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2006 letters Archives of letters to the editor  |
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little theological 'shock and awe' is over due at PCUSA seminaries February 27, 2006 It is amazing how the power of truth leaps from the printed word! God bless Lt. Col. Michael McCarty! [letter to the editor, posted February 24, 2006] When you retire, ever think of going to seminary? How about one of the liberal PCUSA ones? A little theological "shock and awe" is over due. Douglas Anderson Southlake, Texas If WCC has intellectual or spiritual honesty, it won't take U.S. money February 27, 2006 If there were any intellectual or, dare I say, spiritual, honesty in the gathering of the WCC as it berates the United States, they should pass a motion that they will henceforth cash no checks coming to them from the United States. If my memory serves me correctly, the PCUSA contributes a large chunk of change to this miserable organization. Think about it: They can be intellectually honest and not accept a dime from the hated capitalists! Walter B. Funk Charleston, W.Va. PCUSA has a long history of siding with the communists February 27, 2006 Re: WCC/PCUSA During the Cold War, I annoyed a number of PCUSA functionaries by asking for an example of U.S. military or foreign policy on which the church's official position differed from that of the USSR. Obviously, there were many instances where one party or the other had nothing official to say about it, or didn't address it at all. But in the cases where both addressed the same issue, where did the PCUSA and the USSR party company? Never got an answer. Got some reproaches. One person at Louisville said I must have my mind made up in advance. I invited him to try to change it by giving me an example. No luck. Real surprise there. Richard Aubrey 'Didn't God create us to be sociable and to love each other?' February 27, 2006 I appreciate what Brian Ahier [letter to the editor, posted February 20, 2006] shared in his own struggle with alcoholism and drug abuse. The basic problem is in how it seems to be popular to compare such an unfortunate affliction to LGBT persons. I've personally known people in my life that have struggled with addiction. Mr. Ahier closes with this statement: "I have a good friend who is a homosexual. He needs the love of God and of God's people just like I did back in those dark times. But the plain fact is that the only sexual relationship that God blesses is between a man and a woman in the bonds of matrimony. Anything else is sinful." OK, I have known people in dark times and try to reach out as best I can and shed some of God's light. However, I have found it best to focus on the person's reality rather than make comparisons to other struggles that may or may not have any relevance. Isn't that what Jesus did was reach out to us where we were rather than make such simple comparisons? It seems to me that the association between alcohol and drug addiction is very common among some in relationship to LGBT persons. Yet I fail to understand the connection. For those in the addiction and in recovery, for the most part, don't expect the rest of society and the church to abstain from drinking or taking drugs legally? They obviously feel that there is some benefit or at least no detriment for some people engaging in such behavior. My question is why should anyone relate this scenario to LGBT persons? It really has no relevance. And remember that LGBT persons are in relationships with real live people, not a synthetic drug devised by human kind. Didn't God create us to be sociable and to love each other? Show me in the Bible where loving another person as much as one loves God is a sin. Earl C. Apel, member Mount Auburn Presbyterian Church Cincinnati, Ohio 'Well spoken' February 27, 2006 How well spoken. Thank you Lt. Col. McCarty!! [letter to the editor, posted February 24, 2006] Chuck Larsen Minden, Neb. G-60106b is a product of confusion that exhibits neither faith nor logic February 27, 2006 Rev. Harrison makes some thoughtful and interesting points in his Feb. 16th letter, but even after repeated readings I cannot find the phrase "genital stimulation" in the text of G-60106b. I'm also wondering at Rev. Harrison's distinction (if any) between "sexualization" and "eroticization." All that is erotic is not sexual and all that is sexual is not erotic. What concerns me is not an increased sexualization but an increased sexualization combined with forces that disconnect, depersonalize and commoditize our relationships. The erotocization of personal relationships is by my understanding the breaking down of barriers that separate us, thereby connecting, personalizing decommoditizing, and ultimately bringing us closer to the Kingdom of God – while G-60106b in contrast serves the forces that separate and disconnect and perhaps counterintuitively makes both gender and genital stimulation the defining points of the holiness of a relationship. I'm not confused, I'm making a conscious choice to personally set aside the distinctions that Rev. Harrison believes are in G-60106b as arbitrary and detrimental to the cause of Christ. Having had the misfortune to sit through several presbytery debates and discussions over this particular clause in the Book of Order, the best I can say is that the clause is a product of confusion that exhibits neither faith nor logic, and as such, cannot stand. Christopher William Purdom, elder Tabernacle United Church Those wishing to keep fidelity and chastity rule in Book of Order need to be organized February 27, 2006 I have a real concern as I reflect on how previous GAs worked with each presbytery getting to prosecute its overture before the committee dealing with it. Can you imagine what it will be like with 22 presbyteries giving their defense for each overture? Will any people outside the committee be given equal time to speak against the overtures? I hope that those of us who reject these moves to remove the fidelity and chastity rule from the Book of Order will be far more organized to present our position to the committee/GA. Pastor Walter Hamer First Presbyterian Church Monett, Mo. WCC is populated with folks who have no sense of history February 24, 2006 And once again, our career bureaucrat-in-chief joins the "Hate America First" bunch. Clifton Kirkpatrick agrees with an open letter issued by a handful of U.S. delegates to the 9th Assembly of the WCC who are "ashamed of being Americans." No wonder 40,000 members a year of the PCUSA are voting with their feet. Here is what he "agreed with" on our behalf: 1. "US leaders' turned a deaf ear to the voices of church leaders throughout our nation and world'" when they carried out their sworn duty to "insure domestic Tranquility [and] provide for the common defense" of the United States after we were sucker-punched by a pagan gang of thugs and cutthroats. In their strange little world, isolated from reality, it was the United States that "rain[ed] down terror on the truly vulnerable among our global neighbors." I guess they were all asleep – or off in cloud cuckoo land – when the World Trade Center and the Pentagon erupted in flames on September 11. 2. We should be ashamed of the war in Iraq, which overthrew a corrupt and barbarous regime that had murdered hundreds of thousands of its own citizens – many through the use of poison gas and nerve agents – while sponsoring terrorism in the world. We should be ashamed of trying to spread American ideals of freedom and individual rights to a part of the world that is mired in 8th and 9th century despotism. We should be ashamed of trying to foster peace in a part of the world that has not known any lasting peace for millennia. 3. We are "guilty" of being rich while people of other nations are poor. The most generous nation in history, one that has shared its blood and treasure with the less fortunate for over a century, is, to these clowns, the sole source of "crushing poverty," wherever it is found, HIV/AIDS, racism and "the grim features of global economic injustice." 4. We are "seduced by the lure of empire" and powers of "violence, degradation, and poverty." It never ceases to amaze me that these wretched people, whom Cliff Kirkpatrick gleefully calls his own, have such a feeble grasp on history and reality. If we had wanted an empire, it would have been ours for the taking in 1945. Instead, we launched the Marshall Plan in Europe and took Japan from a feudal monarchy to a constitutional state in the space of a few years. What has Cliff done to earn the rights of citizenship that he so obviously enjoys and takes for granted – freedom of speech, freedom to espouse his own warped religious views, freedom to hate his own country? What is it about his experience as a defender of his nation, one who donned its uniform and placed his life and sacred honor on the line, that makes him so eager to denounce our nation and his fellow citizens? Let's consider his resume. Ooops! Well, see, he had better things to do than actually serve his country, so he left that to others. He was too busy being a career denominational bureaucrat, one who has apparently never taken any position having accountability in service to his country, his community, or to the denomination. Note particularly the absence of service as a pastor of a congregation in which he would have been answerable to a session or congregation for his conduct. He has served as stated clerk of the General Assembly Presbyterian Church (USA); director, Worldwide Ministries Division (PCUSA); director, Global Mission Ministry Unit (PCUSA); director, Division of International Mission, General Assembly Mission Board (Presbyterian Church U.S.); executive director, Houston Metropolitan Ministries; executive director, Fort Worth Area Council of Churches; assistant director, Greater Dallas Council of Churches. His sole claim to "civic" service may involve his membership in the "Advisory Committee, Americans United for Humanitarian Trade with Cuba:" his chairmanship of something called "Successful School Age Youth Community Investment Team;" and some unspecified "involv[ment] with United Way of Metro Louisville." Support for Cuba, a country so vile and despicable in its treatment of its people that hundreds try to flee it every year, is his claim to fame. Our nation saved Europe in 1918, defeated fascism (which slaughtered tens of millions) in 1941-1945, defeated communism (which slaughtered more tens of millions) in the Cold War, all the while rebuilding shattered economies across the world. But Kirkpatrick agrees that we alone are to blame for the world's ills. Ludicrous! As one who served this nation in combat, who lost brave and noble young Marines who gallantly served their nation in the hope that a better world would result, I am sickened by this nonsense. As the father of a serving officer in the Air Force who is currently preserving Cliff's right to spout such nonsense, I am appalled. As an elder and member of the PCUSA, I am sickened that he abuses his office and purports to speak for the denomination as a whole in such an irresponsible manner. Lenin, another of those famous men of God that the WCC and its ilk look upon so favorably, is said to have called those mindless people in the Western democracies who would always find ways to excuse whatever the Soviet Union did "useful idiots." Once again, the WCC has demonstrated that it is well populated with folks who have no sense of history and no firm footing in reality. With Kirkpatrick right there cheering them on, it has shown that it is happy to serve as an army of "useful idiots" for those despots and villains in the world who need to get the United States out of the way so that they can merrily oppress any who disagree with them. Michael R. McCarty Lt. Col. USMC (ret) Very little difference between the NCC and the Communist Party USA February 24, 2006 William Arthur [letter to the editor posted February 23, 2006] feels the WCC and NCC are left-wing political organizations. That's nothing new! In 1962, St. Marks Episcopal Church in Shreveport, La., issued a report, the result of a serious study they had conducted. They found that there was very little difference (virtually none) between the positions of the NCC and the planks in the platform of the Communist Party USA! As a result, they demanded that the Episcopal Church not send any of their contributions to the NCC. I don't know if it made any difference at all but they really tried – harder than most PCUSA bodies it would appear. Our lunacy in reducing missionary funding while sending $1M plus to these two outfits is but one of the reasons I left the PCUSA. Fred Edwards The notion that there are 'other paths to God' is unthinkable February 24, 2006 Re: Ritchie Jones, letter to the editor, posted February 23, 2006 So what you are saying is that the past incidents of "cooking the books" justifies the current "cooking the books?" I would say that both are a stench before God. For example: To even entertain the notion that there are "other paths to God" is so unthinkable for myself as a Christian. To make the claim that Christ did not have to suffer and die on the cross, that there was an "easier" way for salvation flies in the face of Scripture. What kind of God would allow his Son to go through what Christ did if there was another way? Marc Karasek, elder Norcross, Ga. God will give us his peace, not the peace the WCC proposes February 24, 2006 To Desmond Tutu and others who want to be correct in their own minds about God: God is God, and there is no other. Christ is the Son of God, and there is no other. The Holy Spirit is God, and there is no other, so what makes one a Christian? Repenting of one's sin and wickedness, understanding that if one die's in their sin, one will be condemned, eternal damnation, John 3:3, thus I am a Christian saved by the blood of Christ shed on the cross, and so who is God? God elects the believer into eternal life, thus God through Christ, and the illuminating work of the Holy Spirit elects one to be a Christian. Thus to Desmond Tutu and others, God does not have to be a Christian, because God elects one to be a Christian. God is a Spirit and not a man. We can only live in harmony with God if we have peace with God through his Son Christ, thus God will give us his peace, not the peace the WCC proposes. God is wisdom, power, holiness, justice, goodness and truth. Lou. S. Nowasielski Wilmington, Del. Are PCUSA's ordination standards requirements or aspirational ideals? February 23, 2006 Given that the PUP report portrays ordination standards not as actual requirements but merely as aspirational ideals toward which we are all to strive but which we are also to admit no one reaches (Recommendation 5, line 1104), wouldn't approval of its recommendations mean that we really shouldn't expect anyone to live up to the "Standards of Ethical Conduct" of the Presbyterian Church (USA) either? That is, if there were no requirements for entering the ministry, how could there be any for continuing in it? And if those published ethical standards were to be understood as merely aspirational, wouldn't that mean that we really couldn't require anything of the officers or members of the church? And if we couldn't require anything of the members and officers of the church, wouldn't that mean that we would have ceased to be the church? Is that really where we want to go? God, help us! Dr. James C. Goodloe IV, pastor Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church Richmond, Va. NCC and WCC are socialist, political organizations February 23, 2006 Another putdown of the US by the WCC, the NCC and our stated clerk. After reading the rantings from Nancy Cardoso Pereita "Capitalism Unmasked as Savage Barbaric System," why am I surprised? Ms Cardoso fails to mention that the U.S. provides major funding and support for catastrophes throughout the world. Our country is not perfect but I invite those critical souls to name a better place and encourage them to take up residence there. The WCC is obliviously looking to cover up some of its past actions, such as the support of Robert Mugabe that led to the economic destruction of Rhodesia and the robbing of the country's wealth. Neither the WCC nor the NCC are church-related organizations. They are socialist, political organizations that are supported by misled church leaders of like mind. The PCUSA at one time was the largest donor to both these organizations and most likely still is. There is little wonder that the PCUSA lost an estimated 65,000 members in 2005 and anticipates the loss of 85,000 in 2006. Numbers are not that important and one has to be careful with statistics but the anticipated loss of 1,250 and 1,635 members per week respectively in 2005 and 2006 indicates that something is seriously wrong. One must ask if this is by design or just the result of inept, bumbling leadership? I don't know, but suspect it is a combination of both. I have little faith in Stated Clerk Clifford Kirkpatrick. Why do we officers and laymen continue to allow funds from mission programs to be diverted to socialist political groups? Lets include the Washington Lobby Office in this outright waste of God's money. Funding of the PCUSA comes from individual churches. We have the power to stop this nonsense by designating denomination per-capita payments to missions that are doing God's work. I personally do not send money to the denomination for such things as Katrina relief as I do not trust Louisville's handling of funds. There are other more reliable ways of reaching out to these needs. The PCUSA is heading in the wrong direction and has to be turned around. It is sad that I feel this way. When will we ever learn. William Arthur God is not a Christian, he's a Jew February 23, 2006 Bishop Tutu is correct. God is not a Christian. He is a Jew. And it seems humility would call for the WCC and its constituent members to reflect upon the implications of that fact for those of us who've been, to use another Jew's metaphor, "grafted in." Rev. Dave Moody, pastor Trinity United Presbyterian Church Pray for those who celebrate social justice and liberated inclusiveness at WCC February 23, 2006 Bishop Tutu is correct. God is not a Christian. A Christian is a disciple of God incarnate in Christ Jesus. God became flesh and lived among us in the person of Jesus of Nazareth. By his sinless life, his death on the cross, his bodily resurrection from the tomb, his ascension to the right hand of God the Father, and his intercession for the saints – "Christ died for us, Christ rose for us, Christ reigns in power for us, Christ prays for us" (Romans 8:34, Phillips) – he proves himself the sole, singular Lord and Savior of humankind. I fear for Bishop Tutu, for the Episcopal communion, for our own Presbyterian denomination, and for every other so called "church" that has joined to celebrate social justice and liberated (or is it libertine) inclusiveness as the World Council of Churches. The Bible says that the Lord our God, whose own dear Son opened wide the arms of forgiveness and acceptance upon the cross of Calvary to welcome all who step inside his loving embrace in sincere repentance ("black and white, yellow and red, rich and poor, educated and not educated, beautiful and not so beautiful," sick and healthy, whole and broken, strong and lame, mute and articulate), is a jealous God. God demands a monogamous relationship of exclusive fidelity with his chosen children. The Lord will not tolerate a people that goes whoring after other gods and alien faith traditions. He will refuse to let them enter the joy of the kingdom of heaven; he will leave them outside (Matthew 25:1-12; Revelation 22:15, cf 21:8, 27). The Old Testament is replete with the record of God's wrath against the people of Israel for their adulterous affairs and fatal flirtations with foreign idols and rituals: "Now these things took place as examples for us, that we might not desire evil as some of them did ... they were written down for our instruction" (1 Corinthians 10:6, 11). "Anyone who has set aside the law of Moses dies without mercy on the evidence of two or three witnesses. How much worse punishment, do you think, will be deserved by the one who has spurned the Son of God, and has profaned the blood by which he was sanctified, and has outraged the Spirit of grace?" (Hebrews 10:28-29). I do agree with Bishop Tutu in this: God does not need my protection. God can and will take care of God-self. The Lord will exercise wrath on the enemies of the gospel of Jesus Christ without any help from me. In fact, I am plainly told to keep loving them and let God deal. For I "know him who said, 'Vengeance is mine; I will repay.' And again, 'The Lord will judge his people.' It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God" (Hebrews 10:30-31). Bishop Tutu's flat statement that, "God has no enemies" is not true. Scripture declares otherwise, and false teachers are counted as some of the chief among the enemies of God (2 Peter 2:1-4, Jude). The Lion of Judah arrays himself against them and "their end is destruction" (Philippians 3:19). The Lamb of God annihilates them with one blast of his consuming fire "and the devil who deceived them [is] thrown into the lake of fire and sulfur where the beast and the false prophet [are], and they will be tormented day and night forever ... Then another book [will be] opened, which is the book of life. And the dead [will be] judged by what [is] written ... according to what they have done. ... And if anyone's name [is] not found written in the book of life, that one [will be] thrown into the lake of fire" (Revelation 20:9-10, 12b and d, 15). It is better never to have known the "way of righteousness" that Christ Jesus charges his disciples to walk, "than after knowing it to turn back from the holy commandment delivered to [us]" (2 Peter 2:21). "For if God did not spare angels when they sinned … then the Lord knows how ... to keep the unrighteous under punishment" (2 Peter 2:4a, 9b). The World Council of Churches meeting in Porte Allegre, Brazil, is a blemish on the true bride of Christ, a blasphemy against her husband, an insult to his Father, and a grievous affront to the Holy Spirit. With one hand the Presbyterian Church (USA) lends financial and leadership support to this disgusting defamation of the gospel and with the other hand we write a petition pleading for the Peace, Unity and Purity of the Church. The Lord of the gospel declares: "I have not come to bring peace, but a sword!" (Matthew 10:34b). Amen! "The words of him who has the sharp double-edged sword: 'I know where you live, where Satan's throne is. ... I have a few things against you: you have some there who hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the children of Israel, so that they might eat food sacrificed to idols and practice sexual immorality. So also you have some who hold to the teaching of the Nicolaitans [that mere mortal mediators – some of whom teach that by grace we are free to keep on sinning – are necessary additions to the one true Mediator]. Therefore repent! If not, I will come to you soon and war against them with the sword of my mouth. Whoever has an ear, let that one hear what the Spirit says to the churches" (Revelation 2:12b-13a, 14-17a). Jim Henkel, NWI endorsing church pastor North Benton Presbyterian Church North Benton, Ohio Eastminster Presbytery Many misconceptions about Salvation Army February 23, 2006 As the grandson and nephew of Salvation Army officers, I would like to thank you for your interview with Lt. Col. Raphael Mason (though a little more clarity on his position would have helped; properly speaking, Lt. Col. Mason is the second in command of the Caribbean Territory, and recently served as "Chief Secretary in charge" while the territory was without a territorial commander). Outside the Army, one finds a good many misconceptions of what it is and what it does; hopefully, this excellent interview will set a few of those straight. Rob Harrison, pastor Trinity Church in the Pines Grand Lake, Colo. No further response – too many rabbit trails February 23, 2006 Thank you, Mr. David Biglands, [letter to the editor, posted February 21, 2006] firstly for confirming there are serious people reading the letters on the Layman Online. Secondly, thank you for encouraging those of us who do tend to be more conservative in the way we treat God and his Word, Son and Spirit. In agreement with your thoughts, I have re-read Mr. Jones' latest response to my letters. At this time I am choosing to pass on responding. Mr. Jones created so many rabbit trails in his Feb. 20 letter, I think it would be unreasonable to dilute any effort by this member of the more conservative community to focus on any of the "formidable fights" those trails can/should/must create – eventually. Greg Leaman Sheboygan County, Wisc. To say Paul was not interested in inspiration is Biblically wrong February 23, 2006 Re: Ritchie Jones' letter to the editor, posted Feb. 20, 2006 Did not Paul write, "All Scripture is by inspiration (God breathed), and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness?" To say Paul was not interested in inspiration is ludicrous and Biblically wrong. Paul tried to be all things to all people, but not at the expense of Truth, and in the case of inspiration, when Paul mentioned Christ's Resurrection, the Greek philosopher's departed, except for a few, and is that compromising Truth to reach all men? "Forever O Lord, thy word is settled in heaven; heaven and earth may pass away, but my word will never pass away," so states Holy Scripture. Lou. S. Nowasielski Wilmington, Del. As a conservative, Williamson has no moral ground to stand on in Brazil February 23, 2006 Parker Williamson is not being entirely truthful when he comments "WCC policies have often weighed in on the side of armed conflict and violence, almost invariably conducted by left wing and liberationist forces." He seems a little taken by his own politics. It was not that long ago when the rightwing folks of Germany, Italy and Japan declared war on the human race, murdering millions of people, firm in their beliefs of their own moral superiority. While Japan was not a Christian nation, Germany and Italy were. What were the millions of conservative German Lutherans doing while their nation exterminated 10s of millions in camps, in cities, and killing fields? For sure they were not supporting Dietrich Bonhoeffer. Even less time ago, there were rightwing Presbyterians who did worse than just look away as the Klan terrorized the South. What prevents them from going down that same path again? Speaking of Brazil, as an American rightwing conservative in Porto Alegre, Williamson has no moral ground to stand on. There in the early '60s the military right wing overthrew a democratically elected president, with support from rightwing elements of the US government, and abolished their constitution in a "preemptive" coup against ... mostly unarmed college kids. For the next 20 years they tortured and "disappeared" anyone who disagreed with their paranoid policies with the full support of the Brazilian Presbyterian Church and its conservative allies in the U.S. This active support of oppression, conflict and violence was the fertilizer that brought liberation theology to full fruition. Opposite sides of the same coin, they went completely hand in hand. The WCC was not the only Christian institution cooking the books. The tragedy is that the rightwing of the church has sided with secular rightwing movements just as much, and maybe even more so, than the left wing of the church has sided with the secular left. (Our tax dollars certainly favor the rightwing regimes and their death squads much more than our tithes favored the left and their "liberationist" guerrillas). Both star-struck by secular power politics, they wander completely out of touch with the source of our faith. Both have their hands dirty up to their elbows with the blood of too many millions of innocent victims. Mr. Williams knows this well, but still he wants us to take sides. He should read Peter Berger's Pyramids of Sacrifice. Neither the far "right" nor the far "left" has ever done anyone any favors. Left unbridled there is nothing that keeps them from wrapping around and meeting on the other side in Hades. The question today for all God's people is whether we are going to help make the 21st century even bloodier than the 20th century. The drums of war that are now beating, if answered, will make the killing fields of Europe and Asia look like beds of roses. What do we want our sons and daughters to say of us? Parker's speech about the means justifying the ends applies to him as well. Does his own ends justify his means, or does the corruptness of his methods pollute the sanctity of his goals? When Jesus looked upon his people and saw a similar state of affairs he wept. "If you had known in this day, even you, the things which make for peace!" What is to keep our fate from being the same as theirs? I think God's word for us today is best found in Robert Alter's excellent translation of Genesis. God said to Abel's brother Cain, regarding their religious dispute:
Ritchie Jones Los Angeles, Calif. No peace, unity or purity as long as purity is not defined February 23, 2006 There will never be peace, unity and purity in the Presbyterian Church (USA) as long as "purity" is not defined! Scripture has no trouble defining sexual sins as impure, and this indeed does include homosexuality. But, Scripture revisionists, and the natural-minded people who are interpreting Scripture, rather than discerning it by the Holy Spirit, will never get this. These same people state that the "waters of baptism seal us." Where does it say that in Scripture? I read where Scripture says we are sealed by the Holy Spirit! They say that our identity is in "sharing the bread and the cup." Where does it say that in Scripture? I thought it said our identity is no longer outward signs, but by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit and our new nature. They say our faith is strengthened by "discernment and service?" I thought Scripture taught that our faith is strengthened by the hearing of the Word, and the preaching of the Word ( which involves discerning the Scriptures by the indwelling Holy Spirit). They say "we confess faith in the one holy, catholic and apostolic Church." I thought we confessed our faith in Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord ... and this made us a part of the true church since Jesus founded it on the rock that he is the Son of the living and true God. They say "we proclaim the gospel (their little "g") by our commitment to peace and reconciliation." I thought we proclaimed the Gospel by going into all the world and preaching it, and teaching all people to obey the things that Jesus taught his disciples, not by getting involved in politics, and collaborating with terrorist organization and regimes, or revising Scripture, teaching that the Old Testament is no longer relevant to our lives today, and that it was written by men who despised women, and were merely carrying out their paternalistic dogmas. Jesus certainly disagreed with them! He quoted them and he was totally flabbergasted that the people did not know who he was, since they should have known the Scriptures, the writings of Moses, the Psalms and the prophets! They say "we confess the faith of the Reformed and Presbyterian tradition." I thought we confessed our faith in Jesus Christ and the truth of his Word ... not a man made organization that is ever changing!" In an open letter to the presbyteries, the leadership of the General Assembly wrote "Agreeing and Disagreeing in Love," quoting Ephesians 4:3, "Making every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace" (they only quote Scripture when it is expedient for them in their arguments with those who disagree with their nonscriptural arguments otherwise!) And this is where they stumble! In thought – accept conflict, affirm hope and commit to prayer; in action – go to the other. In a spirit of humility. Be quick to listen. Be slow to judge. Be willing to negotiate. (did I miss this latter one in the Bible?). They mean those who disagree that homosexuality is a sin, should be slow to judge, but they do not intend to be "quick to listen" to the Scriptural admonitions we would speak to them. They also have come short of the "in a spirit of humility" plea. Have they not heard the very proud rhetoric of the left, as they berate those who quote God's Word concerning homosexuality and the Bible being God's infallible Word, by which we must live our lives today? Indeed, those who hold Scripture in high regard and preach and teach it are "fallen prey" (as Scripture says) to those who contend only for their own way, not God's, in this issue. Be steadfast in love. Be open to mediation. Trust the community. This last one, "Trust the community" is absolutely laughable! They quote Acts 15, but I am sure they skipped over verse 20. As far as trusting the community, how can we? The judiciary of PCUSA strips their beloved brethren of their church properties, but does not bother to scold those who are outright out of order with our constitution, both polity and confession. Glenda L. Smith, elder Reems Creek Beech Presbyterian Church Weaverville, N.C. When church leaders deify sinful behavior, it's time to leave February 21, 2006 It appears that the Peace, Unity and Purity Report will be passed by the General Assembly. Members of the PUP Task Force were not content to let the report stand alone. They have been on a crusade among presbyteries to give their report a hard sell in order to put down wide spread criticism. Further, no staff person or agency in Louisville, nor any of the 12 Presbyterian seminary presidents, has taken a stand against the PUP report, which speaks volumes about the future direction of the PCUSA. If this denomination is more concerned with the development of its own organization than it is with obedience to the will of God, then it has forfeited its reason to exist. Choose this day whom ye will serve. If the PUP report passes, my church will consider plans to send a representative to the next Wineskins conference to explore options. For years our faith in this denomination has been shattered by so many actions, reports and programs that deny the authority of Scripture and make it difficult to retain followers of Jesus Christ. Instead of building up the body of Christ, membership declines by 40,000 a year, which is an insult to the Trinity. When the PCUSA places its trust in human beings rather than in the Lord God Almighty, it is on the road to ruin. When church leaders deify sinful behavior, it is time to separate ourselves from their company for we will be known by the company we keep. Jack Vanderbleek, elder Northeast Presbyterian Church St. Petersburg, Fla. Pray for Robinson's complete recovery from his alcohol addiction February 21, 2006 New Hampshire Bishop V. Gene Robinson, the first openly gay bishop in the Episcopal Church, is undergoing treatment for his "increasing dependence on alcohol," Robinson said in a letter to the 49 churches in his diocese. Robinson voluntarily checked himself into an undisclosed facility on Feb. 12 for a four-week stay. Let us hope and pray that he has a complete recovery from his alcohol addiction and any other acquired diseases. Wm. M. Reeves Birmingham, Ala. Less Jones, more Leaman please February 21, 2006 Enough already! I'm getting rather tired of the "Gospel According to Ritchie" which should be sub-titled "The Gospel of Arrogant Nonsence." More from the likes of Greg Leaman please. David Biglands Fort Wayne, Ind. Conservatives' opponents frequently use 'love' to justify anything they want February 21, 2006 Reading Ritchie Jones' letter of Feb. 20, one grows weary of the continual misuse of 2 Cor. 3:6 ("for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life"). Read in context, Paul is saying that the old covenant gave commands but not the ability to obey them, whereas in the new covenant, the Spirit gives us the ability to live as God would have us to. The same Paul that wrote the epistles to the Corinthians also wrote,
Also egregiously misused is the word "love." The conservatives' opponents frequently use "love" as justification for anything they want. I remember years ago as a teen-ager, a friend told me about a date he had the night before at the drive-in with his girlfriend. He was doing some things that boys with teenage hormones sometimes do with girlfriends when alone. "Why are you doing that?" she asked. "Uh, uh, because I love you," he replied. "Oh, okay, then, as long as it's love, you can do anything you want." (I suspect she wasn't exactly a rocket scientist; he dumped her shortly thereafter.) Of course, Christians are to exhibit love. But in the New Testament, the English word "love" appears as agape in Greek and is understood to mean a self-forgetting, self-sacrificing lifestyle that is to be fitted within the context of God's holiness – "Be holy, for I am holy"(1 Peter 1:16). How long will you be willing to be tied to a power structure that has repeatedly distorted and trampled the Word? Rev. Dr. Larry Brown African Bible College Lilongwe, Malawi Cardosa's theology is flawed from its inception February 21, 2006 Ah, how does the Reverend Cardosa plan to avoid condemnation under the Book of PETA? Perhaps the "fat portions of his flock" had liposuction. But then was Abel 1) practicing conducting medical procedures on animals without anesthesia ... and if he had used anesthetics did he not begin the reign of the drug companies? 2) offering God pure fat would run counter to the growing cholesterol problem in the West. Methinks her theology is flawed from its inception ... quite possibly from before the foundation of the world! Earl Tilford Grove City College The irony of the pro-homosexual movement February 21, 2006 I find it quite ironic that the very same people who believe each presbytery should decide on its own whether to ordain homosexuals also believe there is no issue an individual state should decide for itself. Quite sad. Tim Paul New Castle, Ind. Conservatives know that our own righteousness is but filthy rags February 21, 2006 Richie Jones, in his letter to the editor posted 2-20-06, shows his lack of knowledge. I pray that some more learned Holy Ghost-filled folk than I will challenge him in all his errors. This note addresses, in part, only his last two paragraphs. Today's conservatives demonstrate love and compassion for the deluded; prayerfully ministering to homosexuals as in One By One, nearly universal compassion for women whose lifestyles have resulted in unwanted pregnancies and a general softening of condemnation of those who preach "doctrines of devils" out of concern about personally demonizing individuals who are just honestly believing a lie. No! If today's conservatives are guilty of anything, it is of not calling smelly religious dung – the stinking mess that it is! Mr. Jones fails to mention the Gentile-freeing instruction from Jerusalem council. This conservative will give the benefit of doubt to Mr. Jones, that he is unaware of the decision. God knows if he deserves the pass or is he simply following the tactics of the liberals who have always hated Christ, and now have usurped places in the mainline churches reserved for the servants of the most high! Conservatives know that our own righteousness is but filthy rags, unable to keep us from God's judgment. We know that it is the forgiveness of sin, the throwing of those sins into the sea of forgetfulness, which God alone can do, that is our only plea for a place at the throne of grace. How arrogant of Mr. Jones to suppose that conservatives would throw stones at the poor woman taken in adultery or would have stoned Saint Steven. While God has forgotten our vile sins, we are continually aware of what we have done and know that the poor woman was where we were; she is our sister, forgiven and saved as we are by God's incredible grace. How dare Mr. Jones or anyone to presume to know otherwise! We know how it feels to be persecuted for the name of Christ. We know that liberals would do us great harm if they were allowed to do so by civil authorities. We see how liberal Presbyterian women ignored the conservative African American Presbyterian woman Secretary of State in their recent "woman of the year" awards. Her crime? She left the liberal "plantation." Talk about racism and hypocrisy! It would be fair and helpful if Mr. Jones clearly states what I Cor 12-14 has to tell us about the PUP report. The whole thing needs to be summarily rejected and those rebelling against the witness of the prophets and apostles required to either cease their rebellion against Christ or take their agenda to some other assembly "down the street" which has already officially turned away from God! James Logan McHenry, Md. Was it socialist or capitalist dollars that allowed WCC to meet? February 20, 2006 Has no one at the World Council of Churches noticed that socialism has failed in a very public way by the collapse of the Soviet Union and in other areas of the world? Question: Was it socialist or capitalist dollars that allowed the World Council of Churches to meet and deplore capitalism? I suspect we all know the answer. Walter B. Funk Charleston, W.Va. 'Only Abel's offering foreshadowed Jesus' death on the cross' February 20, 2006 "Professing to be wise, they became fools." Nancy Cardoso Pereita illustrates this saying so well. I'm nobody important, just a little preacher trying to be faithful to Jesus and my small congregation. My education is basic. My experience is localized. But I can read my Bible as well as the next person. Why did God reject Cain's offering and accept Abel's? Though neither could have known it at the time, only Abel's offering foreshadowed Jesus' death on the cross. As John would say centuries later, "Behold the Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world." As Paul would say, "We preach Christ crucified, to Jews a stumbling block and to Gentiles foolishness, but to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God." Powell Sykes, pastor Westminster Presbyterian Church Burlington, N.C. How much of disaster funds is still in the hands of the PCUSA? February 20, 2006 The article about the fundraising corporation was interesting, but the whole idea begs another question ... how much of the 13 million in funds raised for hurricane relief has been disbursed to those in need? Was the idea of the corporation for "future" catastrophies only, or was it to somehow mange the funds that were donated this past year? If it was for donations for this past year's hurricane relief efforts, how much of that 13 million is still in the hands of the PCUSA? Just wondering. Jennifer Kirkbride Thankful WCC 'consultant' isn't Secretary of the Treasury February 20, 2006 Thank God that Athena Peralta is a "consultant" to the WCC and not secretary of the (US) Treasury or on the Federal Reserve Board. That said, the terrible thing is that imbeciles like Peralta usually get to practice their voodoo not on strong economies but on those of the seriously depressed nations and the "oppressed" peoples that these theo-libs are always "holding up." Noreen Mazelis Davis, Calif. 'Slightly tongue-in-cheek' in analogy between alcoholism and homosexuality February 20, 2006 I would like to thank Pete Simpson for his honest letter [posted Feb. 16, 2006] and his obvious trust in the Lord. I would also like to congratulate him on his sobriety and his understanding that he is recovered. And I want to thank Rev. Scott Jeffreys for his thoughtful response [posted Feb. 16, 2006]. I that hope he did not think that I blamed God for my drinking problem. I think they may have misunderstood my position so I will attempt some clarification. I also believe that "God doesn't make junk." However, there are people who are genetically predisposed to cancer, alcoholism, diabetes and a host of other diseases. I was being slightly tongue-in-cheek in my analogy between alcoholism and homosexuality (although there are some apt parallels). The argument that homosexual sex is acceptable to God because he "made them that way" would be no better than me saying that my drinking and drug use was acceptable to the Lord. There is a great deal more medical evidence linking alcoholism to genetics than there is for homosexuality. Leaving the medical argument aside, theologically I know that Jesus has redeemed me. He has not only removed any desire to drink or do drugs from my mind, he has miraculously physically restored me to complete health. Ten years ago I did not just have a little drinking problem, but I was an alcoholic drug addict who lived under a bridge and used hundreds of dollars with of heroin and cocaine every day, while drinking huge amounts of alcohol. I overdosed twice and was once declared dead. I was completely morally bankrupt, and my body and mind were wasting away. I had a spiritual experience akin to Paul on the road to Damascus, where God spoke to me of his unfailing love. I accepted Jesus Christ as my Savior and the Lord of my life and I have never been the same. By the power of the Holy Spirit I have been able to obtain a college degree, an excellent job and married a wonderful Christian lady. Space does not allow me to explain how my entire family has been powerfully impacted by my conversion. I am a new creation in Christ Jesus. I have a good friend who is a homosexual. He needs the love of God and of God's people just like I did back in those dark times. But the plain fact is that the only sexual relationship that God blesses is between a man and a woman in the bonds of matrimony. Anything else is sinful. Brian Ahier, elder Gateway Presbyterian Church The Dalles, Ore. PCUSA: Ready to sacrifice righteousness on the altar of blind devotion to justice February 20, 2006 What is to be said in light of the bold-faced promotion of VDAY by our Presbyterian Church (USA)? Can our national leadership frame no more faithful approach to the important issue of ending violence against women than crawling into bed with "Vagina Warriors?" Such a bedding brings no great surprise, for our leadership has little problem with acts of sexual immorality so long as they are consensual. For confirmation, look no further than the report of the Theological Task Force on Peace, Unity and Purity of the Church (TTF report) that recommends extending the privilege of making exceptions to our "fidelity and chastity" ordination standard to local sessions and presbyteries. The Bible ranks consensual homosexual practice, consensual adultery and consensual fornication outside of wedlock, right alongside incest, molestation and rape as abominations against God. Scripture declares that all sexual sin is a violent violation of the will of God for his people. For our denominational leaders – who, even within the TTF report, profess allegiance to the authoritative Word of God written – to champion the feminist vision of VDAY while also promoting the ordination of active homosexuals is gross hypocrisy. Our leadership glosses over this hypocrisy in the name of justice. Both this secular, sexually explicit campaign to stop violence against women and the drive to gain full acceptance, including the right to hold ordained office, for those who are committed to living out a homosexual lifestyle are labeled justice issues. In the interest of justice, we join the crusade to uphold the right of women and men to receive dignified, respectful and fair treatment in both the public sphere and the private sector. The rhetoric of justice remarks that regardless of their sexual orientation, all have the right to feel safe and to walk in the knowledge that should they fall victim to abuse our society will rise up to defend, comfort and protect them. The magniloquence of justice maintains that irrespective of their personal lifestyle, all have the right to expect our culture to take steps toward ensuring that they and others will be victimized no more; indeed, that every reasonable effort will be made to stop violence and end discrimination. Justice is a good cause. It rings so true. It appears so very godly. Yet, the-whole-truth-and-nothing-but-the-truth is this: justice alone is less than Christlike. The Lord Jesus was, is, and always will be just and righteous altogether. To satisfy the justice of God (whom he himself fully is) he committed the righteous act of self-sacrifice upon the cross. If justice by itself fulfilled God's purpose, we all still would be dead in our trespasses and sins (Ephesians 2:1-7). By focusing solely on the headlong rush to the exclusive embrace of justice our leaders have become blind to what righteousness requires. They turn a deaf ear to the prophetic Word calling out: "Seek the Lord, all you meek of the earth, who have upheld the Lord's justice. Seek righteousness, seek humility. It may be that you will be hidden in the day of the Lord's anger" (Zephanaiah 2:3). Justice alone does not satisfy God. Added to it must be such a humble hunger and total thirst for righteousness that no personal satisfaction can be found in anything short of sustained striving toward perfect obedience to the Word and will of the Lord (Matthew 5:6). This is the position forever ratified by Christ Jesus on Calvary (Romans 1:16-17, 3:21-26; 2 Peter 1:1). It is not the position of our national leadership. It is not the position of the TTF report. And, when said report is adopted by our General Assembly this June, it will not be the position of our denomination as a whole. We stand ready to sacrifice righteousness on the altar of blind devotion to justice. Should we follow through, we shall never be satisfied; nor shall we ever satisfy God. Any who long to be named children of God's kingdom are called to follow the very Son of God in exercising both justice and righteousness. We cannot embrace the one and forsake the other without also letting go of the hope that our heritage remains in Christ Jesus. Jim Henkel, NWI endorsing church pastor North Benton Presbyterian Church North Benton, Ohio Eastminster Presbytery Paul's faith was in God, not in his interpretation of Scriptures February 20, 2006 This is in reply to Greg Leaman's question [letter to the editor, posted Feb. 16, 2006] about Scriptures and to address his illustration of the crisis of faith that infiltrates today's conservative camps. His fundamental assumption is that his interpretation of Scriptures is correct. He cannot give an inch in that regard. His trust in God comes a distant second. If it turned out that his interpretation was proven wrong, his entire faith system would collapse. Therefore he must defend his interpretation at all cost, and regard as an enemy any belief system that has the potential for proving it wrong. In that respect, science could indeed be seen as a formidable foe. Therefore he must put up a formidable fight. I think his effort is a monumental waste of energy. Conservatives should model their approach on the Apostle Paul. Paul chose to only know one thing – Jesus Christ and him Crucified, "so that your faith would not rest on the wisdom of men, but on the power of God." Include in the term "wisdom" the word "interpretation." Paul's entire interpretation of Scriptures was up-ended along with his cleansing mission by one simple conversation with the risen Jesus. It is ironic that the Christian right wing adopts the methods of Saul before his conversion but not after. Fortunately for the rest of us however, Saul was able to revise his interpretation in light of new data. His faith was in God, not in his interpretation of Scriptures. He chose to subordinate his views on Scriptures to his relationship with Christ and to put his interpretation at the service of the Gospel. That is a radically different attitude towards the Gospel and Scriptures than the one Mr. Leaman is accustomed to. Checking his ego at the door, Paul went on to morph himself into "all things to all people." To Jews, he spoke as a Jew. To Greeks and Romans, he spoke as a Greek and Roman. If God could incarnate and come to us humans on our own terms, then Paul in imitation of Christ reasoned we should do the same. When he taught folks this new reality of Jesus Christ, he used their own language and beliefs to show them how they already pointed to Christ – a variation of "all roads lead to Rome." This is the opposite of the right wing's glass-half-empty strategy of always trying to show how others are terribly wrong and how their wayward paths lead away from Christ. When Paul walked into Athens, a the heart of a pagan culture that worshiped every kind of corrupt god and performed every kind of religious ritual imaginable, he congratulated them on their religiosity. He did not assault their beliefs in false gods. He proceeded to tell them about the God they made a temple to just in case they had forgotten one, and he let God transform their beliefs from the inside out. Conservatives would do well to take a page from Paul's playbook. Likewise, in the passage Greg quoted from I Cor 5, "For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead," Paul was using the pre-existing belief of his readers at the time to explain how it is possible that by the work of one man the entire human race could be saved. His focus was on Christ. Such an understanding, he was saying, should be no problem to someone who believes in original sin. It does not mean he endorsed the doctrine of original sin any more than he endorsed Greek religions. More than the glass being half full, he was saying the glass is overflowingly full - of God's grace! We see Paul's methods again when he spoke to Greeks raised on Plato's "Republic." Paul was not afraid to use Plato's own language and the paradox of civil war to introduce Jesus as the only one who could bring about the Greek ideal of Man in Romans 7 and 8. Rather than attacking their belief systems, he embraced them with the Gospel. That is how much he trusted the power of the Good News. That is how deep his faith in God was. To humanists, he would have been a humanist, to scientists he would have been a scientist, to fundamentalists, he would have been a fundamentalist, and to liberals he would have been a liberal. The only problem he had was with the bible thumping conservatives back in Jerusalem. They wanted him to be exclusively a Scripture abiding Jewish Christian in the narrowest sense. They thought he was not pure enough. While wishy-washy Peter agreed to subject himself to Jewish purification rites upon his return to Jerusalem, Paul refused. In his mind, only Jesus could purify the Church, and that was all the purification that was necessary. It is all about trusting God. Unfortunately I think today's right wingers would have stoned the woman caught in adultery because that is what the Scriptures said they should do. They would have done the same to Stephen and the same to Paul. Paul's answer to the Church however, to the questions of ordination, and to the debate on the peace, unity and purity (PUP) of the Church is found in I Cor 12-14. Ritchie Jones Los Angeles, Calif. Whom do we serve – God or Darwin? February 20, 2006 It was hardly surprising that Ritchie Jones [letter to the editor, posted Feb. 15, 2006] felt compelled to mock Dr. Siemon-Netto's accurate portrayal of Neo-Darwinists' religious fervor and intellectual bigotry. In his past letters, Jones has faithfully parroted the ACLU's misrepresentation of ID and marched in the "lockstep assault" that Dr. Siemon-Netto described. I don't know what religious beliefs – if any – Ritchie Jones might hold. But whatever they may be, his assertion that "'Darwinism' [has] no quarrel at all with God or the way he made the universe" reveals what they are not. The core belief of Darwinism is the utter certainty that all of life – its origin, its variety, and its complexity – is the product of purely mechanistic processes acting in an essentially random manner. There can be no concept more hostile to the Creator God attested to by Scripture. It really is a black and white decision. Whom do we serve – God or Darwin? Or, as Jay Kesler, former president of Taylor Univerity once put the question, do we accept or reject four most important words in the Bible? Those most important words are, "In the beginning, God." Steve Jones, elder Kokomo Ind. WCC's endless political posturing contradicts its stated purpose February 16, 2006 The most ludicrous aspect of the WCC's endless political posturing is the extent to which it contradicts the organization's stated purpose: "The World Council of Churches (WCC) is the broadest and most inclusive among the many organized expressions of the modern ecumenical movement, a movement whose goal is Christian unity." The goal of the WCC is political unity under the tattered and discredited banner of Stalinism. To these theological dilettantes and political wannabes, dividing the body of Christ along ideological lines is perfectly acceptable and probably desirable. This is one reason why our stated clerk and his socialist cronies within the PCUSA are so comfortable schmoozing with them. Steve Jones, elder Kokomo, Ind. I speak as a recovered alcoholic – our God is able February 16, 2006 I must respond to the letter from Brian Ahier [letter to the editor, posted Feb. 15, 2006]. I speak as a recovered, I repeat recovered not recovering, alcoholic. I drank to excess for 25-years. One day God, in his mercy, reached out to me. I grabbed his hand and hung on for dear life. I have been "dry" since 1970. If alcoholism is a "disease" it is the only "disease" you can buy over the counter. As far to being genetically determined, I can only respond with the statement I heard a preacher make: "God doesn't make junk." Man does that all by himself. I write this letter with tears in my eyes thinking of the hell from which our great and merciful God delivered me. Our God is able. Pete Simpson Bloomington, Minn. GAC's gift lies in maintaining, marinating and tweaking the ongoing operation February 16, 2006 Re: Report says Presbyterian racial-ethnic schools troubled, posted Feb. 14, 2006. Mr. Adams reports the sad state of affairs and the continuing legacy of the ineffectiveness of appointing committees of diversity that have connections with the bureaucracy to discuss how to prolong the deaths of dying institutions. Unfortunately, for many of these institutions the rule change came late in the game for them . Without endowments and high quality leadership, many of them suffered. But without a cohesive strategy for addressing the lives of young people who are often outside of the mainstream opportunities that the middle class and above share, there is little hope in transfusing yesterday's dreams by visionary leaders with today's ad hoc committee and few million bucks from GA. Bureaucracy, by its very nature, is in the business of maintaining. It is not by nature creative or entrepreneurial, nor are the people who feel most at home working in these sorts of structures. Ironically, our GA offices and structures have determined that they are the best and wisest agents of change and analysis for themselves and other institutions related to the PCUSA. Their gift lies in maintaining, marinating and tweaking the ongoing operation in a season of stability. We just don't happen to be in one. If the GA and its council and delegates to the meeting cannot figure that out the downhill slide should gain a lot more speed. Rev. Jim Conner Arcadia Presbyterian Church God is not responsible for our dispositions to sin February 16, 2006 I appreciate Brian Ahier's distinction [letter to the editor, posted Feb. 15, 2006] between temptation and how we handle it. He rightly points out that his sin is not the alcoholism itself, but the drinking. He parallels this to homosexuality and states that the sin is not the homosexuality, but the succumbing to homosexual intercourse, or lust. This comparison is accurate; however I would like to challenge him on one statement he made. He stated that there is growing evidence that alcoholism is genetic, and then he infers that homosexuality may be genetic, and then he claims that "God made him that way." Fortunately, as an alcoholic he doesn't use this as a rationalization to drink, but I do take exception to the idea that "God made him that way." Certainly God created him, as well as all of us, in his image, but we also must hold that in tension with the theological truth that we are all born into a sinful world, and that all of our bodies are flawed because of our sin and brokenness. God is not responsible for our brokenness, our flawed bodies, or our dispositions to sin. No, to the contrary, we are responsible for our brokenness, because it is we humans who have rebelled against God, and as a result we all suffer the just consequences for our human rebellion. ("Creation itself is groaning in labor pains," Rom. 8:22. "The wages of sin is death," Rom. 6:23. And all of Genesis 1-3) The reasons for alcoholism and homosexuality are often complex, and in most cases can never be attributed to solely one thing like genetics. But even if it were purely genetic, it would not matter, God would still not be responsible for it. We sinful humans are responsible for anything that is wrong with our genes; we've heaped the problem upon ourselves through our human rebellion. So, having said that, in the end the only thing that matters is that we pick up whatever crosses we have to bear and we repent, and seek to live into a life of sanctification, by the power of the Holy Spirit, in gratitude for all the Jesus Christ has done for us! Rev. Scott Jeffreys First Presbyterian Church Guntersville, Ala. Have they already heard? February 16, 2006 Is it possible that an estimated 150,000 persons in 2005 and 2006 have already heard the call from heaven to "Come out of her ... and not receive any of her plagues. ..."? (Rev. 18:4) Jim Logan McHenry, Md. G-6.0106b is about responding to erotic behavior which is not condoned by God February 16, 2006 What Christopher William Purdom fails to understand is that G-6.0106b isn't about love, it's about genital stimulation. I love a good many men and just as many women, but that has nothing whatsoever to do with whether or not I desire to have sex with any of them. Indeed, it is in part because I love all of them that I have no desire to have sex with any of them except my wife; unfortunately, the increasing sexualization of our society, and the increasing eroticization of interpersonal relationships (and in particular, the increasing homoeroticization of male-male friendship), makes it harder to express that love sufficiently and appropriately than it used to be. (Anthony Esolen addressed this eloquently at length in his cover article in September's Touchstone – an article which, unfortunately, is not available on line – in which he dubbed friendship "The love that can no longer speak its name"). G-6.0106b isn't about suppressing love, it's about responding to erotic behavior which is not condoned by God, and Mr. Purdom's confusion (which is shared by many, often willfully) is not helpful. Rob Harrison, pastor Trinity Church in the Pines Grand Lake, Colo. Perfect science is under the control of the supreme scientist, God February 16, 2006 "Science and 'Darwinism' have no quarrel at all with God or the way he made the universe. It is only the religious right that fancies them so. It is far from badmouthing to note that this kind of rhetoric is typical of right-wing propaganda." Ritchie Jones (Feb. 15) I agree science has no quarrel with God. God perfectly created the universe of scientific deduction. However, Mr. Jones must explore these following two Scriptures and help me (an admitted "religious righty") understand how Darwinism can be compatible with the Word of God – as written and as lived out in Jesus Christ. I Corinthians 5:21,22; For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. Romans 5:15; But the free gift is not like the trespass. For if many died through one man's trespass, much more have the grace of God and the free gift by the grace of that one man Jesus Christ abounded for many. Darwinism demands there must not be a literal first created-from-the-dust-of-the-ground human. A close-enough hominid (or two – one each gender) must be the way God chose to place humans here on earth. Therefore, Darwinism cannot not have a quarrel with God. And, if God were to agree with Darwin, God would be in direct opposition to himself in the form of his Son on earth. Matthew 19:4; [Christ] answered, "Have you not read that he who created them from the beginning made them male and female." And God will not disagree with himself. If needed, could not the author of the universe have simply stated "... who made them over eons upon eons and tens of thousands upon tens of thousands of years ..." – a phrase formation completely familiar to the first century Pharisaical ear. But, to make any of these verses display a Darwinism which does not quarrel with God requires pseudo-theological gymnastics which began even before Darwin began his work of extensive plagiarism entitled, On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection, or the Preservation of Favored Races in the Struggle for Life. I find it interesting, by the way, how the latter part of the book's title is usually omitted. Darwin's intent does not allow the two parts of the title to be separated. Perfect science – both historical and testable – is under the control of the supreme scientist, God himself. Darwinianism is completely out of control. Think, fellow believers, and find God's simple truth – his Word is absolutely true in all it says and on all things upon which it touches. Otherwise, your guess is as good as ... God's. And, humbly speaking for humanity, that's never going to be. Greg Leaman Sheboygan County, Wisc. A morally bankrupt solution to raising money for disaster relief February 15, 2006 Why was I not surprised by your news article of February 13th, "Proposed Presbyterian relief corporation delayed by council?" A corrupt politician could not have come up with a more morally bankrupt, or spiritually barren solution to the supposed money raising problem of the PCUSA Disaster Assistance Fund. It seems the PCUSA Disaster Assistance Fund didn't get as much press coverage as the Red Cross, and only raised $13.5 million for Katrina victims. According to the convoluted wisdom of a General Assembly Council subcommittee, the Worldwide Ministries Division, we could have raised more money and gotten more press if it weren't for our nagging relationship with Christ. Their solution is to form a corporation, separate from PCUSA, to solicit funds for disaster relief from those who will not give to a religious organization. As an example they cite companies that match donations to the Red Cross, but won't match donations to church-related relief funds. So their solution is to form a separate corporation to get those matching funds, but the separate corporation is really PCUSA (ha ha). There is no doubt PCUSA would get more press coverage, just look how much press Jim and Tammy Faye Baker got with their diversion schemes. In a secular sense, this is called fraud. In a spiritual sense, it is denying Christ. I am thankful a few members of the GAC were able to overcome the pressure for fast-track action by the General Assembly moderator and postpone this matter for further consideration. Hopefully, with time to consider this action, the GAC will kill this repulsive idea. Jim Brown Mountain View Presbyterian Church Las Vegas, Nev. It is not the temptation, but what we do with it that marks us February 15, 2006 It is interesting that the Episcopal Church's first openly gay bishop, V. Gene Robinson, has started treatment for alcoholism. I see many parallels between alcoholism and homosexuality. I am an alcoholic and there is growing medical evidence that I was born that way. I have a genetic predisposition towards alcoholism. This is the way God made me. I can't help it, it is the way that I was made. My desires are just different than most other people. For years, I saw nothing wrong with drinking to excess. But then Christ changed me. You see it is not the desire for intoxication that is sinful, it is acting on that desire. Gay persons have a difficult cross to bear. They may even be born with a predisposition towards homosexuality. I cannot imagine the terrible temptations they face. But it is not the temptation, but what we do with it that marks us. I pray that Mr. Robinson will find help for his drinking problem. I also pray that he will come to understand that God does not approve of two men having sexual relations. Brian Ahier, elder Gateway Presbyterian Church The Dalles, Ore. Theuner wants to help PCUSA steer the whole train off the tracks February 15, 2006 Theuner's rebuke of divisiveness and call to unity is worse than mere hypocrisy, it is heresy. The only "scandal" is wayward church leaders who have lost their bearings to the point that they actually expect Christians to abandon Biblical orthodoxy in order to join the Gay Heresy Parade. His complicity in the attempt to steer the ECUSA out of the body of Christ is clear from his sanctimonious praise of Robinson. Now he wants to make sure that Presbyterians are sure to steer the whole train off the tracks, accusing those who attempt to stay with the rest of Christianity of being "schismatic" and/or "divisive." This kind of talk even makes hypocrites look bad. Few will fail to reminded of the warnings against false teachers, as in 2 Peter 2:1-2:
Noel K. Anderson, executive pastor First Presbyterian Church of Bakersfield Clergy Commissioner, 217th GA Presbytery of San Joaquin |
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