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Miscellaneous, page 2 Crazy for God September 20, 2001 Not long before he died, Henri Nouwen wrote in Can You Drink the Cup? (1996), "On that 21st day of July, 1957, when my life-long dream to become a priest was realized, I was a very naive twenty-five-year-old. ... I came out of it (seminary) all full of love for Jesus, and full of desire to bring the Gospel to the world, but without being fully aware that not everybody was waiting for me." If you're like me, you can relate to that. My first session meeting as pastor of Parkesburg, Pennsylvania's First Presbyterian Church comes to mind. But before recounting that first pastoral sobriety check, let me tell you that there were two Presbyterian churches in Parkesburg -- the alive and growing one and the one that called me fresh out of seminary to be their pastor. Anyway, I was so psyched to get going for God that I brought a five-page-single-spaced-Roman-numeraled-church-growth manifesto to that meeting. With the precision and passion of an ecclesiastical rookie in the midst of women and men certified as elders yet only coincidentally connected to Christology by sheep's skin, I jumped out of the boat and nearly drowned. As the last word came out of my mouth, a steely-eyed elder in his early fifties blurted out, "You're crazy if you think we're going to do any of that!" So I've learned to live with rejection over the years. I'm still crazy. Most of us can relate to the late Erma Bombeck's lament, "If life is a bowl of cherries, why am I always in the pits?" The truth is not every day is a hot fudge sundae. Or as Jesus reminded, "The rain falls on everybody" (Matthew 5:45). Some days really _____. You can fill in the blank according to your personal code of propriety. But I have learned a few things in 50 years of life and 25 years of pastoral ministry; and if you'd like a copy of "Theses for Life and Ministry" which are always evolving, send your e-mail address to me at drkopp@inwave.com. Clearly, the most important experience of my life and ministry has been God's grace. I like how Paul experienced it: "God proves His love for us in that while we still were sinners Christ died for us" (see Romans 5). Certainly, I'm not going to catalogue my sins for public consumption and spoil the hogwash of some in the shadows. Besides, confession may be good for the soul but it ain't too hot for reputations. So let me get to the point. God loves you and me not because of who we are and what we do but in spite of who we are and what we do. That's the Gospel sealed by the incarnation, crucifixion, and resurrection of God in Jesus. Unless you're God's other son, you know you don't deserve existential or eternal favor (see Romans 3:23). That's the bad news. The good news is God loves us any way. It's free. It's unmerited. It's grace. And once we figure him out, there won't be anything too crazy to do for him. It's hard to reject the One who accepts all. Dr. Robert Kopp Beliefs of youth unnerving September 20, 2001 My husband and I attended the Presbyterian Youth Triennium Conference at Purdue University. We took 18 kids from the Tampa Bay Presbytery. While at the conference, we used our church's video camera to poll high-school students on their thoughts about the issues the Presbyterian Church is facing. Out of the 6,700 to 7,000 kids there we interviewed 57. We were non-confrontational in our inquiries and simple wanted to get a feel to what "kids of today" thought. Three of our questions were: 1. Is Jesus Christ the only way to Heaven? Almost 50% of those asked thought that you can get to heaven without Jesus. 2. Is the Bible the authority on truth? While we didn't ask this question to everyone, of the ones we did, 46% thought the Bible was unreliable and metaphoric in nature. 3. Should we allow the ordination of homosexuals as pastors, elders and deacons in our church? 65% Feel it is OK to ordain homosexuals. (We made it clear that this question pertained to practicing homosexuals.) My husband and I were very discouraged by these statistics. However, we have made it our goal this year to educate our youth and make sure they know what our church believes and why. Our high school group is studying many hot topics from homosexuality to evolution. Please join us and our church in praying for our youth, the elders, deacons and pastors of our churches to come. Feel free to contact us for any other information about our feelings on the Triennium Conference. Tracie Buhrmaster Faith Presbyterian Church Seminole, Fla.
September 7, 2001 Here's my analysis of the letter to GA signed by Bible professors urging ordination of homosexuals. As a member of a Pastor Nominating Committee, I am using the results to help me identify where seminaries stand on a theological spectrum right to left. Thanks in part to The Layman, I was already aware that Louis Weeks had moved Union to the extreme left – eight out of eight Bible professors there signed the letter. However, I was dismayed to find that six of six professors at Columbia had signed the letter. Tom Jackson North Avenue Presbyterian Church Greater Atlanta Presbytery Nearly shamanism September 7, 2001 Did your reviewer actually read The Prayer of Jabez? Much in the book is truly at odds with core ideas of Reformed theology and the orthodox understanding of prayer. One would hope that a fine, Bible-honoring organization like The Layman would catch that and find it significant enough to challenge, ever so gently of course. The Prayer of Jabez borders on mechanistic shamanism. Repeat these words every day for thirty days and see if that great Blessing Machine in the Sky doesn't open itself to you. In the introduction to the book, the author entices the would-be reader, like a sideshow barker, to come and read about this prayer, a special prayer that "God always answers!" The book is also grossly Arminian when it portrays a god who wants to bless his people but cannot because they have not recited Jabez's prayer enough times, and all that good blessing goes pitifully unused and wasted. Now, I realize you guys get sent a lot of books to review, but, at the minimum, I would think you should have someone familiar with Reformed theology actually READ the books that deal with theology, preferably before the review is written. Otherwise, great job. Gordan Runyan Tucumcari, N.M. Is Amendment A all or nothing? August 24, 2001 Robert P. Mills commented in his August 22 article, "Is Amendment A the middle way?," that "The presbytery vote will be on the entire policy; the items cannot be considered individually." That comment may not be totally accurate. The official text from the 213th General Assembly reads:
This is bad news for two reasons – potential confusion on voting, and a result that may not be intended by some (but would be welcomed by Covenant Network supporters). What happens if the "fidelity and chastity" provision of G-6.0106b is retained and the new language is added to G-6.0106a? Then the local governing body favoring ordination of a non repentant, self professed, practicing homosexual would merely be "guided by" the "fidelity and chastity" provision. Because the local governing body under the new provision would not be required to act in accordance with the constitutional provisions, but is merely "guided by" them, they would appear to have the discretion to ordain whoever they choose. The Permanent Judicial Commission has said in several decisions that the words "guided by" confer discretion when used in a constitutional grant of authority. Thus, the "fidelity and chastity" provision would be non binding even though it remained in the constitution. One wonders whether this was not the intended result all along! Wayne R. Johnston Conway, Ark. While the General Assembly was debating this matter, Stated Clifton Kirkpatrick, the denomination's chief constitutional officer, said that the entire proposal would be considered as one and either voted up or down. The editors Amendment A poses other constitutional conflicts August 24, 2001 While Robert Mills ("Is Amendment A the middle way?") foresees three constitutional conflicts with Amendment A, he and others choose to ignore at least 6 constitutional conflicts with the current "fidelity and chastity" ordination standard. The current G-6.0106b violates the right of members to elect members of their choosing in G-1.0306. It violates the requirement that we not deny membership to anyone for any "reason not related to profession of faith" in G-5.0103. It violates the rights of all members "to vote and hold office" in G-5.0202. It violates the principle that church government is representative and the "inalienable" right of God's people to elect their officers in G-6.0107. It creates a standard of ordination forbidden in G-6.0102, "... ordained officers differ from other members in function only." That is, ordained officers cannot be held to a different standard than that of members. Complying with the "fidelity and chastity" standard also keeps us from obeying our consciences as required in G-1.0301. The larger issue, of course, is that G-6.0106b violates the central lesson of Jesus' teaching and his example on earth: To love, as he did, all women and men, regardless of their individual human conditions, including social, political and legal outcasts. This is the Christ we must obey. Sue Williams San Jose, Calif. Book of Order cover a disgrace to PCUSA August 24, 2001 Thank you for bringing the matter of the cover illustration to the new Book of Order to public attention by publishing the letter from Rev. John H. Shaw III of Mooresburg, Pa. This obscenity foisted upon the church is a disgrace upon whatever is left of the good name of the PCUSA – not to mention a slap in the face to our crucified Savior. This picture is a representation of a goddess of fertility, the idol before which our liberal and apostate "colleagues" worship in the name of diversity and tolerance. It has absolutely nothing to do with the Christian faith. Yet some theological poltroon in Louisville – following all procedures, I am sure – has stuffed this abomination into the face of the church and made us pick up the tab. Let us applaud the Session of Mooresburg Church for sending the covers back to the GA. This is perhaps the best protest any church already tricked into spending good money on this pagan provocation can make. My response will be to refuse to purchase this piece of garbage, thereby leaving at least one copy to rot in Louisville. May many more faithful Presbyterians do the same. Rev. Bill Pawson Pembroke Pines, Fla. Would anyone notice? August 24, 2001 I was reading your article, "Assembly tones down overture on Left Behind" and I remembered something that happened to me while I was reading the Left Behind series. I was sitting in our beautiful sanctuary one Sunday morning. People were sauntering in and performing their usual Sunday morning rituals when all of a sudden the thought crossed my mind, if Jesus Christ were to rapture His church on a Sunday morning during the service, I wonder if anyone here would notice. Grant Thompson Have you seen the new Book of Order cover? August 22, 2001 When local Presbyterian clergy members recently gathered together, one member asked if any of us had seen the new Book Of Order. None of us had. Upon seeing it we were all shocked and very much taken back. There on the front cover of Part II of The Constitution of The Presbyterian Church (USA) was "The New Cover Girl" representing our denomination. Gone was the Presbyterian Cross symbol used before. Absent was any Christian symbol. Instead, we were looking at a rather grainy picture of a relief carving of an ancient pregnant woman holding her stomach. We named her "Sophia" in honor of a past questionable Presbyterian event, and for the fact she looks Greek or Roman. If one looks very hard, the words Presbyterian Church (USA) can be found in quite small letters on the lower right side of the cover. In the past they appeared with pride near the center, and were very visable! Could this be the start of a new "Re-imagining?" First they remove the truth which Jesus said would set us free – that he is the way, the truth, and the life; the only way to the Father. Then they say that Scripture is outdated; and next they say that sinful living isn't that wrong because "everyone" does it. Now must we also be embarrased by this cover on Part II of our Constitution? Will those in the "Puzzle Palace" in Louisville stop at nothing in their effort to destroy our denomination? I was overheard discussing this with some laity, when a few women standing nearby came over to see what we were talking about. They were not Presbyterian and questioned why such a cover would appear on an official denomination publication. They thought the cover in bad taste and wondered if that was the reason the picture was so grainy and difficult to indentify quickly. E-mails to other clergy have shown that many of them have not seen this cover. Upon seeing it, they they have been equally embarrased and distressed. At our last session meeting Aug. 14, members of the session ripped the covers from their Books of Order and asked that they be returned to the offices of the General Assembly by certified mail so to know that someone actually received them. They will also enclose a letter asking for an explanation of that particular choice upon our cover. Prior clergy calls to GA have resulted in a very foggy idea of the who, what, when, why and where questions concerning the cover. There is no reference to any source for this picture. Copyright infringement? Our congregation is very proud to be a member of the Confessing Church Movement (number 150) and see this membership as a way to return to the foundations of our faith which we hold so dear. We are willing to become martyrs (for Moderator Rogers, who seems to discover many new and varied definitions – our definition of martyr is that found in my Greek-English Lexicon, "bearing witness, being a witness, testifying concerning someone [Jesus Christ our Savior], testifying of that which is true, testifying against that which is wrong, testifying favorably, approving of, and bearing witness to"). And we declare that we are in disapproval of many of the actions of our leaders – this inappropriate, perverted, obscene fertility goddess (?) which formerly was on the cover of our newest Book of Order, being just one. May I urge each congregation to review the cover for themselves, and if they agree with our insight, to follow up with the return of the covers to Louisville? Jesus said, "I come not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance" (Luke 5:32). As a sinner, I rejoice in God's amazing, undeserved, unearned grace. As one forgiven, I am called to go and tell that Good News to all the world. Nothing will able to separate me from God's love which is in Jesus Christ, not even the powers nor principalities of GA. Rev. John H. Shaw III, Pastor Mooresburg Presbyterian Church Mooresburg, Pa. CCM, Layman are providing leadership August 22, 2001 I am in total agreement with David Chumney's open letter to Clifton Kirkpatrick. The Layman and the Confessing Church Movement are providing the spiritual leadership that our moderator and clerk have failed to provide. I will be sending a letter to the stated clerk as well, including a copy of our church's resolution and informing them of our session's decision to suspend giving to the General Assembly due to it's recent actions. Those actions reflected a failure to adequately acknowledge the Lordship of Jesus Christ and an open rebellion in regard to what Scripture clearly teaches regarding homosexual activity. We continue to pray for the leadership of our denomination that they return to Biblical standards upon which the church was founded. N. Kirk Werner Lake Forest Presbyterian Church Knoxville, Tenn. We must refute actions of moderator, clerk, GA August 22, 2001 All I can say about the letter and associated resolution from First Presbyterian Church, Paris, Ky., is Amen. We simply must refute the actions of the moderator, clerk and the 213 General Assembly. This is the best I have seen so far. Gerry Foreman Elder commissioner 213th General Assembly An open letter to Kirkpatrick, Rogers August 22, 2001 My greatgrandfather, grandfather, grandmother, mother and I have been part of the Presbyterian Church for many generations. I can't say the same will be true for my children. Just look at the number of people who have bailed out. I often wonder why God wants me to hang in. How can we expect our children to follow the Scriptures and Jesus' teaching when some do everything they can to deny these truths? How can we expect our children to pledge no sex until marriage, but turn around and bless another type of sexual life style that is outside of marriage? That's one of the major reasons the church is falling apart today. Our country is in moral shambles. Is our denomination supposed to aid its further decline? Lord, in the holy name of Jesus, please pull the scale from our leaders' eyes and let them see the truth. Father, bring us back to your truth and help us to become the church you would build with your own hands. In Christ's name I pray. Ed Von Ruff Elder, First Presbyterian Pearland, Texas Praise the Lord for letter to clerk August 22, 2001 In response to the Rev. David Chumney's Aug. 16 letter to Cliffton Kirkpatrick, praise be to the Lord ! I believe the quarter of a million (and increasing) Presbyterians embracing the Confessing Church Movement tenets echo the same sentiments. Bob Campbell Kingman Presbyterian Church Kingman. Ariz. Sexual immorality was prohibited even for non-Jews August 22, 2001 Rev. Robert Austell's commentary regarding Acts 15 and the Jerusalem Council was good as far as it goes. But it has even greater force because of its parallel with Leviticus 17 and 18 in which certain moral laws were made applicable to both Jews and those aliens living among the Jews. These rules applicable to both Jews and aliens are the same three things that Acts 15 sets as limits on gentile Christians, although described in more detail. It makes sense that gentile Christians, living in the Church among Jewish Christians, would be subject to the same three restrictions applicable to aliens living among Jews generally. It also seems clear, because of this strong parallel with Leviticus, that the council was adopting the standard of Leviticus 18 for determining what "sexual immorality" was prohibited even for non-Jews. That standard includes incest, bestiality and homosexual acts. Thus, the Council of Jerusalem has directly addressed the very question before the Church today, "Are homosexual acts always, and under all circumstances, sin?" It answered that question in the affirmative. Who are we to question that determination? Whit Brisky Clerk, Evanston, Ill., First What Scriptures did Rogers' study? August 22, 2001 The true body of Christ must dig in and fight the apostasy in the PCUSA. It is good to see the Confessing Church Movement within the PCUSA standing up against Jack Rogers who claims he (Rogers) is pro-gay due to his private studying of the Scriptures. I would like to know what Scriptures Rogers studied to come up with being pro-gay. Surely not from the Holy Bible, but when one believes the Holy Bible is not the Word of God, anything goes. Keep fighting CCM people, and throw out the apostates. Lou. S. Nowasielski Wilmington, Del. We should not compromise Scripture August 22, 2001 I, for one, am happy people like the Baptists and the PCA are very conservative. And there are churches in other denominations who are the same way. We are living a society today called the apostate society. Just like the Bible predicted we would. We should not take chances and compromise Scripture. And there is a God in heaven who is upset over the fall away, and I really think he is the only person who can straighten things out. Ron Bowling Jr. PCUSA has become unequally yoked with unbelievers August 22, 2001 The PCUSA, by recognizing the practicing homosexual community as a part of the PCUSA, without requiring repentence, has become unequally yolked with unbelievers. Because the PCUSA is unequally yoked with unbelievers, we are trying to accommodate them. Thus we have a corrupting influence in the church. The church is no longer pure. In order to purify the church, we must require members to repent from acknowledged sin, (sin as described clearly in the Bible) , and then we can become a true church of God again through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. We cannot ordain to leadership that which God clearly says is an abomination. Those who truly repent and live a holy life can then be ordained to church leadership. The PCUSA has violated a principle in the Bible, which requires all to come to repentence and to seek the Lord our God. We are in error to accept any non-repentent sinner to our church leadership, let alone to our church membership. If we do not require repentence of acknowledged sin, then is the church not giving tacit approval to that sin and thus leading the sinner astray? Would his or her blood be on the church at the day of judgement? I make reference to the following Bible verses: Matthew 4:17: From that time Jesus began to preach and to say,"Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand." Matthew 6:24: "No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other; or else be loyal to the one and dispise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon." 1 Corinthians 16:33: Do not be deceived, " Evil company corrupts good habits." Don Miles Clarkston, Mich. In matters of faith, do not expect civility August 22, 2001 I have written enough letters to the editor and you have been gracious to publish them. I had decided to simply enjoy the outpouring of witness in the responses to the Layman Online. But, the letter from Richard Hong prompted me to write again. Mr. Hong wants us to be nice, to be less strident. He asks if we "conservatives" would be less forceful if we were having a discussion over coffee? If we were discussing the coming college football season, the National Football League teams, the National Basketball League or the latest automobiles; I could and would be the model of civility. But if we were discussing matters of salvation, eternal topics for which I must give an account of my witness, do not expect this conservative to be civil. Oh, I would attempt to tell the truth without being needlessly offensive. However, this faith is offensive. Jesus Christ is Lord of all, all by himself. He is the only way that God has provided for the salvation of me, of you and of every person on this earth for time and eternity. Before him every knee will bow. People will and do forcefully disagree with this, and will be greatly offended. In foreign lands, they will kill one with such a witness. The Holy Scriptures are God's revealed Word; they teach the way, expound the truth and point us to the light. The Holy Spirit testifies of Jesus and does not give new light that is counter to God's revealed Word. I reject social research that espouses what old preachers called "the can't help its." They are lies from the pit! Former Slave ship Captain John Newton wrote that God's amazing grace "saved a wretch like me." We can avoid leading a lifestyle of sin. We Christians have a means of breaking the chains that shackle us to sin; it is God's saving grace. Any spirit that whispers some other teaching is not the Spirit of the Living God. Christians need to rebuke such spirits in the powerful, matchless name of Jesus. That will not be regarded as civil. Ministers of the Word are special people. We examine their walk of faith to see that they are "in the faith." We expect that God has called them to be specially equipped, both spiritually and educationally, teaching elders. Elders similarly need to live a life that does not bring shame on the Gospel; see Paul's letters. Deacons are not just table waiters; they may be called to give crucial witness, as Stephen was. The standards must not be lowered; they must be raised to coincide with Biblical standards. Be civil? I am incensed that pastors cannot confess that Jesus is the only way to salvation, that the Holy Bible is the revealed Word of God and that a Holy God still demands a holy lifestyle from his people. I could not have a calm conversation with Mr. Hong about these matters. My voice would surely rise. My demeanor would surely become agitated. The stakes are too high; perhaps my witness would be the one God has ordained for Mr. Hong. But if Mr. Hong does not believe the Bible, there is nothing further of spiritual matters we can discuss. Borrowing from a powerful preacher's recent sermon, this is a radical faith! James Logan McHenry, Md. Two synod plan will not work August 22, 2001 Although the concept of creating two synods is interesting, one for those who follow more with the traditional, Biblical, and orthodox Christian faith, and one for those who follow the liberal view of the the Bible, I agree that this plan will not work. I know that the remnant of the church still left in the PCUSA seeks a way to separate themselves from the rest of the denomination while holding on to their assests. In essence, the one synod, by Reformed standards, would be a true portion of the Church, while the other portion would be apostate. Since believers and non-believers are not to be yoked together, the two synods could not work together since at the core of their mission and faith they have little or no agreement. This goes back to the basic fact that the orthodox Biblical church and the liberal church do not believe in the same God, Christ, Bible or Church. How can there be union between these two entities. One is part of the Church and one isn't. In fact the liberal side isn't even Presbyterian anymore except by church government. They do not hold the Biblical and reformed confessional standards. They are actually Unitarian, they just will not accept that fact. Reading Machen's book, Christianity and Liberalism, really opened my eyes to what is really going here. I would recommend it to everyone, even after all these years, it is still relevant. I do not have an answer for the PCUSA on how to handle this. The starting place might be to properly apply church discipline to the those who will not submit to the commands of Scripture and the authority of the church. It would be easier for the PCUSA if the liberals left to start their own religion, but since they want their assets as much as the conservatives do, they will not give up will out a fight. Either way, the tension must come to an end. The conflict between the two sides brings no glory to God and make the church ineffectual. There can be no reconciliation until one side gives in completely to the other. If the true believers give in to the liberals, then the PCUSA will cease to be a true church. May God have mercy on you in your struggle. Fight the good fight. Dave Rhodes Hempfield Township, Pa. We can't compromise on truth August 22, 2001 If we are willing to compromise those things we hold dear as truths and allow our "brothers and sisters" to be taught by those who Jesus up to scorn, we are liars and the truth is not in us. How can we call ourself "Christian" or the "Church of Christ Jesus?" He stood and he died for us yet we shrink into nothing for him. Are we to be spit out of his mouth? Cameron B. Ashe Laurens, S.C. Miscellaneous letters continued on page 3 |
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