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Miscellaneous Miscellaneous letters continued on page 2 Pro-war stance is not Biblical December 19, 2001 The Layman arrived yesterday, the first since the events of Sept. 11 shook the nation. In it came confirmation of why, in 34 years of pastoral ministry in the Presbyterian Church (USA), I could never bring myself to support the agenda of the Presbyterian Lay Committee. Most of the December 2001 issue was a predictable read as it has been in the 30 or so years I have been reading it. In recent years I have not minded much the critique of national staff or the general rant against liberal theology -- much of which I would support but for different reasons. What has bothered me for these 34 years has been that the Presbyterian Lay Committee has given uncritical support of all of America's wars: Vietnam, the Gulf and now the war against terrorism. In all that time I cannot recall one word of criticism in The Layman of American war policy, or one word of notice that Jesus refused the sword in his own defense, or one word of notice that nonviolence characterized the behavior of the first disciples who knew Jesus most intimately. In my memory I have not read one word of notice that the ancient church was for 300 years a peace church. You do not hesitate to trot out such later luminaries as Augustine, Aquinas, Luther and Calvin on the "just war" but not once does it occur to you that they may have gotten it wrong. The editors of The Layman have never, in my memory, critiqued the reality that "just war doctrine" has been used in the Presbyterian Church (USA) to follow every time Caesar wants to wage war on one more allegedly "just and necessary occasion." In that respect The Layman has been just like the rest of the culture and gone along with returning evil for evil, contrary to the Scriptures. Your latest issue continued that tradition of lockstep acquiescence to war-making. You quote a paratrooper chaplain who pronounced the war on terrorism a "just war" without one word of defense as to why that may be so. It appeared as an "ex cathedra" pronouncement as though such a statement required no justification, as though such a statement were self-evidently true. Your hero of the General Assembly Council meeting in September is the man who sports a "Support President Bush" badge on his shirt. Yes, he had a wonderful story from Moscow that deserved telling, but it was in an article that dripped disdain for the fact that the GAC did not sing God Bless America or the National Anthem. Did you really expect any group that merits the name "Christian" to do so? Did you really expect disciples of the Prince of Peace to drape the cross in the American flag? The events of Sept. 11 were a terrible evil. The heroism displayed by firefighters, police officers, ordinary citizens, passengers on Flight 93 and military personnel on that day and subsequently, was wondrous to behold. Those do seem to me to be self-evident. They are self-evident to me because the Christ whom we follow disdained the use of the sword in his own defense, refused to call upon legions of angels to rescue himself from the evil that men do, reminded us that we are to love God and our neighbor and commanded us to love our enemies. Anything other than that requires an accounting. I wonder if The Layman will ever give it. What did we at the Kirk of Our Savior sing on September 16? We sang God You Spin the Whirling Planets, which has in it the lines, "We, created in your image, would a true reflection be, of your justice, grace and mercy, and the truth that sets us free." We sang O God of Every Nation, whose second verse is as follows:
Neil D. Cowling, pastor Kirk of Our Savior Westland, Mich. Scottish Presbyterians didn't want bishops December 19, 2001 I note that one of the proposals before the presbyteries is to let Presbyterian ministers call themselves bishops. On the surface, this sounds amusing and harmless. I do have a couple of thoughts, however. Back in the 16th and 17th centuries, thousands of Scottish Presbyterians died to keep bishops out of their church. Secondly, we would be joining the Mormons. They call their parish leaders bishops. They say that because the New Testament refers only to deacons and bishops, the bishops must have been been the ministers of the local congregations. The above is just an exercise in trivia but interesting nonetheless. Robert Bracken Elder First Presbyterian Church Frankfort, Ind. We need congregations like Circleville December 19, 2001 We need congregations like that of the Presbyterian Church in Circleville, which, finding itself virtually alone in a liberal presbytery, understandably wishes to bolt for the Evangelical Presbyterian Church. I suggest we let all 102 or whatever "More Light Churches" bolt instead ... take their property ... pay them to leave. We should do everything possible to keep those congregations that are faithful to Christ and trusting the infallible, inerrant Word of the Living God. Earl H. Tilford Jr. East Main Presbyterian Church Grove City, Pa. Who'll lead us out of decline? December 12, 2001 In all of the earnest debate about Amendment A, has any progress been made in hiring someone to lead our denomination in its number one goal? I realize that not many folk will probably want to take a position in Louisville right now, especially when it looks like the part of the denomination that needs the most help with evangelism (the More Light crowd) is going to self-destruct. But truthfully, it seems to me that since the Confessing Church Movement and the Presbyterian Coalition is in for the long haul of "Stay, Fight, Win" there has to be someone among those vibrant congregations willing to shoulder the burden of leading PC(USA) out of the morass of membership decline. Donald D. Denton Jr. We need a clearer message December 14, 2001, 2001 For the last ten years, we have seen the membership of the Presbyterian Church decline while other denominations with a clearer message have grown. The PCUSA is faced with a difficult choice: How do we maintain our standards when large parts of our membership have or are moving towards doctrine that has been declared heresy since the fourth century? We have relaxed the standards of the Reformed church to a point that Calvin and Knox would not recognize. We have done this to be accepted in the larger secular culture and what has it gained us? We have allowed a minority to insist that we change our church to meet their desires, rather than the other way around. We, as a church, must say to these elements with as much grace and compassion as possible, No. We must be willing to tell them that they are on the path of heresy. We will not ordain anyone engaged in adultery or homosexuals as ministers, elders or deacons. If we do not hold to a standard, then eventually we will be known as having no standards and the unique vision of the Presbyterian Church will be consigned to a footnote in history. Steve Lancaster Layton, Utah Confessing Jesus as Lord is essential December 14, 2001 Barbara Kellam-Scott's claim that the General Assembly Council's endorsement of the "Hope in Our Lord Jesus Christ" statement is "a recapitulation of magic words that a human institution provides to assert its own power over the hearts and minds of the people..." causes me some concern. Theological pluralism and the assertion that there is any way to salvation other than Jesus Christ do not appear to be compatible with the beliefs of the Presbyterian Church (USA) – or any other Christian church. Maybe I am being simple or, perhaps, Ms. Kellam-Scott was quoted out of context. How can a person profess to be a disciple of Jesus Christ and not feel comfortable proclaiming that "Jesus is Lord!" Ms. Kellam-Scott seems very comfortable in some of her other writings dealing with very abstract ideas. I would even say that she is gifted in this area. So it is very confusing to me how she plans to confess her faith. I do not pretend to understand the mind of God, and would never presume to limit God's grace. I am certain that we will all be surprised at some of the souls that are allowed entrance through the gates of heaven (and some that will be barred). But there is no doubt that Jesus Christ will reign magnificently throughout all eternity as King of kings and Lord of lords. There are many issues on which Ms. Kellam-Scott and I agree. I hope I misunderstand that the divinity of our Lord Jesus Christ is one of them. I pray that our minds will be illuminated to understand the truth of scripture and we will be given power to apply it to our lives. Brian Ahier The Dalles, Ore. Why GAC has few evangelicals December 14, 2001 In response to your statistical analysis comparing the strength of the Confessing Church Movement vs. the makeup of the General Assembly Council: Although I have no accurate information that would concur or disagree with the "4 out of 78" figure, it might be of interest to see how those GAC members are chosen and elected. In particular, check out Beaver-Butler's experience in the past year and see how a presbytery which has been overwhelmingly in the evangelical camp (70-80%) was unable to get an evangelical elected as its representative to GAC, even though several were nominated. I hesitate in some ways to bring this to your attention, as I was one of those nominated but not chosen. I don't want to sound like "sour grapes" and I don't want to create further animosity among folks in this presbytery. But perhaps there are others who were involved in this situation who could help "flesh out" the story. Check with some Nominating Committee folks and see what criteria they used to select the Beaver-Butler rep. It sure wasn't "theological representation" of the presbytery! Harper Brady How can courts be so dense? December 14, 2001 If a "committed and loving [homosexual] relationship" is not sexually active, I would wonder how "committed and loving" it is. Come on! How can these people that sit on these ecclesiastical courts be so dense. What do they want? Oh, I remember now: They were "blind guides, which strain at a gnat, and swallow a camel." Of course, with the new radical hermeneutics, maybe it is better characterized as a legal nuance. Howard Hendrickson Rossville, Ind. The dance of fools December 14, 2001 When Biblical Authority is abandoned as in the case of Wayne Osborne, explaining away sin becomes the dance of fools. Lou. S. Nowasielski Wilmington, Del. Proud to be 'the last fundamentalist' December 14, 2001 Recently, Coleen Cook Klecic, elder at Covenant Presbyterian Church in Omaha, Neb., wrote to The Layman: "I would like our brilliant moderator [Jack Rogers] to understand that there hasn't been a real fundamentalist, let alone a militant one, in this denomination since Machen pulled out in the early part of the last century." I suppose she made this claim because she has not made my acquaintance. Is it possible I am "the last fundamentalist in the PCUSA?" Or are there others who will affirm with me the historic fundamentals of the faith, to wit: (1) the full inspiration of the Holy Scriptures, inerrant and infallible in the original autographs; (2) the virgin birth and deity of Jesus Christ; (3) the substitutionary and atoning death of Jesus Christ; (4) the literal physical bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ; and (5) the imminent personal physical return of Jesus Christ. I think that my contributions to this forum (and others) would indicate that I have taken a "militant" stand on the issues before the PCUSA. And I have done so with an intensity intended to provoke the heretics among us. Bill Pawson Tropical Florida Presbytery Pembroke Pines, Fla. Attacking the messenger November 15, 2001 I am so very tired of hearing negatives about The Layman – not only from the liberal camps, but also those who refer to themselves as "conservatives" or "evangelicals" but are afraid to be identified with or speak favorably about The Layman. I, for one, am very grateful to The Layman for having the courage to speak the truth when others, timidly sit idly by saying nothing. Our Stated Clerk, Clifton Kirkpatrick, is reported as saying that the dominance of The Layman is troublesome ... that the denomination has to counter with "the truth" and a more positive image of the church. In my estimation, The Layman is telling the truth, so how do you "counter" the truth, with the truth? To me, it is a matter of light exposing evil. John 3:19-21 "This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of the light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God." You cannot make light darkness and darkness light. All I can say to The Layman is,"Bring on the light!" Keep proclaiming the truth! In regard to Kirkpatrick's concern expressed over presenting a more positive image of the church (PCUSA), all I can say, given the current state of affairs, is what I heard my Mom often say while I was growing up – "You can't make a silk purse out of a sow's ear." Our Lord is more concerned with the heart than image. Kirk Werner, pastor Lake Forest Presbyterian Church Knoxville, Tenn. Thanks for exposing Gomes November 15, 2001 Thank you for exposing another person who would seek to destroy the Scriptures by accommodating the culture. Harvard preacher Peter Gomes does not speak for the majority of American Baptists. I can't tell you how much I appreciate Parker Williamson and The Layman and all of the good work you are doing. Blessings and to God be the glory. Bill Nicoson, national coordinator American Baptist Evangelicals Pandering to the opposition November 15, 2001 Michael Bruner, who "identifies himself with the Coalition," is doing what so many moderate evangelicals do. He is pandering to those whose views must be at a right angle (left angle?) to his own. If the views of the Covenant Network are not conversely related his own, then his views cannot be evangelical. I don't know that such statements as Bruner's are caused by a "nice guy syndrome" or simply that some of us are wolves in sheeps' clothing. The nice guy will bend over backwards to seem sympathetic to all concerned. (Have you ever seen how silly someone looks when they are in this posture?) Don't they realize their integrity is called into question when they try to win points with those who hold views that supposedly oppose their own? Gary Miller 'Bigoted' description doesn't apply November 7, 2001 Please tell the young man that my opposition to "A" and support of The Layman do not constitute my being "close-minded and bigoted." His choice of words could use some examination. Hope this isn't too strident. Walter H. Stewart Don't limit votes by pastors November 7, 2001 As attractive as Mr. Howard's proposal to limit presbytery votes to pastors actually serving congregations might appear, it should not be our option. I am a pastor serving a congregation in a presbytery with many MALs (ministers at large). Unfortunately, these fellow clergy tend to dominate the debates and sway the votes toward a more liberal position. Not all MALs are liberals. Before my current pastorate I served as a military chaplain for 26 years. Most clergy serving in the military are conservative in their theology. I would have been highly offended if my vote at presbytery had been taken away. The better answer is to get the elders from all the churches in the presbytery to turn out, well-informed about the issues, and vote unswayed by the nice sounding rhetorical pap called "toleration." Put Mr. Howard's proposal in the box marked "good intent/bad idea." Dr. Bill Hufham Pastor First Presbyterian Church Goldsboro, N.C. |
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