The General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (USA) has recently adjourned from its 218th meeting.
Let's cut to the chase:
The liberality and heresy that this denomination has a history of committing has not gone away, and this year has hit unprecedented levels.
#1: Because GA was in California, where homosexual marriage is permissable, an ordained pastor performed such a "ceremony" between two men, while the GA covened, outside the main assembly hall. There was not a single announcement before-hand that this was going to take place?
Shady? Embarrased?
Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed
-John 3:20
From http://www.layman.org/:
Specific actions taken by this assembly that violate the faith and life of Biblical Christianity include:
#2--Initiated a process to revise the Heidelberg Catechism (written in 1562, adopted by the General Assembly and ratified by the PCUSA in 1967) to delete the Bible's prohibition against homosexuality.
#3--Called for yet another vote by presbyteries to delete our constitutional standard that requires fidelity in marriage between a man and a woman and chastity in singleness.
#4--Nullified all previous proscriptions against sexual behavior outside the covenant of marriage by a new Authoritative Interpretation, which attempts to overrule the recent PJC decision in respect to the PUP report.
#5--Ignoring its declaration that "to be Presbyterian is to be ecumenical," alleged without any supporting documentation that the Evangelical Presbyterian Church encourages congregations to leave the PCUSA, and sought action against the EPC.
#6--Authorized the creation of a $2 million legal war chest to litigate against churches of good conscience which seek to transfer to other Reformed denominations with their property.
The Moderator and Co. continue to send damage control letters/pleas via blogs to congregations/members citing "the common hope we have together", "can't we just agree to disagree" and "the bright future of the PC (USA)", etc.
Rubbish.
When a church is in a state of apostasy, such as the PC(USA), what is there to agree on? The church as forsaken the true Gospel of the Living God, in favor of neo-pagan and relativistic doctrine, and the old mantra of "Stay and fight!" is beyond failure. The time has come for us to acknowledge that PC(USA) is no longer friendly to those who love the Lord, His unadultered Word, and hate sin. They have chosen to embrace a gospel that does not "make a new creature" (II Cor. 5:17), but rather sweep sin under the rug, or worse, embrace it.
The Apostle Paul urged the believers he sheperded to not be yoked in godly fellowship with non-believers. The PC(USA) has forsaken her first love, and become lukewarm in faith, not willing to committ to firm doctrine, wishy-washy in conviction, and abandoning truth for fear of "offending" others. Christ says in Revelation 3:16: So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth.
I, for one, would like to avoid the puke. "As for me and my house, we will will serve the Lord"
Ever yours in seeking Him,
Sean
For more info, go to http://layman.org/ and read the articles and news stories of what went on, letters to the editor, call to arms, cries of "Get out!" and page after page after page of evidence that the PC (USA) has forsaken her first love, Jesus Christ. And in an effort to accomadate differing opinions, rather than stand for the Gospel, and not step on toes or offend anyone in this politically correct time, has chosen to comitt apostasy, heresy, and ungodliness.
If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth
-1 John 1:6
Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’
-Matthew 7: 22-23
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Friday, July 4, 2008
Revive Us Again
We praise Thee O God, for Thy Spirit of Light,
Who has shown us our Savior and scattered our night
Revive us again--fill each heart with Thy love;
May each soul be rekindled with fire from above.
Hallelujah, Thine the glory! Hallelujah, Amen!
Hallelujah, Thine the glory! Revive us again.
Do you ever wonder about the direction in which the United States is heading, worried that the fabric of our society is fraying around the edges? If you’re like me, you may read the newspaper headlines and shake your head in dismay at the choices our fellow citizens make.
Our country wasn’t always this way. Take an honest inventory of our history: The early settlers of America clearly intended to advance the Christian faith when they came ashore in New England. Before stepping foot off theMayflower, the Pilgrims drew up what became America’s first contract of government—the Mayflower Compact. This compact clearly states the Pilgrims’ purpose in making their historic voyage: “…undertaken for the glory of God and the advancement of the Christian faith…”
And while I have my doubts to the validity of claims that on July 4th, 1776 a Christian nation was formally established or of the purity of advancing the Gospel by means of the state instead of the church, there is no doubt in my mind that people need the Savior as much today as they did then. Sadly, the Pilgrims' vision of a nation filled with genuine born-again believers has been replaced with a society built on lies, dishonesty, and thievery of possession, thought, idea, and life.
Ah, friends, Uncle Sam needs your prayers. I urge you to pray for nation—not only on the Fourth of July, but every day. Pray with me that we as a nation, as a people, as individual souls, might find Him. Pray and work as if the country's people depend on revival. After all, they do!
Who has shown us our Savior and scattered our night
Revive us again--fill each heart with Thy love;
May each soul be rekindled with fire from above.
Hallelujah, Thine the glory! Hallelujah, Amen!
Hallelujah, Thine the glory! Revive us again.
Do you ever wonder about the direction in which the United States is heading, worried that the fabric of our society is fraying around the edges? If you’re like me, you may read the newspaper headlines and shake your head in dismay at the choices our fellow citizens make.
Our country wasn’t always this way. Take an honest inventory of our history: The early settlers of America clearly intended to advance the Christian faith when they came ashore in New England. Before stepping foot off theMayflower, the Pilgrims drew up what became America’s first contract of government—the Mayflower Compact. This compact clearly states the Pilgrims’ purpose in making their historic voyage: “…undertaken for the glory of God and the advancement of the Christian faith…”
And while I have my doubts to the validity of claims that on July 4th, 1776 a Christian nation was formally established or of the purity of advancing the Gospel by means of the state instead of the church, there is no doubt in my mind that people need the Savior as much today as they did then. Sadly, the Pilgrims' vision of a nation filled with genuine born-again believers has been replaced with a society built on lies, dishonesty, and thievery of possession, thought, idea, and life.
Ah, friends, Uncle Sam needs your prayers. I urge you to pray for nation—not only on the Fourth of July, but every day. Pray with me that we as a nation, as a people, as individual souls, might find Him. Pray and work as if the country's people depend on revival. After all, they do!
Monday, April 7, 2008
I Sing The Mighty Power of God
I sing the mighty power of God, that made the mountains rise,
That spread the flowing seas abroad, and built the lofty skies.
I sing the wisdom that ordained the sun to rule the day;
The moon shines full at His command, and all the stars obey.
-Watts
The God who crafted substance, atoms, electrons, elements, yes even the very concept of "existence" was born of His thoughts and command; The God who crafted the earth, who holds the stars in the canvas of the universe, who makes the sun rise and fall, who causes the moon to shine forth; the God of Abraham, Issac, and Jacob, of David, Solomon, and Moses, of Peter, John, and Paul, of Luther, Augustine, and Calvin, of Knox, Wesley, and Tyndale and of Spurgeon, Graham, you and me:
This God causes nature to work in balance and order. This God causes life to exist. He ordained Earth to hang perfectly close and perfectly distanced from the sun for life to sustain. This God created photosynthesis for breath and light for creation thereof. He created water to hydrate the body and cleanse it. This God, by His graciousness and goodness, willed for you and I to be alive today for the advancement of His Kingdom and the accordance of His will.
This God, who demands perfection, out of His Law and Righteousness, who says "Be ye perfect, as your Father in Heaven is perfect," and "For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it", is the same God who provides Perfection in His Son Jesus Christ. The God who demands the impossible, because of man's grievous sins, gives mercifully and graciously the provision of His Demand. Like a merciful Judge, who takes the punishment for the criminal who cannot pay, God offers His own life as Atonements, Substitute, Payment for the debt we owe.
It is this same God who holds your very life in His hand. Why do you worry, why do you fret? This God provides food to pesky ravens, who do not work for their reward. Will he not provide you, O Christian, who believe in Him, who are His child, His crown of creation, His beloved joy, will he not provide you with the clothing, food, and shelter that you need to work His mission on earth? Will he not provide you with the funds you need for your education? Will he not offer up opportunites for borrowed funds to pay the cost, and a timely job later on to pay your debt? Is not God experienced in the art of paying debt?
Our times are in His hands. Our foot will not stumble, lest he will it, and our life on this earth will not cease until we have fulfilled His purpose for the advancement of His Kingdom on Earth. Spread the Good News, Share the Gospel. Testify of His Salvation. Witness...until the very moment you join the procession of the saints into the Church Triumphant, in blessed eternal rest, singing forever praise to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
Day and night they never stop saying: "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come.
-Revelation 4:8
That spread the flowing seas abroad, and built the lofty skies.
I sing the wisdom that ordained the sun to rule the day;
The moon shines full at His command, and all the stars obey.
-Watts
The God who crafted substance, atoms, electrons, elements, yes even the very concept of "existence" was born of His thoughts and command; The God who crafted the earth, who holds the stars in the canvas of the universe, who makes the sun rise and fall, who causes the moon to shine forth; the God of Abraham, Issac, and Jacob, of David, Solomon, and Moses, of Peter, John, and Paul, of Luther, Augustine, and Calvin, of Knox, Wesley, and Tyndale and of Spurgeon, Graham, you and me:
This God causes nature to work in balance and order. This God causes life to exist. He ordained Earth to hang perfectly close and perfectly distanced from the sun for life to sustain. This God created photosynthesis for breath and light for creation thereof. He created water to hydrate the body and cleanse it. This God, by His graciousness and goodness, willed for you and I to be alive today for the advancement of His Kingdom and the accordance of His will.
This God, who demands perfection, out of His Law and Righteousness, who says "Be ye perfect, as your Father in Heaven is perfect," and "For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it", is the same God who provides Perfection in His Son Jesus Christ. The God who demands the impossible, because of man's grievous sins, gives mercifully and graciously the provision of His Demand. Like a merciful Judge, who takes the punishment for the criminal who cannot pay, God offers His own life as Atonements, Substitute, Payment for the debt we owe.
It is this same God who holds your very life in His hand. Why do you worry, why do you fret? This God provides food to pesky ravens, who do not work for their reward. Will he not provide you, O Christian, who believe in Him, who are His child, His crown of creation, His beloved joy, will he not provide you with the clothing, food, and shelter that you need to work His mission on earth? Will he not provide you with the funds you need for your education? Will he not offer up opportunites for borrowed funds to pay the cost, and a timely job later on to pay your debt? Is not God experienced in the art of paying debt?
Our times are in His hands. Our foot will not stumble, lest he will it, and our life on this earth will not cease until we have fulfilled His purpose for the advancement of His Kingdom on Earth. Spread the Good News, Share the Gospel. Testify of His Salvation. Witness...until the very moment you join the procession of the saints into the Church Triumphant, in blessed eternal rest, singing forever praise to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
Day and night they never stop saying: "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come.
-Revelation 4:8
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
"I Wanna Know...Have You Ever Seen The Rain?"
Fond memories of that Joan Jett song from yesteryear...before my time.
But in any case, amidst the snow and ice and exemplifies winter here in Western Pennsylvania, it's hard to believe that a mere week ago, it was 50 degree with light rain showers. Not to say I'm not a fan of the snow, for indeed I am. How else would we make good use of cafeterian trays on an inviting slope near the soccer field, circa midnight, the week of final exams?....Not that I would know. Besides, sitting here in the Religion Suite of the Hall of Arts and Letters, looking down across campus from my gargoyle-like perch on the third floor, the freshly fallen snow on our colonial/neo-gothic campus is quite picturesque.
In any case, during the thaw last week, I was walking out of Fit/Well on either a Tuesday or Thursday morning at roughly 8:35 AM, having just finished running/jogging/walking with moderate intensity for the last 20 minutes (something I'm not prone to do otherwise, so you can imagine the lack of physical fitness coming to bite me in the butt, and oddly enough it sounds like the laugh of cross country runners who scoff at the notion of running for a mere 20 minutes. For that, I salute you.
Walking out of the Physical Learning Center, hot and uncomfortable, I was greeted with an onslaught of falling rain drops. I typically hate to get wet, for that means one has to wait (I means seriously, waiting! That means not getting or having what you want or a situation you desire immediately. Ludacrist!) to get dry. But today was telling, poetically, humbly, and practically.
In my mind, the rain was symbolic of the grace of God, or at least the actions of God. In the past, I rued the rain, for when I was prim, proper, and spiffed up for the day, on my own accord, the rain made me unkempt, disgruntled, and uncomfortable. Likewise, on days that I felt I was spiritually prepped, prepared by what I'd done, and ready to face the day, God would enact a loving discipline, an event or occurance to get my attention, that would make me uncomfortable. And I would resist and resent, whether I realized it was Heaven-sent or not.
And yet, despite my rebellion and sinful ingratitude for a Father who corrects out of love that I might not do harm to myself (as all good fathers do), in spite of my attitude, God sends down an action of grace and of paternal love to a child he adores. He sent rain when I was uncomfortable, to refresh me. The same way a parent will perhaps give a simple candy bar to a child, although they've misbehaved, (and perhaps that action will guilt them), they offer this gift as a reminder of love.
In spite of my selfish tendencies, my Father sends me rain: grace, love, and compassion because He loves me. He sends me loving acts not because of what I've done, He loves me initially not because of what I've done. The Love we, the church, experience is truly of grace from beginning to end--stemming entirely from the benevolent nature of God and completely lacking us in any capacity.
How precious did that grace appear, the hour I first believed.
But in any case, amidst the snow and ice and exemplifies winter here in Western Pennsylvania, it's hard to believe that a mere week ago, it was 50 degree with light rain showers. Not to say I'm not a fan of the snow, for indeed I am. How else would we make good use of cafeterian trays on an inviting slope near the soccer field, circa midnight, the week of final exams?....Not that I would know. Besides, sitting here in the Religion Suite of the Hall of Arts and Letters, looking down across campus from my gargoyle-like perch on the third floor, the freshly fallen snow on our colonial/neo-gothic campus is quite picturesque.
In any case, during the thaw last week, I was walking out of Fit/Well on either a Tuesday or Thursday morning at roughly 8:35 AM, having just finished running/jogging/walking with moderate intensity for the last 20 minutes (something I'm not prone to do otherwise, so you can imagine the lack of physical fitness coming to bite me in the butt, and oddly enough it sounds like the laugh of cross country runners who scoff at the notion of running for a mere 20 minutes. For that, I salute you.
Walking out of the Physical Learning Center, hot and uncomfortable, I was greeted with an onslaught of falling rain drops. I typically hate to get wet, for that means one has to wait (I means seriously, waiting! That means not getting or having what you want or a situation you desire immediately. Ludacrist!) to get dry. But today was telling, poetically, humbly, and practically.
In my mind, the rain was symbolic of the grace of God, or at least the actions of God. In the past, I rued the rain, for when I was prim, proper, and spiffed up for the day, on my own accord, the rain made me unkempt, disgruntled, and uncomfortable. Likewise, on days that I felt I was spiritually prepped, prepared by what I'd done, and ready to face the day, God would enact a loving discipline, an event or occurance to get my attention, that would make me uncomfortable. And I would resist and resent, whether I realized it was Heaven-sent or not.
And yet, despite my rebellion and sinful ingratitude for a Father who corrects out of love that I might not do harm to myself (as all good fathers do), in spite of my attitude, God sends down an action of grace and of paternal love to a child he adores. He sent rain when I was uncomfortable, to refresh me. The same way a parent will perhaps give a simple candy bar to a child, although they've misbehaved, (and perhaps that action will guilt them), they offer this gift as a reminder of love.
In spite of my selfish tendencies, my Father sends me rain: grace, love, and compassion because He loves me. He sends me loving acts not because of what I've done, He loves me initially not because of what I've done. The Love we, the church, experience is truly of grace from beginning to end--stemming entirely from the benevolent nature of God and completely lacking us in any capacity.
How precious did that grace appear, the hour I first believed.
Friday, February 8, 2008
Reply All
A good friend of mine posted a classic (classic in the sense that it is a frequent query among current evangelical circles) question today via email:
Can someone be pro-choice and be a true Christian?
I opined to him and others in our discussion by way of our illustrious "Reply All" feature, and share it with you now:
Dear Friends,
I think there are multiple answers to the question, which actually has multiple questions.
#1—Is abortion wrong? Yes, absolutely. God’s Word tells us in Psalm 139:
"For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb.
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well."
Thus, a fetus, from the moment of conception, is God’s creation.
God loves his creation. Genesis 1:
"So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them…God saw all that he had made, and it was very good."
We are made in the image of God. Babies, infants, a fetus, are all made in the image of God and bear his likeness. When we do evil unto a fellow creation of God, it is as if doing unto God himself.
Matthew 25: "The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these, you did for me."
And, we know murder is the unlawful, intentional, premeditated, taking of innocent life. And we know murder is a sin (Exodus 20). Ergo, abortion is sin.
#2-Can a true Christian support abortion?
Well, can a true Christian sin? I think it would unrealistic to say “No”. Although we are forgiven and clothed in the righteousness of Christ, our fallen nature is still prone to sin, even after we’re born again. HOWEVER, we are to be in constant seeking of God’s will and repentance (that is, turning around) from our sins as the Spirit and the Word make us aware of them. To be continually sinning, fully aware of what we are doing, in spite of the Gospel is rebellion and there is no provision of forgiveness for this deliberate, continual sin (Romans 1). True faith is evidenced by repentance. 2 Corinthians 5:17 tells us that “Anyone who is in Christ, is a new creation. Behold! The old has gone, the new has come!” That is, God takes us as we are, but loves us to much to leave us there. If we are truly repentant and have sorrow for our sin and thankfulness to God, we will be a “work in progress” that is progressively getting better---more Christ-like, obeying the command to strive for perfection “ Be perfect, as your Father in Heaven is perfect” (Matthew 5:48).
So…
Is abortion wrong? Yes
Can a true Christian support abortion? Yes and No..BUT ONLY TO THE EXTENT THAT THEIR SALVATION DOES NOT HINGE ON THEIR VIEW POINT ON THAT MATTER!
100% of Christians struggle with sin (show me one who doesn’t and I’ll pay your college tuition), but as we become aware of the right/wrong on the matter, we are to be responsive to that illumination.
Should a Christian support abortion/pro-choice? NO! from the moment they become aware of the fact of God’s standard, they need to seriously consider their own thoughts of the heart, and if they are not in agreement with God’s, they need to do some serious praying and re-aligning in their heart.
If we are ignorant, may we plead ignorance, but I find it very rare indeed that God leaves his people ignorant. His Word is truth and He is light and His light shines in the darkness bringing illumination.That is, he makes us aware of our erroneous ways (such as abortion) and exhorts us to be moved to change as a result. If we remain stubbornly complacent in our erroneous/sinful ways…
But because of your stubbornness and your unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of God's wrath, when his righteous judgment will be revealed.
(Romans 2:5)
Ever Yours in Seeking Him,
Sean G. Morris
Can someone be pro-choice and be a true Christian?
I opined to him and others in our discussion by way of our illustrious "Reply All" feature, and share it with you now:
Dear Friends,
I think there are multiple answers to the question, which actually has multiple questions.
#1—Is abortion wrong? Yes, absolutely. God’s Word tells us in Psalm 139:
"For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb.
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well."
Thus, a fetus, from the moment of conception, is God’s creation.
God loves his creation. Genesis 1:
"So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them…God saw all that he had made, and it was very good."
We are made in the image of God. Babies, infants, a fetus, are all made in the image of God and bear his likeness. When we do evil unto a fellow creation of God, it is as if doing unto God himself.
Matthew 25: "The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these, you did for me."
And, we know murder is the unlawful, intentional, premeditated, taking of innocent life. And we know murder is a sin (Exodus 20). Ergo, abortion is sin.
#2-Can a true Christian support abortion?
Well, can a true Christian sin? I think it would unrealistic to say “No”. Although we are forgiven and clothed in the righteousness of Christ, our fallen nature is still prone to sin, even after we’re born again. HOWEVER, we are to be in constant seeking of God’s will and repentance (that is, turning around) from our sins as the Spirit and the Word make us aware of them. To be continually sinning, fully aware of what we are doing, in spite of the Gospel is rebellion and there is no provision of forgiveness for this deliberate, continual sin (Romans 1). True faith is evidenced by repentance. 2 Corinthians 5:17 tells us that “Anyone who is in Christ, is a new creation. Behold! The old has gone, the new has come!” That is, God takes us as we are, but loves us to much to leave us there. If we are truly repentant and have sorrow for our sin and thankfulness to God, we will be a “work in progress” that is progressively getting better---more Christ-like, obeying the command to strive for perfection “ Be perfect, as your Father in Heaven is perfect” (Matthew 5:48).
So…
Is abortion wrong? Yes
Can a true Christian support abortion? Yes and No..BUT ONLY TO THE EXTENT THAT THEIR SALVATION DOES NOT HINGE ON THEIR VIEW POINT ON THAT MATTER!
100% of Christians struggle with sin (show me one who doesn’t and I’ll pay your college tuition), but as we become aware of the right/wrong on the matter, we are to be responsive to that illumination.
Should a Christian support abortion/pro-choice? NO! from the moment they become aware of the fact of God’s standard, they need to seriously consider their own thoughts of the heart, and if they are not in agreement with God’s, they need to do some serious praying and re-aligning in their heart.
If we are ignorant, may we plead ignorance, but I find it very rare indeed that God leaves his people ignorant. His Word is truth and He is light and His light shines in the darkness bringing illumination.That is, he makes us aware of our erroneous ways (such as abortion) and exhorts us to be moved to change as a result. If we remain stubbornly complacent in our erroneous/sinful ways…
But because of your stubbornness and your unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of God's wrath, when his righteous judgment will be revealed.
(Romans 2:5)
Ever Yours in Seeking Him,
Sean G. Morris
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)