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| July
letters to the editor Archives of letters to the editor  |
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| Kirkpatrick's
tactics are questionable July 30, 2003 Recent events within the PCUSA have caused me many sleepless hours. There have been many articles in our local papers about the direction of the PCUSA. Mostly, these articles were taken on my part with a "grain of salt." When I read the April issue of The Layman, which was, by the way, my first copy, I was absolutely astounded over the questionable tactics of our denominational leader, Mr. Clifton Kirkpatrick. My being a retired military person (WWWII-type), Mr. Kirkpatrick's action in organizing protest groups in foreign lands against our government is an abomination. If these actions were performed with church funds, he is guilty of misappropriation of church monies, and punitive action should be taken against him. Efforts to provide a safe registry for conscientious objectors is not the duty of the church. If this is a church function, then I'm in the wrong church. Preparing anti-war material for seminarians and young people is a long way from being Christ-like. Ordaining and marrying practicing gays is repulsive. God loves gays, but their lifestyle is an abomination to him. (Romans 1:18-32) The Layman is full of stories about practices that cannot be justified by the Bible. Never did I believe, or think, that the denomination I joined in 1937 at 17 years of age would evolve into what it is today. My wife and I were reared and married in a Southern Presbyterian church. Our son was saved in this church, and, Lord willing, will be buried on the same church grounds. However, if the PCUSA continues in Kirkpatrick-type leadership, my wife and I will not be Presbyterians much longer. Let's remove Kirkpatrick from all authority so he can start his own gay denomination. Let's replace him with a Christ-centered leader like the late Dr. Ben Lacy or late Dr. Bloy. Graham Penny and Evelyn Penny Fuqua-Varina, N.C. Research fit for a weatherperson July 30, 2003 Concerning Mr. Van Marter's mea culpa, that research was insufficient or lacking concerning Bill Bright's membership in the Presbyterian church ... What can you say, except folks like that should be weatherpersons where they get paid regardless of their accuracy. Robert Kellner Jacksonville, Fla. Parachurch organizations lack July 30, 2003 Reformed perspective All the controversy about whether the late Bill Bright was personally a member of the PCUSA overlooks what may be a more important question: To what degree is his organization, Campus Crusade, shaped by the Presbyterian and Reformed theological tradition? Not an attempt to question the character of the many fine individuals associated with Campus Crusade, this fair question can be asked of the many parachurch organizations that dot the American landscape. Do they reflect the hallmarks of the Great Tradition as mediated by the founders of Presbyterianism, from John Calvin to John Knox to John Witherspoon? Do they support, or work against, the Presbyterian understanding of the ministry and how the grace of Christ is communicated to his people as portrayed in the Westminster Standards, the Book of Order and the Directory of Worship? I always thought it ironic that while parachurch entities like Crusade claim to be carrying out the Great Commission, they do not celebrate the sacraments, which the Reformed faith maintains are essential elements of Christian faith and practice. Robert W. Patterson Leesburg, Va. Rogers should spend more time in Bible July 30, 2003 Former Moderator Jack Rogers doesn't seem to understand the difference between a "domestic partnership" and a "holy union." He says: "To be perfectly honest, I don't care what you call it – marriage, domestic partnership, holy union," (November-December 2000 issue of More Light Update, a publication of More Light Presbyterians.) Is it possible that he really doesn't know the difference? Perhaps he should read his Bible more and the More Light Update less. Jack Kime Maryville, Ill. Not with my money! July 30, 2003 I'm glad Jack Rogers is coming out full force for those people. That just proves how perverted and demented this franchise is. How low can the liberal "leaders" of this denomination go? This is just the tip of the iceberg. Not with my money! Dick Lewis, elder (but for how long?) Loves Park, Ill. Letter-writer overlooks call to obedience July 30, 2003 David Walters ["Confessing movement wants to chase away gays"] is missing the most essential element in the Christian faith: Obedience. As Christians, we are to be obedient to the Word of God, not to the will of sinful men. Mr. Walters should attend a prison ministry weekend and see the ramifications of homosexuality in prison. Rape is the number-one problem in the prison population. Mr. Walters would have God Almighty apologize to Sodom and Gomorrah, too. Jesus said we are to love one another. Jesus never condoned sin and God Almighty doesn't condone sin either. Ignorance of the Word of God is no substitute for obedience. So stop your name-calling and seek God's will for the PCUSA Church and not the way of willful and disobedient sinners. Grover W. Salzer Kairos Prison Ministry Vidalia, Ga. 'Abba' is the center of Sabbath July 30, 2003 Not only is our Lord's prayer addressed to "Abba" (our "Daddy)," but also his name is also the center of the Sabbath (S – Abba – th) day. Something to ponder. Julio Daniel Correction of error appreciated July 30, 2003 Concerning the recent oversight by the Presbyterian News Service regarding the death of Dr. Bill Bright, I do appreciate that Jerry Van Marter was forthcoming in acknowledging the error and finally including recognition of Dr. Bright on the PCUSA web site. I was not aware until a few years ago that Dr. Bright was a Presbyterian. I am so thankful this dedicated servant of Christ was a part of our fold. My prayer is that the PCUSA would note his example and return to the true evangelism that helped spread the Gospel of Christ earlier in our history. Let's honor his legacy by rebuilding our missionary force and offering the hope and salvation of Jesus Christ, instead of the man made solutions proposed by the bureaucrats. Mike Montgomery Atlanta, Ga. Winking and nodding at sexual sin July 30, 2003 There is one main difficulty with the discussion on homosexuals in the Church. The discussion should be about sexuality not homosexuality. When one lets the opponent set the terms of debate one is sure to lose. Another difficulty is the reticence of the Church to deal with heterosexuals who are living in open sin. All sexual activity outside marriage between a man and a woman is sin. For far too long the Church has given a wink and a nod to blatant sinful behavior. If the Church will apply a single standard of repentance and change, the problem will be solved. This would, of course, be difficult. Jesus never said the Christian walk would be easy. He said, "Go and sin no more." Pete Simpson Bloomington, Minn. Van Marter: I was mistaken July 29, 2003 I was mistaken. Due to faulty research, I did not become aware until yesterday (July 28) that Bill Bright joined First Presbyterian Church of Orlando on February 25, 2001. Jerry L. Van Marter Coordinator for News Services Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) Approach to reporting is 'legalistically liberal' July 29, 2003 I was deeply saddened and offended by the remarks of Jerry Van Marter of the Presbyterian News Service. Even if Dr. Bright, founder of Campus Crusade, was not an official "member" of the Presbyterian Church (USA) that is, nevertheless, where he made his spiritual home. How tragic that we would have such a close relationship with such a powerful Christian man and yet, Van Mater's approach to reporting is so legalistically liberal that it is impossible for him to be open-minded and magnanimous is his reporting. Cliff Mansley In a letter to the editor posted on the Layman Online Monday, Van Marter said his office did not do a story about Bill Bright's death because "Bill Bright was not a Presbyterian." But Van Marter was wrong, and he later wrote a story about Bright's death and posted it on the PCUSA Web site. The Editors Bright was Presbyterian; son is PCUSA minister July 29, 2003 Bill Bright was most definitely a Presbyterian and his son, Zachery Bright, is a Presbyterian minister at the Divine Savior Presbyterian Church in Irwindale, California! Rev. Dr. Don McGarity Per capita decision is 'flying under the radar' July 29, 2003 I'm glad you're keeping the per-capita issue front and center because it seems to be flying under the radar in most other publications. Today (7/29) I received my copy of "The News" from the Presbyterian Church. There wasn't a single mention of the GAPJC's July 12th decision affirming the voluntary nature of per capita and ruling that the actions of Scioto Valley Presbytery making sessions responsible to transmit per capita unless "excused" by the presbytery unconstitutional. There was however plenty of coverage of the Presbyterian Woman's gathering (which was occurring simultaneously as the per-capita case) and a poll equating church-going with life satisfaction. I am amazed that a decision of such consequence garners so little attention in an official publication of the church. Even on the Web site it takes three separate links to reach the story. Is this an effort at damage control coming out of Louisville because they really don't want the GAPJC decision widely known? The good news is that the GAPJC reaffirmed the voluntary nature of per capita. They ruled that per capita includes the church's benevolences. They rightly upheld the covenantal nature of per capita and the importance of mutual accountability between sessions and presbyteries. And after a ridiculously confusing ruling by the Synod of the Covenant (ruling against our case 8-1), the GAPJC restored my faith in the system and that anyone can make a difference in our denomination if they just get involved. The Rev. Dr. John C. Minihan First Presbyterian Church (a Confessing Church) Newark, Ohio Does Kirkpatrick listen to himself? July 29, 2003 Let me get this straight. Churches and even presbyteries can violate the constitution but Stated Clerk Clifton Kirkpatrick says it's not his job to take action to enforce the constitution. But if a session withholds per capita he says they are violating their ordination vows and are subject to discipline. Obviously, he doesn't listen to himself. Fred Edwards Confessing movement not about power July 29, 2003 David Walters' letter ("Confessing movement wants to chase away gays") is missing the point when he says that "they (the Confessing Church) are unable to confess what they really believe." This is what the Confessing Church Movement (CCM) confesses:
Bill Arthur Tucson, Ariz. |
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