July 2005 letters Archives of letters to the editor

We are called to serve Jesus, not the tyrants on all levels of the church hierarchy July 28, 2005 I know exactly what Ms. Marta Ann Gardner, the stated clerk of the Hollywood First Presbyterian Church, is saying when she said that she felt like she's being used as a pawn in the presbytery's and synod's game. The very same thing had happened to the Torrance First Presbyterian Church. The only difference, however, with our church is that we did not want to play their game anymore, and we did something about it. We bailed. Our ecclesiastical system is designed to protect the innocent and help the weak. However, every time a handful of power mongers decides to unabashedly abuse the system to their own personal and capricious whim, there's no stopping them. And we see too many good and decent ministers get hurt by them in the process, not to mention unwary congregations. All the remedial and disciplinary complaints are a joke. The clerks and officers would simply interpret them to their advantage. No wonder we are losing so many people. We are called to serve one Lord, that is Jesus Christ, not the little tyrants on all levels of the church hierarchy. Unless we do something about our present state of affairs on the national level, we are in for serious consequences. Rev. Peter B. Min Torrance, Calif. Compassion, mature judgment aren't criteria for moderator's job July 28, 2005 Re: Moderator regrets his presence fueled Torrance church conflict One is led to question what sort of person did the PCUSA elect as moderator of the General Assembly? Apparently compassion and mature judgment were ruled out as criteria. Is it any wonder we are in such a mess? Pat Riggins First Presbyterian Church Bloomington, Ind. Letter was a profound and heartfelt message July 28, 2005 After reading the July 26 letter of James Logan Sr., all I can say is this: "AMEN! Preach it, Brother!" That is a profound and heartfelt message that says it all. Thank you, Jim! James D. Berkley Bellevue, Wash. Draft prologue mouths empty words while failing to grasp that God rules July 28, 2005 The draft prologue of the report of the Theological Task Force on the Peace, Unity and Purity of the Church (TTF) weakly admits that "it is important to affirm that salvation rests not in any merit of our own but in the sovereign love of God that has been made known in Jesus Christ. Moreover, we must remember that the truth of the Gospel rests on the power of God, not on the power of the church. Therefore, in addressing questions of pluralism, truth, and salvation, we must emphasize both the necessity and sufficiency of the grace by which God is for and with the world in Jesus Christ" (lines 86-91). Yet, I find little acknowledgment that the God who is for and with the world and "for and with us in Jesus Christ" (line 32) is also over us and over the world. The TTF draft prologue mouths empty words that pledge allegiance to God's sovereign love while failing to grasp the awesome and awful truth that God rules. The Sovereign Lord – Father, Son and Holy Spirit – occupies the throne of the universe in might and majesty. The framers of this document "confess that Jesus Christ is Savior and Lord, who has broken the power of sin, death, and evil" (line 158-159). Armed with this good confession, they go on to press a further claim: "Living in expectation of God's reign, we not only look to Jesus Christ as our Lord and the Lord of the Church but proclaim him to be the Lord of all. As a pilgrim people, we await the day when 'every knee shall bend, in heaven and on earth, and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father (Philippians 2:10-11)'" (lines 192-195). However, when set in the larger context of the draft prologue as a whole, these declarations ring hollow with unfulfilled hope; they are wooden swords that instill a bare hint of tiny confidence that we are Christian soldiers destined for victory under the command of the risen and ascended Lion of Judah. The joy of triumph finds no expression here, for the TTF draft prologue does not begin to fathom the fantastic and fearsome truth that Christ Jesus rides out even now "conquering and to conquer" (Revelation 5:5, 6:2). It is small wonder that, when reminded of their mandate, they despair the future. After four years of talking things through together, TTF members find their only comfort and solace in the vision of remaining reliable emulators of our Lord's sacrifice: "Because of the obedience of Jesus Christ, even unto death, we no longer define power as domination over others, for we experience strength made perfect in weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9; 1 Corinthians 1:18-2:13). Therefore we can no longer accept a hierarchical or patriarchal view of how divine power makes itself felt among us. Our relations to others are transformed and reoriented, because the love of God is not confined to the people of one religious perspective, or of one social or economic class, or of one race or ethnicity, or of one gender or gender orientation" (lines 102-108). This declaration demonstrates a recalcitrant refusal to recognize the tremendous and terrifying truth that the power and authority which Jesus Christ laid down in order take "the form of a servant" and to "humble himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross," were taken up again with all potency and predominance when he raised up from the grave (Philippians 2:7-8). "For the kingdom of God does not consist in talk but in power" (1 Corinthians 4:20). The Suffering Servant is the supreme, strong King over all creation and over all de-creation. Christ Jesus is the Almighty who saves and who judges. He is the Lamb and the Lion; the humble, donkey-riding itinerant and the resplendent, grand inquisitor mounted upon a white horse; the thorn-crowned Sacrifice and the diadem-covered Sovereign. Any who refuse to be conquered by him today will be crushed by him in that new day when heaven and earth pass away, but his word remains (Revelation 19:11-16, Matthew 24:35). "Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God" (1 Corinthians 6:9-10). Those who define their Christian identity according to the parameters set out in this document are in grave danger of being swindled out of their eternal inheritance: life now in this earthly round and life forever in the kingdom of heaven; full, abundant, triumphant life. Jim Henkel, NWI Endorsing Church pastor North Benton Presbyterian Church North Benton, Ohio No surprise in leader's actions July 28, 2005 Re: Moderator regrets his presence fueled Torrance church conflict That's Louisville. No surprise, I hope? Richard Aubrey Instead of faithful solutions, leaders seek fatuous yet profitable solutions July 28, 2005 I was saddened to read of the death of Mike Girolimon, but glad to know he is with the Lord. What a pity that the church and denomination Mike had once sought to serve is moving further and further away from Christ. There are many troubles in the PCUSA, and the refrain one hears from institutional loyalists up and down the line from presbyteries to G.A. is that they are committed to finding faithful and peaceable solutions. The truth is that they seek fatuous yet profitable solutions. In the end, as one evangelical congregation after another pays the extortion demanded to exit this wreck of a denomination, what will be left will be a financially wealthy and spiritually bankrupt fellowship of the foolish still proudly pronouncing the "blessings" of big-tent (read "anything goes") theology, and connectionalism (which has in fact deteriorated into bondage). (Mike was a graduate assistant in the church history department at Princeton Seminary in the early '90s, who, I recall, led my classmates and me in some very interesting discussions on infamous 19th Century Presbyterian Church Court cases.) Rest in peace, Mike. May you enjoy all the rewards promised to a faithful servant. Jim Wilken First Presbyterian Church Marion, N.C. Hollywood session has absolute freedom to conduct our own business July 28, 2005 I must respectfully disagree with Michelle Lowe and Frankie Cotton regarding the AC vis a vis the session at FPCH. As an elder currently on session at Hollywood Presbyterian, I've not been required to make an oath of loyalty to the AC, nor have I felt our session has been intimidated by Katherine Hughes or the commission. Instead, I sat on a budget committee recently, chaired by one of our session members, in which we had absolute freedom to conduct our own business, make our own decisions and come to our own conclusions. The few AC members who were at the meetings asked thoughtful questions and made helpful suggestions, but in no way attempted to drive the process. The AC has not taken over nor threatened to dissolve our session. Voting members of presbytery did elect to give them the option of original jurisdiction, which they have not exercised, and have expressed that they do not wish to do so. Sparky Jamison, elder Hollywood Presbyterian Church 'It is better to be divided by the truth than to be united in error' July 28, 2005 As a retired SBC minister, 40 years as pastor, I am refreshed by your work. I discovered the Web site and downloaded the article "Can Two Faiths Embrace One Future?" I have shared it with others here and want to encourage you. One of our pastors, years ago now, said something like this: "It is better to be divided by the truth than to be united in error." The initial reports from those who are seeking to keep two faiths under one umbrella need to understand this. Thank you for keeping the Biblical faith. Dale Steele Burlington, N.C. It remains to be seen what homosexual acts PCUSA will call sin July 28, 2005 I wish to share some thoughts regarding Mr. Logan's response [letter to the editor, posted July 26, 2005] to my letter in response to his. He states: "The righteous life is about taking the actions that we ought to take and abstaining from the actions that we should not take. It is about, in the power of God, intentionally rejecting temptations to sin. Romans 6:1 clearly declares "What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means (KJV translates it 'God forbid') We died to sin; how can we live in it any longer?" Well, I must say I'm glad he quotes from the KJV as I personally like that translation unlike some liberal friends. Putting that aside, I don't believe it is a good idea to sin for the heck of it. The question is what is sin when it comes to homosexuality? If certain homosexual acts aren't sin, then one is not living in sin any longer. Of course, one is probably committing other acts of sin outside this arena. Of course, it remains to be seen what the PCUSA or anyone else in this denomination will say what qualifies as homosexual acts (or practices) that falls into that category of sin. Rather, we choose the more wishy-washy language, unlike the good old KJV that some will say is quite clear. He also states: "The great debate in the mainline churches, but settled in the heavens, is about a certain group of persons who have a propensity to commit particular sins – homosexual acts." OK, it seems to be somewhat of a debate. But then what are homosexual acts? Of course the good old JKV does not use the word homosexual. So why use it in this debate? What is really being argued here when it comes to Scripture? He shares a verse: "1Cor. 10:13; "No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it." I couldn't agree more. And I have truly found a way out in my own life circumstance just as others do. God is truly faithful. He notes: "We do represent, to the world, the authenticity of the Word of God. We lay people can't escape; we need to know what the Word says and conform our lives to it. Clergy are on a pedestal. They have been trained in the best theological schools in the world, they are called in the PCUSA to be 'teaching elders.'" People expect that what they teach is true. They expect that what they do is right; is an example. They cannot escape and we must not allow them to get off lightly. Innocent lives look to them as "Mr. Jesus." Sorry, but I do not see any pastor in the PCUSA or any denomination as "Mr. Jesus." There was only one "Mr. Jesus" who I seek to follow and has relevance in my life. Any pastor that would give the impression that he/she is "Mr/Ms Jesus" should cause great concern for any church body. He notes: "It is troubling that Mr. Apel apparently places his trust in his own knowledge for the righteousness of his affirming of his homosexual identity. This is soul-endangering stuff. Proverbs 3:5-6; 'Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not own your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him and he will make your paths straight.'" Well, I don't recall saying I put my own trust in myself, that is indeed quite scary, but for the record do trust the Lord with all my heart and try my best to not rely on my own understanding, hoping the Lord will make my paths straight (I don't think that necessarily means not gay as opposed to straight in the sexuality debate, but who knows what others will think?). He notes: "There is malicious intent when there is sex between people who are not married to each other being male and female. The malice is the intention to ignore God's clear commands. Mr. Apel might well take his own advice and read the Bible. God told Moses clearly to speak to the rock. Moses 'smote' the rock and it cost him entrance into the promised land. Achan, son of Carmi took some of the devoted things and it brought God's anger on the whole nation of Israel, causing a defeat of a superior Israel army, 36 men to lose their lives and a fiery death to himself. (Joshua 7:1-26). Ananias and Sapphira thought it reasonable to sell their property and bring part of the proceeds to the apostles feet as though they had given it all. It cost them their lives (Acts 5:1-11)." Ok, I must admit I fail to see the relevance in these statements. In fact I was surprised. The accounts noted about Moses, Achan, Ananias and Sapphira does not seem to have much relevance to a debate about the homosexual question. But I will look into those readings to make sure. He notes: "The problem is that some think that this question of sin is subject to debate. God has spoken through his prophets, judges and apostles calling certain acts sin. On the other side are men and women, proud of their pitiful few months (maybe years) of education, who challenge God's Word to debate. His Word is settled in the heavens and it is dangerous to tamper with it." I disagree. For it is not a question of whether sin is to be ignored. Rather it is what acts we as humans based on our understanding of the Word and our walk as faithful disciples of Jesus consider to be sin. But then the real answer in the end is truly simple and seems to be easily dismissed by so many. The true question in the end is whether we are being faithful disciples of Jesus? I somehow expect Mr. Logan is in the end a faithful disciple as well as many in this forum, even though we don't agree on certain things. But I will offer another thought. If Mr. Logan and others think it is wrong to even debate this certain sin in the first place and everything is so clear, why write about it in the first place and why even have this forum? If everything is so black and white with our understanding of the Bible and God, why have debate or even encourage it? It would seem to me a more appropriate response in having such a belief would be to withdraw completely and have nothing to do with people who apparently are out of touch, lost, and basically heathens. I get a little confused sometimes. Are people in this forum telling me I am a Christian by taking the time to listen to my own faith experience or is this just to promote a certain agenda? Earl C. Apel, member Mount Auburn Presbyterian Church Cincinnati, Ohio Girolimon was a man of courage and conviction July 28, 2005 Thank you for honoring Michael Girolimon, my friend and a faithful man of God with a great heart for the Great Commission, by noting his passing into glory. Michael Girolimon was a man of courage and conviction, who evoked tremendous loyalty from those whose lives were touched by God's grace through his ministry at FPC Miami. I stood in solidarity with Michael throughout the year that culminated in his renunciation of jurisdiction from a denomination he had embraced and served with imagination and love. I watched aghast in disbelief as fellow presbyters destroyed a colleague and the fruit of a ministry that was the specific mandate of the Church Information Form that drew him and PNC and congregation that called him to this position. And they did it, on the basis of unspecified and unproven allegations by anonymous and unnamed accusers who never brought their concerns to their session, because they didn't like his style. (I remember one highly placed presbytery administrator piously telling me that she "preferred a gospel-driven church to a purpose-driven church." I wanted to gag – since she is a promoter of the heretical, apostate and anti-gospel homosexual agenda in the PCUSA.) It still makes me wonder what these presbyters thought it meant when they took a sacred vow before God to be "a friend among your colleagues in ministry, working with them, subject to the ordering of God's Word and Spirit." As a justice issue, may God requite them according to their works. Michael Girolimon's positive attitude throughout his struggle with leukemia, including a bone-marrow transplant, will long stand as a testimony of Christian faith. Michael is at peace now, in the presence of the God he loved and served. Please pray for his family, Rachel and John and Kim. Rev. Bill Pawson Westminster Community Church Canton, Ohio Stated clerks are wrong, but pastors are 'wronger' July 28, 2005 "Decently and in order" is the rug under which both denominational detritus and his Word get oh so carefully swept. The stated clerks can not read otherwise there would be no need to go to Louisville where the Office of Constitutional Services reads into the Book of Order more things than Horatio ever dreamed in his Philosophy. The stated clerks are wrong; wrong on the facts and wrong on the law. But the effected pastors are "wronger." We Presbyterians love to prate on about how Witherspoon as a founder used our model for our country. And look at his legacy: The Witherspoon Society and The Little House of Horrors on Witherspoon Street in Louisville. His legacy has been wrecked in the church by the Office of Constitutional Services and its handmaiden the GAPJC, just as his legacy has been wrecked in our federal (not national) through government by judiciary. Andrew Jackson is alleged to have said in response to one of their wrongheaded decisions, the "the Supreme Court has made its decision; now let them carry it out." We will never get out from under our judicial imperialism as a nation until the executive and legislative branches remember what our founders said – perhaps even including Witherspoon – about the appropriate role of the judicial branch of government. Likewise, we will never get out from under every silly wastral edict from Louisville – and you know that neither the synod nor the presbytery clerks got their backing and their "backbone" from Louisville and its "unnamed source" – until persons like these two pastors worry more about his truth and their calling to it, than they do about their pension plans and health benefits. Just as this denomination is held together by pensions and property, so too are these pastors held to "go along" with patent error out of their fear of temporal rather than divine consequences. The stated clerks are wrong, but the subject pastors are "wronger." The stated clerks are simply stupid or putting on a game face of it. The pastors are behaving venally to preserve "benefits." And are the "wronger" for it. Derek Simmons San Clemente, Calif. Couple disgusted by anti-American emails coming from PCUSA headquarters July 28, 2005 We left our congregation a couple of years ago because of the wild activities of PCUSA. However, we have recently been getting e-mail from cgordon@ctr.pcusa.org that are decidedly anti-American. Only close friends have our e-mail address so I assume that the disgusting pastor that we left in the dust when we left must have turned our e-mail address over to this disgusting group. Would you have any knowledge of where this group gets their e-mail addresses or could know that we are Presbyterians. Keep up the good work that you are doing. If we were younger – in our mid-seventies, we would be more active. Gladys Lloyd Knoxville, Tenn. Girolimon sought to obey Great Commission at First Miami July 28, 2005 Let it be known when God's Law is disobeyed by anyone, God will judge, and in the case of the First Presbyterian Church of Miami, judgment for not reaching the masses in a difficult area of God's creation. Michael Girolimon, a former Presbyterian Church (USA) minister, may have not been always correct in his application of Biblical truth, but sought to give First Pres., a purpose for its existence by seeking to obey the Great Commission of Matthew 28:18-20. May the Body of Christ be blessed in Miami. Louis S. Nowasielski PCUSA and Islam have been 'highjacked by fanatical radicals' July 28, 2005 There seems to be a striking resemblance between the Presbyterian Church (USA) and Islam. Both have been highjacked by fanatical radicals. The Koran is defiled by terrorist bombers who kill the innocent in the name of Allah. In the PCUSA, the Bible and the teaching of Jesus has been defiled by those who worship Sophia, promote same sex marriages, the ordination of homosexual church officers and advocates of partial birth abortion. Islam is hurt by the many Muslim clerics who remain mute and will not speak out against the violence. The PCUSA is hurt by the many pastors who will not speak out against such behavior and keep their congregations in the dark regarding what goes on in Louisville and the Washington Office. Anyone else notice the similarity? Jack Vanderbleek, elder Northeast Presbyterian St.Petersburg, Fla. AC will not be doing its job if it continues to keep Hollywood pastors away July 26, 2005 I am writing in response to Ron Rosien's letter on July 25, 2005. I am a member of Hollywood Presbyterian and I appreciate that Mr. Rosien kindly took the time to interview me for more than an hour on the phone regarding my perspective of the issues facing HPC. I could plainly tell from my conversation with Mr. Rosien that since he was the newest member of the AC, he was the least informed. I had to personally explain to him the events of the May 3 and May 10 Presbytery of the Pacific meetings. He attended neither and was very confused and misinformed by what happened at each meeting. I tried to explain to him how the COM and AC had violated the Book of Order in many ways. Mr. Rosien said to me that he did not know much about the BOO. He said he only had an old, outdated copy. I told him there is a current one online but he did not know that. Mr. Rosien attends a "confessing church" and I believe him when he said to me on the phone words to the effect of "I am a conservative and I will not under any circumstances allow any homosexual agenda to creep into Hollywood Presbyterian!" So Tony del la Rosa and others, beware, Mr. Rosien is watching you. I also know that there individuals at Mr. Rosien's church who very much disagree with the actions taken by the AC and voted in our favor to rescind the administrative leave imposed in the middle of the night on May 3. Elder delegates from Mr. Rosien's church also signed the petition to rescind the administrative leave and bring the pastors back. Common sense will tell you that there is no way any reconciliation can occur when the two parties who are at odds with each other cannot even speak. There is no good rationale for keeping Drs. Meenan and Manock away from their jobs except for what The Layman calls a "hostile takeover." I am sure Mr. Rosien feels he is doing his best to serve our congregation, but I will remind him again here, as I did in our conversation, that he and the AC will not be doing their jobs if they continue to keep the pastors away. They can continue this charade but we all know they plan to try to dissolve the pastoral relationships as soon as possible. I predict they will try to imply there was gross mismanagement of funds and try to make the financial situation appear worse than it was at HPC before the pastors were put on leave. The irony of this is that we've heard giving and attendance is now down by 50 percent on some Sundays since the pastors were put on leave! (Just driving by the parking lots shows this is true.) In just a few months, the Presbytery of the Pacific, the COM and AC have continued to feed the fire of those who seek the pastors' demise. These individuals are now even more negative and proud. The actions of the Presbytery of the Pacific have also really sent the finances into a tailspin. This presbytery wins hands down in doing damage to a church. How can they be judging Drs. Meenan and Manock? What Mr. Rosien and the AC are also in denial about is that people at HPC may be "working with them" but session members know they have no choice since Rev. Catherine Hughes has intimidated them and told session she will dissolve session if they don't work with and support the AC. I know that God is still in control and he is still bigger than the Presbytery of the Pacific and the PCUSA. But it's still a tough time in Hollywood. Please keep praying for us and visit our website: www.savehollywoodpres.com Michelle Reynolds Lowe If the question leads you toward a disagreeable answer, re-frame the question July 26, 2005 Like reader James Logan Sr., [letter to the editor, posted July 22, 2005] I was struck by a question posed in "DRAFT: The Issues Before the Task Force." After outlining four fairly reasonable points of agreement on the matter of sexuality and ordination, the task force suggests that perhaps we have been asking the wrong question. "Many [members of the task force] believe that, instead of beginning with the question of ordination, it would be more profitable to frame the question differently: 'How are baptized gay and lesbian persons in exclusive, covenanted relationships called to participate in the church in God's gracious drama of creation, reconciliation and redemption?'" (lines 231-235) Intentionally or not, the authors have employed a favorite tactic of the left in both theological and political discussions – if the question you've been asked leads you toward a disagreeable answer, re-frame the question. The question the task force offers is radically different from the one it proposes to abandon. It contains the assumption that in the Biblical context of their studies, there is such a thing as a "covenanted relationship" between same-gender couples. Upon what covenant would such a relationship be based? To be sure, humans enter into all kinds of earthly arrangements based on mutual pledges. We make contracts, sign pre-nuptial agreements, accept deed restrictions on real property, form business partnerships, get engaged to marry and so on. We may refer to these mutual pledges as deals, obligations, or even covenants. But we don't bring our contracts, pre-nups, deeds, partnership agreements and wedding engagements to the church to be recognized and blessed as relationships ordained by God. When the task force refers to "gay and lesbian persons in exclusive, covenanted relationships" they are referring to relationships that have a sexual dimension. The only sexual "covenanted relationship" that the Bible ordains is marriage – a faithful, monogamous relationship between one man and one woman. Humans often form other kinds of sexual relationships and sometimes make utterly sincere promises to one another in the process. But these relationships and promises do not constitute a covenant in the Biblical sense. The writers flirted with the notion of an alternate "covenanted relationship" when they made a passing reference to "liberal writers who believe that the full witness of Scripture supports the possibility of covenantal relationships between persons of the same gender". (lines 163-165) Indeed, the re-framed question seems to suggest that "many" members of the task force have already accepted the "possibility" as a fact. Perhaps we can hope that, in writing its final draft, the task force will deal honestly and forthrightly with the questions it was asked and not re-frame them replete with hidden assumptions. Steve Jones, elder Kokomo, Ind. No one is advocating for the ordination of torturers in PCUSA July 26, 2005 Re: "Reminded of mandate, task force goes back to the future" William Stacy Johnson, associate professor of systematic theology at Princeton Theological Seminary, cannot understand why there is more concern about homosexuality than torture. Well professor, could it be that no one is advocating for the ordination of torturers in the Presbyterian Church USA? John Thomas Silverdale, Wash. Rosien ignored the 'inconvenient facts' in his letter about Hollywood church July 26, 2005 Ron Rosien of Hollywood's administrative commission in his July 22 letter makes his case for the propriety of the AC's intervention and the integrity of its behavior. He also takes exception to there being any hint of a theological divide between liberal and evangelical. But there are some inconvenient facts that I'm sure that Mr. Rosien wishes us to forget: This is an AC that was either too prejudiced or too lazy to conduct an investigation before suspending our pastors This is an AC that chides us for being "disobedient" when we speak our minds. This is an AC that conspires to alter the minutes of session meetings to suit its ends This is an AC that presents questionable presbytery interim reports and pleads ignorance when asked hard questions This is an AC that portrays itself as peacemakers yet has not undertaken one act of reconciliation. Not one ... This is an AC that jealously guards financial integrity yet has watched attendance and giving decline 20 percent since it suspended the pastors This is an AC that accuses our session of "groupthink" but demands loyalty oaths from our elders This is an AC that bristles when accused of being punitive but has treated our pastors like dirt And yes, Mr. Rosien, you can spin your endeavor as having nothing to do with theology but as one who worked on the stay which we legally obtained for the return of the pastors and one who has learned where some of this presbytery's bodies are buried: It has been the evangelical churches who have supported our pastors and the liberal and more light churches that have supported you. Dr. Frankie Cotton Hollywood Presbyterian Dealing with the propensity to sin is what the gift of Christ is all about July 26, 2005 Mr. Earl Apel [letter to the editor, posted July 25, 2005] apparently takes issue with my letter to the editor posted July 22, 2005. Matthew 1:21 (KJV) states "And she shall bring forth a son and thou shalt call his name Jesus: for he shall save his people from their sins." Those were the words of "the angel of the Lord" to Joseph as he pondered the situation of his espoused wife being with child before they had consummated their upcoming marriage. Sin was the problem that God, almighty, was addressing when he sent his only son from his home in Heaven to be born of the virgin Mary. Sin is still the problem. And sin will remain the problem until the obedient are separated from the disobedient at the awful judgment. At the well, Jesus pointedly told the woman "all that she had done." He forgave her sins and commanded that she go and sin no more. The world is confused about living a righteous life. The righteous life is about taking the actions that we ought to take and abstaining from the actions that we should not take. It is about, in the power of God, intentionally rejecting temptations to sin. Romans 6:1 clearly declares "What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means! (KJV translates it "God forbid.) We died to sin; how can we live in it any longer?" It is not clear what Mr. Apel's point is about sinning fathers affirming their children to be what God created them to be. If the father has not denounced sin in his own life, any affirmation by him of how God created his children is untrustworthy. He cannot know what God's purpose is for his child while failing to see that God's first purpose for the father's own life is to rid it of a sinful lifestyle. A Christian will love his/her child to the death, but will not in any circumstance, affirm a lifestyle which they know is sinful. Pastors who practice sinful life styles need to leave the ministry. The great debate in the mainline churches, but settled in the heavens, is about a certain group of persons who have a propensity to commit particular sins – homosexual acts. Dealing with the propensity to sin is what the gift of Christ is all about. The power to overcome that inclination to sin is what the cross of Jesus and his resurrection is all about. Homosexuals act as if theirs was the first sin from which God has had to deliver man. They act as if all humans live without the need to set aside, daily, the sin that so easily besets them. To assert that "God made me this way and there is nothing that can be done about it!" is to absolutely deny the power of Jesus Christ – so that nothing that can be done. Mr. Apel counsels us to read the Bible, Romans 6 is a good place to start. The concordance is a great place to delve into this issue of sin and the "can't help it" attitude. Yes, we have the capacity to sin and need the daily vow to slay the flesh. Jesus has the power to save us and keep us if we keep our mind stayed on him. "Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on thee: ..." The argument that "sin you must, sin you can't help it" is bogus: 1Cor. 10:13; "No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it." A late dear friend was fond of saying, "You may be the only Bible that someone reads." My pastor son, with fear and trembling, tells of a little boy who called him Mr. Jesus. Jesus Christ said that Christians are on a pedestal "You are the light of the world. A city on the hill that cannot be hidden." (Matthew 5:14) We do represent, to the world, the authenticity of the Word of God. We lay people can't escape; we need to know what the Word says and conform our lives to it. Clergy are on a pedestal. They have been trained in the best theological schools in the world, they are called in the PCUSA to be "teaching elders." People expect that what they teach is true. They expect that what they do is right; is an example. They cannot escape and we must not allow them to get off lightly. Innocent lives look to them as "Mr. Jesus." Labels: It would be nice and it is necessary to get rid of the labels. There are two kinds of people: saved and lost. Thank God that Mr. Apel has made a decision to follow Jesus. I assume that he means the Jesus of the Bible. There are some others made up to suit the desires of this present world. I assume that he means the one of whom prophets foretold, of whom apostles testified was sent from God, who was born of the Virgin Mary, was crucified for our sins, raised by the Father in victory over sin, ascended to the right hand of the Father where he reigns in power. I assume that he intends to follow him where ever he takes him. I assume that he trusts his Word, that he submits himself to him at the expense of his own identity, pride and knowledge. I assume that Mr. Apel finds the OT prophets, OT judges and NT apostles reliable witnesses above all the wisdom of this present age. I assume that Mr. Apel welcomes the comforter, even the spirit of truth, who Jesus promised to send and testify of him, which promise has been kept. It is troubling that Mr. Apel apparently places his trust in his own knowledge for the righteousness of his affirming of his homosexual identity. This is soul-endangering stuff. Proverbs 3:5-6; "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not own your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him and he will make your paths straight." His is no more a test than any other sinner's need to confront their own sinful behavior and come to Jesus for healing and deliverance. God calls the adulterer to repentance and cessation of his sin. He likewise calls the homosexual to repentance and cessation of his homosexual behavior, and he gives both the Holy Spirit to guide and direct them in concert with the words of those who knew the man Jesus. Finally, the human reasoning: Mr. Apel is substituting human reasoning for divine commands. There is malicious intent when there is sex between people who are not married to each other being male and female. The malice is the intention to ignore God's clear commands. Mr. Apel might well take his own advice and read the Bible. God told Moses clearly to speak to the rock. Moses "smote" the rock and it cost him entrance into the promised land. Achan, son of Carmi took some of the devoted things and it brought God's anger on the whole nation of Israel, causing a defeat of a superior Israel army, 36 men to lose their lives and a fiery death to himself. (Joshua 7:1-26). Ananias and Sapphira thought it reasonable to sell their property and bring part of the proceeds to the apostles feet as though they had given it all. It cost them their lives. (Acts 5:1-11) Without equivocation or bowing to "new light," the Old and New Testaments condemns homosexual activity. The sex act between a man and a man, or a woman and a woman, is detestable, an abomination in the sight of God. The act is malicious in that it says in effect: What the prophets and apostles said is false; God has killed men for less! It says that the social scientists are to be trusted more that Moses, Jesus and the apostles. It says that Paul, the homicidal Pharisee, recruited by the risen Lord himself to be the missionary to us Gentiles was a liar. It is sin because God said that it is sin and it is malicious because it defies God and it involves another person in the act of disobedience for which God himself will judge. The problem is that some think that this question of sin is subject to debate. God has spoken through his prophets, judges and apostles calling certain acts sin. On the other side are men and women, proud of their pitiful few months (maybe years) of education, who challenge God's Word to debate. His Word is settled in the heavens and it is dangerous to tamper with it. It does no good to attempt to confuse the love of the Bible, in all its purity, with the roundly rejected lust described in those same pages. Presbyterian preachers, with their mandatory excellent education, should know better. They will be held accountable for every soul that they lead astray! James Logan Sr. McHenry, Md. Moderator has some reflecting to do on his version of events at Torrance July 26, 2005 My timeline of the events regarding the Torrance church are: 1. The Layman reported on July 6, 2005 that Rick Ufford-Chase, synod and presbytery officers, and the minority dissidents had interrupted the June 26, 2005 service at First Torrance. 2. On July 7, 2005 Ufford-Chase after reflecting upon the June 26 events and The Layman's report, writes in his blog: "When I arrived there on Sunday morning the 26th, I learned that the judge had issued a preliminary ruling that insisted, among other things, that the building had to be shared equally between the two groups until a final decision regarding ownership was reached by the courts." 3. On July 25, 2005 The Layman reports a translated version of the events on June 26. "Judge Yaffe ruled that we worship as we will, and that, if these people want to have their own worship, we both should agree upon a proper time to accommodate them besides our regular worship time," Pak said, according to the translator. "If you intrude on our worship like this when Judge Yaffe did not even sign the ruling, know that you all are legally liable. We are taking pictures and video recording everything. Please do not disrupt our worship service. Please do not disrupt our holy worship service to God. This is a temple where holy God resides. Please do not disrupt our worship service in God's temple. You are committing illegal act. We are worshiping legally based on what the judge ruled. You are breaking the law." It appears there not a signed court order on June 26, 2005 delineating the sharing of the building between the majority and minority as Ufford-Chase contends? Since Ufford-Chase had 12 days to reflect upon his actions of June 26, when he wrote his version of the events, it would seem he should have known on July 7 whether a signed court order existed. Larry Rued First Presbyterian Church Bradenton, Fla. New Wineskins, Confessing Churches should follow path of PCA July 26, 2005 The other day you published some statistics comparing the PCUSA, the PCA and the EPC. I received through the mail today some figures regarding the PCA's Mission to the World (MTW). In 2004, MTW had 569 long-term missionaries, 170 two-year missionaries, 324 "interns" (whatever they are) and 750 "two-week workers." Among the long-term missionaries, about two-thirds were engaged in church planting. The rest were involved in translation, college ministry, medical ministry, etc. "National Church-Planting Partners" increased from 95 in 1999 to 381 in 2004. An ordained minister in the EPC and a missionary, I can say that the EPC is doing similar things, albeit on a smaller scale, as we are smaller and younger than the PCA. I hope that if there ever comes a time when there is a separate Confessing Church or New Wineskins denomination, it will follow the example of the PCA. The Lord will bless it if it does. People ask me, "If you Presbyterians believe in predestination, why do you send out missionaries?" I respond, "Because predestination never saved anybody, although nobody is saved apart from it. The elect must still hear the Gospel and respond positively to it. It pleases the Lord to use the foolishness of preaching to bring in the elect." Rev. Dr. Larry Brown African Bible College Talk of unity is a smokescreen for continued doctrinal and moral surrender July 25, 2005 Those Presbyterians who are persuaded that division in the church must be avoided at all costs and that no Biblical doctrine or moral position is worth defending if it would cause ecclesiastical divisiveness ought to have the courage of their convictions: They should urge their presbyteries to petition the General Assembly to denounce Martin Luther and John Calvin as schismatic heretics, renounce the doctrines of the Reformed faith as patently divisive, and petition the Vatican for reinstatement to the Roman Catholic Church. But until the "unity trumps purity crowd" on the PUP Task Force sends off a delegation to Pope Benedict XVI asking him to forgive and forget the Reformation, all of this chat about unity and holding on to one another is a smokescreen for continued doctrinal and moral surrender. Scott R. Kelly Congregation accomplishes so much for Jesus' mission on earth July 25, 2005 Thank you for introducing me to the Web site of this PCUSA congregation. What an energetic mission-focused church! According to the Web site information you passed on, WHPC feeds approximately 4,000 hungry and homeless people each year, builds homes for economically-challenged families under the "Habitat for Humanity" program, offers an HIV Spiritual Support Group, provides a "Children's Church" program and continues to openly take stands on political issues involving civil rights. I am amazed that a congregation of only 65 members can accomplish so much for Jesus' mission on earth. Tim Cahn, elder Seventh Avenue Presbyterian San Francisco Can PCUSA have the authority to ignore Paul's words? July 25, 2005 I do not continue to reference the Scripture passage below because I am a "one-note Christian." I do so simply because if anyone is serious about God reclaiming the PCUSA or an individual church or an individual, he or she must honor the absolute requirement the passage proclaims. The Layman Online story, California congregation links from Web site to homosexual 'adults only' search engine (July 22), has the unmistakable appearance of a place to start. Think, renewal agencies of the PCUSA, do you have any real choice? Paul has authority from the Triune God to write these words. Do you have the authority to ignore them? I Corinthians 5:9-13 (ESV): "I wrote to you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people – not at all meaning the sexually immoral of this world, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters, since then you would need to go out of the world. "But now I am writing to you not to associate with anyone who bears the name of brother if he is guilty of sexual immorality or greed, or is an idolater, reviler, drunkard, or swindler – not even to eat with such a one. "For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Is it not those inside the church whom you are to judge? God judges those outside. 'Purge the evil person from among you.'" For the purity and glory of Christ and his Bride's name, yield to God's words! Greg Leaman Sheboygan County, Wisc. Hollywood: A great church being run into the ground by its pastoral leadership July 25, 2005 I was deeply offended by the letter that was delivered today and signed by you with a plea for funds. It uses the situation at Hollywood Presbyterian as an example of a liberal presbytery trying to oust evangelical pastors in an illegal grab for power for its own ends. And, if the PLC knows that the charges are not true and uses them anyway in a funds appeal, that is contemptible. I am a long term supporter of the Presbyterian Lay Committee and am generally in sympathy with its beliefs. I also have met you, heard you speak and have great respect for you as a person and a Christian. But let me tell you, on this issue you are on the wrong side. The struggle at First Hollywood has nothing to do with theology. It is a story of a great church being run into the ground by its pastoral leadership. A series of deficits over recent years have put it into a precarious financial position. Many long time members have left the church and more are expected to do the same if the two pastors who are now on paid leave return to their old positions. I am one of the commissioners who now has governance over the church. I was appointed to replace one of the original commissioners and was not a part of the formation of the commission, nor of the actions to place the pastors on administrative leave. I do, however, believe that it was the right thing to do. We have worked diligently with the session and its committees, interviewed virtually all elders and deacons, most of the staff and many of the members. We have gained acceptance, not universal, but more than what your numbers would indicate. It would have been impossible to do our work with the pastors in their previous places of leadership. The church leaders are generally agreed that conditions must change if and when the pastors return. There is a good spirit moving between the church leaders and the administrative commission and a feeling that we are united in one goal: furthering the Kingdom of Our Lord in the Hollywood community. Please do your own investigation and re-evaluate your position on this issue. There is no liberal agenda here, just Christians working together to heal the divisions that have occurred. God willing, they will be. Ronald A. Rosien History of Metherell family has a feeling of shared unity with Christ July 25, 2005 Having read your online profile about Alexander F. Metherell, one is not surprised to find his successful petition. When one examines the history of the Metherell family, one has a feeling of shared unity with Christ dating all the way back to 1247, when the original Metherell lands were given over to the church. Chris Meathrel Metherell family historian and archivist Devonshire, England Reality: A G-rated Web site can be a few clicks away from X-rated material July 25, 2005 The West Hollywood Presbyterian Church Web site simply links to a search engine; it does not tell people to go to that search engine and look for pornographic materials. Using the same link that you provided on your website, I went to their site. There I was horribly corrupted by the many links to churches, golfing resources, anti-violence groups and bed and breakfasts. What I noticed was that the Gayscape site not only was not an adult search engine, but actually went so far as to refer those looking for adult material to a separate, differently titled, webpage. The WHPC is not linked to adult material anymore than any other site that links to a search engine. The sad reality of the internet is that you can host a completely G-rated site, insert links, and inadvertently be only a few clicks away from X-rated material. If you continue to question the inclusion of this link by WHPC, considering that your Web site now links to the West Hollywood Presbyterian Church website, will you now also condemn your own site for its links to potentially pornographic materials? Or, considering that you have a link to Google on your website, which I would imagine could generate links to the same pornographic materials as the Gayscape sub site, will you be taking action? Sadly, I think not since I suspect the only real reason you have targeted this Web site is because the word "gay" is in the title. The only difference between The Layman and the West Hollywood Presbyterian Church Web sites on this matter is that while the WHPC's site simply links to a search engine which could (if one find their way to the right sub site and types in the right words) yield pornographic materials, you don't even have to leave your main page to do a search for the same thing. Rev. Emily C. Heath Atlanta, Ga. It's not rational to say that loving someone is sin when there is no malicious intent July 25, 2005 I've spent some time reading various thoughts about the PUP task force latest reports. I found a certain letter in your forum interesting and would like to share some thoughts. James Logan Sr. [letter to the editor, posted July 22, 2005] remarks, "Sinners come to Jesus as they are: pagan worshipers, profaners of the name of God, Sabbath breakers, disrespectful of father and mother, murderers, adulterers, thieves, liars, coveters and guilty of the offenses of Leviticus 18." And he notes "People cannot exercise Christian leadership if they cannot follow Christ. Further, if they persist in disobedience, it calls into question their commitment to Christ ("If you love me, you will obey what I command." John 14:15) and, thus, whether we ought to even fellowship with them as Christians." Regarding his first statements I've included, I would like to suggest the following as an addition "Sinners come to Jesus as they are: mothers tenderly holding their children, teachers instilling values in their students, fathers affirming their children to be what God created them to be, pastors inspiring their congregation with words based on Scripture." One might ask, how can I say these statements? Well just read the Bible. See what Paul has to say about the whole situation. For it is clear that all are sinners until their last days here on earth regardless of their faith or lack thereof. And Paul is quite clear on the battle between the flesh and spirit Christians face no matter who they are. Yet in reading Mr. Logan's letter I get the impression that this battle does not apply if one is a true Christian and has found the way. It is true that many find hope and peace and a remarkable turn-around in life like the example he used of Stephen Hill. I've always admired such people who are willing to testify to transformation. But guess what? Paul does teach and I think we all realize and affirm that we have the capacity to sin through life and will likely do so until our dying day. Sorry there is no such thing as saints on earth or at least as we like to think of saints! And this is also true of our ordained clergy. Sorry, pastors. You do inspire me in many ways but I can't put you on a pedestal any more than another human being. We all come from the same seed of Adam as noted in Genesis. Most likely you will sin on your last day on earth as will I. So back to the debate regarding sexual orientation, gays, or whatever label one likes to use. Wouldn't it be nice to get rid of these labels? But then we wouldn't have anything to argue over would we? Sorry for the aside. This fact seems clear to me as a Christian. I made a personal decision to follow Christ and yes I happen to have that dreaded "gay" label. But you know what? I realize without a doubt that if my affirming a gay identity is wrong, then truly I will know this sometime in my life. It hasn't happened yet as I know it doesn't for countless others. I honestly don't think God is playing a joke on me or submitting me to some extreme test nor for the many others. It's simply not a thorn in the flesh. Yet even so this idea of sexual identity is not the most important thing in my life. Rather it is the faith in God and through Jesus Christ that has any relevance. I just don't get it why that personal faith seems to not matter in these debates and the fuss in the denomination. It doesn't make any sense particularly in light of the witness of Paul and other saints before us. Of course the debate is still on what is sin? It seems quite simple to me but I guess others have a hard time getting it. If you hurt someone with malicious intent, well yes duh, it is sin. It is quite rational actually. What is not rational is when people say that loving another person is sin when there is no malicious intent. Love is love and that is what God shows most wonderfully from the beginning of the Bible to the end. And that is what we have as believers until our last days on earth and beyond. Isn't that wonderful! Earl C. Apel, member Mount Auburn Presbyterian Church Cincinnati, Ohio Pray that Lord will use New Wineskins to bring PCUSA back to Biblical roots July 25, 2005 I just downloaded the essential tenets proposed by New Wineskins. I am impressed. As a list of essentials, it's actually more specifically Reformed than the essentials statement of the EPC. Finally a statement that will come out of the mainline Presbyterian body that clearly states that the Bible is the very Word of God. Amen. One is always to tempted to nitpick and try to fine-tune such documents following the hard work of the committee that drafted it. But I would caution that we need to leave it alone. It is potent enough. My sessions will be praying for the convocation and for the events that follow. It is my own prayer that the Lord will use these to bring our denomination back to its Biblical roots. Rev. Jonathan H. Smith Dinwiddie& Fairview Presbyterian Churches Hillsville, Va. Jesus, apostles didn't study four years with 'finest liberal minds' in PCUSA July 22, 2005 The Theological Task Force wrote: "... the love of God is not confined to the people of one religious perspective …. Jesus said: "But you do not believe, because you are not of my sheep, as I said to you. My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of my hand. I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. "I pray for them. I do not pray for the world but for those whom You have given me, for they are yours." The Apostles taught: "Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved." But they did not have the benefit of four years of scholarly study with some of the finest liberal minds in the denomination. Aren't we fortunate! James E. Tuckett Stand firm on your beliefs, whatever they are July 22, 2005 Some may consider me insensitive, but down here on the farm we would comment about this lack of position on the [task force's] report: Cluck, cluck, cluck, cluck! Stand firm on your beliefs, whatever they are. You can't go two different directions at once. Richard Conway, elder First Presbyterian Church Morganton, N.C. People cannot exercise Christian leadership if they cannot follow Christ July 22, 2005 From the PUP Task Force: "How are baptized gay and lesbian persons in exclusive, covenanted relationships called to participate in the church in God's gracious drama of creation, reconciliation and redemption?'" Sinners come to Jesus as they are: pagan worshipers, profaners of the name of God, Sabbath breakers, disrespectful of father and mother, murderers, adulterers, thieves, liars, coveters and guilty of the offenses of Leviticus 18. But when we meet Jesus, everything changes. He washes us from all unrighteousness and makes us clean. Mark Patterson tells the story of his wife's beloved dog who gets into and rolls in cow piles. The wife loves the dog, but cleans him up before bringing him into the house. God for Christ's sake freely forgives all manner of sin and casts them in the sea of forgetfulness. Now, cleaned up, rid of our sinful lifestyles, we are ready for service anywhere he wants us. Stephen Hill, the evangelist for several years at the Revival at Brownsville (Pensacola, Fla.), tells of how he was a drug dealer and completely out of communion with Christ, when Christ found him in his upstairs room. Stephen tells how that submission to Christ changed him, made him brand new – reborn, ready for service and effective as an instrument of God's grace to thousands. Baptized gay and lesbian persons, like all sinners, are called first to obedience to God; called to stop the sinful lifestyle! Jesus loved the woman at the well; he forgave her sins, but he commanded her to go and sin no more. People cannot exercise Christian leadership if they cannot follow Christ. Further, if they persist in disobedience, it calls into question their commitment to Christ ("If you love me, you will obey what I command." John 14:15) and, thus, whether we ought to even fellowship with them as Christians. James Logan Sr. McHenry, Md. Church is putting faith in legal system in the hopes to save itself July 22, 2005 Your letter succeeded in its objective of getting my attention. In fact, it just made my blood boil. What was your point besides raising money? Your group has done a tremendous job of keeping us informed of the grab by the liberals of our beloved denomination. In the 40-some years you have been operating (40 years with the same message?), have you ever put together a group to take back what is rightfully God's Church? How many pastors have acted, instead of just wringing their hands and allowing that something should be done about it. And how many pastors just decided to hang in there until their retirement was assured? Something can be done about it. Our pastor, who fits in the soon-to-be retired group, has told us there is nothing we can do about it because the local presbyteries require so much time for their input that it is too much of a demand on the volunteers, who need to make a living for themselves and their families. Well, wouldn't a small percentage of the income you have had over the years be more than enough to fund a local mission (which the churches would support) to pay our representatives handsomely to take back our denomination? Briefly: 1. Pay our representatives to the presbyteries. 2. Let them send paid representatives to the national to toss out the liberals. Don't you think the Lord will support such a mission? Don't you think it is a worthy cause? Do you doubt that we would be successful, with the Lord's blessing? Surely we have tacticians in our denomination who, with the Lord's leading, will be able to be victorious. My local church is putting their faith in the legal system in the hopes they can save the investment in the church. Where is the trust in the Lord? Annamae Paul Rocklin, Calif. Some members aren't fighting, just trying to get information July 22, 2005 Mr. John Scavarda, a former member of the Pleasantville Presbyterian Church, mentions (July 21 letters to editor) that those of us at Hollywood Presbyterian Church should "fight from the front line – not the back pew." There are those of us who are not fighting at all, but trying to gain information and understanding. We are attending meetings, sitting in the front row or close to it, listening to our elders present us a budget and a new administrative organization chart, asking questions, talking to people throughout the church to gather their views, and basically trying to put all the pieces together. In these situations, it is offensive when others speak – demanding that we stand up and vote immediately about our pastors. There are Bible-believing evangelicals on both sides. We simply want knowledge about finances, whether something happened behind the scenes that brought chaos to the finances, about staffing and claims that inexperienced staff were placed over the experienced. I realize there are important issues occurring throughout the Presbyterian Church (USA) denomination. But I don't think the investigation of our local pastors should be a litmus test about these issues. It is offensive that I'm asked to ignore a chaotic situation right in front of me in my own church just so evangelical pastors will "win" out over a presbytery that has liberal views in some other arenas. Wanda Penner, member First Presbyterian Church of Hollywood Draft prologue paves the way toward ordaining homosexuals, same-sex marriage July 21, 2005 Well, the handwriting is finally showing up on paper. The draft prologue of the Theological Task Force on the Peace, Unity and Purity of the Church (TTF) final report outlines "The Theological Basis" of their effort. Here they maintain the conviction that "Scripture, which speaks afresh in every age ... reflect[s] the social, cultural and intellectual conditions of their times, so the church approaches Scripture with historical and literary understanding as it engages in interpretation" (lines 79, 181-183). TTF asserts that "The Scriptures, illumined by the Holy Spirit, form our identity and teach us who we are, whom we worship, and how we exist in the world as the body of believers" (lines 116-118). Their report affirms "that the Bible gives us the unique and authoritative witness to Jesus Christ, divine Word mediated through inspired human words. These writings give us our rule of faith and life ... our reliable guide in matters pertaining to salvation, our light in a world of moral obscurity, our measure of what is theologically truthful and spiritually life-giving." Yet, these assertions and affirmations are just shouts in the wind, because this old book "speaks afresh in every age." It is subject to our interpretation – under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, of course – by which whatever we find to be socially, culturally or intellectually conditional to the ancient times of its authorship can simply be ignored. The important thing to remember is "that God loves us, that God saves us and that God empowers us with a commission and a calling" (lines 35-37), regardless of our reinterpreting his written Word into meaningless mumbo-jumbo that is irrelevant to the fresh winds of the 21st century or of any other age. The direction that these winds are blowing is strongly indicated in this draft prologue. While lifting up Jesus Christ as the only Savior and Lord of all (lines 91-94, 193), TTF makes this telling declaration: "Because of the obedience of Jesus Christ, even unto death, we no longer define power as domination over others, for we experience strength made perfect in weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9, 1 Corinthians 1:18-2:13). Therefore we can no longer accept a hierarchical or patriarchal view of how divine power makes itself felt among us. Our relations to others are transformed and reoriented, because the love of God is not confined to the people of one religious perspective, or of one social or economic class, or of one race or ethnicity, or of one gender or gender orientation. Such is the love of God that for those who are in Christ 'there is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male or female; for all of you are one in Jesus Christ' (Galatians 3:28)" (lines 102-111). The TTF draft prologue paves the way toward continuing to ordain avowed, practicing homosexuals who are in monogamous relationships and opens the door to blessing these same relationships as equivalent to the marriage of one woman to one man. Jim Henkel, NWI Endorsing Church pastor North Benton Presbyterian Church North Benton, Ohio 'We cannot do good theological work by quoting half-parables' July 21, 2005 "The Prologue" has arrived like words of syrup flowing down from Mount Modernus. It gets off to an unconvincing start. God does love us and God reaches out to save us, but that it not the end of the story. God calls on us to change and that promised salvation is tied to our response. Quoting a litany of half-parables doesn't make a truth. "God our savior has pursued us in our waywardness like a shepherd who goes into the wilderness to find the sheep that is lost, like a waiting father who longs to welcome a prodigal child home, like a woman who searches for a lost coin and rejoices upon finding it. Like a parent whose hands follow behind and before the walking child, God's Spirit guides and protects." God does pursue us, but his purpose is not to locate us and then leave us there to wallow in sin but to call us to repentance. The lost sheep is returned to the fold. The prodigal is welcomed home, but as a changed, humble and repentant man. In Luke 15, there is great rejoicing in verse 9 over the found coin, but we might do better to include verse 10: Just so, I tell you, there is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents." And the parent helps the child to walk uprightly. Yes, indeed! As has been wisely said, God's love reaches out to us in our sin and that love is too great to allow us to stay there. We cannot do good theological work by quoting half-parables. We cannot completely ignore unrepentant sin and God's wrath. Unity is only possible when the impure has been cast out – shoddy theology, coated with syrup and whitewash notwithstanding. John Cowan Cartersville, Ga.

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