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February 2003 letters Pray for Westminster, Pawson and the GA PJC February 27, 2003 My response to your article regarding the upcoming trial is to bathe the event with prayer asking for wisdom, discernment and acceptable action. The events of the last couple of months remind us that we are not our own. We are children of God and we need to be in constant communication with our Father. We need to be more concerned about "How God is using us" than "How can I change the leaders of my church." Let us befriend our colleague Bill and pray for him as he follows Christ in leadership. Let us all take our ordination vows as a serious commitment. Let us heed Christ's call to turn toward God for our direction. Let us be cautious in what we do, so that we can see the call of the Holy Spirit directing every step and word we take. G. David Lambertson About the task force and Machen February 27, 2003 It's astounding to read that the task force chose Placher for the liberal (progressive) view on homosexuality/ordination, but totally ignored the leading evangelical author on the related Biblical texts. Robert Gagnon, professor at Pittsburgh Seminary, authored The Bible and Homosexual Practice – Texts and Hermaneutics. I can only surmise that perhaps they wanted an ecumenical perspective by including the paper from the Methodist at Duke. Still, the task force process is somewhat suspect – it is a glaring blow to evangelicals to shut out the viewpoint of one whose careful study of Scripture has led him to believe the ordination of practicing homosexuals is not Biblical. I am happy to report, referring to a letter or two on Machen, that Machen's New Testament Greek for Beginners was the text used for my Intro. Greek course 22 years ago at Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary. So, there are some places that recognize his contributions (yes, I realize it was unfortunately not in the theology department!). David Bierschwale Ramsey, Minn. Another Confession? February 27, 2003 I want to register my complete agreement with the recent letter sent by elder Jim Lewis, arguing that the church does not need another confession. Contrary to the impression created by The Layman's reporting of the recent meeting of the Task Force on the Peace, Unity and Purity of the Church, I would neither support nor defend attempts to write a new addition to The Book of Confessions at this juncture in the life of the PCUSA. P. Mark Achtemeier Task force member A solution for the per-capita dilemma February 27, 2003 I think we have solved the problem of "per capita." After being part of seven Presbyterian Church (USA) churches over 40 years, we have decided to participate locally, but not join. Therefore, no per-capita payment required for us. And, of course, we will not be asked to go to presbytery meetings. How unfortunate! L.E. Marsh Fallbrook, Calif. About the professors who have different views of homosexual practice February 27, 2003 From "Professors have different views of homosexual practice, but reach a shared conclusion;" February 25, 2003: "Dr. Milton J. Coalter, acting president of Louisville Theological Seminary in Kentucky: 'Hays tries to bring Jesus into this with some references about marriage. That raises questions: Would not Jesus have spoken on homosexuality if it was that important? If the Bible is conditioned for its own time, what does that mean? Is Jesus conditioned by his own time?"' Do you suppose Jesus, in both Matthew 11:23-24 and Luke 17:28-30, was saying the sins of Sodom would be tolerated in the "day of judgment?" I don't think so. Every Jew in Jesus' day who heard His eternally true words knew of the sin of Sodom and how harshly the 'Angel of the Lord' (perhaps a pre-incarnate manifestation of this same second person of the Trinity – Jesus) had dealt with it. Do not let anyone tell you Jesus did not address the homosexual issue. Search the Scriptures for yourself. By the way, don't we, from the CCM/CPC perspective, have about a dozen equally qualified writers who could provide the Theological Task Force on Peace, Purity and Unity (whether they want it or not) with an alternate conclusion on how the gospels, indeed, the entire, eternally-true Word of God, should help us understand ordination of non-repentant, practicing homosexuals? How about equally non-repentant practicing bank robbers? Certainly no one, not even our best pastors, are completely pure and holy. But God chooses to bless those who are truly seeking His face in their service to Him. Let us seek those same servants with whom to fellowship and glorify our God – the eternal triune God of the universe! Greg Leaman Oostburg, Wisc. Another view on the professors February 27, 2003 Reference: Layman Online, "Professors have different views of homosexuals practice, but reach a shared conclusion." Comments: I am not a "Professor." I am an industrial sales engineer. I have lived and worked all over God's Earth. I am a Christian. I read and believe my Bible. Homosexuality is a sin. William M. Reeves Birmingham, Ala. 'Come out of her!' Scripture tells us February 27, 2003 Rev. 18:4 – "And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues." Many think this is an admonition of the Roman church, some that it refers to the Roman system of idol worship. Could this be a reference to what is happening in the mainstream denominations? Is this a part of the prophesied falling away? It's clear what has happened within the national leadership of the PCUSA, Ezekiel warns of it with this Scripture: Eze. 14:3 – "Son of man, these men have set up their idols in their heart, and put the stumbling block of their iniquity before their face: should I be enquired of at all by them?" How long will we to continue to subjugate ourselves to the unholy decisions of this "brood of vipers?" Will we "come out of her" before it's too late? Let's not make the mistake of making our traditions, more important than His message. Vince Lalomia Omaha, Neb. |
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