By Barbara G. Wheeler, Albany Presbytery.
In 2011, a majority of presbyteries voted to replace language in the PCUSA Constitution (G-6.0106b) that was intended to bar partnered gay and lesbian church members from serving in ordained office. The new text is permissive. No new teaching about human sexuality is included. Rather, recognizing how deeply divided the church remained on these matters, the new section of the Constitution was framed to respect the conscientious convictions of both sides and to permit a diversity of ordination practices.
A commitment to freedom of conscience under the Lordship of Jesus Christ is deeply rooted in Presbyterian tradition. Those of us who advocated changing or interpreting the Constitution to permit ordination of partnered GLBT members and, later, same-gender marriage emphasized over and over that the proposed changes would not force any minister or council to say or do anything they deeply believed to be wrong. The fact that the ordination amendment would not force the views of one theological party on the other had a great deal to do with its passage. One pastor said to me during the debate: “I struggle with the ordination question because of my reading of Romans 1. But I have to pay attention to other scriptures too, such as Romans 14:4 where it asks ‘Who are you to judge?’ and assures me that the Lord will judge. As long as we let the Lord do the judging, I can live with this.”
When the changes came, the church’s leaders repeated the assurance of freedom of conscience: The “integrity” of all Presbyterians will be honored, wrote the Stated Clerk and other officers on the day that the ordination measure passed, even as the door is opened to ordinations that were banned before. That protection has enabled many congregations and clergy who cannot approve the ordination or marriage of those in same-gender partnerships to remain in the PCUSA. It also seemed right to many of us who wanted ordination and marriage policies to change. We knew what it was like to be prevented by church law from acting on convictions that were rooted in our understanding of scripture, and we had no desire to do that to others.
I am writing now because a measure is coming before General Assembly that breaks the promise of freedom of conscience that is an integral part of the new constitutional provisions for ordination.
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Disagreement on the authority of scripture is at the heart of these issues. And how authority of scripture is viewed is an underpinning of every religion. You can agree to disagree on this and remains friends and get together as a social group, but you cannot hold together as a church. This is why PCUSA is collapsing.
This overture is just the start of the louisville sluggers putting the hammer down on traditionalist in the pcusa, and we have known that this was coming, there is going to come a time that unless you buy into revisionist theology the chances of a Bible believing Christian graduate getting ordained in the pcusa will be slim to none.
PCUSA IS BECOMING MORE AND MORE LIKE A ROTARY CLUB
OR THE ELKS OR THE MOOSE CLUBS. The only difference seems
to be that the fraternal organizations mentioned do not claim to be
dedicated to and bound by the teachings of The Scriptures.
Micah 6:8 proclaimed that we should seek justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with God – Does anyone ask Jesus what He wants us to do and really listen to His Words? Jesus proclaimed we should love God with our ALL – might, soul, and strength, and love each other – which also means accept God’s forgiveness (Mercy and Grace) by forgiving each other 7 times 70 times. We all have fallen short of loving God (first 4 commandments) and loving others (last 6 commandments), so does anyone really seek to be filled with God’s Spirit so we can be “best in Prayer” when the Lord rearranges our lives (and the letters of “Presbyterian” to spell these three words)? I am grateful that God is faithful – and that He is teaching us how to be faithful with our promises with each other. In God we trust! William from South Carolina
It is indeed unfortunate that those who so recently felt disadvantaged and have surged to the forefront now force their views on everyone else. It is actions like this one that make me sad the PCUSA has moved so far from the center and makes many of us feel unwelcome. Views may differ, scriptural interpretations may vary, beliefs may not be exactly the same, but there should be room for all to meet and talk and dialogue without making one side or the other feel inferior or in error. Our presbytery (I am the last Moderator) has lost so many churches in the past half-dozen years that we will disappear this June following GA approval of our merger with a neighboring presbytery. It is sad. Actions like this one will finally drive me from the PCUSA.
It appears that the good Dr. Weaver is a day late and a dollar short, as they say. While advocating consistently for these changes, she should have seen this coming, for PCUSA polity affirms, “The councils are distinct, but have such mutual relations that the ACT OF ONE OF THEM IS THE ACT OF THE WHOLE CHURCH . . .” (F-3.0203, emphasis added). A mea culpa if made at this GA supposedly carries the same weight as though I had spoken the words myself. Scriptural authority is overturned in every congregation and every teaching or ruling elder if this goes forward. We have not yet begun to see the effects of the grief this will cause.
I know Barbara to be a smart, savvy – and I want to believe – faithful follower of Jesus. This is why it is surprising to me that she herself surprised and alarmed by this new overture. A good number of more orthodox Presbyterians raised this very issue at the time the proposed changes were being debated. In fact, I’ve heard many state that one of the reasons they finally decided to leave the PC(USA) was because such an overture was inevitable – and they did not want to stay around for the consequences. This overture is the next natural step to be taken against those who hold to a different understanding of Scripture within the PC(USA) – and it will not be the last. A so-called “righteous purging” of the PC(USA) by those who hold to a progressive theology is well underway. In time, no difference of opinion will be allowed on any number of Scriptural and theological views. Those with “conscientious convictions,” who hold to the principle of Jesus being the Lord of our conscience, will all in time be escorted out of the PC(USA). It is a sad, but not unexpected end, to a once diverse denomination. The only good news is that with the creation of ECO there is now a place for congregations and individuals to go where they feel welcomed and without fear of persecution.
where this was headed was very clear from the beginning. When the LGBTQ community hijacked the civil rights movement the die was cast. Once they convinced a majority to accept the analogy between African American and LGBTQ the path was clear. Belhar gave constitutional cover. Can you imagine the denomination accepting a Pastor or church that would not ordain or accept an African American as a Pastor or apologize for not doing so in the past,neither can they.To argue they didn’t see this coming is absurd it is the product of a tactic they chose.
What this really is the theological equivalent of the federal RICO statues. A rather broad and blunt instrument used in federal prosecution of corruption and organized crime rackets.
In this case the “apology” is used as a means not only meant to insult, and humiliate its theological opponents, but a polity, legal means to discriminate and remove clergy and other aspects that stand in its way. In essence it is the removal of any constitutional means of freedom of thought, conscious and belief. In its place a new rigid orthodoxy of doctrinaire conformity and subjugation.
But such is the PCUSA, statist, rigid, monolithic orthodoxy, intolerant of theological dissent from its new presumed ideology and politics.
Martin Luther talks about Conscience and points out that it is to be captive to the Word of God!
“Since your majesty and your lordships desire a simple reply, I will answer without horns and without teeth. Unless I am convicted by scripture and plain reason–I do not accept the authority of popes and councils for they have contradicted each other–my conscience is captive to the Word of God. I cannot and I will not recant anything, for to go against conscience is neither right nor safe. Here I stand, I cannot do otherwise, God help me. Amen.” Martin Luther
The problem with Dr. Wheeler is that she forgets that there are boundaries to conscience…the Word of God. It is not good enough to say every one can do what ever is right in their own eyes in the name of conscience; therefore this amendment is wrong. Rather, it is Scripture that should provide the boundary for our behavior and interpretations and the Holy Spirit should be leading to truth. In the past this was true and that is why the Church Universal held views on sexual behavior. The majority of Christians still hold these views,.but it is not so in the PCUSA. That is why this proposed apology is wrong.
Since the PUP committee out come, of which Dr. wheeler was a part, the direction the PCUSA was clear: opposing views could not stand together, there is no foundation upon which to build a consensus, there is no understanding of scripture that makes sense, there is no boundary on conscience. Sadly, the lack of respect for the Authority of Scripture that this proposal embodies is evidence of the division that is breaking apart the denomination.
My response: “Why Barbara Wheeler Is WRONG (Again). http://www.shuckandjive.xyz/2016/04/why-barbara-wheeler-is-wrong-again.html
Shuck, I still see that you’re acting like a Christian living off pcusa dollars. Must be nice………….
The ordination of LBGT persons approved at the last GA has been more divisive than reconciliatory. The plain truth is that the PCUSA has ignored scripture to be politically correct and not theologically correct. This has forced a life long member whose family came from Scotland and has been Presbyterian for over 400 years to look for another Presbyterian fellowship such as the PCA.
To dismiss Shuck as an outlier is a mistake. His recent installation in a new presbytery and the extent to which he publicly proclaimed that he is a presbyterian minister who doesn’t believe in God suggests he speaks for a significant segment of the PCUSA. He ends his article by saying the recent amendments :”That was only the beginning. We still have a long way to go. Apologizing for the pain caused by our theological views is a start”. Those theological views include: there is a God, Jesus Christ is our Savior, and the authority of Scripture. Shuck recently suggested an overture to do away with the first 4 ordination questions. The rationale was 3 words; they turn people off. Unencumbered by a premodern belief system the PCUSA will be free to move forward with it’s new motto “Find a parade and get in front of it”
I can recall congregational meetings, classes, and session meeting in the 1980’s and 90’s when the issue of homosexual (the big tent term of the day) ordination was discussed. As conservatives, we didn’t seek to take over a congregation when they knowingly violated ordination standards. That choice led, eventually, to where the PCUSA stands today.
Membership under 1.5 million, congregations leaving the denomination (if allowed), the slow death of once impressive Seminaries, few adult Baptisms, etc…And now persecution of those who oppose the new normal.
Looking back, we should have allowed a amicable split back then. However, we relied too heavily on a clear reading of Scripture, and underestimated the incursion of culture into Theological understanding. It cost us nearly $3 million, however it looks as if that was worth it for our congregation to be free and clear of what the PCUSA has become. I do grieve for those congregations unable to depart for reasons beyond their control.
Bible-believing Christians aren’t applying to PCUSA Seminaries and are not seeking ordination in these Churches. The hardest hit will be those too young to retire and too old to successfully move to a new denomination. Anyone ordained in the PCUSA will be viewed with suspicion by real Evangelicals. We are seeing the result of not responding effectively to a post-Christian society…post-Christian Churches.