tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4615496199721498323.post1482386503845065737..comments2024-03-22T08:29:51.173-05:00Comments on UM & Global: Recommended Reading: African UMC Bishops' StatementDavid W. Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17024204453848260271noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4615496199721498323.post-88483302873253833492015-11-18T08:07:08.682-06:002015-11-18T08:07:08.682-06:00Africa has found its voice. Africa speaks. The w...Africa has found its voice. Africa speaks. The world listens. Every right thinking person applauds.bthomashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17247264360824134470noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4615496199721498323.post-67954304773096971542015-11-13T08:51:17.535-06:002015-11-13T08:51:17.535-06:00It appears that two significant aspects of the sta...It appears that two significant aspects of the statement haven't received the attention they deserve from United Methodists in the US. First, note that in the section on Global Terroism the bishops referred to the United Nations as the proper intervening force, not the United States. Americans would do well to note that for much of the world it is the UN, not the US that is the appropriate guarantor of security and promoter of peace. Secondly the statement makes a strong appeal to the Holy Bible as the source of authoritative teaching in the church, but says nothing about what constitutes authoritative interpretation of the text. People who are diametrically opposed on LGBTQ issues both appeal to the authority of scripture. For the African Bishops to claim that the issue cultural compliance versus scriptural authority is either ingenuous or naive. Their reading of scripture, and their views on the LGBTQ issues are every bit as much determined by their cultural setting as are readings in the US and Europe. There is no standpoint from which to judge between these opposing points of view except that of God, and the Divine perspective is not available to us, even if we are dressed in purple and bear a high ecclesial title.Robert Hunthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12733025264316575349noreply@blogger.com