"Shamscendence is bogus transcendence, earthly fads masquerading as heavenly goods. Of course genuine transcendence stands at the heart of the Christian faith. We seek salvation from the futility of earthly concerns, from the corruption of sin, from the finality of death. And the gospel responds to such longings with powerful assurances of eternal life and deliverance. But how often does the Episcopal Church preach the saving message today? It seems rather to say to its flock that such talk of transcendent life is just old-fashioned, 'overly sentimentalized' rubbish, and that salvation comes in reality through progressive politics here on earth."

Read more: David D. Corey, On the Square, First Things