Thanks, Wendy, for engaging with me on this matter. I truly believe this type of dialogue is critical when approaching issues like global warming, or the question of good works/preaching the Word. And I also thank the folks at The Network for providing a space for this conversation to take place.
It is essential that we keep in mind the difference between "calls upon" and "requires." The quote you gave above (I believe it was from Synod 2012) "calls upon" CRC members, churches, etc. to reduce their CO2 emissions. But Synod does not and cannot require us to work to reduce CO2, because the issue of CO2 production is most definitely NOT a doctrinal or confessional matter. It is merely a suggestion by one Synod.
For example, if I personally continue to produce the same or more amount of CO2, can I come under the discipline of my church elders? Of course not. At most, it is a debatable matter of personal conscience, much like dancing or watching movies. And at its worst it is a matter that is actually causing harm to our church, by fomenting unnecessary division, moving resources away from the preaching of the Word, and giving people a sense that their good works are bringing about personal or corporate justification.
I would hope, then, that even if one believes the core tenants of global warming theory, that one would be very cautious in using CRC resources to promote such a highly debatable theory, lest such a focus reduce the effectiveness of our efforts to help people who don't have enough to eat.
So I am very glad for the good deeds being done by World Renew on behalf of the members of the CRC. I would caution all of us to remember that God saves those He calls, whether their physical circumstances have been improved by charitable works or not. Christians can shower an unbeliever with good works, but if that person is not called by God, those good works will only drive that person further away from God. Conversely, if a person is called by God unto salvation, that person will respond to the preaching of the Word even if no good works are ever shown to them. Would you agree?
Thus we do not do good works to win others to Christ. The Gospel of Jesus and the Spirit of God are the ONLY means by which sinners are saved. Instead, we do good works because God has commanded us to do so. And our primary focus remains the preaching of the Word. That was Izaak's main point.
Edwin Walhout's ideas are not new, not in line with CRC teaching, and not particularly interesting or robust.
Obviously, the worst example is his support for the idea that Jesus Christ is not divine. How can someone abandon this bedrock Truth of Christianity and still claim orthodoxy?
Walhout's over-reliance on modern "science" also leads him to faulty theology. In fact, some of the scientific theories he elevates above Scripture have already been abandoned and/or modified by secular scientists, demonstrating why the Church should never alter its teachings to fit the fickle scientific theories of the day.
Read his writings to gain an understanding of poor theology; read Scripture for Truth.
I should try to get my church to compost. I would take the material myself. I'm always greedy for more organic material for my garden. I compost at home, but my family doesn't generate much on our own. Only one 20 gallon garbage can per year.
I agree that we in the CRC ought to do more to inform ourselves, from a Scriptural perspective, about Climate Change. But my focus is a little different...
It is clear that environment & climate was a common theme among many of the demon-gods of antiquity (the false idols worshipped by people who did not worship the One True God). The other 2 main themes were child sacrifice and sexual immorality. Those 3 things, deification of elements of the environment, child sacrifice, and sexual perversion were the 3 main aspects of demon worship.
I believe that the CRC has been tempted to flirt with the environmental idol. The "science" offered to pass the overture that jumped on board the global warming bandwagon has been proven to be false. And I think the environment (pun intended) within the CRC has changed a lot since then.
I hope that a future Synod will refocus our denomination away from the demon-god of environmentalism, and back toward the One True God of Scripture.
Saul (pre-conversion) is a fantastic example of someone whose orthodoxy was all wrong. Saul's beliefs were based on falsehood. He did not understand that Jesus is the long-promised Messiah of Israel. This is the mystery of the Gospel that Paul (post-conversion) refers to in his letters to the churches.
I think that is why Paul is so critical of false teachers and false teachings. He himself used to be a false teacher who believed in false teachings.
But once Paul got his orthodoxy correct, he was able to spread the truth of the Gospel in love. Love radiated from his right beliefs!
I am thankful for parents who raised me to realize that there is 1 race...the human race. And that God created all of us brown. Some of us are light brown. Some of us are dark brown. But in the end, we are all brown!
We need to see each other the way God sees us: as individuals created in His image. Not as members of artificial groups based on our DNA.
Those who wish to divide us (and profit from that division) based on our skin tone, must be opposed as deniers of the true Gospel of Christ. That Gospel teaches us that people who harbor animosity based on skin tone (whether dark-toward-light or light-toward-dark) will be forgiven by Almighty God when they accept God's call to the Cross and leave their animosity there for Christ to destroy for all eternity. Man-made schemes will not bring forgiveness and reconciliation. Only the True Gospel can do that!
Steven, the Scriptures I shared are not about Sodom, per se. They are about current religious leaders going along with the "wisdom" of the world, encouraging the sheep to go astray, and even celebrating sin.
It's a warning...when church leaders turn the flock away from God, God is not pleased.
Steven, you've made some assumptions that are completely wrong. But I love you as my neighbor anyway.
My question for you is this: If your views on sexual immorality have changed and no longer line up with the teachings of the CRC, why not graciously join another denomination that already DOES line up with your new viewpoint?
Thanks, Kevin. You covered a lot, but seemed to assume I meant an official split of the CRC. I didn't mean that. There are plenty of other churches and denominations that already exist, who line up with your views on sexual immorality. I was asking why you don't join one of those?
About 10 years ago I joined the CRC because I personally hold to the teachings of the CRC. If, for some reason, I found new views (say, for example, I came to believe in universal salvation), then I would join a different church that already teaches that. I would not demand that the CRC start teaching universal salvation.
It's like someone who hates baseball, who becomes a little league coach, and then demands that the kids stop playing baseball.
As a father of 3 young boys (ages 10, 7, and 5) I have wondered what life would be like if one of them came up to me in their teenage years and said "Dad...I like other boys more than girls." It's a very real thing to me.
Thankfully, I know what I would do. I would be honest with them that I often find myself physically attracted to people that are "off limits" for me. And that at those times I need to fall at the feet of my Savior and ask him to help me resist the temptation to think or act on those sinful impulses. And that I need to ask the Holy Spirit to give me strength. I would tell my son to do the same.
Then I would tell my son that I love him, and that God loves him, and that he is a part of God's family, and that ALL members of God's family experience temptation. I would tell him that God's love is not an excuse to sin, but rather it is a weapon against sin.
And I would never, never demand that other believers make excuses for my son's temptations, or encourage them, or elevate them as being worthy of embracing rather than resisting.
Mr. Stephenson, your emphatic claim that you are not trying to influence the outcome reminds me of the saying "Me thinks you doth protest too much."
Those (like "All One Body") who have publicly stated they want to change the CRC's teaching on human sexuality have been very open and honest that their tactic is going to be to be to push the "love, love, love" narrative. So when employees of the CRCNA use church resources to echo a very similar sentiment, it is completely reasonable for people to be concerned.
As for the statement that "God loves you the way you are," that sentiment is not found in Scripture. A more accurate paraphrase would be "God loves you despite the way you are, and loves you enough to transform you."
Posted in: Dear CRCNA Member, Do You Believe Mark 8:36?
Thanks, Wendy, for engaging with me on this matter. I truly believe this type of dialogue is critical when approaching issues like global warming, or the question of good works/preaching the Word. And I also thank the folks at The Network for providing a space for this conversation to take place.
It is essential that we keep in mind the difference between "calls upon" and "requires." The quote you gave above (I believe it was from Synod 2012) "calls upon" CRC members, churches, etc. to reduce their CO2 emissions. But Synod does not and cannot require us to work to reduce CO2, because the issue of CO2 production is most definitely NOT a doctrinal or confessional matter. It is merely a suggestion by one Synod.
For example, if I personally continue to produce the same or more amount of CO2, can I come under the discipline of my church elders? Of course not. At most, it is a debatable matter of personal conscience, much like dancing or watching movies. And at its worst it is a matter that is actually causing harm to our church, by fomenting unnecessary division, moving resources away from the preaching of the Word, and giving people a sense that their good works are bringing about personal or corporate justification.
I would hope, then, that even if one believes the core tenants of global warming theory, that one would be very cautious in using CRC resources to promote such a highly debatable theory, lest such a focus reduce the effectiveness of our efforts to help people who don't have enough to eat.
So I am very glad for the good deeds being done by World Renew on behalf of the members of the CRC. I would caution all of us to remember that God saves those He calls, whether their physical circumstances have been improved by charitable works or not. Christians can shower an unbeliever with good works, but if that person is not called by God, those good works will only drive that person further away from God. Conversely, if a person is called by God unto salvation, that person will respond to the preaching of the Word even if no good works are ever shown to them. Would you agree?
Thus we do not do good works to win others to Christ. The Gospel of Jesus and the Spirit of God are the ONLY means by which sinners are saved. Instead, we do good works because God has commanded us to do so. And our primary focus remains the preaching of the Word. That was Izaak's main point.
Posted in: Rev. Edwin Walhout's Parting Words and Works
Edwin Walhout's ideas are not new, not in line with CRC teaching, and not particularly interesting or robust.
Obviously, the worst example is his support for the idea that Jesus Christ is not divine. How can someone abandon this bedrock Truth of Christianity and still claim orthodoxy?
Walhout's over-reliance on modern "science" also leads him to faulty theology. In fact, some of the scientific theories he elevates above Scripture have already been abandoned and/or modified by secular scientists, demonstrating why the Church should never alter its teachings to fit the fickle scientific theories of the day.
Read his writings to gain an understanding of poor theology; read Scripture for Truth.
Posted in: Does Your Church Compost?
I should try to get my church to compost. I would take the material myself. I'm always greedy for more organic material for my garden. I compost at home, but my family doesn't generate much on our own. Only one 20 gallon garbage can per year.
Posted in: Survey Results: Leading the Way in Faith-Driven Climate Action
I agree that we in the CRC ought to do more to inform ourselves, from a Scriptural perspective, about Climate Change. But my focus is a little different...
It is clear that environment & climate was a common theme among many of the demon-gods of antiquity (the false idols worshipped by people who did not worship the One True God). The other 2 main themes were child sacrifice and sexual immorality. Those 3 things, deification of elements of the environment, child sacrifice, and sexual perversion were the 3 main aspects of demon worship.
I believe that the CRC has been tempted to flirt with the environmental idol. The "science" offered to pass the overture that jumped on board the global warming bandwagon has been proven to be false. And I think the environment (pun intended) within the CRC has changed a lot since then.
I hope that a future Synod will refocus our denomination away from the demon-god of environmentalism, and back toward the One True God of Scripture.
Posted in: Survey Results: Leading the Way in Faith-Driven Climate Action
Mark, does Scripture tell us to "care for creation"? Where? Or are we instructed to use it for our own flourishing, and give thanks to God for it?
Yes, to the extent that global warming alarmism is preached by Christians, it is idolatry and false religion.
I would love to meet with you and talk more about this. Will you be at Synod this year? I will be there as a delegate.
Posted in: No Such Thing as "Loveless Orthodoxy"
Saul (pre-conversion) is a fantastic example of someone whose orthodoxy was all wrong. Saul's beliefs were based on falsehood. He did not understand that Jesus is the long-promised Messiah of Israel. This is the mystery of the Gospel that Paul (post-conversion) refers to in his letters to the churches.
I think that is why Paul is so critical of false teachers and false teachings. He himself used to be a false teacher who believed in false teachings.
But once Paul got his orthodoxy correct, he was able to spread the truth of the Gospel in love. Love radiated from his right beliefs!
Posted in: Standing Up to Racism: The Gospel Thing to Do
I am thankful for parents who raised me to realize that there is 1 race...the human race. And that God created all of us brown. Some of us are light brown. Some of us are dark brown. But in the end, we are all brown!
We need to see each other the way God sees us: as individuals created in His image. Not as members of artificial groups based on our DNA.
Those who wish to divide us (and profit from that division) based on our skin tone, must be opposed as deniers of the true Gospel of Christ. That Gospel teaches us that people who harbor animosity based on skin tone (whether dark-toward-light or light-toward-dark) will be forgiven by Almighty God when they accept God's call to the Cross and leave their animosity there for Christ to destroy for all eternity. Man-made schemes will not bring forgiveness and reconciliation. Only the True Gospel can do that!
Posted in: Talking About Human Sexuality With Love
Steven, the Scriptures I shared are not about Sodom, per se. They are about current religious leaders going along with the "wisdom" of the world, encouraging the sheep to go astray, and even celebrating sin.
It's a warning...when church leaders turn the flock away from God, God is not pleased.
Posted in: Talking About Human Sexuality With Love
Steven, you've made some assumptions that are completely wrong. But I love you as my neighbor anyway.
My question for you is this: If your views on sexual immorality have changed and no longer line up with the teachings of the CRC, why not graciously join another denomination that already DOES line up with your new viewpoint?
Posted in: Talking About Human Sexuality With Love
Thanks, Kevin. You covered a lot, but seemed to assume I meant an official split of the CRC. I didn't mean that. There are plenty of other churches and denominations that already exist, who line up with your views on sexual immorality. I was asking why you don't join one of those?
About 10 years ago I joined the CRC because I personally hold to the teachings of the CRC. If, for some reason, I found new views (say, for example, I came to believe in universal salvation), then I would join a different church that already teaches that. I would not demand that the CRC start teaching universal salvation.
It's like someone who hates baseball, who becomes a little league coach, and then demands that the kids stop playing baseball.
Posted in: I Wonder
As a father of 3 young boys (ages 10, 7, and 5) I have wondered what life would be like if one of them came up to me in their teenage years and said "Dad...I like other boys more than girls." It's a very real thing to me.
Thankfully, I know what I would do. I would be honest with them that I often find myself physically attracted to people that are "off limits" for me. And that at those times I need to fall at the feet of my Savior and ask him to help me resist the temptation to think or act on those sinful impulses. And that I need to ask the Holy Spirit to give me strength. I would tell my son to do the same.
Then I would tell my son that I love him, and that God loves him, and that he is a part of God's family, and that ALL members of God's family experience temptation. I would tell him that God's love is not an excuse to sin, but rather it is a weapon against sin.
And I would never, never demand that other believers make excuses for my son's temptations, or encourage them, or elevate them as being worthy of embracing rather than resisting.
Posted in: Talking About Human Sexuality With Love
Mr. Stephenson, your emphatic claim that you are not trying to influence the outcome reminds me of the saying "Me thinks you doth protest too much."
Those (like "All One Body") who have publicly stated they want to change the CRC's teaching on human sexuality have been very open and honest that their tactic is going to be to be to push the "love, love, love" narrative. So when employees of the CRCNA use church resources to echo a very similar sentiment, it is completely reasonable for people to be concerned.
As for the statement that "God loves you the way you are," that sentiment is not found in Scripture. A more accurate paraphrase would be "God loves you despite the way you are, and loves you enough to transform you."
Would you agree?