[The bishops’] statement faults [Sister Elizabeth] Johnson for treating language about God in the Bible and in church tradition as largely metaphorical, implying that truth about God is essentially unknowable.
Sister Johnson
Even if mysteries such as the Trinity and the Incarnation can never be fully grasped, the statement says, they can nevertheless be known.
While Johnson bases part of her argument on early church fathers, according to the statement, her position actually has more in common with Immanuel Kant and Enlightenment skepticism.
It’s called ecclesiastical pushing the envelope. Keeps us on our toes.
For we do not have a high priest
who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses,
but one who has similarly been tested in every way,
yet without sin.
So let us confidently approach the throne of grace
to receive mercy and to find grace for timely help.
Some scribes who were Pharisees saw that Jesus was eating with sinners
and tax collectors and said to his disciples,
“Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?”
Jesus heard this and said to them,
“Those who are well do not need a physician, but the sick do. I did not come to call the righteous but sinners.” (Italics added)
Tax collectors bought the position, then took tax revenue to cover their cost and make a profit. So there you were, dealing with a middle man reporting to no one. To sit with these people was to be one of them. Jesus had something else in mind. Good for him and good for us.
Blithe Spirit 