 Standing
under  The Presbyterian Layman Volume 33, Number 4, Posted August 4, 2000
We commend his vision of priorities for each member and for the whole church. Our church is hurting on the brink of schism because of deep wounds inflicted over the last 40 years as we have wandered in the wilderness of secularized and politicized theology. Church is hungry for the Word Our church is hungry for God’s authoritative Word because we have not sufficiently fed and cultivated our spiritual roots. At one of the General Assembly luncheons, our moderator also expressed regret that the spirit of worship did not carry over to the meetings of GA and suggested that the word “understanding” was what our church most needs. We share the moderator’s concerns. We also believe that the only sure way to get understanding within the church is for the whole church to start standing under the Word of God. Had we been standing under the authority of Scripture during these last 40 years, what is now the PCUSA would have produced fruit by doubling in size, strength and fervor. Instead, we have lost more than 1.5 million members. Instead of seeking God’s blessing by ordering our lives according to his Word, we seek the illusive blessing of unity while we order our lives as we please. We should have continued to be known as people of The Book. Instead, we have become people of the Book of Order. We should have consistently defined and disciplined our church life by what Scripture requires and the confessions teach. Instead, our church courts decide disciplinary cases by narrowly reading what the Book of Order prohibits, not by what the rest of our constitution repeatedly affirms. Another constitutional referendum Thus, we must now undertake yet another referendum on a constitutional amendment. If the whole church will start standing under God’s authoritative Word as the only infallible rule of faith and practice, we will not only receive understanding and unity, we will also receive peace and purity. Through Christ’s righteousness, not our own, we will receive the power of God’s spirit. We will then have the courage and grace to challenge our decaying culture. With the priorities of mission and evangelism, we can help produce the priceless pearl of another Great Awakening. If we start standing under the Word and boldly proclaim the faith delivered to the saints once for all, this dwindling denomination will be transformed and empowered to be a vital part of the greatest century of mission and evangelism! |
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