Arbchbishop of Canterbury Proposes Islamic Alliance

It would be easy to laugh, or cry in response to remarks of the Archbishop of Canterbury, but that does not do credit to Romans 8:28-- that "all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose." (NRSV).

The Archbishop made headlines for calling for religious plurality, and criticizing:

Christianity's history for its violence, its use of harsh punishments and its betrayal of its peaceful principles.

His comments came in a highly conciliatory letter to Islamic leaders calling for an alliance between the two faiths for 'the common good'.

His remarks attempt to respond to criticism for his suggestion a few months back that British common law (upon which American law is based) should give equal treatment to Sharia law. His central thesis is not so different from Barack Obama's former pastor, the Rev. Jeremiah Wright, who believes that American brought on the attacks of 9/11 with our own "terrorism."

Sounding like a flack from the Obama campaign, Williams hinted that there is room under the bus for the Father, Son and Holy Spirit:

He [Williams] also said the Christian belief in the Trinity - that God is Father, Son and Holy Ghost at the same time - 'is difficult, sometimes offensive, to Muslims'.

Trinitarian doctrine conflicts with the Islamic view that there is just one all-powerful God.

In the face of such doctrinal conflict, according to the Archbishop, we should remember that truth is relative. Unfortunatley, that implies that there is no such thing as truth:

Lambeth Palace hinted that Christians as well as Muslims should listen to Dr Williams' message.

Officials pointed to the Archbishop's call for 'religious plurality' to turn to serving the common good and added: 'This is true even where truth claims may seem irreconcilable.'

For those who cannot comprehend why one of the most powerful leaders of Christ's Church so easily jettisons its fundamental tenets, read how Tony Snow addressed the philosophical and theological question of why he had cancer. I was reminded of his essay when the Anchoress linked it up at the time of Snow's passing.

Bottom line: whether it is the Archbishop of Canterbury's apostasy, or Tony Snow's cancer, or even Barack Obama's newly articulated brand of socialism: God will be glorified, and His will remains sovereign. We may pin election cycles to four year increments, but we did not start the calendar -- even if it's hereafter called "B.O."

Why must we suffer under the supposed leadership of someone, like the Archbishop, who is so lost? That's like Tony Snow asking, "why do I have cancer?", when the better question is, "Why not me?"

I can't improve upon Snow's words:

It is what it is—a plain and indisputable fact. Yet even while staring into a mirror darkly, great and stunning truths begin to take shape. Our maladies define a central feature of our existence: We are fallen. We are imperfect. Our bodies give out.

But despite this—because of it—God offers the possibility of salvation and grace. We don't know how the narrative of our lives will end, but we get to choose.

So there you have it: in a fallen world, all things work to the good, despite the best efforts of disease, Rowan Williams and Barack Obama.