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Confessing Church page 2 (for story, click here) Moderator spoke before he thought August 7, 2001 Within a short time after his election as moderator, Jack Rogers belittled and disrespected at least a quarter-million Presbyterians. He has since backtracked somewhat, apparently understanding the damage he did to those whom he offended. Our moderator is a godly and intelligent person who, with bad timing, spoke before he thought – a fault many of us share. Although he apparently wanted honest communication of feelings by participants, some felt evangelicals did not show him the proper respect due a moderator at the recent meeting of the Coalition. Respect is earned over a period of time, yet respect and good will can be instantly lost by one thoughtless action, lie or comment. Our former president is a good example of that. Hopefully the moderator has "received the message" and won't underestimate those that disagree with him on the issues and Scripture. Donald M. Snider, elder Fair Oaks Presbyterian Church, Calif. Dissatisfied Presbyterians should seek Confessing Church August 7, 2001 As a born-again Christian who lives very close to Summit Presbyterian Church in Butler, Pa., I know the locals are waiting and watching the wonderful events that are unfolding there. I can only encourage those Presbyterians who are dissatisfied with the lack of leadership of Jack B. Rogers to cling close to Christ and possibly shop around for a church that is a Confessing Church accepting Christ as Lord and rejecting the great sin of homosexual activity. The first place to vote your conscience is by denying Jack and the denomination any type of money that he desperately needs to carry on his lack of leadership and the perpetuation of heresy. Continue to be vocal and do not let Jack's ecclesiastical jargon stand in the way of telling him that he is ineffective and wrong. Watch for Jack to turn your words around and try to make a martyr out of himself and his gang. Clerics of this type are skilled in gospelspeak, but often have a very poor grasp of reality. Dr. Michael F. Slavinski Moderator is vilifying faithful congregations August 7, 2001 I was saddened to read Bob Seaman's letter about the "treatment" Jack Rogers received – saddened because I saw a misunderstanding of the issues at stake. "Jesus Christ is Lord!" and "He is Risen" have been bedrock "confessions" since there have been churches. Christianity is not easy, but it is simple. One doesn't need a Th.D or D.Div. to grasp the essentials; one need only accept the Lordship of Christ and accept his atonement for our sins. In the latest General Assembly, Rogers vilified congregations that sought to recommit to the basic tenets of orthodox Christianity: the Lordship of Christ, the sacred inspiration of Scripture and God's call for us to live holy lives in accordance with his law. As an alternative, our denomination was presented and ratified the premise that some "sin" really isn't sin because we "Presbyterians" never have accepted the inerrancy of Scripture. God could create people any way he chooses. And there really isn't such a thing as the unpardonable sin (blasphemy of the Holy Spirit – denying Christ) because who are we to limit God's ability to save people? Paul commended the Bereans for checking him against Scripture. No doubt many of his followers would have taken offense had the Bereans called Paul down because he denied Scripture. But I think Paul might have accepted the criticism and gone forward. The Confessing Church Movement is being very Berean. Jack Rogers is being less than Pauline. Seaman is correct on one count. The next year will be marked by personal, painful and shrill attacks. Rogers launched his first attack against the CCM at the GA, without even knowing what the movement was about or how it started. He counterpunched with his response to criticisms. His "leadership" team led the elected representatives of our denomination to approve an overture that denies the sinful nature of immorality and the Lordship of Christ. In a mere week his team has reduced one of the most evangelical denominations in history to the level of a New Age cult. We in the loyal (to Christ) opposition will be called awful names. We will be dismissed as kooks, crackpots, morons and Bubbas. When we point out the errors in the "issues," we will be called "narrow minded" and "intolerant." But those who call us that will be people who would have called Christ intolerant for running the money-changers out of the temple. We can't please the liberal wing without denying truth, so let us declare truth. "Theologian" is a title that won't get you a cup of coffee in the next life. "Moderator" is the title of a temporal job; ditto the coffee. But Scripture makes it clear that the next life won't be too pleasant for anyone who cannot confess "Jesus Christ is Lord." Presbyterians don't have earthly rulers, regardless what the folks at HQ think. I pray the rank and file will rise up in the months to come and repudiate the General Assembly – turn back to Christ and declare once and for all the wonderful grace that comes only from one source. Gary Loftis Markham Woods Presbyterian Church Lake Mary, Fla. The way to win is at the bottom July 31, 2001 I was terribly disappointed in the assembly's recent performance. By politicizing the church with the new age dogma of the secular world, they run the risk of alienating the majority of their congregants. I think that it is time to recognize the realities of the debate. It is also time to see the opposite sides motivation in the debate. First, the debate has degenerated from it's original intent, acceptance of homosexuals in our church. The "liberal" side has now started an attack on Christ and the Bible itself. By trying to reinterpret and parse Scripture, they seek to build a logical, even legal, argument to win the day. The truth of it is, they won't stop until they win. There is no middle ground, nor is there any willingness to seek a compromise. That is why a policy of appeasement that our church has tried to forward during the past ten years or so will not work. This is why I was so glad to read of the Confessing Church Movement afoot in our national congregation. Second, when you baptize your children, or become a member of one of our congregations, you are asked some questions. The common question in both instances is "Who is your Lord and Savior?" There is only one answer. Jesus is our Lord and savior and eternal life comes through him. The liberals would like to change this by compromising Christ, and his teachings. The truth is our faith teaches us that only Christ can be the judge of your soul. While I would never deny anyone Christ's love, compassion and forgiveness, I can definitively say that Christ, through his life and teachings, positively showed us the standard to which we ought to live up to. Being human, we can't. But his forgiveness allows us to function on earth and have a chance at eternal life. There are definite ethics that Christ espoused. Our modern secular society doesn't have the same ethics as our church. There are things that you must stand for as a Christian in our secular society. When you answer the question, "Who is your Lord and Savior?" with "Jesus Christ", you leave your secular morals and standards behind, and have to try and live up to a higher calling. That is the unfortunate consequence of being a Christian. Jesus never said it wouldn't be easy or pain free. The way to win this battle is in your own congregation. The movements that are longest lasting are grassroots movements. They burn like a prarie fire. I would encourage all of your readers to write a letter to their session and encourage them to become a member in the Confessing Church movement. The way to win is at the bottom, on the ground, not at the top. I have compassion for the people that feel differently than I do. I do not care if you are different than I. God loves both of us. He promises both of us the Kingdom of Heaven, however, we need to seek Jesus to get it. We need to live our lives in the way he taught us. I understand that all of these issues are emotionally charged. But, we need to look at Christ's teachings in the Bible. If you do not believe in Him, then the church is not for you. However, we must always keep a door open for you. Forgiveness is not conditional. Christ's love and his faith in you are boundless and endless. You have to believe and have faith in Him to receive it. Jeffrey R. Carter Geneva, Ill. Writer wants church to say 'Jesus is Lord' July 31, 2001 I want my church to be willing to say "Jesus is Lord." I want to belong to a confessing church which does not assume a "politically correct posture" in the eyes of the world. I want my church to stand in the face of the world and say, "Jesus is Lord!" I believe the Bible is the Word of God and that we must follow the Word of God. Will the Presbyterian Church please stand up and be counted for God's Word? Kaaren Nelsen Jesus, the only way to salvation, is a big deal July 31, 2001 What is the big deal about Jesus? He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. He is the only way to salvation. "No man cometh to the Father but by Me". He determines where we will spend eternity. I think that is a pretty big deal. Pete Simpson Bloomington Minn. Large churches in CCM encourage small churches July 31, 2001 Thanks for the continuing updates on the Confessing Church movement within the PCUSA. It is so important for Biblical, evangelical, and confessing Presbyterian churches to stand up and acknowledge just who we are! What encouragement it is to the small churches for whom "Presbyterian Connectionalism" is the life-blood! May the large multi-thousand member Presbyterian Churches understand that it is "not just about me." Their coming on board under the Confessing Banner is "good news", indeed – for the "little guys" – and for the "whole state of Christ's Church." Nancy Goodrich Boldness of witnesses is thrilling to writer July 31, 2001 Thank God for witnesses. It is thrilling to see the number and boldness of witnesses who have come forward confessing with their mouths that Jesus Christ is Lord. Thank you all for sharing your testimony with us. Thank you PLC leaders and staff for the vision to publish this response to God and his Lamb. I look forward to each update getting "pumped up" for God all over. J. H. Logan McHenry, Md. Only haven for confessing churches is in the PCA July 31, 2001 I perceive the Confessing Church Movement to be these three things:
Joe Rutherford Tupelo, Miss. Rogers' book Shows his agenda July 31, 2001 I read [Jack B. Rogers'] letter, a review of his book, and his remarks to the General Assembly. This is hard to take. His book Read the Bible and The Confessions: The Presbyterian Way shows his agenda. Why doesn't he "hex" the Pentateuch and insert the "Book of Relativism". This could then serve as the foundation for the "Church of What's Happening Now." I do recall that Christ spoke of blinding people to the truth. Perhaps that has overtaken Jack. Since the Bible does not seem clear to Jack, and his writings reflect this, I challenge him to spend 31 days reading as little as four pages a day. The reading is The True Vine by Andrew Murray. Perhaps this would aid Jack in his cognitive distress. Glenn Turner Praise God for growth of Confessing Movement July 31, 2001 Praise be to God – 680 Congregations and 231,183 members and growing. It certainly seems the Lord is speaking to the hearts of many as as we pray to God for a solution to this gulf that separate so many. The battle is not a fight between heterosexual and homosexual, we are all sinners by nature. It is a war against God's Word, the sovereignty of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the sanctity of marriage between a man and a women as created and ordained by God. Please let us all pray over these matters, matters that are way to large for any solution by man. Bob Campbell Member, Kingman Presbyterian Church Kingman. Ariz. Truth of Bible cannot be compromised April 27, 2001 I am glad to hear of the Confessing Church Movement within the Presbyterian Church. In my opinion, only good can become of it. I encourage you. Find the truth! The truth of the Bible can never be compromised for the sake of either social environment, nor for the sake of unity with a clearly sinful group! While I am not a Presbyterian, I have been watching the situation. I believe the Holy Bible is the divinely inspired word of God – and that it is alone sufficient for salvation. It stands alone! It needs no other work, not the book of Mormon, nor that of the first book of the presbytery, nor any other such work. I believe the Bible, the whole Bible and the Bible only. Deuteronomy lists the things that are abominations unto the Lord; if they were abominations unto the Lord then, they are still abominations today, no matter how those who would try to color it differently as "new truths." And are they really new? Are not these the very same tired old recycled sins that destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah? Flee from them! I believe that the churches should be independent one from another, as in the New Testament pattern – yes, we are like minds and work willingly in loving cooperation with each other, – but there is no "governing body " to lead us astray. If one congregation goes astray – only that congregation is lost – and not the whole. So, brothers in Christ, I encourage you in your search for the truth! J. Brown Cincinnati, Ohio German confessing church history 'turned upside down' April 27, 2001 For some reason, the Presbyterian Lay Committee and especially Dr. Ulrich Mauser have completely turned upside down the history of the German Confessing Church. They opposed an authoritarian government which sought to control everyone's lives, restrict and ultimately eliminate Jews, the unfit and the inferior. What was missing from Dr. Mauser's list was the Faith Movement's opposition to homosexuals, who were also sent to the concentration camps and the gas chambers. Once they are added to the list, it is clear that you reverse the original confessing church by adopting Hitler's own program: against the liberals, the homosexuals, all who will not confess Christ, and all who are "unfit and inferior" because they do not view God and the world as you do. Your "movement" does not follow Jesus Christ nor the constitution of the PCUSA. Rev. Dennis L. Maher Delavan, Ill. Writer salutes confessing churches April 27, 2001 Hooray for this movement. My wife and I have been concerned about the lowering of moral standards for far too long. Maybe this is just what is needed to turn our Presbyterian Church around and make a new start in Christ. I would like to salute all of the congregations that have already jumped on board this holy movement. Please feel free to pass this on to show my support. Good work. Randy Brooks Member, Grace Presbyterian Church Arlington, Texas PCUSA is not the only 'true' church April 27, 2001 Martin Luther tried to stay catholic. Charles Wesley tried to stay Anglican. It didn't work for them because of the corruption and the heretical doctrine that were entrenched in the systems they were seeking to reform. I doubt the PCUSA is any different. I am curious why so many seem to be acting like there is no place to go if they abandon the rotting, putrid corpse of a church that is clearly seen at the denominational level of the PCUSA. The faithful, flourishing, vibrant church of Christ can be readily found in congregations in nearly every part of the U.S. and much of the world. It is in many shapes, sizes and styles enough to match anyone's personality and needs. It seems very distressing to see rhetoric that sounds like the PCUSA is the only "true" church and all of the others are "not an option." Why continue to waste precious time, energy and resources trying to resuscitate a body that probably needs to be declared dead and given a proper burial? I realize it has been the much loved denomination of many for a very long time. It is like the death of a spouse after a very long marriage – incredibly sad and hard to accept. It is like Lot begging God to save Sodom and Gomorrah if a very few righteous persons were still left – to what end? Lot needed to take his family and get out of town – and not look back. What was he leaving in Sodom and Gomorrah that we are not being asked to accept into the churches in the PCUSA? Seems like not a whole lot! My husband and I left a little while ago, fearful we were now vagabonds. Guess what we found? Many places that were better spiritually than our church had ever been (oh, no, did I admit that?) Yes, it's true – places that actually teach and show their youth how to become spiritually alive and develop an appetite for actually living a godly life. Places that have inspired spiritual awakening in our middle-aged hearts through solid Bible teaching and uncomplicated lessons in application to the real word in which we live day to day. Life for women in the Christian church outside the PCUSA is not the unliberated wasteland that many would assume. I encourage you to look around with open eyes and an open heart before many enter into years of siege over trying to get the PCUSA to straighten up. Think about what is happening to your own spiritual life and that of your children. Why live in the deprivation of siege conditions, eating on crumbs – when there are banquets from the table of heaven everywhere you turn? Bethany Lane Dilemma: Tithes from local church support presbytery, synod, assembly April 27, 2001 Praise the Lord for your committee standing for the basic doctrine upon which the Presbyterian denomination was founded. We're in Kimberling City, Mo., and we've just learned that our presbytery has voted to bless the union of homosexual couples. We are deeply involved in the local church here, but feel a conviction that we should not support a denomination that would even consider this issue. Our dilemma is loving the people and the local church, but knowing that right off the top a certain percentage of our tithe is sent to the synod, the presbytery and the General Assembly. We are praying humbly for our Lord to show us what to do (although, scripturally, I'm convinced he already has), and then for us to have the courage to do it. Liz Long Will it become too late to salvage the PCUSA? April 19, 2001 Here is a thought for those who might be thinking that the Confessing Church movement is premature, that things "haven't gotten bad enough yet," or that issues such as Amendment O are not the ones over which we should base our battle: Consider the loss of more than 1.5 million members from the PCUSA over the past third of a century, many to the PCA, EPC and OPC. Does anyone think that we would be having these battles today if those people were still with us? Does anyone doubt that the outcome of votes on such issues as Amendment O would have been different – if indeed such a vote would have even been required? Now consider what will happen if we continue to muddle along in denial and try to "get along" for another couple of decades. Does anyone think that conservative members and congregations will not continue to trickle away? Does anyone have any good reason not to think that the trickle will increase to a flood if things continue to deteriorate as much as they have just in the past year? Imagine what our situation will be like if, after 10 or 20 more years of "waiting," we have lost the equivalent of a whole other PCA. Does anyone think that our prospects of prevailing in "the final battle" then will be better than they are right now? It was Pastor Niemoeller, one of the leaders of the German Confessing Church movement, who said: "They came first for the Communists, and I didn't speak up because I was not a communist. Then they came for the Jews, and I didn't speak up because I was not a Jew. Then they came for the trade unionists, and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a trade unionist. Then they came for the Catholics, and I didn't speak up because I was a Protestant. Then they came for me, and by that time no one was left to speak up." Stefan B. Stackhouse Elder, Montreat Presbyterian Church Montreat N.C. Confessing Church has begun too late April 19, 2001 I am having a real problem with all this information on a Confessing Church Movement. It seems it is another attempt to keep within the fold those of us who have already determined that this denomination is apostate. The "confessions" are nothing more than what we have always believed and confessed. One of two things must happen if more of us are convinced to remain actively engaged in the Presbyterian USA. One is that the evangelicals take over the denomination's leadership and establish the policies. The other is that we convince this "apostate" denomination to let us leave, taking our property and assets with us. R. Glen Traver Different worldviews in PCUSA incompatible April 19, 2001 As the momentum builds within our denomination for a return to sound Scriptural and doctrinal precepts, Christians are finally awakening to the notion that liberals and conservatives have different worldviews. In fact, as is evidenced in the continuing debates that have split the Presbyterian Church (USA), these worldviews are so opposed as to be incompatible. Fundamental to the never-ending debate over the divinity of Christ, sanctity of Scripture, homosexuality, abortion and a host of other matters is the nature of man. Liberals, believing humans are intrinsically good, think that through access to opportunities provided by education and by behavior modification, people will opt for the good and the right. Theologically, this worldview manifests itself in the assumption that mankind is not totally fallen and that people can work out their own salvation. This, of course, is heresy. The ultimate ridiculous conclusion, then, is that any approach to God is equally valid: ergo, "What's the big deal about Jesus?" For the humanists who have subsumed their way into the Church, this is a tremendously liberating worldview because it takes away all accountability and provides for individual freedom of conscience, doing so to the point of license. When there is no definitive truth, right is relative to individual experience, personal feelings and interpretation. This kind of nihilism is reflected in the "More Light" churches thriving in their own theological mush land where what is "good" is what feels good. Theologian J.C. Ryle said, "There are very few errors and false doctrines of which the beginning may not be traced up to unsound views about the corruption of human nature." The traditional Reformed worldview ascribed to by Martin Luther, John Knox and John Calvin is that man is hopelessly fallen to the point that he cannot help himself. Paul writing to the Christians at Ephesus stated, "As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of the world and the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient" (Ephesians 2: 1-2). Why don't we ever hear sermons on total depravity? Liberals want nothing to do with the notion that we are all intrinsically bad and not good. They are always able to point to the good in virtually anyone, as long as that person is not a conservative. In 1990, I interviewed a member of Adolph Hitler's inner circle who described the fuhrer as, "a good man with evil edges." He related stories of Hitler's personal kindnesses to him and his family during their years of association. The Reformed doctrine of total depravity does not say there is no "good" in man. Rather, man is totally depraved in his ability to help himself. Liberals cannot accept the idea that man is totally depraved in the sense that the human nature is in rebellion against God. If they did, there would be no issue of homosexuality not being a sin. It is a perversion of God's order and a result of the fall. It is very much a part of our sinful human nature. As such it cannot be glorified, it must be purified by redemption through the blood of Christ. Liberals who put human discernment, human capabilities and, above all, "personal feelings" above Scriptural truth miss the wonder in God's mercy, which results from his own volition as he reaches down to us since we are incapable of reaching up to him. Our only hope is in our election unto salvation by God's grace. If we truly believed that, all the rest would be resolved. Presbyterians need to accept the three basic tenets of the Confessing Church Movement, but we also need to get back to our Calvinist doctrinal roots. I pray the Confessing Church Movement will force the issue: either you believe or you do not believe and accept these basic tenets. If you do, you are with us; if you are not, we need to be rid of you. Earl H. Tilford Jr. Elder Second Presbyterian Church Carlisle, Pa. Confessing Church Movement right approach April 3, 2001 Thank you all for your leadership in this moment of crisis. I am convinced that this "Confessing Church Movement" is exactly the right approach. Far better that we who remain in the faithful opposition join together for a forceful and decisive stand, even if that results in our being kicked out of the PCUSA, than for individuals and congregations to trickle away little by little. Far more than just passing resolutions in our sessions will be required, of course. Sometime fairly soon we will need to convene a Confessing Church synod to consider our next steps. We are going to need to map out a more comprehensive plan of action. High on the agenda must be the formation of a plan of practical group solidarity and mutual aid. If the liberals who oppose us start to misuse the disciplinary mechanisms of the Book of Order to clear the sessions of Confessing Church congregations, or to defrock Confessing Church pastors (remember what they did to Dr. Machen back in the '30s), we will need to have some mechanism in place to render aid to those under attack. Be assured that those who oppose us will use every weapon at their disposal, "divide and conquer" being chief among them. Stefan B. Stackhouse Elder, Montreat Presbyterian Church Montreat N.C. What's the point of the movement? April 3, 2001 What's the point? We have always confessed these three points in the Book of Order. Confessing them again in some rewritten form will change nothing. It is too late – the horse is out of the barn. Bruce Boyles Tyrone Pa. You are trying to divide the church April 3, 2001 The "arrogance of the modern" is nothing compared to the arrogance of The Layman. You should be ashamed. You dishonor the sacrifice of all those members of the real Confessing Church. You make a sham of the courage of Barth, Niemoller, and others. Your arrogance is to take a petty political matter – and an un-Christian political position – and elevate it to the level of "Confessing Church." Your self-righteousness, arrogance, and, yes, idolatry, are shameful. And now you are trying to divide the church. It is not about theology or ethics, because you have no regard for either. Shame, Shame. Shame. William Saum Time for a new Reformation March 29, 2001 It is time for a new Reformation. There are those congregations in the PCUSA that uphold the Word of God and it is important to thank God for them. It is vitally important to pray that their pastors, elders and members will now have the strength to resist a call for "unity" when it is unbiblical to be yoked with those who have trampled on the Word of God. There are other Presbyterian denominations, like the Presbyterian Church in America, which left the Presbyterian Church U.S. more than 25 years ago over orthodoxy. They would welcome you into their family. The PCA has remained faithful to the Word of God and has grown tremendously while the PCUSA has moved away from Biblical orthodoxy and had massive losses in membership. If joining another denomination is not possible, then starting a new Presbyterian denomination would be a better option than continuing to be joined with apostates. The Reformation came about because of a desire to follow what the Bible teaches rather than what man devises and his itching ears want to hear. The Reformation was very painful and many lives were lost, but many more lives have been brought into the kingdom because the truth of God has been taught. Sola Scriptura, Solus Christus, Sola Gratia, Sola Fide and Soli Deo Gloria! Bob Thompson Ruling elder Covenant Presbyterian Church (PCA) Harleysville, Pa. Conscience and freedom must cut both ways March 29, 2001 One of the main points in the debate on Amendment O has been whether to allow local sessions/pastors to decide for themselves whether they will sanction same-sex unions based on individual conscience and congregational consensus. However, if anyone would like to visit the PCUSA Web page, particularly that part of the page that deals with overtures that will be forwarded to the 213th General Assembly, they will discover Overture 01-1 from the Presbytery of Scioto Valley. This overture addresses the issue of local sessions withholding funds from presbytery for a variety of reasons. To quote the actual overture: "Unless excused by the presbytery a session shall be responsible for raising and timely transmission of per capita funds to its presbytery. A presbytery may exercise care and oversight over congregations in its bounds that fail to raise or transmit such funds to the presbytery." If I understand this overture correctly, this means that a congregation which may be withholding funds because of conscience could, if this overture passes, be open to the "care and oversight" of the local presbytery and compelled to supply those funds its session withheld. Does this sound like allowing individual congregations, pastors and sessions to act according to their own consciences? This overture is an example of gross hypocrisy among some members of our denomination who claim inclusiveness and tolerance as their watchwords and then produce overtures such as 01-1, which plainly demonstrates an intolerant attitude toward others who hold different views. George A. Everson Rivermont Presbyterian Church Lynchburg, Va. Declaration 'fresh air' in 'polluted church' March 29, 2001 The Summit Presbyterian Church declaration of faith is encouraging, especially when the Presbyterian Church (USA) is looking for loopholes to keep "sin" in the denomination. Such declarations are like fresh air in polluted church. I say polluted church because what is seen in so-called mainline denominations (I call them "sideline denominations") has nothing to do with basic Christian faith. All that is being discussed in every church is "sexuality." The issue is resolved by the Holy Bible once and for all. Let the church get on with its task of preaching of the Gospel to all nations and stop time-wasting debates. Rev. Dr. Timotheus Nasir Moderator The United Presbyterian Church of Pakistan Gujranwala. Pakistan Writer applauds confessional statement March 23, 2001 I applaud Summit Presbyterian Church of the Beaver-Butler Presbytery for its three fold confessional statement. Anyone who disagrees with those three statements either doesn't know their Bible or doesn't care. Twisting the Word of God to suit today's wrongful cultural teachings will get you only one place; hell. Those who don't agree with the Summit Presbyterian Church confessional statement need to reexamine what the Scriptures really say. Afterall, they really aren't confusing words that God has spoken. "Thou shall not commit adultery" is pretty simple and clear as are the other commandments. Jack Fox Towanda, Pa. Take a stand March 23, 2001 My wife and I are members of Summit Presbyterian Church in Butler, PA. We are extremely excited that our session and congregation have come together in full support of our confession of faith. We pray that other churches and presbyteries take a stand and accept this confession of faith. Garry Faust Don't advocate maintenance of status quo March 23, 2001 Like many readers, I eagerly await the message you will post following your meetings this weekend. I hope you are aware, having read the e-mails sent to you in recent days, that a message to the effect of "Don't be discouraged – we must continue the fight..." will not be well received by readers of The Layman – many of whom are understandably weary of fighting a battle that never ends while continually losing ground to the liberal minority. If you advocate maintenance of the status quo, prepare to see your web site traffic decrease sharply – along with the number of people in pews of PCUSA churches. Mark Jones Grapevine, Texas Church leaders should be united in 'one faith and one doctrine' March 23, 2001 It is the responsibility of church leaders to be united in one faith and one doctrine. The liberal notion that historically it is normal and healthy for the church to disagree in spiritual matters because of our diversity is fraudulent. The continuing disagreement over theology, Biblical authority and the very truthfulness of Scripture is the very reason the PCUSA is fragmented in its Biblical and moral moorings and has drifted away from its historical tradition of Reformed doctrine. There should be no doubt that the dominant voice of the church today is the voice of heretics. There is one thing that must be understood in this continuing struggle with the homosexual community and those who approve of their lifestyle; theirs is a political battle, not a spiritual battle. Their agenda is to gain acceptance of the unnatural as natural from all segments of society. They say they want dialogue but that is nothing more than a political stratagem. The dialogue will not stop until they achieve their goals, which go far beyond the issue of Amendment O. They will continue the debate until they win the battle. This is called the "Third Way." "The Third Way" is a leftist socialist political stratagem created and used in the 20th century to achieve a goal or power. It is a deceptive political tactic to insure the "Continuance of Them" until they acquire enough support to win an election or gain absolute power. David Horowitz, a convert to conservative in political thought wrote: "In the 1930's, Nazis used the 'The Third Way' to characterize their own brand of national socialism as a equidistant between the 'internationalist' socialism of the Soviet Union and the capitalism of the west. Trotskyists used 'The Third Way' as a term to distinguish their own Marxism from Stalinism and capitalism. In the 1960's, New Leftist used 'The Third Way' to define their politics as an independent socialism between the Soviet gulag and America's democracy." I was offended by the use of this tactic in our church. I believe it to be naive to think that dialogue and debates are going to change minds. The "Continuance of Them" will cause schism in the church. I believe it's now time to go beyond dialogue. The coalition of the renewal groups and faithful ministers and sessions of particular Presbyterian churches should now take a proactive position within the church. They should sue for righteousness each time an ordained minister, elder or session violates the constitution of the PCUSA no matter the presbytery involved. Furthermore, those currently ordained who violate or denounce their ordination vows in favor of heresy should be given an opportunity to repent. But failure to do so should result in removal from their ministry. William Cramer Elder, Christ Presbyterian Church Phoenix, AZ Beyond Amendment O March 22, 2001 As we formulate a response to the defeat of Amendment O, it is important to begin with a period of reflection rather than hurtful reaction. This is a time to take stock of where our denomination is in its journey of faith and carefully assess the theology and political mechanics that have led to this pass. It is then a time to act. It is important to remember that under our system of governance, we are led by highly educated, ordained clergy. The vast majority of these leaders are products of a liberal academic background rooted in a proper tolerance of differing opinions. Unfortunately, many continued their education at seminaries where this healthy intellectualism was coupled with an academic tendency to reject tradition. Inevitably, this led to a practicing philosophy that all ideas, sincerely held by good people, have enough value that they should not be squelched by a Biblical hard line. It is innocent, it is human, it is loving, and it has led us to disaster. Less constrained by Scripture and fueled by an overly simple view of God's love, prevailing theology has cast our relationship with Him in a totally new light. No longer are we creatures of free will struggling to obey the fixed laws of God, but now liberated by His love, we are freer to make our own rules. Risen to this state, is it any wonder that we now try to turn God's plan for human sexuality on its head? Of less moment, but still very important, our church beyond the local level is a well entrenched bureaucracy. Staff and paid committee members have a self-preserving survival instinct. Pastors and presbyters are human and are reasonably swayed by forces active within a structure that will provide their career employment. The tension between working for the peace of the church while maintaining its purity will invariably tend toward maintaining peace. Given this environment, recent events hold no surprises. Place this organization, now rooted in a more user-friendly theology, against a well funded, well educated, and intensely motivated group of advocates, who march in the name of Jesus, seek His peace, proclaim His love and decry those who judge them as unloving, and what you have is the overwhelming defeat of Amendment O. Where to from here? As frail creatures we simply cannot flourish under this new theology. We have already been warned not to lean so completely on our own understanding and while no one wants to return to an era dominated by rooting out sin, we cannot ignore its presence as we have done. Sin is not some ancestral plague forever banned by the New Testament but an ever-present reality. We are better advised to acknowledge it, reject its power and walk in the light of God's love as His forgiven but obedient children. Have we not all become so numbed by sermon after sermon on the love and ready forgiveness of God that we have lost the urgency to confront our sin and to repent? Have we not heard the admonition to "judge not that ye be not judged" for so long that we have lost the confidence to judge at all? We must, as lay people, exert ourselves within our own congregations. Elders are responsible for the spiritual direction of the local church. Perhaps the old concept of "teaching elders" and "ruling elders" needs revisiting. While local pastors will and should exercise great influence, their work is made harder over the long run by an overly compliant and agreeable session. It is a team effort that leads us toward the light. We should emphasize the importance of our role in presbytery and consider electing presbytery commissioners for one year. While they are free to vote their conscience, that right doesn't exist in a vacuum. We must discuss these important issues as a church and certainly as a session so that a commissioner's conscience has the benefit of many views. We should take local and, if possible, presbytery action to clarify how we feel about this issue. Same-sex unions will become so frequent in some locations that the practice will be associated with Presbyterianism everywhere. That will have a profound impact on our local churches particularly if we fail to speak out clearly on behalf of our congregations. Already the media ponder the irony of how our great denomination, inheritors of the traditions of Calvin and Knox, now comes to embrace the morality of Sodom. Consider passing the following resolution as a Session:
John A. Cowan Cartersville, Ga. Stand up for truth of Scripture March 22, 2001 I was raised in the Presbyterian Church and came to value its love for Scripture, the Reformed tradition and the history of the church. For the past five years, I have been following a call to minister in the PCUSA, but I am questioning ministering in a denomination that is unable to make decisions based on the Scripture it professes to hold sacred. It seems, though, that the denomination more than ever needs ministers with a correct understanding of Scripture to redirect the denomination toward Christ. I pray earnestly that elders, deacons, pastors and other leaders will stand up for the truth of Scripture and make decisions based on that claim. Karl Schafer Santa Barbara, CA It's time to dig in and evangelize March 22, 2001 Has the Glory of Lord departed from the PCUSA?
For those Bible-believing and elect children of God, fight and continue to fight the good fight of faith. Do not split, but evangelize as taught in Matt. 28:18ff because one thing the liberals do not do is evangelize. They have no message, and cannot think spiritually in these matters. If Dr. J. Gresham Machen would have dug in and have fought rather than have split, the PCUSA would not be in the shape it is in because the enemy would have fled long time ago. Lou S. Nowasielski Doctor of Ministry Stand together or fail March 21, 2001 I am very sad for the Presbyterian Church. It seems to have forsaken the gospel of Jesus Christ. The Scriptures plainly give us the commands for righteous living. Same-sex unions are not righteous in the eyes of our Holy God. I cannot and will not accept it. God is for me. I must stand for Him. I think we need to legally take our church back and make it a House of God once again instead of an institution of sin and immorality. Christians across the world must stand with their God together or fail. Geraldine Walker Elder Weirton, W.Va. |
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