Episcopal Press and News

Newark Commends 'Proper Respect for the Bible'

Episcopal News Service. February 6, 1998 [98-2086A]

(ENS) The Diocese of Newark approved a resolution entitled "Proper respect for the Bible" during its annual diocesan convention in late January. Noting that the "Bible is not a club with which to beat people," the resolution stated that "God is living and continues to be revealed in new and life-giving ways." It also states that "our faithfulness to the past is best measured by our willingness to be guided as God continues to invite us into a personal relationship with Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior and to inspire us to do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly." Co-sponsors of the resolution were Louie Crew, founder of Integrity, a ministry to gay and lesbians in the church, and the Rev. John Donnelly -- "two persons generally viewed as being on the opposite sides of almost any issue," quipped Dale Gruner, diocesan communications officer. Other issues approved by the convention included: opposing capital punishment, affirming rights for women to seek medical care, including abortions; and favoring abolition of public funding for non-public schools. In his convention address, Bishop John Spong called for development of Christian education programs for children and adults to "renew and refocus the Christian church for life in a new century," especially in light of contemporary biblical, theological, ethical and social issues.