Thanks Larry for good reminders of how we need to be aware of how our culture and world view impacts how read Scripture. But I do not think the history of changed views on contraceptives is not even close to be a parallel to same sex. The church as it expanded in the Greco-Roman world was deeply influenced by the Greek philosophers and especially a Platonic devaluation of the body and actions related to that. That world view guided a view contrary to Scripture that sexual activity needed a justification for lesser Christians. Hence, only for procreation. Strong Christians would take a vow of celibacy for the priesthood or monastery. It also impacted what we confess in the "resurrection of the Body." Rarely did eschatology include the new earth in the promised new heavens and new earth. Platonism has been falling away thankfully in many areas of theology. Once that world view was taken away on the questions of contraceptives, the "Biblical case" against contraceptives was seen as a flimsy house of cards.
The Scriptures are quite clear on the fact God gave the give of sex for a marriage between a man and woman. It is also clear that same sex is condemned as sin and is part of porneia.
We do need to be alert on how our society has becomes hedonistic and attempt to redefine many things.
Thanks much for sharing. I get some of Joshua's pain. We served a church for 13 years which decided to disband at the end of 2016. That brought grief on multiple levels, even on the question of where we could worship with shalom after the final worship service. I do think the CRC needs to face the reality that more churches are closing. And lumping everything under an article 17 does not help the Pastor. When my article 17 was announced in the online Banner and explained as as a pastor being separated from his ministry, a friend contacted me right away in support because he had assumed something else.
An excellent question, Joel. One's answer is shaped by a person's experience. I see the point of needing social justice transforming society with being "evangelical." My experience is that the CRC really needs to get to the point of becoming much more "evangelical."
That story is really touching, as is indicated by many of the comments.
I have served 3 churches now. In the first two, I was blest to be part of ministerials which helped most of the chuches to work together very well and accomplish some great things they would have not been able to do by themselves. That is a taste of the shalom of God's kingdom. My experience in South Denver has not been the same. I tried to set up a ministerial. But that was not even given a try by over half of the churches in the area. And that ministerial has struggled to continue or to do much with each other.
How do we respond? Grace and truth always goes together. If one listens only to the mainstream media, then one could say that President Trump had a shameful failure to call evil for what it is. But a key problem is the mainstream media has become shamefully unreliable. By his own words, President Trump called out evil on all sides. Christians must be informed accurately before we respond in grace and truth.
The main stream media says Trump equated the two sides. He did not. He said there was blame to go around. Yes there were some espousing hatred, racism and Nazi Symbols. But some on that side were also there about the issues of keeping the confederate symbols as part of history. On the other side were people standing for equality and peace. But that side also included Antifa and others just looking for a fight. Calvinists and every parents knows that rarely is there a purely evil and totally righteous side in a fight.
Synod recognized, as the report demonstrated and recommended, that its position was already confessional. In other words, the Heidelberg Catechism already includes all forms outside of sex between a married man and woman as unchastity. Synod said what was already confessional since the Catechism was written remains confessional. The CRC did change its position.
Posted in: Santa Claus, Contraception, and the CRCNA (Part 4)
Thanks Larry for good reminders of how we need to be aware of how our culture and world view impacts how read Scripture. But I do not think the history of changed views on contraceptives is not even close to be a parallel to same sex. The church as it expanded in the Greco-Roman world was deeply influenced by the Greek philosophers and especially a Platonic devaluation of the body and actions related to that. That world view guided a view contrary to Scripture that sexual activity needed a justification for lesser Christians. Hence, only for procreation. Strong Christians would take a vow of celibacy for the priesthood or monastery. It also impacted what we confess in the "resurrection of the Body." Rarely did eschatology include the new earth in the promised new heavens and new earth. Platonism has been falling away thankfully in many areas of theology. Once that world view was taken away on the questions of contraceptives, the "Biblical case" against contraceptives was seen as a flimsy house of cards.
The Scriptures are quite clear on the fact God gave the give of sex for a marriage between a man and woman. It is also clear that same sex is condemned as sin and is part of porneia.
We do need to be alert on how our society has becomes hedonistic and attempt to redefine many things.
Posted in: What Happens to the Pastor After a Church Closes?
Thanks much for sharing. I get some of Joshua's pain. We served a church for 13 years which decided to disband at the end of 2016. That brought grief on multiple levels, even on the question of where we could worship with shalom after the final worship service. I do think the CRC needs to face the reality that more churches are closing. And lumping everything under an article 17 does not help the Pastor. When my article 17 was announced in the online Banner and explained as as a pastor being separated from his ministry, a friend contacted me right away in support because he had assumed something else.
Posted in: Do We Christians Live in a "Bubble?"
A very intriguing use of the bubble metaphor!
Posted in: What's So Great About the Acts 2 Church?
I think you hit the proverbial nail on the head with the distinction of movements and programs.
Posted in: Are You Already a Missionary?
I think you did see part of the answer to your question. Thanks for the thoughtful blogs.
Posted in: Has Pentecost Made a Difference in Your Neighborhood?
An excellent question, Joel. One's answer is shaped by a person's experience. I see the point of needing social justice transforming society with being "evangelical." My experience is that the CRC really needs to get to the point of becoming much more "evangelical."
Posted in: Can We Be Friends?
That story is really touching, as is indicated by many of the comments.
I have served 3 churches now. In the first two, I was blest to be part of ministerials which helped most of the chuches to work together very well and accomplish some great things they would have not been able to do by themselves. That is a taste of the shalom of God's kingdom. My experience in South Denver has not been the same. I tried to set up a ministerial. But that was not even given a try by over half of the churches in the area. And that ministerial has struggled to continue or to do much with each other.
Posted in: Offering the Gifts of Sturdy, Gentle Graces: Reflections After Charlottesville
How do we respond? Grace and truth always goes together. If one listens only to the mainstream media, then one could say that President Trump had a shameful failure to call evil for what it is. But a key problem is the mainstream media has become shamefully unreliable. By his own words, President Trump called out evil on all sides. Christians must be informed accurately before we respond in grace and truth.
Posted in: Offering the Gifts of Sturdy, Gentle Graces: Reflections After Charlottesville
The main stream media says Trump equated the two sides. He did not. He said there was blame to go around. Yes there were some espousing hatred, racism and Nazi Symbols. But some on that side were also there about the issues of keeping the confederate symbols as part of history. On the other side were people standing for equality and peace. But that side also included Antifa and others just looking for a fight. Calvinists and every parents knows that rarely is there a purely evil and totally righteous side in a fight.
Posted in: Peace of Conscience and Unity in the Church: Why I Did What I Did As a Delegate to Synod 2022
Synod recognized, as the report demonstrated and recommended, that its position was already confessional. In other words, the Heidelberg Catechism already includes all forms outside of sex between a married man and woman as unchastity. Synod said what was already confessional since the Catechism was written remains confessional. The CRC did change its position.