Letters to the Editor

The Presbyterian Layman Volume 33, Number 3, Posted May 22, 2000

Article on Miami church reveals common problem
Re: Miami church’s renewal blows into presbytery storm

Your article about First Presbyterian Church in Miami and the opposition it has encountered is incredible, but not unique.

Many churches in our communion that are beginning to grow again are doing so in the power of the Spirit. It does not matter whether it is described as evangelical or charismatic, the fact of the matter is that congregations who declare that the ways of the past are the right ways and should not change are unwittingly subscribing to the seven last words of a dying congregation: “We’ve never done it that way before.”

If we are to survive and further thrive in this new millennium, we must return to one of our beliefs, “change.” But not change that makes the Gospel weak and ineffective, change that recognizes that it is the “traditions of man that make the Word of God of non-effect.” Let’s see how we can support ministries like this one that are thriving against the odds.

Jim Logan Jr., Pastor
South Tryon Presbyterian Church, Charlotte, N.C.

It costs PCUSA money to prepare court briefs
Re: PCUSA stated clerk disavows draft abortion brief prepared in his office

Presumably some lawyer had to prepare the abortion brief for Stated Clerk Clifton Kirkpatrick of the Presbyterian Church (USA).

I am a lawyer myself and know the work and time that goes into one of those things. Unless these were volunteers (and therefore probably pro-choice advocates) someone had to pay them to do this.

Why on earth would the church adopt a procedure where briefs were routinely prepared and presumably paid for before the person responsible for approving them had even authorized the taking of a position?

I could see perhaps changing one’s mind after seeing it in print, or wanting to make some changes, but to not even consider the issue until after the time and money had been spent is unthinkable. It makes no difference if we are not using an outside firm, but only in-house counsel (Does the church have some?) since we have to pay in-house counsel too and could have fewer of them if they were not sitting around preparing papers that will never be filed.

Whitman H. Brisky, Clerk of Session
First Presbyterian Church Evanston, Ill.
Editor’s note: The Office of the Stated Clerk does have in-house counsel. Briefs are prepared under the supervision of the stated clerk’s litigation committee which utilizes the counsel’s services.

Today, camel’s nose; tomorrow, the hump
Re: Overtures cite theological chasm

Loose translation of old nomadic proverb: “If you reconcile yourself to the presence of the camel’s nose poking through the door of your tent tonight, you’ll be dealing with his hump in the morning.”

Some have bristled at the use of the word “irreconcilable” used to describe the gulf that exists between denominational liberals and conservatives. It limits God, they say. But they misunderstand the scope of the term, applying it too broadly.

Irreconcilable, as used in the overtures, doesn’t mean that the Holy Spirit cannot grant the grace to allow the individual conservative to be on friendly terms with the individual liberal. That’s not what the overtures are speaking to at all.

What they mean is that there can be no reconciliation, without capitulation, of opposing ideologies. Biblical Christianity cannot reconcile with vain, humanistic fantasy. Jesus Christ, inclusive as He is, can have zero fellowship with Belial.

Gordan Runyan, Tucumcari, N.M.

Column gave different view of Cuba, Church
Re: NCC mission evokes sad memory

I am disturbed by some statements Celia Cejas made in her column in your March/April issue, statements that are not in accord with my experience in Cuba in 1981. Since she left in 1966, perhaps her information is more out-dated than mine.

I was staying in Matanzas, Cuba, studying at the ecumenical seminary. We worshipped in the little Presbyterian Reformed Church in Cardenas. While the congregation was small by some of our standards, there was an obvious vitality and commitment to Jesus Christ. They were spreading the gospel in spite of significant restrictions by the government, such as “no proselytizing.”

Since 1981, I have had occasional opportunity to speak with a current resident of Cardenas and have been assured of the continuation of a strong Presbyterian presence in that town. So, I’m sorry, but Ms. Cejas is mistaken that “the Presbyterians in Cadenas are no more.”

My experience led me to believe that, though the government persecuted the church by our standards, the church was working hard to survive and succeeding. I could not imagine saying a thing like “the Council of Reformed Churches that is an integral part of the revolution of Fidel Castro.”

I’m not suggesting that every thing is right in Cuba, but I can tell you people were a lot healthier than any I’ve seen in the border towns of Mexico or on some of our inner city streets.

Carolyn S. Wilkerson, Milwaukee, Wis.

Ghost Ranch seminar: an accountability problem
Re: Jesus Seminars scheduled at Ghost Ranch

The basic issue with the Jesus Seminar appearing at Ghost Ranch is like so many other similar meetings or programs which rip at our denomination: accountability. I can think of no other corporation or family which would applaud leadership intent on “deconstructing” its basic premises or reward leadership which consistently followed policies that resulted in loss of market.

Beth Denton

Jesus Seminar not ‘anti-Christian’
Re: Anti-Christian Jesus Seminars scheduled at PCUSA center

In the headline of your online article by John H. Adams, you call those who support the Jesus Seminar “anti-Christian.” Oh come now ... isn’t name-calling even beneath The Layman?

To label committed Christians like me who fully support the Jesus Seminar as “anti-Christian” is just ludicrous! Such name-calling does not further honest debate in the least.

The Jesus Seminar is doing little that has not been done in critical Bible study for at least 75 years! Where have you been all those years?

The Rev. Erwin C. Barron, Richmond, Calif.

Spong destroying Episcopal credibility
Re: Retiring bishop continues to disparage key doctrines of Christian faith

Bishop Spong is proof that the Episcopal Church fails a test of a true church: discipline rightly administered. The fact that they allow a bishop who categorically denies everything about the Christian faith and even generic theism to remain in good standing destroys the Episcopal Church’s credibility as a true church.

Tom Hobson, George, Iowa

There’s ‘Amazing Grace’ even for Bishop Spong
Re: Spong appears at PCUSA church

It is unfortunate that Bishop Spong has been given a platform at Fourth Presbyterian Church in Chicago to spew forth such venomous prattle. There will always be those who oppose the truth of the Gospel and try to distance themselves from the blood of Jesus which they find to be repelling.

It truly is amazing grace that this same blood was poured out for the forgiveness of Bishop Spong – and if his hardened heart ever gives way to conviction, and this blind guide’s eyes are ever opened to the light of the gospel he maligns, and he repents of his sin, he will be forgiven.

N. Kirk Werner, Pastor
Lake Forest Presbyterian Church, Knoxville, Tenn.

More bad publicity for our denomination
Re: Editorial: Publish it not in Gath …

I read in today’s [April 26] Akron Beacon Journal how the Rev. Matthew Peterson, a Presbyterian minister in suburban Cleveland, objected to Ohio’s motto “With God all things are possible.”

The ACLU represented Peterson in filing a lawsuit. A panel of the U. S. 6th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that the motto violates the U. S. Constitution as a government endorsement of religion.

The motto was adopted in 1959 and was taken from Matthew 19:26. According to the newspaper article, Peterson asked the ACLU not to refer calls to him because he had been criticized within the church since filing the lawsuit, ACLU spokeswoman Chris Link said.

I am sick and tired of this kind of negative publicity involving the PCUSA.

Robert L. Gillman, Akron, Ohio

Enforcement, not more gun laws, is needed
Re: Moms urged to march against handguns

Maybe the National Ministries Division of the Presbyterian Church (USA) needs to get their collective heads out of the sand and realize that we do not need additional gun control laws but instead need to have those currently on the books enforced. Let’s quit using this issue as a means to continue the liberal agenda in this country, and remember that the last time the government tried to take away our guns that Paul Revere rode through the countryside proclaiming “the British are coming.”

Kenneth M. Carter, Milwaukee, Wis.

Why doesn’t PCUSA learn from its mistakes?
Re: PCUSA, government-sanctioned China council propose agreement

Looks like World Ministries Division would have learned a thing from the experience of allying with the “official” church in Romania and other Eastern European nations. Sad, sad, sad.

Dr. Ned H. Benson
St. John’s Presbyterian Church, Reno, Nev.

Why use Bible to condemn gays?

This is in reply to a letter to the editor in the March/April issue of The Presbyterian Layman.

The letter writer relies solely on the Bible to condemn homosexuals. Does he also believe that homosexuals should be stoned to death? After all, the Bible says that also. Of course he doesn’t, but how does he pick and choose which parts of the Bible he would enforce?

If Mr. Cole would just adopt a more mature attitude and admit to himself why it is that we dislike homosexuals so much, then the solution to his problem would be clear to him.

Richard Whitehead, Hammond, N.Y.

Ask all candidates about their theology

All candidates for elder should be asked: Do you believe that all sexuality outside of marriage between a man and a woman is sin? If they refuse to answer or say “no”, they are not fit to be an elder based on their theology. You do not need to ask them about their behavior!

If you have current elders whose theology allows for extramarital straight or gay sex, they should be removed from office.

Such straightforward questions on the theology of sexuality (not practice) would cause the removal of 90 percent of the troublers of the church.

Elizabeth Iskander, M.D., La Canada, Calif.

With one common view, the whole kit and kaboodle
Re: Will ecumenical groups that backed despot show 'integrity' to renounce him?

You rightly point out that Mugabe is a violent and evil man, power hungry, and a violater of human rights. You may be interested that he and you are one on the issue of homosexuality. Perhaps you should be more careful with whom you share an ideological bed.

Paul Middleton, Edinburgh, Scotland

Editor’s note: The following response by Parker T. Williamson, executive editor, is presented in good humor.

Dear Mr. Middleton,
Let’s see if we got this straight:

This violent, evil, power hungry violator of human rights refuses to bless homosexual behavior. The Presbyterian Lay Committee refuses to bless homosexual behavior.

Therefore, the Presbyterian Lay Committee is a violent, evil, power hungry violator of human rights.

Hmm.

Here’s the parallel:

All pigs breathe air

Paul Middleton breathes air

Therefore Paul Middleton is a pig

I trust you are pleased that the syllogism is invalid.

Parker T. Williamson

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