A Sermon delivered to All Saints Anglican Church on Trinity Sunday, June 2, 2007
In the early 300’s AD, one man, Athanasius of Alexandria, Egypt, almost single-handedly stood up and fought for what we regard today as Orthodox Christianity. He was born in about 296 to an apparently well to do family and received a good education, later studying philosophy.
Alexandria was at that time the New York City of the ancient world. It was the most important trade center of its day as well as being the primary emporium for the exchange of ideas. It had an important Catechetical School, the breadth of which included many ‘secular’ subjects. Even pagan philosophers were a part of the company of scholars.
He was barely out of his teens when he wrote two very important books, Against the Gentiles and On the Incarnation. He was very impressed with monastic spirituality of the Desert Fathers and wrote The Life of St. Anthony. In his own spiritual practice he was so disciplined that he came to be known as an ascetic.
During his lifetime there were ‘giants’ in the land. A Libyan priest, Arius was living at that time, propounding his ideas about the ‘only human’ nature of Christ. Concerning the Word of God (John 1:1) he taught that "God begat him, and before he was begotten, he did not exist." Athanasius was at that time a newly ordained deacon, secretary to Bishop Alexander of Alexandria, and a member of his household. His reply to Arius was that the begetting, or uttering, of the Word by the Father is an eternal relation between Them, and not a temporal event. Arius was condemned by most of the bishops of Egypt and went to Nicomedia, from which he wrote letters to bishops throughout the world, stating his position. Arianism was perhaps as much a political intrigue as it was an ideology, but at the time, it was very divisive in the church and there was real threat of division. So it was in 325, that Emperor Constantine called together a council to meet in Nicea, in order to deal decisively with questions about the exact nature of Jesus Christ as God.
During these debates, Athanasius so distinguished himself that he was chosen by the ailing Alexander to be his successor as the next Bishop of Alexandria. He served as Primate for 46 years, during which time, he witnessed the triumph of the Trinitarian faith over Arianism. Athananius is also the first person to draw up the list of 27 New Testament books we regard as canonical today.
During his stand for orthodoxy, Athanasius had to contend with political intrigue whispered in the ear of the Emperor. He endured a two-year exile because of fabricated charges brought against him, but he returned to Alexandria after the death of Arius in 336 and Constantine in 337. His political troubles were not over, however, and he soon had to go into hiding to escape his enemies, ultimately traveling to Rome and appealing to Pope Julius for a fair hearing regarding the charges leveled against him. He was vindicated and after seven years returned to Alexandria.
Throughout most of his career, Athanasius would be haunted by various allegations of defiling an altar, selling Church grain that had been meant to feed the poor for his own personal gain, and for suppressing dissent through violence and murder. Nevertheless, he was uncompromising in his opposition to Arianism and other heresies, one of his famous treatises being an Oration versus Arius. Over a fifty year period, he lived to see the Arian controversy put down and the triumph of the Nicene Creed, with it’s statement that Jesus was of the ‘same substance’ (homoousios) as the Father.
Why was Athanasius so dogged in his opposition to a position that was widely known and variously accepted by many people? Athanasius writes in another place that the very salvation of people’s souls was at stake. He was standing for Orthodoxy because he honestly felt that if people did not have a true understanding and belief in the True faith they would be eternally lost. We’ll see this when we recite the Athanasian Creed together shortly.
So let’s relate this to our current situation. We, as a small body of people in this area have taken a stand over against those in the Episcopal Church who have adopted what Peter Toon calls the New Episcopal Religion. Below is a synopsis of the differences between the New and the Traditional Episcopal Religious beliefs:
A Synopis of the article: "Two Religions in One Family" by Peter Toon
The New Episcopal Religion (NER)
On the Nature of God:
Emphasis on Oneness, Pantheistic, Immanent
God and Cosmos influence one another
Both seen as evolving
"Trinity" symbolizes human community
God, Traditional Episcopal Religion (TER):
Trinitarian, Transcendent,
Wholly Other than Cosmos
Creation Ex Nihilo, God unchanging
Three Persons, One Being
On Jesus, NER:
The Supremely Human Being (avoids the word "Man")
Uniquely evolved to reflect and reveal God
Identifies with the poor, outcast, etc
Agenda: Peace and Justice
Stress on "Dignity of all persons"
Jesus, TER:
God Incarnate, a real man
Ministers on earth to poor, outcast, etc.
Substitutionary death atones for our sins
Resurrection is literal, glorious
Prophet, Priest and King
Intercessor with the Father
On the Holy Spirit, NER:
Power of Deity and Jesus
Wholly identified with NER mission:
In line with United Nations Millenium Goals
Holy Spirit, TER:
Descends personally from Father & Son
Continues work of Salvation & Redemption
On the Bible NER:
"First in a line of witnesses"
Authority lies in being first
Written record of God's visitation to Jews and Christians
Spirit continues to reveal God's mind
Contemporary Experience reveals God's will.
Bible does not stand alone
Continuing revelation must be consulted.
Bible, TER:
The Word of God written
God's inspired Self-revelation to man
Message of salvation from sin into eternal life
God's commands to his faithful people
Revelation is final and authoritative
Revelation cannot be changed
On Salvation, NER:
"Having a relationship with God"…
Personally and in community
Joining God's mission of peace & Justice in the world.
Following Jesus=imitating his care of the unloved
At death, one goes to be with God -
Absorption in God's divine being and unity.
Salvation, TER:
Faith in Christ saves us from condemnation
Repentance of ones sins is necessary
Personal relationship with God through Christ
Take the Gospel to the world, show mercy
At death we go to Heaven to live with God
Personal identity maintained eternally.
Considering all these differences between the Traditional and the New Episcopal Religion, one can only conclude that the New beliefs have taken the Episcopal church out of Christianity altogether. While it may be true that individuals who remain in TEC may hold on to their faith, they are clearly worshipping at the altar of a foreign religion. The only conclusion that may be drawn from this is that these dear folks, for whatever reasons they choose to remain within TEC are courting spiritual disaster.
TEC and its House of Bishops has clearly rejected the demands of the Orthodox Anglican Community. After September of this year, the ultimate date given for TEC to return to Christianity, no Christian has any business worshipping in an Episcopal Church, for it has long since ceased to be Christian.
Friends, that puts us in a similar position to Athanasius. We are in the midst of a fight for Orthodox Christian belief. This fight is not just about Anglicanism. The Episocpal Church is at the vanguard of the fight, but the Methodists and Presbyterians are close behind. Whatever happens in Anglicanism is sure to impact the rest of Christianity as well. I had breakfast on Friday morning with a Church of Christ pastor and he commented to me that this fight is even causing him to think about issues within his own church. So the fight is important and it’s worth the effort to leave the comforts of church buildings and friendships because people’s souls are at stake.
Remember the words of Jesus:
"If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his life? Matthew 16:24-26.
"I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6.
"Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?' And then will I declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.' Matthew 7:21-23.
Let us pray to Almighty God that we are not among those who hope in vain. And let us pray for those who find themselves worshipping in a House of Heresy, that they may see the error of their ways and flee for their lives. Let us consider soberly the warnings and explicit faith of the Athanasian Creed.
The Creed of Saint Athanasius
Whosoever will be saved, before all things it is necessary that he hold the Catholic Faith. Which Faith except everyone do keep whole and undefiled, without doubt he shall perish everlastingly. And the Catholic Faith is this:
That we worship one God in Trinity, and Trinity in Unity, neither confounding the Persons, nor dividing the Substance. For there is one Person of the Father, another of the Son, and another of the Holy Ghost. But the Godhead of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, is all one, the Glory equal, the Majesty co-eternal. Such as the Father is, such is the Son, and such is the Holy Ghost. The Father uncreate, the Son uncreate, and the Holy Ghost uncreate. The Father incomprehensible, the Son incomprehensible, and the Holy Ghost incomprehensible.
The Father eternal, the Son eternal, and the Holy Ghost eternal. And yet they are not three eternals, but one eternal. As also there are not three incomprehensibles, nor three uncreated, but one uncreated, and one incomprehensible.
So likewise the Father is Almighty, the Son Almighty, and the Holy Ghost Almighty. And yet they are not three Almighties, but one Almighty. So the Father is God, the Son is God, and the Holy Ghost is God. And yet they are not three Gods, but one God.
So likewise the Father is Lord, the Son Lord, and the Holy Ghost Lord. And yet not three Lords, but one Lord.
For like as we are compelled by the Christian verity to acknowledge every Person by himself to be both God and Lord, So are we forbidden by the Catholic Religion, to say, There be three Gods, or three Lords.
The Father is made of none, neither created, nor begotten.
The Son is of the Father alone, not made, nor created, but begotten. The Holy Ghost is of the Father and of the Son, neither made, nor created, nor begotten, but proceeding.
So there is one Father, not three Fathers; one Son, not three Sons; one Holy Ghost, not three Holy Ghosts.
And in this Trinity none is afore, or after other; none is greater, or less than another; But the whole three Persons are co-eternal together and co-equal. So that in all things, as is aforesaid, the Unity in Trinity and the Trinity in Unity is to be worshipped. He therefore that will be saved must thus think of the Trinity.
Furthermore, it is necessary to everlasting salvation that he also believe rightly the Incarnation of our Lord Jesus Christ.
For the right Faith is, that we believe and confess, that our Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, is God and Man;
God, of the Substance of the Father, begotten before the worlds; and Man, of the Substance of his Mother, born in the world; Perfect God and perfect Man, of a reasonable soul and human flesh subsisting; Equal to the Father, as touching his Godhead; and inferior to the Father, as touching his Manhood. Who although he be God and Man, yet he is not two, but one Christ; One, not by conversion of the Godhead into flesh, but by taking of the Manhood into God;
One altogether; not by confusion of Substance, but by unity of Person.
For as the reasonable soul and flesh is one man, so God and Man is one Christ; Who suffered for our salvation, descended into hell, rose again the third day from the dead. He ascended into heaven, he sitteth on the right hand of the Father, God Almighty, from whence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead. At whose coming all men shall rise again with their bodies and shall give account for their own works. And they that have done good shall go into life everlasting; and they that have done evil into everlasting fire. This is the Catholic Faith, which except a man believe faithfully, he cannot be saved. Amen.
In the early 300’s AD, one man, Athanasius of Alexandria, Egypt, almost single-handedly stood up and fought for what we regard today as Orthodox Christianity. He was born in about 296 to an apparently well to do family and received a good education, later studying philosophy.
Alexandria was at that time the New York City of the ancient world. It was the most important trade center of its day as well as being the primary emporium for the exchange of ideas. It had an important Catechetical School, the breadth of which included many ‘secular’ subjects. Even pagan philosophers were a part of the company of scholars.
He was barely out of his teens when he wrote two very important books, Against the Gentiles and On the Incarnation. He was very impressed with monastic spirituality of the Desert Fathers and wrote The Life of St. Anthony. In his own spiritual practice he was so disciplined that he came to be known as an ascetic.
During his lifetime there were ‘giants’ in the land. A Libyan priest, Arius was living at that time, propounding his ideas about the ‘only human’ nature of Christ. Concerning the Word of God (John 1:1) he taught that "God begat him, and before he was begotten, he did not exist." Athanasius was at that time a newly ordained deacon, secretary to Bishop Alexander of Alexandria, and a member of his household. His reply to Arius was that the begetting, or uttering, of the Word by the Father is an eternal relation between Them, and not a temporal event. Arius was condemned by most of the bishops of Egypt and went to Nicomedia, from which he wrote letters to bishops throughout the world, stating his position. Arianism was perhaps as much a political intrigue as it was an ideology, but at the time, it was very divisive in the church and there was real threat of division. So it was in 325, that Emperor Constantine called together a council to meet in Nicea, in order to deal decisively with questions about the exact nature of Jesus Christ as God.
During these debates, Athanasius so distinguished himself that he was chosen by the ailing Alexander to be his successor as the next Bishop of Alexandria. He served as Primate for 46 years, during which time, he witnessed the triumph of the Trinitarian faith over Arianism. Athananius is also the first person to draw up the list of 27 New Testament books we regard as canonical today.
During his stand for orthodoxy, Athanasius had to contend with political intrigue whispered in the ear of the Emperor. He endured a two-year exile because of fabricated charges brought against him, but he returned to Alexandria after the death of Arius in 336 and Constantine in 337. His political troubles were not over, however, and he soon had to go into hiding to escape his enemies, ultimately traveling to Rome and appealing to Pope Julius for a fair hearing regarding the charges leveled against him. He was vindicated and after seven years returned to Alexandria.
Throughout most of his career, Athanasius would be haunted by various allegations of defiling an altar, selling Church grain that had been meant to feed the poor for his own personal gain, and for suppressing dissent through violence and murder. Nevertheless, he was uncompromising in his opposition to Arianism and other heresies, one of his famous treatises being an Oration versus Arius. Over a fifty year period, he lived to see the Arian controversy put down and the triumph of the Nicene Creed, with it’s statement that Jesus was of the ‘same substance’ (homoousios) as the Father.
Why was Athanasius so dogged in his opposition to a position that was widely known and variously accepted by many people? Athanasius writes in another place that the very salvation of people’s souls was at stake. He was standing for Orthodoxy because he honestly felt that if people did not have a true understanding and belief in the True faith they would be eternally lost. We’ll see this when we recite the Athanasian Creed together shortly.
So let’s relate this to our current situation. We, as a small body of people in this area have taken a stand over against those in the Episcopal Church who have adopted what Peter Toon calls the New Episcopal Religion. Below is a synopsis of the differences between the New and the Traditional Episcopal Religious beliefs:
A Synopis of the article: "Two Religions in One Family" by Peter Toon
The New Episcopal Religion (NER)
On the Nature of God:
Emphasis on Oneness, Pantheistic, Immanent
God and Cosmos influence one another
Both seen as evolving
"Trinity" symbolizes human community
God, Traditional Episcopal Religion (TER):
Trinitarian, Transcendent,
Wholly Other than Cosmos
Creation Ex Nihilo, God unchanging
Three Persons, One Being
On Jesus, NER:
The Supremely Human Being (avoids the word "Man")
Uniquely evolved to reflect and reveal God
Identifies with the poor, outcast, etc
Agenda: Peace and Justice
Stress on "Dignity of all persons"
Jesus, TER:
God Incarnate, a real man
Ministers on earth to poor, outcast, etc.
Substitutionary death atones for our sins
Resurrection is literal, glorious
Prophet, Priest and King
Intercessor with the Father
On the Holy Spirit, NER:
Power of Deity and Jesus
Wholly identified with NER mission:
In line with United Nations Millenium Goals
Holy Spirit, TER:
Descends personally from Father & Son
Continues work of Salvation & Redemption
On the Bible NER:
"First in a line of witnesses"
Authority lies in being first
Written record of God's visitation to Jews and Christians
Spirit continues to reveal God's mind
Contemporary Experience reveals God's will.
Bible does not stand alone
Continuing revelation must be consulted.
Bible, TER:
The Word of God written
God's inspired Self-revelation to man
Message of salvation from sin into eternal life
God's commands to his faithful people
Revelation is final and authoritative
Revelation cannot be changed
On Salvation, NER:
"Having a relationship with God"…
Personally and in community
Joining God's mission of peace & Justice in the world.
Following Jesus=imitating his care of the unloved
At death, one goes to be with God -
Absorption in God's divine being and unity.
Salvation, TER:
Faith in Christ saves us from condemnation
Repentance of ones sins is necessary
Personal relationship with God through Christ
Take the Gospel to the world, show mercy
At death we go to Heaven to live with God
Personal identity maintained eternally.
Considering all these differences between the Traditional and the New Episcopal Religion, one can only conclude that the New beliefs have taken the Episcopal church out of Christianity altogether. While it may be true that individuals who remain in TEC may hold on to their faith, they are clearly worshipping at the altar of a foreign religion. The only conclusion that may be drawn from this is that these dear folks, for whatever reasons they choose to remain within TEC are courting spiritual disaster.
TEC and its House of Bishops has clearly rejected the demands of the Orthodox Anglican Community. After September of this year, the ultimate date given for TEC to return to Christianity, no Christian has any business worshipping in an Episcopal Church, for it has long since ceased to be Christian.
Friends, that puts us in a similar position to Athanasius. We are in the midst of a fight for Orthodox Christian belief. This fight is not just about Anglicanism. The Episocpal Church is at the vanguard of the fight, but the Methodists and Presbyterians are close behind. Whatever happens in Anglicanism is sure to impact the rest of Christianity as well. I had breakfast on Friday morning with a Church of Christ pastor and he commented to me that this fight is even causing him to think about issues within his own church. So the fight is important and it’s worth the effort to leave the comforts of church buildings and friendships because people’s souls are at stake.
Remember the words of Jesus:
"If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his life? Matthew 16:24-26.
"I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6.
"Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?' And then will I declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.' Matthew 7:21-23.
Let us pray to Almighty God that we are not among those who hope in vain. And let us pray for those who find themselves worshipping in a House of Heresy, that they may see the error of their ways and flee for their lives. Let us consider soberly the warnings and explicit faith of the Athanasian Creed.
The Creed of Saint Athanasius
Whosoever will be saved, before all things it is necessary that he hold the Catholic Faith. Which Faith except everyone do keep whole and undefiled, without doubt he shall perish everlastingly. And the Catholic Faith is this:
That we worship one God in Trinity, and Trinity in Unity, neither confounding the Persons, nor dividing the Substance. For there is one Person of the Father, another of the Son, and another of the Holy Ghost. But the Godhead of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, is all one, the Glory equal, the Majesty co-eternal. Such as the Father is, such is the Son, and such is the Holy Ghost. The Father uncreate, the Son uncreate, and the Holy Ghost uncreate. The Father incomprehensible, the Son incomprehensible, and the Holy Ghost incomprehensible.
The Father eternal, the Son eternal, and the Holy Ghost eternal. And yet they are not three eternals, but one eternal. As also there are not three incomprehensibles, nor three uncreated, but one uncreated, and one incomprehensible.
So likewise the Father is Almighty, the Son Almighty, and the Holy Ghost Almighty. And yet they are not three Almighties, but one Almighty. So the Father is God, the Son is God, and the Holy Ghost is God. And yet they are not three Gods, but one God.
So likewise the Father is Lord, the Son Lord, and the Holy Ghost Lord. And yet not three Lords, but one Lord.
For like as we are compelled by the Christian verity to acknowledge every Person by himself to be both God and Lord, So are we forbidden by the Catholic Religion, to say, There be three Gods, or three Lords.
The Father is made of none, neither created, nor begotten.
The Son is of the Father alone, not made, nor created, but begotten. The Holy Ghost is of the Father and of the Son, neither made, nor created, nor begotten, but proceeding.
So there is one Father, not three Fathers; one Son, not three Sons; one Holy Ghost, not three Holy Ghosts.
And in this Trinity none is afore, or after other; none is greater, or less than another; But the whole three Persons are co-eternal together and co-equal. So that in all things, as is aforesaid, the Unity in Trinity and the Trinity in Unity is to be worshipped. He therefore that will be saved must thus think of the Trinity.
Furthermore, it is necessary to everlasting salvation that he also believe rightly the Incarnation of our Lord Jesus Christ.
For the right Faith is, that we believe and confess, that our Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, is God and Man;
God, of the Substance of the Father, begotten before the worlds; and Man, of the Substance of his Mother, born in the world; Perfect God and perfect Man, of a reasonable soul and human flesh subsisting; Equal to the Father, as touching his Godhead; and inferior to the Father, as touching his Manhood. Who although he be God and Man, yet he is not two, but one Christ; One, not by conversion of the Godhead into flesh, but by taking of the Manhood into God;
One altogether; not by confusion of Substance, but by unity of Person.
For as the reasonable soul and flesh is one man, so God and Man is one Christ; Who suffered for our salvation, descended into hell, rose again the third day from the dead. He ascended into heaven, he sitteth on the right hand of the Father, God Almighty, from whence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead. At whose coming all men shall rise again with their bodies and shall give account for their own works. And they that have done good shall go into life everlasting; and they that have done evil into everlasting fire. This is the Catholic Faith, which except a man believe faithfully, he cannot be saved. Amen.
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