I've been observing a most intriguing conversation on the HoB/D mailing list about the "Authority of Scripture." Seems to be much disagreement in the House of Bishops and Deputies about how we as Episcopalians are to believe and interpret Scripture. Since I'm no historian, I've learned a lot about Richard Hooker and Via Media, or his Middle Way between Roman Catholics and the Puritans.

Hooker argued that reason and tradition were important when interpreting the Scriptures, and that it was important to recognise that the Bible was written in a particular historical context, in response to specific situations. Hooker's emphases on reason, tolerance and inclusiveness considerably influenced the development of Anglicanism.

Now we have this growing element of bishops, priests, and parishioners who want to leave Via Media behind. Some favor the Roman way, some the Puritan, but according to them, we've become unreasonably tolerant and inclusive. I disagree, but if we are to include those who have heretofore been excluded, there will need to be a settling of disruptive influences. Reconciliation may not be possible in all cases, even though much effort is being made to reconcile opposing forces.

Our numbers are decreasing, but that is not necessarily a negative. We were described by one news article like this: The Episcopal Church, a tiny blip on the American religious scene ...Insignificant churches, ecclesiastical Davids slinging stones at society's Goliaths, are closest to living the Gospel of Jesus. http://tinyurl.com/k9b5w The future of our tiny blip of a church excites me. I like the idea of slaying Goliaths.

Tomorrow we celebrate the Feast of the Transfiguration. I'm doing the OT reading Ex 34:29-35, where Moses comes down from the mountain, after speaking with the Lord, and his face is so radiant that he has to wear a veil. Moses, along with Elijah, appears again with Jesus when he is transfigured.

One of the prayers we'll use is: O God, who on the holy mount revealed to chosen witnesses your well-beloved Son, wonderfully transfigured, in raiment white and glistening: Mercifully grant that we, being delivered from the disquietude of this world, may by faith behold the King in his beauty; who with you, O Father, and you, O Holy Spirit, lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

and Amen.