Bible Question (short): What are the Methodists up to? |
Question (full): What are the Methodists up to? I got this from Fallwell today: Our Heavenly … Mother? Speaking of political correctness, a new hymnal supplement being utilized in some United Methodist churches is attempting to feminize the Old Time Religion in quite an alarming manner. One hymn in "The Faith We Sing" hymnal refers to our heavenly Father as "Mother God." Another refers to the Holy Spirit as "She [who] Comes Sailing on the Wind." Other hymns sing praises to "Mother Earth," "Mothering Christ" and "Holy Partner." While some hymns in the book are traditional Christian songs, Mark Tooley, executive director of the United Methodist committee of the Institute on Religion and Democracy, believes the songs that embrace feminist theology signify a growing distance from Evangelicalism in the 8.4-million-member denomination. "The whole point of Christian hymnals is to worship the God of the Bible," Mr. Tooley told the Washington Times. "The problem with worshipping a ‘Mother God’ or feminine deity is that it is not the God of the Bible." The IRD, an ecumenical alliance of Christians based in Washington, claims that the recently published United Methodist hymnal subtly introduces feminist theology into hymns that inaccurately depict God. In other words, these songs are part of the continuing quest to create God in man’s image. Mr. Tooley says that some of the theology behind the hymns has been influenced by the "Re-Imagining Community," a Minneapolis group whose participants have introduced the worship of Sophia, the "goddess of wisdom." We are seeing increasing numbers of churches replacing the truths of the Bible with feel-good "spirituality" that is designed to feminize or humanize the God of the Bible. Sadly, these people are blinded to the fact that God’s ways are far above the mortally flawed considerations of man: "For My thoughts are not your thoughts Nor are your ways My ways," says the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts." (Isaiah 55: 8,9, NKJV) |