Sometimes you have to scratch your head and ask, “What are they thinking?” The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A) yesterday affirmed a policy change that would allow non-celibate gay men and women in committed relationships to serve as clergy. At present, only men and women who are celibate or married (marriage currently defined as “between a man and a woman” ) are eligible to become clergy, elders, or deacons. But hold on — they vote today to change the marriage language to “between two people.”
None of this should come as a surprise. The PC USA is known to have liberal leanings, leanings that led to the founding of the conservative and biblically informed Presbyterian Church in America. It is distressing, however, to consider the answer to the question I began with, “What are they thinking?” I think one young man speaks for those for the proposed changes, “The world has become a more tolerant and accepting place.” There you have it — a worldview founded on the world and not the Scriptures, one that seeks to please man rather than obey God. Last time I checked, the world is fallen and corrupt. Hence, this worldview is predicated by fallen, sinful man and not the righteous, holy, and just God.
It remains to be seen what will become of the PC USA. The presbyteries must approve both changes by a majority vote, which is not likely on either count — this time. But this denomination continues to gravitate further from the centrality of Scripture to inform their faith. May we learn from their mistake!
Doug Phillips wrote a brief yet excellent post for Kevin DeYoung concerning the good and the bad about Facebook using Ephesians 4:29 as a biblical basis. I think you will find this edifying.
Friday, February 19, 2010
Kevin DeYoung has an excellent series of posts this week reviewing Brian McLaren’s latest book, A New Kind of Christianity: Ten Questions That Are Transforming the Faith. If you are not familiar with Brian McLaren, he is what I consider to represent the far left in the emerging church movement (what is now called “the third way” in some circles). You can find the entire review in .pdf format here.
This is the question that Al Mohler asks and answers. This one alone ranks tops for Friday Top blogs.
You can keep up with Southern Baptist relief efforts here and donate here. All of us need to pray that the light of God’s gospel would shine in the midst of tragedy.
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Westminster Theological Seminary California is hosting a conference this weekend Christ, Kingdom, and Culture. The conference will be streamed live. Here is a description of the conference:
Questions concerning how Christians ought to relate to the broader culture, how to serve God in their daily vocation, and how to relate the Word and kingdom of God to every aspect of life are as ancient as the Christian faith itself. Whether it was the question whether to pay taxes or whether to eat meat offered to idols, Scripture addressed these issues repeatedly. Throughout its history the church has always been challenged to distinguish the faith from the culture without hiding from the culture and without being taken captive by it. This conference will address the sovereignty of God as it relates to his kingdom, to our role as Christians in God’s world, in the state, at work, at school, and in the church.
HT: Justin Taylor
