Gene Robinson: A Debate Based on Misplaced Theology

By J. Fletcher Lowe, Jr.

It all goes back to Baptism.

Where are the loud outcries that Robinson should be barred from receiving communion, the primary sacrament of the Baptized? Why is there such a debate about his becoming a bishop, which is, let us remember, a minor sacrament, when no one is debating his Eucharistic participation?

If Gene Robinson has been baptized, then what is all the fuss about? Is not Baptism THE sacrament of inclusion, the sacrament that opens the door principally to the Supper of the Lord and then secondarily to the other five minor sacraments: confirmation, marriage, ordination, unction and penitent reconciliation? Where are the loud outcries that Robinson should be barred from receiving communion, the primary sacrament of the Baptized? Why is there such a debate about his becoming a bishop, which is, let us remember, a minor sacrament, when no one is debating his Eucharistic participation?

The current debate over ordaining an openly gay person to the Episcopate, as with its predecessor, the ordination of women, while reflecting some tensions in our society, more basically reflects our flawed theology of Baptism.

Does one need to rehearse the questions about the sacraments from our Catechism to make the point? Baptism is the first named of the two great sacraments. It has its own section as does the other great sacrament, the Holy Eucharist (Book of Common Prayer, pp. 858-860). Then follows another section, Other Sacramental Rites (BCP pp.860-1), for which out of 10 questions, one deals directly with ordination. That should provide us with a perspective as the Episcopal Church enters into any discussion of whom and under what circumstances persons should or should not be ordained.

At root, the problem rests with a theology misplaced. We have, in the realm of practice, exalted Ordination to a prominence that our theology does not support. Now, we did not invent this dilemma. We inherited it from our Christian forebearers, going back as far as Constantine, when monastic and ordination vows relegated the centrality of Baptism to the minor role it plays in the church today.

We have made some improvements: baptisms do take place in the context of congregational worship, there is greater focus on preparation and the Book of Common Prayer (BCP) baptismal service includes the Covenant which is the Christian's vocational job description. But as the debate over the ordination of women and the current debate over who is to become a bishop indicates, we still have a far piece to go.

In losing the primacy and centrality of Baptism, even when we pay lip service to it, we enter into debates about ordination as if it is more major a sacrament than Baptism. As a consequence, we still live with an exaggerated and overly inflated and unscriptural view of ordination, as if, to put it in Pauline terms, the Body of Christ has various parts, but dominant over them all is a huge, out of proportion nose (or hand or foot) which the ordained has become.

Would it not be more scripturally and theologically honest to place the issue raised by Robinson's election in the context of Baptism and more specifically, his Baptism? What responsibilities do he and the church have regarding his Baptismal living?

Let's examine how he has lived into the Baptismal vows and Covenant which he has affirmed over the years. From such, we may discern whether, among other things, his gay relationship affects his status as a baptized person and whether or not there should be some BCP disciplinary action taken including receiving the Eucharist

Let's examine how he has lived into the Baptismal vows and Covenant which he has affirmed over the years. From such, we may discern whether, among other things, his gay relationship affects his status as a baptized person and whether or not there should be some BCP disciplinary action taken including receiving the Eucharist. Let the debate focus on primary considerations, e.g. Baptism, not secondary matters, e.g. ordination.

If we are concerned about gay relationships, let us not single out one who has been elected to a minor sacramental function. That may be the easier route. If it is truly our concern, let us be more honest and more theologically and biblically sound. Let us tie such relationships back to Baptismal living, state the church's opposition to all such relationships and call for the disciplinary actions as delineated on the BCP (p. 409) for all those who so live, be they doctor, lawyer, Indian chief or clergy.

Let us get our theological priorities straight, let us put first things first, let us have our debate, but let it be in major, not in minor keys, on Baptismal living, not ordinational orientation.

 

The Rev. Canon J. Fletcher Lowe, Jr., is the executive director of the Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy, "uniting people of faith for a more just and compassionate Commonwealth." His involvement in a legislative-based ministry began in 1967 in Richmond, Virginia, and has continued through parish service in several U.S. dioceses and Europe. He is the recipient of the 2003 Council for America's First Freedom Award for extraordinary interfaith cooperation and advocacy. Fletcher co-edited the national Episcopal Church's Ministry in Daily Life, Living the Baptismal Covenant resource book and is a founding member of the Center for Baptismal Living. He may be reached by email at jflowe@aol.com