Letters to the Editor - July/August 1999

Letters to the Editor July/August 1999
Editor’s Note: During General Assembly week the Layman Online received numerous e-mails from Presbyterians worldwide who were following the Assembly via the Internet. Some of those letters are reprinted below.

Half tea/half poison “Apart from their view of Scripture about homosexuality, Joe Dallas said conservative Presbyterians would be comfortable with most preaching found in pro-gay churches” [from Layman Online]. That description is like a cup of beautifully brewed tea, half tea/half poison, beautiful to behold, a lovely aroma, and pleasing warmth as it is consumed. The only problem is that when the tasteless, odorless poison hits the body system it causes death. If Scripture is not the standard, there is no standard. It is sad that Presbyterians debate so many issues that are already settled in heaven. Edith Hughes, New Jersey Sounds like hypocrisy So, let me get this straight. Our denomination is endorsing the National Network of Presbyterian College Women, while it refuses to endorse the ecumenical Promise Keepers men’s ministry. Now, what was the rationale that PK was rejected; primarily a men’s ministry you say? Somehow, this is sure seeming pretty hypocritical. Daniel Runkle Debate saps strength I am happy about the votes June 25. I pray that we may give some more time to doing the work of evangelism and missions. The continued political debate on sexual issues not only divides the Church but saps the financial and personal strength needed to build up the Church. Carl D. Smith PCUSA hoodwinked Former Moderator Douglas W. Oldenburg has once again hoodwinked the PCUSA by pleading support for NNPCW, a group that continues to defy the supposed will of the PCUSA. Doesn’t the church ever learn from the in-your-face approach of the liberal element seeking control, and slowly gaining it? Our church cannot recognize Promise Keepers but does recognize and support a group that seeks to destroy the biblical foundation of our faith. I cannot in good conscience support the PCUSA and will seek other recipients for mission giving. Bill Arthur, Tucson, Ariz. Defeating inclusive language Thank you godly men and women who voted and won on the inclusive language issue. We at home have been on our knees praying that He would win the victory. Rocco and Carol Fannelli Quincy, Mass. Withholding support Withholding financial support of the GA is the only effective means of exercising any semblance of discipline in this denomination. It is time for constitution-abiding sessions across the nation to withhold per capita, and to re-channel it instead to biblical, gospel-centered, constitution-abiding mission agencies and organizations within the PCUSA family. John Mabray GA did what it should have The General Assembly has done what it should have done in voting against ordaining homosexuals into the ministry of God’s work. Thank you all and we shall continue to pray for God’s direction in serving Him. George N. Thomas, Seattle, Wash. Jesus is not schizophrenic Jesus Christ is not schizophrenic. If he is the head of the church, then his Holy Spirit will not lead half of a group in one direction and half in another. If there is no unity in a matter – any matter – then somebody’s not listening to the Holy Spirit. The General Assembly Council was premature at best in moving forward on the matter of the Women of Faith Awards, if for no other reason that unity was not present. I implore commissioners and council members to seek God in humility and wait for the unity that marks the presence of his Holy Spirit. Barb Ferrier When is enough enough? I am glad that a majority of commissioners to the General Assembly has voted down once again an attempt by a minority to push for ordination of openly gay or lesbian ministers in our denomination in violation of Scripture. I am, however, becoming increasingly disgusted that we must go through this vote time after time after time. When is enough enough? If the battle plan is to “wear down and water down” the position of truth in our church instead, why don’t they just start their own denomination. There is no middle ground on this issue. There is no compromise between light and darkness. Why are we wasting time, money, and energy on an issue which can never be resolved? Bonnie Weideman Prayers from Brazil The Presbyterian Church of Sapiranga, a new church development of the Presbyterian Church of Brazil, pastored by PCUSA missionary, the Rev. Henry M. Haswell Jr., held a 12-hour fasting, prayer vigil June 25. We called on God to help the PCUSA uphold biblical standards of fidelity and chastity. We rejoice in the answered prayer! Lottie B. Haswell		Road to paganism This General Assembly has gone on record as condoning, coddling and complimenting those who are living in open sin against God. As long as we keep taking members into our church who are not transformed by the power of Christ and His Holy Spirit – and give them places of leadership in our assemblies, we will continue down this road to complete paganism. I can’t call us apostate any more – I think we actually have gone way beyond that and now have actually blasphemed the Holy Spirit of God! Actually, I see no hope for this denomination as long as the liberals and gays are controlling what decisions and actions we take. Long has passed the time when we should be demanding those who are openly flaunting the Word of God and making a mockery of His church to leave our denomination or else repent. Two more years – by then the ship will be long sunk beneath the waves of credibility and grace! R. Glen Traver Left wing discredited The left wing-ideology of mainline denomination offices is a well known phenomenon. The “progressive” philosophy has been discredited by its actual performance wherever applied, e.g., USSR, Cambodia, Cuba, East Germany, etc. Please encourage all commissioners and policymakers of our church to read the pertinent books by some of our friendly Jewish realists: A) Who’s Afraid of the Religious Right? by Don Feder and B) The Politics of Bad Faith by David Horowitz. We should fund and encourage all our offices to be the Church, not political hacks. V. B. Rambo, M.D. Mt. Pleasant, S.C. Dismayed by awards Please be assured of the prayers of God’s faithful people in Lake Jackson on the Texas Gulf Coast. In our session meeting, last evening, we agreed to communicate to our 611 members our dismay at the Women of Faith awards, especially that Freda Gardner, the new moderator, saw fit to endorse the event by her presence and with her comments. We shall be following the events of the next few days carefully and will take the appropriate action. Yours in Christ, Alan Trafford ‘Caravan moves on’ Nancy Whiteley’s objection to Promise Keepers reminds me of the saying, “Dogs bark, but the caravan moves on.” Her logic for rejecting Promise Keepers, and fear of being seen as commending them, needs to be applied to activities within our denomination as well. Is she willing to be critical of those activities that are contrary to our understanding of Scripture and our constitution? I wonder!! Jerry J. Voss Shame on the PCUSA Shame on PCUSA for not commending Promise Keepers. PK is raising the standard of Godliness for our men and boys, something we desperately need in America. It seems to be doing a far better job than the PCUSA, who can’t take a stand for fear of offending someone. Missy Bishop Divisiveness not all bad Kathy Runyeon is quoted on the PCUSA site as saying the committee went forward because the fidelity and chastity language was causing “divisiveness.” Divisiveness is not a bad thing when the church is adhering to God’s Word. Christ effectively created this division: sheep and goats. Gary Loftis Lake Mary, Fla. A Witherspoon irony How ironic that a group, the Witherspoon Society, which claims to advocate an “inclusive and diverse” church wants to silence The Presbyterian Layman. One can only think that the promoters of this resolution were afraid of the light of accountability being shed on the dark deeds which these promoters stand behind. Tom Ambrose Deceived and deceiving Rev. Richard Lundy appeals to cultural norms as justification for the church to change our standards. Rev. Harold Potter states that our church is falling behind cultural ethical standards. This is a bad thing? They advocate that the church emulate such stalwarts of virtue as Levi Strauss, Apple Computer and Disney. Do we as the church of Jesus Christ really want to emulate a culture that has given us teen suicide, school shootings, violence, partial-birth abortion, etc...? Rather, aren’t we supposed to influence the culture? To be salt and light and a shining city on a hill? It is incredible to me that ministers of the Word could be so deceived and deceiving. Richard A. Cochran, La Plata, Mo. Protest against awards I write to protest the action of the GAC in upholding the Women of Faith Award to Jane Spahr. I do not believe this action reflects the belief and conviction of the Presbyterians in the pew, nor do I see the action as one which was led by the Holy Spirit. I am a lifelong Presbyterian, now serving my fourth term as active elder, and I am deeply distressed at what I see happening in our beloved church. I pray for the commissioners to the General Assembly daily. I fear this award and related votes will only more deeply divide us. Please prayerfully consider the actions you are now taking and their future repercussions. Camilla G. Herlevich



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