Posted Friday, February 27, 2004
To Rev. Williamson, I extend my heartfelt support and prayers. Disenfranchisement comes to my mind when considering the “railroading” of his “trial” and “validation.” The silent majority’s need to become more vocal and there needs to be a reclaiming of the historic church to which we faithfully give years of service in his name.
Know that he will be kept in not only my daily prayers but the prayers of the church I serve (The Knoxville United Church, Pittsburgh, Pa.). God be with you.
Rev. Gilbert Fitzsimmons, Ph.D.
Will Presbyterians counter something that might be the work of God?
Posted Friday, February 27, 2004
I just read what The Outlook had to say about the Passion film. My wife and I have yet to see it, but we will. Following is the email response to The Outlook.
“Leave it, once again, to the Presbyterians to counter something that just might be the work of God in the world and church PCUSA. If it is not of God, then nothing will come of it; rather, if it is of God then how can it be fought against. (I think I read that someplace; or something like it.)”
Art Kalafut, pastor Monmouth Community Presbyterian Church, Fresno, Calif.
Presbytery destroyed its own case with one word
Posted Friday, February 27, 2004
If the quote in John Adams’ article of February 25, 2004 is accurate (and I have no reason to doubt that it is not) then I believe that the Presbytery of Heartland has destroyed its own case with one little word … paying.
So what does it mean, to pay? According to Webster’s New World Dictionary the verb to pay derives from the Latin parare, meaning, to pacify. It goes on to define the word pay as “to give what is due,” and “to give what is due or owed.” So the Presbytery of Heartland’s inclusion of … “including paying of per capita” … in it resolution of June 17, 2003, defines its intent and lays the foundation for its own defeat.
My reading of their resolution shows that a session must pay what it owes, which is contrary to every interpretation of our denomination’s history, tradition and constitution.
Now benevolence is a wholly different matter. It is derived from the Latin, bene – meaning well, and volens – meaning to wish. It is defined as an inclination to do good, or to do a kindly, charitable act or give a gift.
There is a broad gulf between the act of paying what is owed and the giving of a gift. In one there is no choice, in the other there is. Maybe that is why G-10.0102i was written in exactly that way. Sessions are given the power and responsibility to choose where their gifts are to go. As I read it, nowhere in our constitution are presbyteries given the power or authority to direct or force a session to pay per capita, nor is per capita “owed” to them.
This case will be a defining moment in our denomination. My prayers are with the pastor, session and congregation of Paola as they sally forth to do battle with their Heartland Goliath.
Mike Schrowang, elder Londonderry Presbyterian Church, Londonderry, N.H.
Church has paid more attention to Paul and less attention to Jesus’ preaching
Posted Friday, February 27, 2004
I thoroughly agree with Rev. Scott Nesbitt’s letter in this month’s edition. The decision to “defrock” Williamson is long overdue. Anyone that can say that “inclusivity is inane” is not proclaiming the kingdom of God that Jesus proclaimed. I don’t have any way of knowing whether the process itself was done appropriately.
My biggest question for you people who think you are the only ones that know the truth and that the rest of us are “not Christian” or not “Bible-believing” is how you know that your brains work any better than ours? Are you somehow smarter than we are? If homosexuality is so horrible, why didn’t Jesus say anything about it? Yet, Jesus did speak against divorce. But you don’t split the church over the issue of ordaining divorced ministers.
You say Paul spoke against homosexuality – well, Paul also said women should be silent in the churches. Do you follow that exhortation? And if homosexuality is a sin (note that I am not saying that it is), but if it is, what makes it worse than any other sin that we all commit every day of our lives? Jesus’ entire ministry was devoted to including the outsiders that the Pharisees excluded – sound familiar? Why don’t you just call yourselves Pharisees – that’s exactly how you are acting.
I also notice that you are promoting The Passion of the Christ. That movie is just a sickeningly violent version of current pop theology. If the gospel writers thought that the blood and gore was the main point, they would have said more than a sentence or two about it. Read your Bibles and pay attention to what Matthew, Mark, Luke and John emphasized in their versions of the gospels. Even Paul, for whom “the folly of the cross” was the major portion of the message, does not concentrate on the blood and gore of the crucifixion. For Paul, what is important is Christ crucified and risen, and that we follow Christ’s example. Did you ever notice that Jesus preached the kingdom of God, and Paul preached the cross?
Somewhere along the line, the church has paid more and more attention to Paul, and less and less attention to what Jesus preached. That seems dangerous to me. When we pick and choose what we want to pay attention to and what we want to ignore, we are editing the Bible. We need to be very much aware that we are doing that whenever we interpret the Bible. I do not believe that anyone at The Layman is aware of that. That scares me!
Melissa Boling former member PCUSA and 3rd year student, at Vanderbilt Divinity School, preparing for ordained mini
Dooling deserves the Woman of Faith award
Posted Friday, February 27, 2004
The article about Mrs. Sylvia Dooling has come at the most appropriate time. She is a woman the Pakistani Presbyterians respect for her love and concern for Christian faith and for her work.
During 2003 we the Presbyterians of Pakistan wanted to write the officials of the Presbyterian Church USA to give the “Woman of Faith Award” to Mrs. Sylvia Dooling, but she wrote us that she does not want it because her reward is with the Lord Jesus Christ.
We the Pakistani Presbyterians ask the Presbyterians in USA to ensure that she gets “Woman of Faith Award” during forthcoming General Assembly of PCUSA. At the same time we are praying for our sister Sylvia that the Lord may save her from punitive actions from PCUSA for her Christian faith like Rev. Parker T. Williamson. May the Lord Jesus Christ bless the ministry of VOW and Sylvia Dooling.
Bishop Timotheus Nasir The United Presbyterian Church of Pakistan , Gujranwala, Pakistan.
We must be in prayer for our land to be healed
Posted Friday, February 27, 2004
Just because the Bible illustrates to us that there are dysfunctional families, it does not mean dysfunction is to be a norm in families. The Bible illustrates to us how sin destroys families when people turn their back to God. We have been witnessing this since World War II, and now the family is in danger of being re-defined – not one man with one woman in covenant relationship with our Triune God, but as has been witnessed by Sodom by the Bay, San Francisco.
Same sexes now can marry illegally, thinking they are legally married. Romans chapters 1 to 3 teaches otherwise, and one day God’s judgment will prevail. The body of Christ must continually be in prayer for our land to be healed, and the body of Christ continually needs to demonstrate Christ like living along with the preaching and teaching of the Word of God, if we are to see many come to Christ as Savior and Lord.
Lou. S. Nowasielski Wilmington, Del.
PCUSA has made world its god
Posted Friday, February 27, 2004
I just read the Online Guest Viewpoint Second Thoughts on ‘The Passion’.
Once again, I hear the world’s voice being parroted by the church. In a time when the PCUSA has made the world its god and has bowed down to it, we criticize others for reaching out. We have pastors in our pulpits “preaching” that Jesus may not be the only way and that we must be more tolerant and inclusive of others.
We put down the service of others by saying, “No, for we must not try to be wiser than God who does not want his people to be taught by means of lifeless idols, but through the living preaching of his Word.”
We have become the den of vipers Christ talked about: “Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men’s bones, and of all uncleanness” (Mat. 23:27).
Marc Karasek Norcross, Ga.
Kaseman case factor in forming EPC
Posted Wednesday, February 25, 2004
Your article on Kenyon and Kaseman was timely. I recall Dr. Andrew Jumper’s article “A Tale of Two Pastors” from the Presbyterian Journal in the mid-1980’s making the same juxtaposition with the same observed ironies.
A correction might be necessary. To my knowledge, R. C. Sproul, a former faculty colleague at Reformed Seminary, has never been a resident faculty member of Westminster Theological Seminary in Philadelphia. He might have been at Westminster College in western Pennsylvania.
An omission should also be noted. The Kaseman matter was a material factor in the establishment of the Evangelical Presbyterian Church, home of a great number of former UPC(USA) and PC(US) congregations. Our position on granting the liberty of conscience that those such as Rev. Kenyon desired while maintaining fundamental orthodoxy has resulted in our becoming the third largest Presbyterian body in terms of active membership in North America today.
Michael J. Glodo, stated clerk Evangelical Presbyterian Church
There’s little reason for optimism
Posted Wednesday, February 25, 2004
Just to remark at the total optimism of John H. Adams concerning the overture to relieve presbyteries of their burden to make up for any per capita funds they do not receive from their respective churches.
Wouldn’t it be nice if those to whom the overture is directed could be expected to “come, let us reason together, saith the Lord,” as brother Adams suggests?
However, I personally expect overtures to pass that will go just the opposite direction of the one Rocky Grove Avenue is sending to the General Assembly. I believe churches will HAVE to pay their per capita or get out, and that is when the cold water will hit the faces of those of us who still have glimmers of hope of changing the mind set of GA and those who already think lay people should have no say and no way to counter the ongoing heresies foisted upon us through the denomination by her rogue government.
I’m not so optimistic. I remember Pearl Harbor. I remember 9/11. And I remember 1/31 in Asheville, North Carolina/Western North Carolina Presbytery.
Glenda Smith
Don’t give up on San Francisco and Bay area
Posted Wednesday, February 25, 2004
Keep up the good work! I find it amazing how our educated “leaders” in the Bay area have become the Jezebel of the New Testament. Don’t give up on San Francisco and the surrounding Bay area.
Please know that we are many who believe and support what The Layman and confessing churches stand for. There are true believers in God’s Word and in Jesus Christ our risen Savior even (a silenced majority) in Calvary Presbyterian. I am amazed at how easy it is for our leaders to discount what is not the fruit of the spirit. Ephesians, Corinthians and Romans all speak about the old life and new life.
I cannot see anywhere that those who come to Christ are told to keep what ever behavior they had and put it above God’s holiness, forgiveness and mercy, especially when it touches on a cultural issue. Perhaps they should reread it again and again. The homosexual (10%) population claims special – rights in God’s church, not their church – full of arrogance and pride, the very things the Old and New Testamenst teach against.
Why get special privileges and rights because of a behavioral difference? We are dealing in God’s world and not dealing in the current culture of our world. There is no physical impairment and it is not the same as what they are claiming is prejudice. We as true followers of Christ do love them as Christ loves them, in hopes that they do as we all have: come to Christ with great remorse in our hearts as sinners, but not to get special privileges.
All human beings are sinners before God – no exceptions! I pray that those who come before God realize that we live in a culture that would have it otherwise, as in thousands of years before us, but we are not to be a part of it. We are to live differently as humble and thankful before God in Christ.
We believe that as Christ’s followers we love the sinner and not the sin as Jesus did with the prostitute. He showed us that if one is remorseful and accepts Christ fully, the Holy Spirit will help them with their personal struggle, as we all try to walk the purer, holy path of Christ.
T.J. Tellier Calvary Presbyterian Church, San Francisco
Jesus doesn’t have to be approved annually
Posted Wednesday, February 25, 2004
I have been taught that we will be subject to persecution for our belief in Jesus Christ. Some of us endure more of it than others.
However, I never expected to be persecuted for my beliefs in my own Presbyterian denomination. Church should be one place that we all can go to be supported and encouraged for being a Christian. Not that church should be a type of support group, but in a way it is. I want to go to a place where I am in agreement with others and feel like I belong, to be lifted up and inspired and to be supported.
I need to go to a place where I feel some sense of protection from this world, even for just a short time. Yet, our national leadership in the Presbyterian Church (USA) makes me feel like an outcast – like I am not wanted anymore, that my views have somehow become radical.
I never expected to be questioned or having to affirm my belief in Jesus as our only savior, to have to vote on that every year. Jesus is not like a president of a corporate board that has to be approved each year. The liberal faction in our denomination cannot seem to understand or care about my concern for the direction the church is heading. Whatever happened to the concept of group consciousness? As a Christian, I am at times going to face criticism and derision from non-believers. It makes life more difficult to have to face those things from fellow Christians.
David Hankins Ridgedale Presbyterian Church, South Bend, Ind.
John Calvin on peace, unity and purity
Posted Wednesday, February 25, 2004
I think the words of John Calvin are worth recalling when we consider the peace, unity, and purity of the Church. In his time, many went willingly to their deaths in defense of the purity of the Church. The issues might change, but the conflict is the same. In commenting on Luke 1:17 (“And he shall go before him with the spirit and power of Elijah, that he may bring back the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, that he may make ready a people prepared for the Lord“), Calvin comments as follows:
“But as men frequently enter into mutual conspiracies which drive them farther from God, the angel explains, at the same time, the nature of that bringing back which he predicts, the disobedient to the wisdom of the just. This deserves our attention, that we may not foolishly allow ourselves to be classed with ungodly men under the false pretense of harmony. Peace is a sounding and imposing term, and, whenever the Papists meet with it in Scripture, they eagerly seize upon it for the purpose of raising dislike against us, as if we, who are endeavoring to withdraw the world from its base revolt, and bring it back to Christ, were the authors of divisions. But this passage affords a fine exposure of their folly, when the angel explains the manner of a genuine and proper conversion; and declares its support and link to be the wisdom of the just. Accursed then be the peace and unity by which men agree among themselves apart from God.” (emphasis added). (Commentary on a Harmony of the Evangelists, vol. I, pg. 22)
Josh M. Thompson Fort Worth, Texas
Membership loss staggering example of flawed theology
Posted Monday, February 23, 2004
Coming off a banner year of membership loss the leaders of the PCUSA are now planning for 40,000-plus losses for the next two years. It is a staggering example of flawed theology, apathetic members and poor leadership. The ship is certainly sinking, while the captain, crew and the passengers party late into the night.
It is true that God is in charge but it is clear that we have well exercised our freedom not to obey his commands. We will reap our reward.
When will God’s people say enough is enough? Apparently, not soon enough.
John Cowan Cartersville, Ga.
Stay and fight’ or ‘Gracious separation:’ Which is more helpful?
Posted Monday, February 23, 2004
Parker Williamson is one of my heroes. I admire his courage, his ability to articulate, and the power of his beliefs. [Have you ever noticed when people start with praise, there is a “but” coming soon?]
But the deck is stacked against us. Some 700 “Louisville shepherds” will be “helping” 550 delegates at the next GA. The liberals are in control our educational resources, and the bureaucrats are in control of government. (Make no mistake about it, these folks are fighting for their beliefs and their jobs. Time is on their side. They are in no mood to compromise.) “Fidelity and Chastity” is the only remnant of our former Calvinist faith remaining. With the exodus of evangelicals, one every 13 minutes, it is just a matter of time before that, too, will be exorcised.
In the context of relational, Biblical theology, the question we must answer is this: What course of action is most helpful to the sanctification of believers, and which course of action will build up the ministry of reconciliation in the Church of Christ?
Today, we are offered two solutions to this crisis: continue the old strategy of Stay and Fight, trying to reform our denomination from within; or Gracious Separation. Which is more helpful? Which will build up?
Will it be more helpful to people called to do God’s work to graciously separate or continue to stay and fight?
Which will serve to build up the true Church better, gracious separation or continue to stay and fight?
Given the alternatives, Gracious Separation is the faithful choice.
James Tuckett The Old Gray Dog
May your grieving be a source of spiritual growth’
Posted Monday, February 23, 2004
I, the clerk of session, have been asked to prepare a letter from the elders of Myrtle Grove Evangelical Presbyterian Church. We wanted to share with you the matters that follow.
Our unified heart grieves with you over the divisive difficulties being experienced by all our Christian brothers and sisters in the PCUSA and in other denominations claiming the name of Jesus. We are in prayer for you. We realize that division is not of God. The agony, of heart, that you are all suffering in these last days is deeply sensed by us.
We cry out for unity in Christ. May our loving Lord, in his mercy, give us, his children, a deeper spiritual awareness of the significance of the price he paid to gain the unity he expects of us. And in these last days, may this new awareness bring all true Christian believers … of whatever denomination … into oneness.
As best we can, we, here, share your pain; yet, I don’t think we could ever sense completely what you are going through. May your grieving be a source of spiritual growth. Yet, what some mean for harm; God means for good … to his children.
We cherish with you, the desire to adhere to Biblical purity and to maintain the character and quality of our Reformed theology. Stand strong in him and in his truth, and as you know, he’ll never leave you nor forsake you.
Our love in Christ goes out to you. We will continue to pray for you for his strength, which is made perfect in weakness, and for his peace to keep your heats and minds. Somehow it will all work out.
In his service,
John Gonzalez, clerk of session Myrtle Grove Evangelical Presbyterian Church, Wilmington, N.C.