). I would give my life to a reformation where Bishops lead the way in self-sacrifice for the sake of the Gospel. That’s what the new reformation will look like!
I have concluded there is only one direction a “new reformation” can take. We must go back to the origins of our church. It is all there, from our Lord’s word’s to Apostolic direction and the true meaning of “Apostolic succession”.
** Renewal**
Titus 3:4-6 (King James Version)
4. But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared,
5. Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;
6. Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour;
Romans 12:1-3 (King James Version)
1. I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
2. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, THAT YE MAY PROVE what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
3. For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.
#19 Gerry – I’m not so sure that, “what these apostates are doing” is no more than being dragged along by the chain attached to the snare of Loosafurs trap. Another way of putting this; My faith recognizes a much larger picture painted in Scripture, as quoted in the unauthored Desiderata, “No doubt the universe is unfolding exactly as it should”.
The Greeks had several words for love. Unfortunately, in the liberal Anglican church our English word “love” seems to be inseparable from the sexual act. I, as a mother, “love” my daughter passionately, but have never felt inclined toward intimate relations with her, and even those who have shaped our current societal standards would frown on that. There is nothing wrong with men loving men or women loving women, but why does that always seem to have to include sexual intimacy? Isn’t that what we were given reason and will-power for… to know what is appropriate and acceptable and what is not? Our wilfulness has already gotten us into enough trouble. If a physical union has no potential to procreate, surely that tells us something about the mind and will of God.