S
Siddhartha
Guest
I’m not positive that Redding make this particular argument, but she could conceivably state something like “I believe Jesus is Divine, in the same way we are all potentially Divine”. Such a statement would not necessarily be an outright denial of the divinity of Jesus.Yes, many would. But if there is one thing basic to Anglicanism, it’s the Nicene Creed. From my perspective it’s fine to function as an Anglican while having doubts about the Creed. But if you reject it outright, and do so publicly, then you certainly shouldn’t be a clergy person, and I would support a priest or bishop who chose to refuse communion in such a case (while recognizing that a gentler pastoral approach might be appropriate).
Paul Knitter?
Again, I’d want to understand better just what taking refuge entailed. I look at what such a person denies on the Christian side. Prof. Knitter’s Christology does not appear to me to be orthodox, but I don’t claim to be deeply familiar with his theology, nor of course do I have any ecclesiastical authority to discipline him (or anyone else)!
Taking refuge entails declaring (usually before a monk or two) that one “goes for refuge” to the Buddha, the Dharma, and the Sangha. What this traditionally means is that the Triple Gem now become one’s “ultimate” Teacher, Truth, and Community, the most precious treasure of one’s life.Edwin
However, Knitter’s Buddhist teacher obviously knew about Knitter’s Catholic commitment, so his teacher most likely allowed Knitter to re-interpret the refuge to mean that Knitter was “going for discipleship/studentship” to the Triple Gem, not that Knitter was making the Triple Gem his “ultimate” protection. Knitter still sees Jesus as his “ultimate” Teacher; the Buddha now becomes a secondary, though crucial, teacher. The Tibetans recognize individuals may have many non-ultimate teachers, while having one, central ultimate teacher, who is called one’s “root guru”. Jesus would be Knitter’s root guru.