Still More PCUSA Fallout in Los Angeles Times

There's been more opinion printed in the Los Angeles Times about the PCUSA's rejection of Biblical authority, specifically to allow the ordination and continuing leadership of individuals openly and unrepentantly engaging in fornication, including homosexual behavior. Of course, the homosexual aspect is what gets all of the attention.

There were some letters printed. Geoffrey Cushing-Murray of Studio City hits the nail on the head:

I'm not taking sides here because I couldn't care less what the venerable Presbyterians do, but you seem to be saying that eventually God will come around to see things your way. I'm not sure that's how it works.

And then there's this commentary by the Rev. Randall Tremba, "minister of word and sacrament at Shepherdstown Presbyterian Church" in Shepherdstown, West Virginia. Isn't it nice that the paper prints things from ministers? It restates the false implication that the PCUSA, up until this recent action, denied homosexual people ordination. It is clear to me that homosexuality advocates want to practice sleight of hand when it comes to interchanging homosexual behavior with homosexual feelings or identity, with the implication that someone with homosexual feelings, who they claim have as much of a distinct identity as males, females, Asians, or Latinos, can't help but engage in homosexual behavior, though I doubt they'd say that all Asians must engage in certain behaviors that make them distinct from others.

In taking this action, I believe our church moved a step forward and brought itself closer in line with Christ's all-embracing love.

Based on what? He doesn't say, so I'm left to guess if he means to say Christ must surely see things Randall's way.

But it's not a step all Presbyterians welcome. I know this because for years, I was on the other side.

What changed Randall’s mind? Studying the Bible or church history? No! An emotional experience.

In 1976, I was installed as minister for the Shepherdstown Presbyterian Church in West Virginia. I became acquainted with several gay and lesbian members of the congregation. As it turns out, they were not just faithful members of the church; their lives were exemplary.

Would someone be a faithful, exemplary member of a vegan organization if they were eating beef most nights of the week, and ignored the conflict?

As a longtime evangelical, I had studied the Bible extensively. But after arriving in Shepherdstown, I slowly began to see Scripture in a new, more inclusive way.

...based on emotional experiences.

He goes on to write about one woman in particular, who was engaging in homosexual behavior with another woman. What if she generally denied the existence of God? Would this guy now be writing about how important it is to let good, open atheists serve in positions of leadership in the PCUSA?

When we came back together, each elder spoke. Some spoke for ordination, and some against. We listened to each other and then took a 20-minute recess to be alone, to pray for guidance.

Praying for guidance is something you should do when the Person to whom you are praying hasn’t already made Himself clear in His written word.

We came out of it feeling that our decision was indeed a celebration of God's infinite love.

Yeah, people have all sorts of feelings that defy reason, logic, and reality, or go against duty. What about a group the comes out of a parallel situation feeling great in their decision to deny ordination and position to someone engaging in homosexual behavior? Would you say that there decision was equalliy valid, based on how they felt? Or what do you say to the teenager who is fornicating with his girlfriend, and they both feel just great about it? I don't always feeling like taking care of my family with my earnings; should I spend my earnings on, say, selfish items that will make me feel good? I follow Jesus Christ based on the evidence that He exists and demonstrated He is God, not based on whether or not thinking of him gives me the warm fuzzies. The Bible calls on followers of Christ to follow Him not just with all of the heart, but their mind, too.

Yes, a few members left. But many estranged believers and formerly "un-churched" people have walked through the door.

What good is going to a "Christian" church that denies the authority of Christ? There are other charities or clubs to join, other places to hear motivational speeches or music. This is like saying a university that does not educate is swelling with admissions. So what?

The church's action last week recognized an important teaching from the book of Galatians: "We are all one in Jesus Christ."

Context, context, context. Pray tell, what couldn't you use that out-of-context verse to justify?

P-Funk at 3:51 PM May 15, 2011 has a great question:

Why do gay apologists feel it necessary to include the phrases "long-term" and "committed" when describing the relationships of gays for whom they're advocating? The inference is that "short term" and "casual" relationships are positionally inferior.

That would be hateful, wouldn't it?