Episcopal is an Adjective

Lately there has been a tremendous amount of concern expressed for preserving the title "Episcopal". However, we hear very little concern expressed for preserving the meaning and purpose of the word episcopal. This seems odd since the adjective was chosen to modify "Church" as a name to express an important theological and historical truth. Have we forgotten that?

When capitalized, "Episcopal" functions as a noun, which is combined with "Church" to identify the Scottish-American branch of the Church of England. This came about for the practical reason that 18th century Anglicans in America needed pastoral oversight that recognized the fact that they were no longer British citizens. The Church of England refused to consecrate any bishops for America, unless the bishop-elect would declare allegiance to England. So, Anglicans in America turned to another source for bishops who would provide the oversight that they needed: the Episcopal Church in Scotland. Scottish bishops consecrated the first American bishop, Samuel Seabury, in 1784.

When presented in lower case, "episcopal" functions as an adjective – as a modifier. And, it has much older origins than the title of the Anglican Church in Scotland or that in the United States. Episcopal is derived from the Greek word episkopos, which appears several times in the New Testament. Episkopos literally means overseer [epi = over (as in epidermis); skopos = see (as in scope)], the common translation being bishop. A bishop is an overseer. An episcopal church is a church that is pastored by a bishop. The Episcopal Church is a federation of churches overseen by their bishops.

How are bishops intended to function as overseers? What is the role of an overseer? The answers are given to us in two important sources: the New Testament and the Book of Common Prayer.

Saint Paul provided very specific criteria to Titus regarding the qualifications of bishops:

This is why I left you in Crete, so that you might put what remained into order, and appoint elders in every town as I directed you— if anyone is above reproach, the husband of one wife, and his children are believers and not open to the charge of debauchery or insubordination. For an overseer, as God's steward, must be above reproach. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain, but hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined. He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it. [Titus 1:5-9]

A bishop is called to be above reproach, to hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught (by Moses and the prophets; Jesus and the Apostles) and to be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it. This is the role that God purposed for an overseer. A bishop is called to behave like Jesus, the Good Shepherd, and to guard the sheep from wolves and robbers [John 10:1-18].

Paul also warned the overseers in Ephesus that some of their own members would arise to draw Christian disciples away from the truth,

[28] Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood. [29] I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; [30] and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them. [31] Therefore be alert, remembering that for three years I did not cease night or day to admonish everyone with tears. [Acts 20:28-31]

The Book of Common Prayer also clearly recognizes the New Testament criteria for bishops, as evidenced in the examination preceding the consecration of a bishop:

My brother, the people have chosen you and have affirmed their trust in you by acclaiming your election. A bishop in God's holy Church is called to be one with the apostles in proclaiming Christ's resurrection and interpreting the Gospel, and to testify to Christ's sovereignty as Lord of lords and Kings of kings.

You are called to guard the faith, unity, and discipline of the Church; to celebrate and to provide for the administration of the sacraments of the New Covenant; to ordain priests and deacons and to join in ordaining bishops; and to be in all things a faithful pastor and wholesome example for the entire flock of Christ.

With your fellow bishops you will share in the leadership of the Church throughout the world. Your heritage is the faith of patriarchs, prophets, apostles, and martyrs, and those of every generation who have looked to God in hope. Your joy will be to follow him who came, not to be served, but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many. [BCP, 517]

Two points are worth noting here. (1) The Episcopal Church, which authorized and published the Book of Common Prayer did not deviate from Saint Paul’s instructions to Titus. (2) A bishop is commissioned to share in the leadership of the Church throughout the world.

In other words, the role of a bishop as a guardian of the Faith, as received from the Apostles, has its origins in the Ancient Church, from which all modern churches receive their mandate. Holy Scripture provides that mandate.

Secondly, a bishop belongs to a universal worldwide fellowship of bishops, not simply a regional or national fellowship of bishops. Therefore, the call to guard the faith, unity, and discipline of the Church cannot be held rightfully as limited to one region and one age, while ignoring the greater faith, unity and discipline of the Church as expressed in the received doctrine of the Church from the Apostles and practiced by our brothers and sisters in other lands. The celebration of All Saints’ Day teaches us that the Church is much broader and deeper than one nation and one age.

What do we pray?

And grant that we may find our inheritance with [the Blessed Virgin Mary, with patriarchs, prophets, apostles, and martyrs, (with ______ ) and] all the saints who have found favor with you in ages past. We praise you in union with them and give you glory through your Son Jesus Christ our Lord. [BCP 375]

Therefore, those who are authentically episcopal Christians, are Christians who believe that our bishops – throughout the world and for all time – have a sacred responsibility to shepherd us and to oversee God’s people in a manner consistent with the Gospel Message. When bishops behave rebelliously and teach that which opposes the teaching of Christ and the Apostles, they fail their primary role as overseers. They no longer represent their episopal calling. [See: 1 Timothy 5:17-22; 6:11-16, 20-21; 1 Peter 5:1-9]. This was so obvious to the bishops of the early Church that many of them were martyred rather than declare a false witness of Christ.

"Episcopal" is an adjective. It is a modifier. In one ancient word, episkopos provides the description of what the Church (Christians) values and what we are called to proclaim to the World. If the title "Episcopal" loses its scriptural precedence, it has no significant value as a name.

"Salt is good, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is of no use either for the soil or for the manure pile. It is thrown away. He who has ears to hear, let him hear." - Jesus [Luke 14:34, 35]