'Gay' cleric: Easter Message - Christ did not die for sin

Church of England traditionalists, wearied by the battles over homosexuality in the church and the clergy, will suffer again when a "gay" cleric tells BBC Radio 4 listeners that Christianity's traditional teaching on Christ's crucifixion for the sins of mankind is "repulsive," "insane" and makes "God sound like a psychopath."


By Jonathan Wynne-Jones, Sunday Telegraph: Rev Jeffrey John, who had to withdraw before taking up an appointment as bishop in 2003 after it emerged he was in a long-term homosexual relationship [sic. with Grant Holmes, a hospital chaplain], is set to ignite a row over one of the most fundamental tenets of Christian belief. Clergy who preach this Easter that Christ was sent to earth to die in atonement for the sins of mankind are "making God sound like a psychopath", he will say.

John's ... urges a revision of the traditional explanation, known as "penal substitution". Christian theology has taught that because humans have sinned, God sent Christ as a substitute to suffer and die in our place. "In other words, Jesus took the rap and we got forgiven as long as we said we believed in him," says Mr John. "This is repulsive as well as nonsensical. It makes God sound like a psychopath. If a human behaved like this we'd say that they were a monster." ... John's offers an alternative interpretation, suggesting that Christ was crucified so he could "share in the worst of grief and suffering that life can throw at us."

Church figures have expressed dismay at his comments, which they condemn as a "deliberate perversion of the Bible." Bishop Tom Wright accused Mr John of attacking the fundamental message of the Gospel. "He is denying the way in which we understand Christ's sacrifice." . . . "I'm fed up with the BBC for choosing to give privilege to these unfortunate views in Holy Week." The Rev Rod Thomas, of the evangelical group Reform, accused John of "attacking the fundamental nature of the Gospel". Reform, which represents about 600 clergy, opposed Mr John's nomination as bishop in 2003. Thomas said denying the "wrathful" nature of God was an attempt to play down the importance of sin and allow a more liberal approach to sexuality. [Read More]

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