New movement of the Holy Spirit?

New movement of the Holy Spirit?

From a collection of responses to the PCUSA’s decision to remove the celibacy requirement for single pastors.  Donald Fortson III observes that

“Church history is crystal clear: Homosexual practice has been affirmed nowhere, never, by no one in the history of Christianity.” Adoption of amdendment 10-A is therefore, by definition, anti-catholic.

Archpriest Siarhei Hardun from the Orthodox Church of Belarus, an ecumenical observer, said this to the Presbyterians at last year’s convention, which passed the proposal that was recently ratified by enough congregations:

“Christian morality is as old as Christianity itself. It doesn’t need to be invented now. Those attempts to invent new morality look for me like attempts to invent a new religion — a sort of modern paganism.

When people say that they are led and guided by the Holy Spirit to do it, I wonder if it is the same Spirit that inspired the Bible, if it is the same Holy Spirit that inspires the Holy Orthodox Church not to change anything doctrinal or moral standards? It is really the same Spirit or perhaps there are different spirits acting in different denominations and inspiring them to develop in different directions and create different theologies and different morals?

via Touchstone Magazine – Mere Comments: ‘Nowhere, Never, by No One.’.

I have been struck by the way theological innovators credit the moving of the Holy Spirit for leading their churches in these new  directions.   That’s the justification being given by Presbyterians, Episcopalians,  ELCA theologians, and others for moving away from traditional teachings, from ordaining women to affirming gay marriage:  the Holy Spirit is showing us new things; this is a new movement of the Holy Spirit.  These mainline Protestants are exhibiting a curious “enthusiasm,” separating the Holy Spirit from the Word of God.

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