What exactly are the three "ways" here? 1. Preach against unrepentant sexual immorality. 2. Allow unrepentant sexual immorality. 3. Allow some unrepentant sexual immorality???
What am I missing? Is there a version of "Third Way" that whole-heartedly embraces our denomination's position (the Biblical position) on unchastity?
"Well, the problem you are in is that we didn't start with Love - or Paul's definition of Love."
This is insulting and untrue. Synod worked toward Christ's Love with great vigor.
This was the most prayer-for Synod that we know of. Unprecedented listening sessions and prayer sessions were held through Zoom. Prayer warriors were praying over Synod the whole time. The delegates came well-prepared. We sat through hours of debate on the floor of Synod.
Synod called upon the Holy Spirit to come and guide His church. And the Holy Spirit did!
Unsurprisingly, the Holy Spirit agreed with His own words in Scripture and led our synod to stand firm on Jesus's definition of Love, and how Love sometimes has to warn and discipline.
(The Apostle Paul actually had a lot to say about the sexual immorality that Synod 22 discussed!)
I agree! (Although, this actually seems like an improvement to the 2021 Survey respondents diversity, that the denom published.)
I agree because -- judging by the reports of Consejo Latino, the Korean council, and the speaches given by our ethnic advisors to Synod -- the vote percentage on HSR/unchastity would have been much higher for the orthodox side and lower for the affirming side. Probably would have given us a better representation of where our denomination actually falls.
My entire reply is a reply to the comment that you accidentally deleted. I must have started my comment while it was still up, so I was looking at your reply whole time.
FYI, "practical atheism" is a specific Theological term, which in this context means claiming to believe God's Word while not behaving like it... aka acting as if modern identity affirmation must be more effective for helping make LGBT individuals feel better than would encouraging and assisting them in Godliness and righteousness.
I do not think you are an Atheist. Though I'm sure this explanation won't be of any consolation...
Could you explain why you felt that the replies to Steve's comment were off topic to the original post and thus worthy to delete but Steve's comment was not off topic and not deleted?
"Humble us to submit our own opinions to the authority of Your Word and listen to You reverently and intently."
Amen.
The Synod process has some downsides and, like any alternative option, is made up entirely of sinful people. But it's the God-ordained method of church organization and deliberation.
God will use our imperfect attempts as He directs our church.
I'm saddened to disagree with so many denominational leaders.
While I agree that some doctrinal concepts are so foundational to our faith that to deny them is to hold to a different religion and some other concepts are merely error and sinful, I do not agree that we cannot or should not stand firm when God's Word speaks clearly to an issue.
Instead, we should indeed hold to God's Word with the faithfulness of de Bres! The truth is important, even when it's not about the "biggest issues". "Having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another" (Eph. 4:25). We aren't called to an individualism that expects our Christian brothers and sisters to deal with their own sins in their own way, but to encourage each other and as Jesus commands "If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him" and also "exhort one another every day, as long as it is called 'today,' that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin" (Heb. 3:13).
We are called as a communal body to encourage each other to godliness and good works. Even when those sins aren't concerning "salvation issues".
Although 1 Corinthians 6:10 might create a problem for this entire argument.
The failure of churches to hold Christians accountable for their sins of pornography usage is a problem for our churches. Yes, it's difficult because people work hard to hide their pornography use. No one walks around with a "Pornography Pride" flag. Yet it's prevalence is so profound that our denomination would do well to begin a monumental campaign, working together as churches to emphasize repentance or discipline, and providing support as people work to kill that sin in their life!
But I don't think that a failure to adequately eradicate one sin should give us permission to allow space for another sin.
Posted in: Best Books of 2022
By far the best book that I read this year was Carl Trueman's "The Rise and Triumph of the Modern Self".
Technically from 2020, but a must read for everyone who considers themself a living human being. :)
Posted in: Post-Synod: What If There is No Way Forward?
What exactly are the three "ways" here?
1. Preach against unrepentant sexual immorality.
2. Allow unrepentant sexual immorality.
3. Allow some unrepentant sexual immorality???
What am I missing?
Is there a version of "Third Way" that whole-heartedly embraces our denomination's position (the Biblical position) on unchastity?
Posted in: Post-Synod: 3 Ways to Love While We Disagree
"Well, the problem you are in is that we didn't start with Love - or Paul's definition of Love."
This is insulting and untrue. Synod worked toward Christ's Love with great vigor.
This was the most prayer-for Synod that we know of. Unprecedented listening sessions and prayer sessions were held through Zoom. Prayer warriors were praying over Synod the whole time. The delegates came well-prepared. We sat through hours of debate on the floor of Synod.
Synod called upon the Holy Spirit to come and guide His church. And the Holy Spirit did!
Unsurprisingly, the Holy Spirit agreed with His own words in Scripture and led our synod to stand firm on Jesus's definition of Love, and how Love sometimes has to warn and discipline.
(The Apostle Paul actually had a lot to say about the sexual immorality that Synod 22 discussed!)
Posted in: Addressing Article 17 Stigma
Both of those recommendations are very good!
Posted in: Diversity Notes on Synod 2022
I agree! (Although, this actually seems like an improvement to the 2021 Survey respondents diversity, that the denom published.)
I agree because -- judging by the reports of Consejo Latino, the Korean council, and the speaches given by our ethnic advisors to Synod -- the vote percentage on HSR/unchastity would have been much higher for the orthodox side and lower for the affirming side. Probably would have given us a better representation of where our denomination actually falls.
Posted in: Share Your 3-Word Prayer for the Human Sexuality Conversation
Don't abandon Scripture!
Posted in: Talking About Human Sexuality With Love
Steven,
My entire reply is a reply to the comment that you accidentally deleted. I must have started my comment while it was still up, so I was looking at your reply whole time.
FYI, "practical atheism" is a specific Theological term, which in this context means claiming to believe God's Word while not behaving like it... aka acting as if modern identity affirmation must be more effective for helping make LGBT individuals feel better than would encouraging and assisting them in Godliness and righteousness.
I do not think you are an Atheist. Though I'm sure this explanation won't be of any consolation...
Posted in: Talking About Human Sexuality With Love
Staci,
Could you explain why you felt that the replies to Steve's comment were off topic to the original post and thus worthy to delete but Steve's comment was not off topic and not deleted?
Posted in: Re-envision Synod Through the Lens of Prayer
"Humble us to submit our own opinions to the authority of Your Word and listen to You reverently and intently."
Amen.
The Synod process has some downsides and, like any alternative option, is made up entirely of sinful people. But it's the God-ordained method of church organization and deliberation.
God will use our imperfect attempts as He directs our church.
Thank you for your prayer.
Posted in: Talking About Human Sexuality With Love
I'm saddened to disagree with so many denominational leaders.
While I agree that some doctrinal concepts are so foundational to our faith that to deny them is to hold to a different religion and some other concepts are merely error and sinful, I do not agree that we cannot or should not stand firm when God's Word speaks clearly to an issue.
Instead, we should indeed hold to God's Word with the faithfulness of de Bres! The truth is important, even when it's not about the "biggest issues". "Having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another" (Eph. 4:25). We aren't called to an individualism that expects our Christian brothers and sisters to deal with their own sins in their own way, but to encourage each other and as Jesus commands "If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him" and also "exhort one another every day, as long as it is called 'today,' that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin" (Heb. 3:13).
We are called as a communal body to encourage each other to godliness and good works. Even when those sins aren't concerning "salvation issues".
Although 1 Corinthians 6:10 might create a problem for this entire argument.
Posted in: Talking About Human Sexuality With Love
I also notice the false equivalency that 1. Human Sexuality is complex and messy. 2. Therefore the Bible's teaching on Sexuality is complex and messy.
But the Bible's teaching is actually simple, clear, and consistent from beginning to end.
Posted in: Talking About Human Sexuality With Love
The failure of churches to hold Christians accountable for their sins of pornography usage is a problem for our churches. Yes, it's difficult because people work hard to hide their pornography use. No one walks around with a "Pornography Pride" flag. Yet it's prevalence is so profound that our denomination would do well to begin a monumental campaign, working together as churches to emphasize repentance or discipline, and providing support as people work to kill that sin in their life!
But I don't think that a failure to adequately eradicate one sin should give us permission to allow space for another sin.