Episcopal Theology

Developments in the theological battle were:

Dallas, Tex. Bishop Moore stated that the Rev. Lee W. Heaton would not be brought to trial for heresy "at this time" because certain persons of higher ecclesiastical rank in the Episcopal Church apparently shared Mr. Heaton's views. Bishop Moore's action points again to

William Lawrence, Bishop of Massachusetts. As soon as theological strife broke out among Episcopalians, public opinion strongly asserted itself against prosecuting for heresy any inconspicuous priest while there existed Bishops of pronounced "liberal" views. Most bishops are conservative. But one bishop -- William Lawrence* -- stands out as a champion of theological tolerance. His attitude is clearly presented in a booklet entitled Fifty Years. In 50 years of priesthood, says the Massachusetts bishop, he has seen most revolutionary changes in the thought of mankind. This has taught him that change is an element of human life. It is not to be feared. It is to be used. "No discovery of science has taken from us our faith," but "when we realize how our conception of the universe has been enlarged ten thousand times, we have a conception of God ten thousand times greater, nobler and more spiritual than was that of our fathers." Hence, although he believes in the usefulness of creeds, Bishop Lawrence refuses to insist on the literal interpretation of any creed, or of the Bible.

For example, although he is personally inclined to accept the traditional idea of the Virgin Birth, he says it is not essential to Episcopal faith.

Before conservatives in the Episcopal Church can begin to purge it of so-called "heretics" they must settle with Bishop Lawrence.

Catholic reaction to the dissensions is that "Protestantism has utterly failed." This idea was voiced last week in sermons and articles.

"Permissive Creeds," in place of obligatory, is the proposal of the Faculty of the Episcopal Theological School, of Cambridge, Mass., of which Bishop Lawrence was once head. Thus, creeds with and without affirmation of the Virgin Birth, would be accepted by the Church. "The Church is greater than the creeds." This idea coincides with Bishop Lawrence's famous utterance : "I cannot define the Triune God," and, from a different point of view with Voltaire's remark: "I will believe in God if you will stop trying to define him." Liberals contend that the spirit of Jesus cannot be caught and perpetually held in any immutable creed.

* William Lawrence was born in Boston in 1850 and became Bishop of Massachusetts in 1893 after ten years as professor and dean of the Episcopal Theological School. He is chairman of the trustees of both St. Marks and Groton schools. In his book he says: "My father was a successful merchant and manufacturer, but was at heart ... a farmer. He financed the emigrants to make Kansas a free State--hence 'Lawrence,' Kansas. My boyhood . . . was saturated with Christian piety."