Commentary: Let there be light
By Parker T. Williamson, The Layman, March 4, 2010
“Let there be light!” With those words, the Creator bathed His earth with life sustaining luminescence. Warmed by its rays, the seas sent clouds which sprinkled the soil, seed pods sprouted, leaves bade stems to draw nutrients from below, flowers burst forth and God’s creatures fed on the harvest.
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This light that we creatures see from the moment of our birth is God’s general revelation, a diffusion of the Creator’s presence throughout all creation, a testimony so brilliant that no one could fail to know the One whose Word made it happen.
Paul speaks of general revelation in Romans 1, declaring that although God’s nature is invisible, He can be “clearly perceived in the things that have been made.” Thus, says Paul, we who focus on ourselves, our ideologies and our hand-crafted religions in lieu of the One who made us are “without excuse.” Our minds, he says, “are darkened” as we attempt to shade and – if it were possible – snuff out the light.
We do that, says Scripture, because our actions are evil. We prefer that such deeds be done in darkness.
So it was that the Creator issued forth a New Creation announcement. “Let there be light,” He decreed. A brilliant star flashed over Bethlehem, and the Light of the world was born.
This is a light that we cannot ignore. Unlike that diffusion of God’s general presence, this light sizzles like a laser. Jesus Christ is so focused, so specific, so targeted, such a particular expression of God’s presence that He burns through the veils that enshroud our dark places. Scripture says of this particular light that “the darkness cannot overcome it.”
The power of Jesus Christ, the Light of the world, is in His particularity. Here we meet no “To whom it may concern” God. His message is personal, and He meets us face-to-face. That’s why, at the name of Jesus, every knee shall bow in heaven and on earth … even under the earth. Facing Him, we have no choice but to fall to our knees, for an encounter with Him drives the darkness away, leaving us exposed.
That’s why 39 percent of Presbyterian Church (USA) ordained leaders and, sadly, increasing numbers of church members who have been persuaded by those leaders’ pulpits do not want to face Him. Rather, they seek to diffuse His light. Thirty-nine percent of PCUSA clergy believes that “all different religions are equally true.”1
There goes that powerful particularity that is the Gospel, the announcement that Jesus Christ is not merely a light, but the light of the world. So much for the great confession, that rock-solid, heaven sent declaration: “You are the Christ, Son of the Living God,” that is the Church’s one foundation. Cast aside are Jesus’ own words, “I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father but through me.”
Only 22 percent of the denomination’s specialized clergy (presbytery and synod executives, seminary professors, denominational staff members, and other non-parish ministers) agree with the statement, “Only followers of Jesus can be saved.” Only 35 percent of the denomination’s pastors will affirm it.2
Unable to bear His brightness – because, according to Scripture, “their deeds are evil”3 – PCUSA leaders are determined to diffuse God’s particular, penetrating, personal, laser-like light. They seek to make Him a mere light among lights, a firefly, flitting amidst the swarm that blinks its way through an ever enveloping darkness. Lights of this nature may entertain, but they can not illumine. And, chasing after such lights, we will not find our way.
It is no wonder that, according to National Council of Churches statistics, the PCUSA leads the way in reported membership losses. This year, they say, it is down 3.28 percent, to 2,941,412.4 Actually, the tally is far worse. PCUSA officials peg it at 2,140,165, a net loss of 69,381 from the previous year.5 Thousands of Presbyterians and scores of congregations are fleeing this denomination’s apostasy, some being deterred only by bureaucratic grabs for title to their property.
Jesus was very clear regarding the destiny of those who refuse to affirm His singular, saving lordship: “But whoever denies me before men, I will also deny him before my Father who is in heaven.”
If this denomination does not repent, no reorganization, no revision, no purported “renewal” will save it. The time is drawing nigh: Soon, it may be “lights out” for the Presbyterian Church (USA).
The Rev. Parker T. Williamson is editor emeritus, consultant to the Presbyterian Lay Committee, and an honorably retired PCUSA minister.
1 The Presbyterian Panel: “Religious and Demographic Profile of Presbyterians, 2008”
2 Ibid.
3 Consider the social issues docket for the 2010 General Assembly
4 National Council of Churches, 2010 Yearbook of Churches
5 Office of the Stated Clerk, PCUSA