I'm having a difficult time squaring what you have written here with your "Unity Isn't What you Think It Is" Banner editorial from June 2023.
In the above article, your argument seems to be that through humility and submission to the Church, it is not only possible for people to become more complete Christians, but that they can also do great things.
In your June 2023 essay you explain that "third way thinking... doesn't work" because it causes "convictions to be violated." You specifically reference the local option of women in office as the prime example of how convictions are violated. You also make clear that you oppose women in office for Biblical reasons.
Based on what you wrote in 2023, what you are asking affirming Christians to do, namely stay in the CRC despite strong Biblical conviction otherwise, is incredibly hypocritical. How can you ask people to stay out of “humility” when you yourself never fully respected the decisions of Synod around women in office? Did you ever seek to correct or discipline those who walked out when women preached in churches in which they were called? Did you preach the same “humility” to those who refused to hear a female pastor speak that you are now asking of those you have just kicked out?
Many Abide pastors openly preach against female officebearers. Classis Minkota openly opposes their seating at the start of every Synod. Where is the call for “humility” for them?
I’m not going to pretend that what I write or anyone else writes here will change people’s convictions, but please don’t ask people to stay out of “humility” and “repentance.” Abide clearly has never “humbly” considered or respected Biblical interpretations outside of their “clear” understandings, so please spare us the open hypocrisy of asking us to do what you don’t.
Posted in: Don't Leave Me!
I'm having a difficult time squaring what you have written here with your "Unity Isn't What you Think It Is" Banner editorial from June 2023.
In the above article, your argument seems to be that through humility and submission to the Church, it is not only possible for people to become more complete Christians, but that they can also do great things.
In your June 2023 essay you explain that "third way thinking... doesn't work" because it causes "convictions to be violated." You specifically reference the local option of women in office as the prime example of how convictions are violated. You also make clear that you oppose women in office for Biblical reasons.
Based on what you wrote in 2023, what you are asking affirming Christians to do, namely stay in the CRC despite strong Biblical conviction otherwise, is incredibly hypocritical. How can you ask people to stay out of “humility” when you yourself never fully respected the decisions of Synod around women in office? Did you ever seek to correct or discipline those who walked out when women preached in churches in which they were called? Did you preach the same “humility” to those who refused to hear a female pastor speak that you are now asking of those you have just kicked out?
Many Abide pastors openly preach against female officebearers. Classis Minkota openly opposes their seating at the start of every Synod. Where is the call for “humility” for them?
I’m not going to pretend that what I write or anyone else writes here will change people’s convictions, but please don’t ask people to stay out of “humility” and “repentance.” Abide clearly has never “humbly” considered or respected Biblical interpretations outside of their “clear” understandings, so please spare us the open hypocrisy of asking us to do what you don’t.
(Comment reposted from Abide's Substack)