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| June
2006 letters Archives of letters to the editor  |
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one organization has 'the answer' to the intolerable situation that we
face June 30, 2006 This letter is addressed to the sessions, individuals and leaders of the renewal groups in our denomination who signed the Statement of Presbyterian Renewal Ministries on the Peace, Unity, and Purity Report, to the sessions of the Confessing Church Movement, the leaders of the New Wineskins Movement and to the leaders of Constitutional Presbyterians. Dear Friends, I am an elder, a clerk of session and a member of the board of PRMI. But today, I write to you as simply one member of a local church in the PCUSA who sits in the trenches (the pews) and struggles to interpret what has happened in our denomination to the wonderful people who sit in those pews with me. As I have read the post GA responses to the approval of the Authoritative Interpretation, I am discerning a shift in the unity that was struck in the report that you all signed when you came together in Chicago. It now seems that everyone has "the answer" and that individual meetings of many organizations have been scheduled to seek a way forward. I would like to remind you that these are turbulent times; times that are no less turbulent than in 1774 when the first Continental Congress was assembled to address the "Intolerable Acts" that had been foisted upon the colonies by and English King and Parliament. We face just such a time today. I appeal to you all to find that way together in the unity of Jesus Christ. No one organization or person has "the answer" to the intolerable situation that we face. Our denomination has abandoned us to secular humanism in the name of popular culture and it has put both feet on the slippery slope to destruction. The ironic thing is that it has no idea of the destruction it has wrought. So I urge you all to begin thinking in terms of what all of us can do together. Will someone step forward not in the name of their own organization, but in the name of our Savior, Jesus Christ and call us to confession, repentance, unity and prayer? Can we together, in the humility of Christ, lay down the alphabet soup of the names of our organizations and bring together trusted leaders who can speak for the faithful remnant and who can begin to chart a course for the future? I for one would welcome that. Together we represent a rich heritage of Presbyterian polity, reformed theology and confessional thought. Together we can go forward. As individuals we will die on the vine. Benjamin Franklin, addressing the Continental Congress, is reputed to have said. "Gentlemen we must all hang together, or surely the King will hang each of us individually." But I like much more what our brother Paul said in Romans 15:5-7 and v.13 "May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Accept one another, then, just a Christ accepted you ….. May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." Thank you all for listening. Elder Michael J. Schrowang Londonderry Presbyterian Church Londonderry, N.H. Rhee must visit Korean churches to see what PUP report's approval has done June 30, 2006 I agree with Rev. Joon W. Lee of Korean Presbyterian Church of Columbus, Ohio. Rev. Syngman Rhee is considered by most Korean Presbyterians to be a part of the "establishment" of the PCUSA and is viewed very skeptically by most. So as soon as he went public with his support of the PUP report, immediately most Korean Presbyterians were skeptical. He does not represent Korean Presbyterians. I was an observer at the General Assembly in Alabama and was ashamed and embarrassed at how Rev. Rhee called out Rev. Sizer from Los Ranchos Presbytery in his comments during the debate over recommendation #5 of the PUP report. If Rev. Rhee would like proof of the truth of Rev. Siver's comments that many Korean Americans are ready to leave the PCUSA, he need only visit the many Korean churches he falsely claims to represent and see for himself what the passage of the PUP report has done. The passage of recommendation #5 has not created unity in the body of Christ, but rather disarray, mistrust and chaos. Rev. Sung W. Chang Fresno, Calif. The witch hunt begins June 30, 2006 The witch hunt for those seeking to be faithful to the Scriptures begins. Andrew McCaskill Aiken, S.C. Question for Constitutional Presbyterians: 'Why should we bother?' June 30, 2006 It is too late for the Constitutional Presbyterians to ask sessions to adopt its Theological Declaration. A constitution, or any contract, is only as good as the character of those who are a party to it – and this contract has been broken by clever rogues who once promised to enforce it. Inasmuch, the Constitutional Presbyterians have failed to address one very important question, "Why should we bother?" Jack O'Brien Pittsburgh, Pa. Don't blame the messenger June 30, 2006 I have to respectfully disagree with Rev. Norm Story's letter on June 29. Don't blame the messenger. The Layman isn't the source of the bad news, nor the rancor. Niether should it be held responsible for the mass exodus of church members. The Layman only reports the stench coming from our church hierarchy today. It doesn't inform us on how bad the smell is, or what to do about it. The general membership is perfectly capable of making those determinations and decisions on their own, thank-you! David Hankins Memorial Presbyterian Church Layman has provided many positive suggestions June 30, 2006 To those who complain The Layman only reports bad news and offers no positive suggestions. Rev. Norm Story [June 29 letter] was one who wrote: "I urge your editors to offer positive suggestions and not just rancor." Let me say this to those who complain the Layman offers no positive suggestions: 1. The Layman supported the Confessing Church Movement. Did your church join? 2. The Layman gave advice on how to be good stewards regarding per capita. Is your church still sending money to pay the salaries of denominational staff who take actions that you later complain about? 3. The Layman has given advice on church property rights. Has your church investigated what it will take to leave should that be necessary? 4. The Layman supported a petition by the CCM in support of the Federal Marriage Amendment. Did you sign the petition? 5. The Layman supported a petition to rescind the Israel Divestment Resolution. Did you sign the petition? 6. The Layman has supported the New Wineskins Initiative. Has your church joined? 7. The Layman has supported the Constitutional Presbyterians. Has your church joined? 8. The Layman was a signer of the Presbyterian Coalition Statement in opposition to PUP. Did you or your church sign the Coalition statement? I could go on, but, suffice it to say, it seems easier for people to complain than to take action. Of the eight positive actions by the Layman listed above, the amount of time required for Presbyterians to take action is minimal. Please, folks, let's stop complaining about someone else not taking action and instead start taking action yourself. Larry Rued What it's like being in the EPC June 30, 2006 I vowed to stop writing in for the purpose of telling people what they should do. However, people are writing me and asking me what it's like to be in the EPC. Here's my perspective: Although I was ordained in the Central South Presbytery of the EPC nearly 16 years ago, due to being an overseas missionary, my actual experience with the EPC is limited. I can tell you that appearing before a PCA local church missions committee for the purpose of raising support is a very different experience from appearing before an EPC missions committee. You know from the get-go what the PCA committee wants to hear. They want to hear that you put Reformed pickles on your Reformed hamburger, and as long as every third or fourth word is "Reformed," you're okay. In the case of an EPC church it's different. They can be anywhere on the Evangelical map, so it's impossible to know what buzz-words they want to hear. One time Sandy Willson, the senior pastor of my home church, wrote letters to several EPC churches on our behalf to help us get support. We were home on furlough at the time. One day the phone rang and it was this lady who was missions chairman of an EPC megachurch in Houston. She just gushed over the phone, "Oh! We just got Sandy's letter! Oh! You just sound so wonderful! You've got a doctorate and you've been on the mission field so long! Oh! We're just so interested in you!" My wife was at the other end of the table playing telephone go-between and feeding me lines: "Reformed! Tell her we're Reformed!" So I said, "Uh, we're Reformed." There was silence on the other end of the line for several seconds. Finally the lady came back on and said, "Well I'm a graduate of Dallas Theological Seminary and I don't hold to no Reformed theology." We never got a dime from that Houston church. From that time on, whenever my wife and I had a disagreement, I would say to her, "Reformed. Tell her we're Reformed." On the other hand, so many of the candidates that appear before my presbytery are graduates of Reformed Theological Seminary. One candidate told us he was surprised when he learned that the church that had called him was EPC instead of PCA. We laughed, and then received him. The manager of the bookshop of my home church insists that any book he carries meets his standards for being Reformed. No Prayer of Jabez or Left Behind for him. It should also be noted that the EPC is unique among the conservative Presbyterian denominations in that it provides for women elders. For this reason, it has been excluded from the National Association of Presbyterian and Reformed Churches (NAPARC). I would think that it would be awkward to decommission women elders in order to join the PCA or OPC. In conclusion, I would say that if you insist on being more Calvinistic than Calvin, you should probably go PCA. If you are looking for a more relaxed version, then maybe you should consider the EPC. Rev. Dr. Larry Brown African Bible College False accusations against PCA June 30, 2006 I must respond to Martin Thompson's recent letter [June 28] to The Layman Online, which makes false accusations against our brothers and sisters in the PCA. Mr. Thompson makes the unfounded assertion that the PCA has no world-class scholars! His statement must be the assertion of someone who does not read much. Has he heard of the late James Montgomery Boice, Philip Graham Ryken, Lignon Duncan or John Frame? Has he heard of the late John Gerstner or his student R.C. Sproul? If Mr. Martin has not, then where has he been these last 30 years? These men that I just mentioned, living and departed, are not only world-class scholars, they are men of God and passionate writers of scholarly works that glorify Christ on every page. Mr. Thompson also accuses the PCA of being unfair to Bishop N.T. Wright. Is it unfair to criticize fellow Christians who make false assertions that endanger the Gospel? Bishop Wright has begun a movement that is questioning the basis of our faith: that Christ saves us through grace alone. Wright would bring our works into the equation of salvation. I think that issue of sola gratia, sola fide is important enough to say some hard words of correction to a brother in the Lord! And finally, Mr. Thompson accuses the PCA of being a group of Pharisees. What utter nonsense! They care about getting their theology right and they are uncompromising on seeking a full unity in the Truth. If they had no heart for God and they were without love, then the accusation of Pharisaical behavior might stand. But, the PCA men and women that I know are far from the Pharisees. They stand for the Reformed faith in a time of crisis and they will not be moved. Yes, that makes them plenty of enemies. I thank God for denominations that stand firm for Christ in a fallen world. For a PCUSA person spend precious words accusing the PCA of being unfaithful strikes me as utterly wasteful of our time and unhelpful to our cause of reform in the PCUSA. Mr. Thompson should spend less time looking for the specks in PCA eyes and more time seeing the lumber yards in our PCUSA eye! Toby L. Brown, pastor First Presbyterian Church Cuero, Texas When it comes to oppression, it boils down to my own self-inventory June 30, 2006 Jack Harrison in his letter [posted June 28, 2006] remarked about the GA actions regarding PUP: "Let me tell you at The Layman, as well as my gay friends remaining in the PCUSA, that the church has not done gay people any favors by this action." That is quite true. However he is in error in my opinion about the integrity of those who choose to remain in the system and change it from within rather than leave it. This is not unlike the Civil Rights movement in the United States in the 1960s. African Americans chose to take a stand within the oppressive political forces rather than leave. And believe me I'm sure there were those in the U.S. that would gladly have arranged for African Americans and their supporters to leave the U.S. most conveniently if they were willing to do so. But thankfully no one left and we as a society are better for that even though in the area of race there is still more progress to be made. One can take a purist point of view where there is simply no semblance of what may appear to be compromise and everything is simply black and white. On the other hand there is the more gray area where one has to simply take a leap of faith and think some good will come out of the mess. Persons in favor of justice did this in the U.S. and the church is no different and in particular the PCUSA. When it comes to oppression I've found in my own case it really boils down to my own self-inventory and relationship with God. Not what another person or group of persons decide. Am I oppressed today in the PCUSA? Not today. I might feel otherwise at other times. But it is my freedom to recognize where I am at a certain point in time. And I feel it is important to extend that freedom to where others may be. That is what it really means to be truly free and not oppressed I think. And that is the gift of God I do appreciate. Just being myself where I am on my own journey of faith and being OK with that. Earl C. Apel, member Mount Auburn Presbyterian Church Cincinnati, Ohio The PCUSA in many respects has sunk lower than Rome June 30, 2006 Bill McSpadden, III wrote [letter to the editor, posted June 28, 2006]: "You liberals glory in saying that we are Reformed and always reforming, but the trouble is that you have Reformed the church back into the corruption that the great reformers originally Reformed away from." Rome may have denied the gospel by denying justification by faith alone, but they have never approved the ordination of homosexuals nor have they tried renaming the Trinity. The PCUSA in many respects has sunk lower than Rome. Geoff Robinson Haddon Heights, N.J. Trinity report: 'Where do these people get these outlandish notions?' June 30, 2006 Why do we waste time and money on such ridiculous notions? The Bible is clear about what God "wants to be called." Jesus is clear on what term we use in addressing God in prayer. Where do these people get these outlandish notions? Belinda Dickinson Cartoon about the Trinity is neither accurate or amusing June 30, 2006 I would like to see the cartoon about the Trinity taken off your Web site, it is neither accurate or amusing. While I, too, did not want to see the Trinity paper be accepted in any form, it does name the Trinity as Father, Son and Holy Spirit. The other triads are descriptive and terms that may be used in worship or meditation. The slap at the Episcopal Church in the midst of their struggles is also not worthy of The Layman. I am a long time staunch supporter of The Layman, but could not let this go by without comment. Mary Van Driest Questioning the terms June 30, 2006 It would seem that the trustees of presbytery proposed – and the presbytery rejected, by means of a substitute motion. The commissioners are presbytery. Is this correct? John McCrea Winter Park, Fla. Constitutional Presbyterians have fertile ground to sew seeds of unity June 30, 2006 The passage of the PUP report, especially Item 5, (for legalists) will require numerous amendments to the PCUSA's constitution. Its no wonder the stated clerk called for a FOG commission to consider simplification of the constitution. Any half-wit will now realize the potential opportunity for mischief particularly when the church is split 57 percent to 43 percent. When a decision is decided that closely, it is almost a foregone conclusion that it is an irreversible split. Thus, it is fertile ground for the Constitutional Presbyterians to sew their seeds of constitutional unity for the rest of the church. Dawson Watkins Most Korean churches would not approve ordination of active homosexuals June 29, 2006 This is so typical of a career politician who so shamefully flaunts his status to spin the truth. Most Korean churches are conservative and they would not approve ordination of active homosexuals. Period. The reasons why some hesitate are because of the property issue and pension. With especially the latter gone, you'll see so many doing a disappearing act. I am truly sorry to hear that the GA approved PUP's majority report and allowed this travesty through the backdoor. Believers need to stand up and call things for what they are: homosexuality is sin no matter how one cuts it. We've studied this issue to death, and now it's time to act. So, what next? Rev. Peter B. Min Criticize the PCA based on facts, not caricatures June 29, 2006 To the person who wrote the letter entitled, "What's worse: constant battling with liberals or Pharisees?" It seems to me that you have adopted a caricature of the PCA that many in the PCUSA have kicked around for years. I was once in the PCUSA and am now in the PCA. I've attended several PCA General Assemblies and have a good overview of what the denomination is like. There is very little, if any, Phariseeism in the PCA. Furthermore, the days are long gone when the PCA spent an inordinate amount of time debating esoteric issues. The PCA is far from perfect, and it is certainly open to criticism. I would suggest, however, that you criticize the PCA based on facts, not caricatures. M. Swain Niceville, Fla. Not surprised when GA makes unfaithful-to-Scripture decisions June 29, 2006 I am a pastor at a mid-sized congregation that is mostly moderate to conservative. I was shocked that Dr. Achtemier went along with the PUP report and disappointed that it passed GA. However, I have been a pastor long enough not that I am not surprised when GA makes ministry-damaging, unfaithful-to-Scripture decisions and resolutions. I am writing with a concern. When Layman articles fire up moderate and conservative church members without a positive recourse, they give up and leave. I urge your editors to offer positive suggestions and not just rancor, for when faithful members leave, it makes it that much more difficult to have the votes necessary to hold the line. I am asking that you temper your language with hope so that those who are committed to Christ alone and orthodox Presbyterian standards will not surrender their church to those who bow before the false gods of culture. Last year when The Layman came out, several of my faithful members were upset by the rhetoric and left the Presbyterian church. I don't want to see all the conservative members leave and allow the liberals to win by default. Rev. Norm Story First Pres., Las Cruces, N.M. World watched as PCUSA streamed its perfidy across the internet June 29, 2006 We are a people who understand the concept of "covenant". From Scripture, we know of the covenants between our Father and us, first with Israel and then with all believers through the covenantal sacrifice of Jesus Christ. It is no accident that marriage is recognized as a covenantal relationship. Christ refers to himself as the Bridegroom and his church as his bride. All of us who are married understand the essential promise of mutual faithfulness that is at the core of the covenant of marriage. A constitution is also a covenantal relationship. It defines the mutual understanding between the parties to it. It is what "marries" us, one to another, as members of the PCUSA. In the recent goings-on in Birmingham, and in the run-up to the GA, much was made of the "connectional" nature of the PCUSA. We were told that anything that would damage or destroy the connectional covenants between us as members of the denomination was to be avoided. Thus, revising the unilaterally imposed, extortionate, coercive property arrangement in our Book of Order – our constitution – was dangerous to the relationship and off the table. An attempt to turn our voluntary tithe of per capita into a mandatory tax was rejected. (Stay tuned, folks. That one is sure to be back.) Even most of the die-hards who despise the ordination standards set out in G-6.0106(b) were keen enough to know that a fourth (fore-doomed) attempt to remove the standard would be too much. But it was clear that our denominational "marriage" was in trouble. This GA went looking for a Victorian solution. Victorian? Absolutely. Any student of that time in history knows that one mark of Victorian society (at least for the elites) was a two-tiered view of the covenantal marriage vows. Marriage for the sake of class convenience or economic purposes were arranged. Infidelity was winked at so long as the offending spouse did so with tact and decorum and the betrayed spouse was spared public humiliation. That was the key: appearance. So, in Birmingham, denominational support for the nearly universally abhorred practice of partial birth abortion was rescinded. But support for abortion on demand and payments by the PCUSA to support abortion on demand were kept in place. G-6.0106(b) was retained in the Book of Order. But Recommendation 5 was passed. All for the sake of appearance. In Birmingham, those who cannot abide the strictures of their vows of fidelity to our constitution sought a Victorian solution. In essence, they said to us, "We'll keep up appearances. We'll re-affirm our constitution publicly by retaining the ordination standard. But understand this: We intend to ignore its substance at will. So, you just keep quiet and look the other way every time we do." And Recommendation 5 was adopted. The whole world watched as we streamed our perfidy across the internet. One party to our covenant walked into our collective living room which was filled with cameras and told the other party, "Our vows be damned! We intend to do whatever we want with respect to our mutual agreement. We'll ordain anyone we want. You just stand in the corner and be quiet. Don't worry. we'll come back to you when we need your money or your land." Divorce is an awful thing. Christ rejected it as un-Godly, Matt. 19:4-6, but with one caveat. "I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for marital unfaithfulness, and marries another woman commits adultery." Id. at 9. Any of us who have suffered through the agony of a marriage destroyed by an unfaithful and unrepentant spouse knows that while divorce is excruciatingly painful, it is also necessary to our own survival. By its adoption of Recommendation 5, the PCUSA ratifies the previous infidelity of those churches and presbyteries that have openly and notoriously rejected our ordination standards and condones future violations. Our mutual covenant to abide by our Book of Order has been unilaterally severed. But that rejection has been dressed up in a frilly Victorian "peace, unity and purity" frock for appearances' sake. And what are those of us who have remained faithful to our covenant to do? Some say that we are to turn the other cheek for the umpteenth time, ignore the other side's infidelity, and pray for their repentance. And there is, indeed, a need for martyrs in troubled times – a need for those who willingly accept pain and suffering as an example of what it means to stand for what is right. But Jesus knows that the sin of marital unfaithfulness is so devastating, so harmful to the very being of the betrayed spouse, that it is the one occurrence that makes it permissable for those whom God has joined together to part and go their separate ways. He knows that infidelity strikes so deeply at the heart of a covenant that it kills the mutual trust that is its core. Professor Gagnon said it just right: "I don't know if we can ever trust you again." Where do we go from here? What are we to do, those of us who wish to maintain all that is good about the Presbyterian form of governance, but who can no longer live with those who we can no longer trust? Now is the time to draw a line in the sand. We either stand for Scripture and the Word, or we stand for impure appeasement in the name of peace and unity and for the world. Now is the time to end the failed marriage that is the PCUSA. I pray that we can do so with some vestige of mutual dignity, in the spirit of what joined us together in the first instance and of whatever residual respect and good will still exists. It will necessarily be painful for both sides. But with the end-run around our Book of Order and the resultant destruction of mutual trust that joined us, go we must! Indeed, go we must. We are American Presbyterians. As Americans, we understand that when a tyranny usurps and destroys our God-given rights, taking solely to an elite few what was once ours collectively, it often becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bonds that have connected them with another. Now is the time to draw that line. And as we do so, the words of Captain John Parker should echo from a brisk April morning on Lexington green, across the centuries, to our ears. " Stand your ground. Do not fire unless fired upon. But if they mean to have a war, let it begin here!" Now is the time. Michael R. McCarty, elder Forks of the Brandywine Presbyterian Church A Confessing Church A New Wineskins Initiative-endorsing Church Three-legged stool is now a pogo stick June 29, 2006 RE: Rev. Sherman Wilson's query: [letter to the editor, posted June 28, 2006] "What happened to the three-legged stool concept of shared decision-making..." The Three-legged stool is now a pogo stick. Rebecca McElroy, elder Big Creek Church Hannibal, Mo. We have to summon the faith and courage to start the journey June 29, 2006 The dust has settled in Birmingham and the PUP report passed. Perhaps more frightening was the report on the Trinity. Defeated to be sure, but it received many votes, and what a muddle of theology. Our leaders seek to redefine God in an image more suited to their secular agenda and eventually they will succeed. A monster has arisen in Louisville. Those who are prone to sit in their comfortable offices and wait on God to act can find an excuse to do so. Many will find a way to "work within the system." In Matthew, Jesus warns that those who love mother, father, son, and daughter more than God are not worthy. Might not denominational loyalty fall into that mix? R.C. Sproul, in his series on the Holy Spirit, warns that the Christian life demands passion and it demands action. We are called to penetrate an alien culture and the greatest threat to carrying out the Great Commission is the cowardice of the church. We are paralyzed by fear. Yet, we are in good company. Even Jesus asked that God might find an easier way to carry forth his plan. But, in the end, he overcame fear and did God's bidding. Have we become so numbed by 100 years of modern theology that we expect God's plan to always be easy? Has passivity become the new virtue? Joshua did not sit comfortably in his tent sipping hot tea while the Lord conquered Jericho. He marched against giants in the land. And Moses did not wait until a fleet of air-conditioned buses arrived. God is with us. He will do the improbable and open a path through the sea. He will do most of the work. But we have to summon the faith and the courage to pack up our belonging and start the journey. The Contemporary English Version's take on Exodus 14:15 says it all. "The Lord said to Moses, Why do you keep calling out to me for help? Tell the Israelites to move forward." John Cowan Cartersville, Ga. Hoping PUP report's bark is worse than its bite June 29, 2006 It sounds like the PUP report is a real dog. I pray that it turns out to be one whose bark is worse than its bite. Rev. Stuart Fletcher Savannah Korean Presbyterian Church Numbers leaving PCUSA will increase dramatically June 29, 2006 The numbers fleeing the PCUSA will increase dramatically after this latest General Assembly. We are staying members just long enough to help vote our church out of the PCUSA. Roger Locke Are any of us surprised? June 29, 2006 EPC and PCA are evangelistic and seeking to stay with the Word in all matters I was just looking at your sight and I can feel the pain you are having over the slide that your denomination is on. Seeing some of the posts about forming a new denomination are somewhat troubling to me. Why not join up with one of the many Biblical denominations that are already in place (EPC and PCA for example). These two are evangelistic and seeking to stay with the Word in all matters. It would be a good consideration. Bill Lamkin PCA pastor Jacksonville, Fla. 'Truth in advertising' for 'the hand' in PCUSA ad to point to the left June 29, 2006 After attending a number of General Assemblies, I have enjoyed getting to stay at home and watch the proceedings on my computer. When they previewed the new denominational media material, a hand began guiding people as they faced different situations. When a driver approached a fork in the road, I could see where the commercial was going very quickly. Which way would be the right... er, correct way to go? Sure enough, "the hand" pointed to the left. As the assembly reacted to the spots and a YAD questioned the color of "the hand," I wondered if I was the only one who was concerned about its directions. But I didn't mind. I considered it "truth in advertising" for "the hand" to point to the left. I'm just an old pastor who wishes the church would have followed up on the wonderful spots created years ago by Stan Freberg. If we would have let him continue with several years of material, as he wanted us to do, perhaps we wouldn't feel so much "out on a limb ... without him." We might have even been growing. Charles Castles Woodlake, Calif. Please not another denomination June 29, 2006 I feel compelled to write to you, and through you to your readers, to plead with any and all members of the PCUSA not to form yet another denomination. Currently, anyone choosing to leave the PCUSA and yet remain Presbyterian can go to: the Evangelical Presbyterian Church, the Presbyterian Church in America, the Orthodox Presbyterian Church, the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church, the Bible Presbyterian Church, the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, the 2nd Cumberland Presbyterian Church, the Reformed Presbyterian Church (North America), and others I can't think of at the moment. Besides this, there are the Dutch Presbyterians, known as the Reformed Church in America or as the Christian Reformed Church. Plus, if you are no longer comfortable with the Canons of Dordt (i.e., TULIP) and with Reformed theology (i.e., Calvinism) you can choose the Evangelical Free Church or the Evangelical Covenant Church. That's a total of twelve (12) different denominations that you all can choose from! Please do not form yet another denomination to further fragment the unity that Jesus prayed for in his high priestly prayer in John's gospel. And, while you may have problems with one or the other of these denominations, I would like to note that most of those problems are the fact that, unlike the PCUSA, they are all to your corporate right. But isn't the whole problem that the PCUSA has experienced the fact that its leadership has been pulling it to the left? That ought to tell you that truth and health is found to your corporate right, oughtn't it? I have heard some folks say they don't like the OPC or the PCA because they don't ordain women or because they actually adhere to the Westminster Standards. Others have complained against the EPC that though they do allow for women to be ordained, they don't do it enough. Others say that the EPC is too Reformed. (Of course, some in the PCA and OPC say the EPC is not Reformed enough!) Good grief, folks! One of the principles of being Presbyterian is that we agree to submit to our fellow presbyters in pursuit of unity, purity and peace. We agree to submit to the Westminster Confession of Faith and the Larger and Shorter Catechisms because that is the Confession of the Church, even if I don't agree w/ every jot and tittle therein. (This is why we note our exceptions to the standards at our ordination.) Surely each church that wants to leave can choose one of the denominations in our smorgasbord to ally itself with. But please, stop all of the talk of forming a new denomination! One last thought: after a good 80 years of fighting over the leftward slide of your formerly great denomination, don't you think that perhaps joining a denomination that is at peace and that has a solid history of warm, loving relationships centered on Christ and him crucified might be better than asking a whole lot of shell-shocked former PCUSA elders and ministers to form a new denomination? Wouldn't it be better to go where you can be loved back to health and wholeness by brothers and sisters who pulled out decades ago and who have learned the hard way how to do Presbyterianism rightly (i.e, without wrangling over the essential things of the Gospel, and with a focus on mission)? May the Lord grant you all discernment in this troubled time. Rev. Austin Olive Faith Presbyterian Church (EPC) Covington, La. Spurgeon: If we follow the Lord, we must leave the carnal world behind us June 28, 2006 As a conservative pastor in our denomination, I have been praying for discernment for several days. Is the PUP vote the straw that has broken the camel's back (I think it was)? As part of our morning devotion together, Susan and I read "Morning and Evening" by Charles Spurgeon, as recorded on the Wordsearch software program. Here is the entry for June 27. Wise words for today from a 19th century theologian:
Rev. Dan Muttart Monroeville, Pa. Give the imagination a rest. Let's see God as he has revealed himself June 28, 2006 The paid leadership of the PCUSA seems to be stuck on the idea that re-imagining God in terms other than Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, as if our imagination can change the reality of the nature of God. Too many conservative pastors and congregations have tried to imagine the paid leadership of our denomination in terms other than those who champion the work of those who deny the Lordship of Jesus Christ and deny any authority in Scripture, as if our imagination can change the reality of the nature of these individuals. It's time to give the imagination a rest. Let's see God as he has revealed himself in Scripture. Let's see the paid folks in Louisville as they have revealed themselves to be. Greg Loskoski, pastor Flemington Presbyterian Church Hinesville, Ga. Allowing the PUP approval action to enforce a new AI was flawed. June 28, 2006 I am saddened by the recent vote of the PCUSA General Assembly to approve the Peace, Unity and Purity (PUP) Task Force report, and, in doing so, to adopt an authoritative interpretation that establishes a decidedly different rule of practice in regards to ordination standards. It rips at the foundations of our Presbyterian polity, ignoring many years of having the presbyteries ratify or reject any changes to the Book of Order through the amendment process. I hold that it was not legal under our Constitution for a General Assembly to decide via authoritative interpretation alone that a provision of the Book of Order, which describes itself as a "requirement" for officers, may be declared by a governing body to be a "non-essential" of polity? Such a major change needs to be proposed as an amendment to the Book of Order, which is then subsequently enacted by affirmative vote of a majority of the presbyteries or rejected by them. It is not in order that a provision of the Book of Order may be rendered non-effective without using the constitutional amendment process as outlined in G-18.301. The decision to allow the PUP approval action to enforce a new authorative interpretation (and effectively change the PCUSA constitution only by action of the GA) was flawed. As a parliamentarian of numerous organizations in the past, including several state conventions, I am appalled at the disregard for essential Presbyterian decision-making practices that are rooted in our history and polity. Any changes in the PCUSA constitution require presbytery ratification. Yet this interpretation actually can render part of the constitution non-essential. Therefore, this interpretation effectively changes the constitution! Therefore, the orderly and fair and best way to have proceeded on this question, (which is at the heart of all truly effective parliamentary procedure, which we utilize a great deal in our PCUSA meetings on all levels), is to follow past practice on such changes and big issues, and to require an amendment, which would then be approved or rejected by the presbyteries. The illegal vote causes an absence of any debate or input on the part of the presbyteries, and forfeits the consideration and wisdom of those presbyteries, which should be a necessary cornerstone of any Presbyterian church (and especially PCUSA), when it comes to constitutional changes. Common sense, and past practice, and the Book of Order itself, all point to the fact that the presbyteries should have been in the process on such a major denominational change. Whatever the issue, an amendment is the proper way to change the constitution. When you allow some sections of the constitution to be declared "non-essential," then you are effectively changing the document each time you allow such a declaration. Local rule is not the Presbyterian way in theory or past application. "The nature of Presbyterian order is such that it shares power and responsibility." (G-4.0302) On important issues, the constitution points to the necessity of amendments to the constitution. Other motives seem to have been behind this ravaging of the Presbyterian way. I seriously doubt that this interpretation would have been approved by the presbyteries. But their appropriate authority was taken away from them. In the clear light of day, outside the pressure cooker that was this GA, what was done does not stand up as fair to, or representative of, or sensitive to the other governing bodies. What happened to the three-legged stool concept of shared decision-making we all heard about in seminary? Rather, it seems that this vote and the resulting denominationwide power of the authoritative interpretation are an end run on the established polity of the church, using a loop hole to thwart the process that has served the church well for deciding its most important decisions. We would have been in keeping with the broad procedural sweep of the PCUSA, if we had used the amendment process to determine God's will on this matter. Not using the wisdom that God gives the presbyteries puts too much power in the hands of the General Assembly, something the Book of Order guards against. When one looks at past practice, this is an action, which is inherently illegal according to the spirit and intention of G-18.301 of the Book of Order, and the issue should have been given to the presbyteries in the form of an amendment. If we are to truly do things "decently and in order" (1 Corinthians 14:22), we should use all the wisdom God has given the church, not just a portion of it. Presbyteries are historically at the heart of our polity and process. To leave them out of this historic decision is dead wrong. Unity is a wonderful word, and it is something we need to seek in Christ. But unity cannot be won through procedural gymnastics, and power politics. The unity proclaimed in Ps. 133, which is often trumpeted as the goal of the PUP efforts, is founded upon the worship and obedience of God, not by the dismissal of our time-proven polity. Rev. Sherman Wilson Woden, Iowa GA 'pass' on taking a firm stand on the homosexual issue is the ultimate 'cave in' June 28, 2006 In the book of Jude verses 7 and 8 state," Just as Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding cities, which likewise acted immorally and indulged in unnatural lust,(homosexuality) serve as an example by undergoing a punishment of eternal fire. Yet in like manner these men in their dreamings defile the flesh, reject authority, and revile the glorious ones." The recent PCUSA-GA "pass" on taking a firm stand on the homosexual issue is the ultimate "cave in" of a failing denomination. Jesus told us not to be conformed to the world -- yet that is exactly what has happened. In 1 Cor. 5. 11-13 Paul says, "But rather I wrote to you not to associate with anyone who bears the name of brother if he is guilty of immorality or greed, or is an idolater, reviler, drunkard or robber -- 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. Drive out the wicked person from among you." Every third-grader learns that one bad apple will spoil the bushel. For over 30 years, the PCUSA-GA has refused to deal effectively with the "bad apples" who "twist and spin" God's Holy Word to serve their own sinful purposes. Today, 57 percent of the GA "bushel" is corrupted. The Presbyterian Book of Order has been scrapped. Now, how can PCUSA Sunday School teachers and pastors tell their people about the Lordship of Jesus, his virgin birth, his resurrection, and the authority of Scripture, when they know their denominational leadership trivialize these fundamentals of the faith? This will become duplicity of the worst order. The shortest route to the "lake of fire" is to deny the authority of Scripture in order to embrace the "way of the world." Ted Chapman Arcadia, Calif. PCUSA: Reformed back into the corruption that it was originally reformed from June 28, 2006 All of the troubles we are experiencing today in the PCUSA are evidence of a departure from the Reformed faith that really began earlier in the 1900s. Our congregations have been dumbed down for many years in relation to the principles of Reformed faith. Conservatives and liberals alike understand not these principles of Reformed government and worship. Doctrinal integrity is little understood on both sides. You liberals glory in saying that we are Reformed and always reforming, but the trouble is that you have Reformed the church back into the corruption that the great reformers originally Reformed away from. Oh how time can repeat itself. May God bring to all of us the spirit of revival. Bill McSpadden, III Kingsport, Tenn. PUP's theology is not Christian at all June 28, 2006 On June 20, "The Theological Task Force on Peace, Unity, and Purity Report" was approved by the General Assembly. It chose to apply the failed approach of Stephen A. Douglas in the fight over slavery and preserving the Union to the issue of ordaining gays and homosexuals. Quite simply, Mr. Douglas said let the people decide in their own locality about slavery. Abe Lincoln countered with the argument that a country cannot survive half slave and half free. A locality cannot allow slavery elsewhere and at the same time deny it to its own people. In essence, the General Assembly voted to allow the ordination of gays and lesbians. (Sadly this was a stacked deck from the beginning. The issue was decided by the actual formulation of the committee. Only in convoluted thinking devoid of reality can one come to any other conclusion.) And what of the Stephen A. Douglas approach? Did it bring peace, unity and purity to the country? It brought a bloody civil war in which over 600,000 men died. It brought untold hardships for the country that spanned over 100 years afterwards, and we are still fighting the battles of racial equality. Why are we still fighting? Because people never did repent fully. To solve the problem, it took a courageous group of men who banned slavery through a constitutional amendment and enforcement of just laws and the common people saying "no" to racism. Peace could only come when the institution of slavery was destroyed, and racism, the thought behind slavery, was destroyed through repentance. Mr. Douglas's approach of appeasement could not accomplish anything for peace, purity or unity, and neither will this action by the General Assembly. Does anyone with an ounce of common sense think that this motion will solve the problems of the church? The thinking behind this report is not based upon any theology that I know. The "theology" is as goofy as the lies behind the motion that there are still standards but they can be ignored, i.e.: not be standards. It cannot bring "unity" because a group has lived the lie and not the Truth, and there are many who love the Truth, and the Truth will prevail. It cannot bring "peace" for the same reasons. As far as "purity," forget that one; it is as pure as a garbage dump. How this committee can even think of living up to its name goes beyond my ability to comprehend. It is true to its own deception. Therefore, its product is not surprising. Its peace is with unrepentant sin and denial of salvation. Its unity is with the acceptance of evil over goodness. Its purity does not exist. In essence, its theology is not Christian at all. It shames the cross. Many of you feel a deep hurt by what has happened. You dearly love your church and want to help it reform towards Christ. Careful reading of the Scriptures tells us that only a monumental divine act such as a meteor falling out of the sky will bring this about. These people have gone so far away from God that they are unable to accomplish a plain, simple reading of Scripture. Your chances of accomplishing reform are about as much as changing the course and fate of the Titanic. Take heart, God is faithful and just and will not permit Satan to overcome his children. God's will will be done. They are celebrating a "victory" because they are blind to the fact that their action is a pitiful defeat, for God's will is moving and is unstoppable. They cannot change it. God is molding the clay through this motion. Sorry to say, some are being molded into negative examples for the sake of the elect. What can you do? Is there hope? Yes, there is through the cross. Whatever you do, take care of your own relationship with Christ first. Don't fall for the deceptions of the lost. Robert Stewart Springfield, Ohio Let's get on with the job at hand June 28, 2006 I have been reading items from this site from time to time over the past year or so. Does anyone here ever have anything positive to say about our denomination? We do lots of good. People are being transformed daily. I have never seen so much negativism in my life. Let's go out in the world and BE the church rather than sitting around and complaining. I am proud of my local church, our denomination, our heritage and I don't always agree with everything that the folks at the GA do or say. But Jesus is still boss, and I still have a job to do. Or, I could sit around and join you in complaining. Let's get on with the job at hand. Loving people and being the body of Christ. Mark Orr Austin, Texas Rogers' equating Biblical stance on slavery to homosexuality is an insult June 28, 2006 I feel quite certain that Rev. Deane A. Kemper [letter to the editor, posted June 26, 2006] knows, or at the very least strongly suspects, that lodging a complaint against former Moderator Jack Rogers in his home presbytery would be an exercise in extreme futility. Further, who is attempting to reach a compromise with the liberals like Jack Rogers? They are lost unless and until God almighty takes control of their lives and turns them around. In the meantime the struggle is to teach the little ones like Earl C. Apel, who are confused and misled by the liberals' profound apostasy. AMEN, Dr. Gagnon, blister the unfaithful who have turned their backs on the whole counsel of God. People need to hear the faith defended in clear, unambiguous, even rough but pure, language. You have not yet used the fiery words of John the Baptist and Elijah! And a word for Jack Rogers, your continuous reference to the Biblical stance on slavery equated to homosexuality is an unqualified deep insult to this Black man. My forbearers' skin color was determined by parents' genes, not choice. There was no grace that could deliver them from the bodies to which their parents genes had consigned them. They came to America in chains from Africa to be abused, raped, beaten, mixed with white and red Americans of all types, subjected to legal second class citizenship and now you compare them to people who choose to live lifestyles for which God, in Leviticus prescribed death and for whom Jesus blood offers release from these lifestyles. You and your (and formerly my) liberal friends need to apologize to us, repent before God and stop! James Logan, elder McHenry, Md. It's not about collegial discourse; it's about God's truth and man's falsehood June 28, 2006 In a letter to The Layman Online, Rev. Deane A. Kemper, Harbor View Presbyterian Church of Charleston, S.C. attacks Robert Gagnon for making "personal attacks" against Jack Rogers. Citing Craig Kibler's article covering Gagnon's address in Birmingham, Kemper says: "The criticisms leveled by Professor Gagnon go beyond academic offenses such as poor research, sloppy methodology, or inappropriate documentation. The words lie, deceit, duplicity, and 'not befitting a Christian' are the language of moral failure -- or, in theological terminology, sin." He says, "Mr. Gagnon has crossed over (the) line and engaged in a personal attack on Jack Rogers." If one actually reads the article about Professor Gagnon's address, there are in fact several illustrations where comments by Rogers were attacked in substance. The address contained comments in rebuttal of what Rogers had said about Gagnon's arguments. According to Kibler's article, Gagnon cited Jack Rogers for saying "that a visit to Corinth was 'a significant occasion' [in Rogers life] and that 'now I [Jack Rogers] know what Paul was talking about' because, when he [Rogers] looked up at the ruins of the temple to Aphrodite on the hill, he came to the conclusion that Paul's remarks about homosexual practice were restricted to idolatrous people engaged in prostitution." Isn't that a scream? Tell that lie to God and see if it has merit. Paul was too good a writer and too precise in his messages to need such illumination from the likes of Jack Rogers, who demonstrates he is neither true believer nor true prophet, but one of the hoard of Green Party revisionists who have hijacked this branch of Christianity for their own political uses. I am sorry, Rev. Kemper, this is not about collegial discourse; this issue is about God's truth and man's falsehood. A lie is a lie. Professor Gagnon can't say that any nicer or softer or plainer. Philip Pettus San Gabriel All renewal movements must seek Jesus in repentance and prayer together June 28, 2006 What is desperately needed at this time is for all the renewal movements within our denomination to come together and to seek the face of our Lord Jesus Christ in repentance and prayer together. Instead, one movement is meeting in Tulsa in July and another in Atlanta in August and on and on. How about a national joint meeting of all renewal movements working and praying together; a meeting where we don't just listen to the same voices of people we've always listened to, but where we truly seek God's voice together. This seems to me to be what our Lord was praying for in John 17, what will make the strongest statement to others, and what will have the greatest possibility for change whether within our denomination or in forming a new denomination. If the renewal movements can't work and pray together as one, I wonder what the future of our denomination or any new denomination is really going to be. David M. Keazirian, senior pastor First Presbyterian Church New Smyrna Beach, Fla. Declare yourself a 'Constitutional Presbyterian' June 28, 2006 No one, other than God himself, knows how examination committees will interpret the new AI. No one knows how congregational nominating committees will go about their job of prayerfully identifying those members God is calling to the office of deacon or elder. Maybe, although I doubt it seriously, there will not be so much as one breach of the integrity of the constitution by way of permitting a "scrupling" candidate to proceed to ordination by way of exemption from a statute they personally find not essential to their faith. But, if everyone really does respect the constitution, how is it that the current leadership of the denomination, and no few presbyteries and congregations, have done nothing in the face of open and defiant breaches of the Form of Government? If we are Presbyterians who adhere to the Biblical faith that has been handed to us, and who respect and abide by constitutional process, then why not declare as much in session meetings and at presbytery meetings? This past Sunday (June 25) the congregation of First Presbyterian Church of Marion, N.C. affirmed point by point the 13 articles of the Theological Declaration Of Constitutional Presbyterians. I encourage everyone to visit the Web swite and prayerfully read the Declaration, along with its Preamble and Call To Action. Then consider confessing your faith through affirmation of this bold document, and ask your session to both endorse the Declaration and overture your presbytery to affirm that it is a constitutional body as well, and that it will not tolerate any willful breach of the constitution. We have heard that reaction against the actions of GA in adopting the PUP report have bordered on hysteria. Well then, Louisville, synods, and presbyteries, declare yourselves Constitutional Presbyterians and perhaps you might actually contribute to restoring peace, unity and purity to the PCUSA. Jim Wilken, pastor First Presbyterian Church Marion, N.C. What is more important, the buildings or the Bible? June 28, 2006 What a joyous time at the EPC General Assembly last week in Rome, Ga. We commissioned world missionaries. We talked about our inner city ministries. We discussed our church plants. We worshipped our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. We had great fellowship with all of our brothers and sisters. We are making "MISSIONS" our main thrust for the coming years. We prayed for our brothers and sisters in the PCUSA. As a young breakaway body from the PCUSA we are so grateful to our Lord and Savior for leading us in the right direction. We walked away from our property and met the next Sunday in a VFW Hall. Now, 6 1/2 years later we have eight plus acres of land, a sanctuary and classroom building, a vibrant young man of God as our pastor, and a growing congregation with no burden of denominational baggage. The question is, "What is more important, the buildings or the Bible?" Henry F. Beck, ruling elder Faith Presbyterian Church Covington, La. No way that the evangelical Bible-believing Presbyterians can stay in PCUSA June 28, 2006 As a former elder in the PCUS, I am greatly grieved by this latest decision. The Bible speaks clearly on the matter and does not leave room for individual interpretations. I see no way that the evangelical Bible-believing Presbyterians can stay in a denomination which has teetered on being apostate and may now have crossed the line. Ken Dobbs Writer isn't willing that Satan should have the last word in the PCUSA June 28, 2006 Now is not the time to leave. Now is the time to be bold, brave and confident in our Lord Jesus Christ, who proceeds before us with a two-edged sword issuing forth from his mouth. Savage wolves have come in among us and are not sparing the flock. It is now that the call must be answered by every man and woman of God to make use of the weapons of God for pulling down the strongholds of the evil one and casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God. I, for one, am not willing that Satan should have the last word in the Presbyterian Church (USA). The enemy is religious anthropocentrism. Call it not theological liberalism, for the problem is not political, and no political solution is to be found. Call it not progressive, for to be carried about by every changing wind of doctrine is not progress. The problem is that man has been allowed within this denomination to displace God as the center. This is usurpation and rebellion at its worst, and it is incumbent upon the people of God to rise up to the defense of the Church of God, heedless of the cost. Now many would say that we have tried too long and have failed and become too tired. The enemy is too entrenched to be taken out. I say to you, who is this uncircumcised Philistine that he should be permitted to mock God's Word, to abuse God's people, and to replace the Christ of the Bible with an impotent impostor? Is not Christ the King of kings and Lord of lords? Is he not the eternal Son of the omnipotent God? Is his arm withered? Is he not called Faithful and True? Does he not in righteousness judge and make war? Consider his promise: "If my people, who are called by my name will humble themselves, pray and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land." (II Chron. 7.14) Test him in this! Do what he says in a spirit of obedience to Christ, and see if he doesn't come through. Ask him to search your heart for any seed of doubt or disobedience to bring it to your attention that you might repent of it. Ask him to bring his Presbyterian Church back to faithfulness to himself that he might be glorified. And submit yourself humbly before him, as Isaiah did, to make yourself available in whatever capacity he might use you in the reformation of this once-great denomination, recognizing that whatever you do to contribute to this noble and worthy cause is to be done for his glory alone. Now is not the time to leave. It is time to let go of all that does not matter and focus our whole attention on those things of eternal consequence. The Presbyterian Church (USA), like other mainline denominations, languors in the grip of heresy and apostasy. There are those who say that she can never come back. I point to the Southern Baptist Church, which once was lost to religious anthropocentrism in the early twentieth century, but through his faithful servants, the Lord brought it back to Biblical faithfulness for his glory. Today it is the fastest growing denomination in the United States. "Rise up, O men (and women) of God! Have done with lesser things; give heart and mind and soul and strength to serve the King of kings." Loren Golden Overland Park, Kan. Williamson's position is as 'sociological' as that of the PUP Task Force June 28, 2006 As a social scientist, I found Rev. Williamson's argument that the PUP Task Force had been "commissioned to do theology" but, instead, "gave us sociology" misplaced ("Renewal Leader Outlines 'Fatal Flaw" in Final Report of PUP Task Force, June 19). While I agree that "good social relations" are not a substitute for holding fast to the Word of God, therein lays the rub. The Word of God was not revealed in a social vacuum, but in the cultural world of the author and the reader or hearer. For this reason candidates for ordination to the Word and Sacrament spend much energy learning Hebrew and Greek so as to better approximate the cultural understandings that are often lost in translation. Our challenge, then, is to understand the cultural context in which the Biblical writers and their communities understood such issues as marriage and sexuality. Then we can better understand how the faith communities interpreted the Word to shed light on the issues before them. The debate over the circumcision of Gentiles was an early case of this process of cultural adaptation of a religious principle. In more contemporary times debates over divorce and the ordination of women demanded deeper understandings of the Word of God than reference to one or other text. So what is the social context out of which the Rev. Williamson is speaking? I think he fears that the Presbyterian Church, as he reads the report of the PUP Task Force, is devolving into "Sheilaism," the reduction of the Word of God to one's personal opinion. What social value does his position assume? I think he is affirming the value of a community with clear boundaries and unity of opinion. These are certainly values to be acknowledged, but make no mistake that his position is as "sociological" as that of the PUP Task Force which defines community in more inclusive terms. Both are attempting to apply theology to different understandings of Christian community. When God became Man, he must have realized that he was going to have to contend with all the vagaries of the human condition, including theology and sociology. John M. Donahue, elder Covenant Presbyterian Church San Antonio, Texas What's worse: constant battling with liberals or Pharisees? June 28, 2006 I beg to differ with what I believe to be the well intentioned assessment of one reader who suggested we join the PCA. I am no big fan of women's ordination and believe the PCUSA has never heard a solid theological argument for it. Its adoption was sheer political pressure based on a faulty sociological full court press. Nevertheless, I realize there are many orthodox women ministers and elders who would be alienated by such a move and being thankful for their faithfulness in the battle, do not believe it is the time to thanklessly reject their efforts. Though the PCA appears orthodox, it is hardly free of nit picking, litigious know it alls who have a sad history of writing off as heretical anyone who doesn't march in lockstep with the prevailing orthodoxy of their pseudo scholars. Consider how New Testament scholar N. T. Wright is castigated without trial by writers who have obviously broken the 9th commandment about bearing false witness and these lies are countenanced in the name of orthodoxy. While Dr. Robert Gagnon's book on homosexuality is the premier work on the topic and referred to by PCA men whose seminaries can't muster similar treatises, Dr. Gagnon's exegetical style and presuppositions would likely get him tried for heresy! How can we join a church where neither the godly bishop N. T. Wright nor Dr. Gagnon would be welcome? There is no home for many evangelicals in the PCA ... only more controversy that moves from the grand themes of the Christian religion to the increasingly esoteric questions in the name of pandering to the self-proclaimed guardians of the Westminster Standards. My respect to James Kennedy notwithstanding, I can't decide what's worse: constant battling with liberals or constant battling with pharisees. Both strike me as "death by a thousand cuts." We are closer in theology and temperament to other renewal groups in the mainline. Perhaps there is where we should be looking for a new coalition of Christians united in the core orthodoxy of the historic church. Martin Thompson Get out of the way and let the Holy Spirit guide PCUSA June 28, 2006 I have a suggestion for the next GA. Replace all the eloquent speeches by modern-day theologians and focus entirely on the one given by Peter at Pentecost. His speech is as relevant to Christians today as it was 2000 years ago. The reason-the Holy Spirit! It is time to get out of the way and let the Holy Spirit guide us. David Hankins Memorial Presbyterian Church |
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