June 15, 1998

John Shelby Spong, Episcopal bishop of Newark, has published and posted on the Internet a set of "Twelve Theses." He offers them as the basis for a "New Reformation" of the Christian Faith. We declare that they are, as a whole, a denial of that Faith.

We the undersigned bishops of the Episcopal Church in the United States of America do hereby publicly disassociate ourselves from these "Twelve Theses" of Bishop Spong. In no way do they represent the doctrine, discipline, or worship of the Episcopal Church -- or any other branch of orthodox Christianity.

The "challenges" he proposes are not new. They have been argued -- and well refuted -- in nearly every age since the Resurrection of our Lord. Indeed, they are challenges with which most thinking believers have had to wrestle before making a mature commitment to the Christian Faith. We respect John Spong's right to his personal opinions, but we declare they are clearly outside the realm of Christian discourse, and we deplore his use of the office of bishop to propound them.

A bishop of the Episcopal Church vows to guard and defend exactly the truths John Spong now denies. As a bishop he requires those he confirms and those he ordains to confess beliefs he himself now repudiates. Such self-contradiction is morally fraudulent and spiritually bankrupt.

We invite the bishops of the Episcopal Church, USA and the bishops of the worldwide Anglican Communion to join us in this Declaration.

+Keith L. Ackerman, Quincy
+C. FitzSimons Allison, South Carolina, ret.
+John Ashby, Western Kansas, ret.
+David S. Ball, Albany
+Peter H. Beckwith, Springfield
+Maurice M. Benitez, Texas, ret.
+James B. Brown, Louisiana, ret.
+Anselmo Carral, Guatemala, ret.
+Gordon T. Charlton, Jr., Suff. Texas, ret.
+William J. Cox, Asst. Oklahoma, ret.
+Alex D. Dickson, West Tennessee, ret.
+Robert W. Duncan, Pittsburgh
+Charles F. Duvall, Central Gulf Coast
+Herbert Edmondson, Asst. Central Florida, ret.
+Andrew H. Fairfield, North Dakota
+Leopold Frade, Honduras
+William C. Frey, Colorado, ret.
+Robert J. Hargrove, Western Louisiana
+Alden M. Hathaway, Pittsburgh, ret.
+G. Edward Haynsworth, Asst. SC ret.
+Bertram N. Herlong, Tennessee
+Daniel W. Herzog, Coad. Albany
+John W. Howe, Central Florida
+Donald M. Hulstrand, Springfield, ret.
+Jack L. Iker, Fort Worth
+Russel Jacobus, Fond Du Lac
+Stephen H. Jecko, Florida
+Terence Kelshaw, Rio Grande
+John B. Lipscomb, Southwest Florida
+Mark L. MacDonald, Alaska
+John H. MacNaughton, West Texas, ret.
+Paul V. Marshall, Bethlehem
+Gerald N. McAllister, Okla., ret.
+Earl McArthur, Jr., Suff. West Texas, ret.
+Robert Mize, Asst. San Joaquin, ret.
+Donald J. Parsons, Quincy, ret.
+Donis D. Patterson, Dallas, ret.
+Hugo L. Pina-Lopez, Asst. Central Florida
+Victor M. Rivera, San Joaquin, ret.
+Edward Salmon, Jr., South Carolina
+Harry W. Shipps, Georgia, ret.
+John David M. Schofield, San Joaquin
+John H. Smith, West Virginia
+James M. Stanton, Dallas
+Alexander D. Stewart, Western Mass., ret.
+Vernon E. Strickland, Western Kansas
+Herbert Thompson, Jr., Southern Ohio
+Robert P. Varley, Asst. Minnesota, ret.
+William C. Wantland, Eau Claire
+Don A. Wimberly, Lexington

Disassociation is much milder than a formal 'presentment.' Disassociation does not inhibit the one disassociated (and certainly does not reject the diocese's gifts and offerings to the Church). Disassociation is tantamount to a loud 'harrumph! you embarrass me'; and I cannot imagine a Christian worthy of the name who has not at some time embarrassed other Christians for the sake of the gospel.

Of the 50 signers of this new disassociation statement, 37 (74%) also signed the Presentment in August 1995 to bring Bishop Walter Righter to trial for heresy -- and lost in their attempt.

Of the remaining 13, six became bishops in 1995 or later:

Consecrated
1995 Robert Duncan
1995 John Lipscomb
1995 Vernon E. Strickland
1996 Paul Marshall
1997 Dan Herzog
1997 Mark MacDonald

Seven bishops who signed here did not sign the presentment against Bishop Righter but were bishops when it was circulated:

Consecrated
1960 Robert Mize, ret.
1970 Alex Stewart, ret.
1972 Herbert Edmondson, ret.
1984 Leopold Frade
1984 Don Wimberly
1988 Herbert Thompson
1989 John H. Smith

There is a much more generous response when another person's faith challenges our own. Imagine our Lord saying, "Why Thomas, you little pip-squeak, how dare you ask to see the proof. I disassociate myself from you in no uncertain terms!"

Why in the Episcopal Church we respect Thomas enough to name churches after him.

My bishop invited those who disagree with him to debate him. These 50 have taken a much safer response, one that frees them from having to defend their faith in any of its particulars.

Do not be afraid of a Bishop who challenges us to think, and re-think, and re-think. Beware instead the Bishops of Laodicea, who take no risks at all.

Lutibelle/Louie

• Louie Crew's Anglican pages.
• Louie Crew's home page.
• Send mail to: lcrew@andromeda.rutgers.edu

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