The Highway Forums General Discussion Theology Discussion Forum Same Sex Marriages

Did anyone else read this article about a pastor fighting for the right to perform same sex marriages?<br><br>I didn't know the highest Presbyterian court of PCUSA ruled in 2000 that ministers may bless same-sex unions, but cannot marry such couples. How can a minister of a church defend this position when Scripture calls it an abominable thing?<br><br>Leviticus 18:22 "You shall not lie with a male as one lies with a female; it is an abomination." <br><br>Also see Lev 20:13; Deut 23:18 mg; Rom 1:27 <br>

I had no clue they made that ruling in 2000 either! I grew up PCUSA and left because of their reluctance to call homosexuality a sin. My former church had hired a practicing homosexual to be their minister of music (this was in 1997), and the elders and other leaders would not accept the Biblical proof as the final authority. They argued that, even though the Bible says homosexuality is a sin, they would instead go by "today's culture." The PCUSA used to have a high view of Scripture, but now sadly that is not the case.

sbc_reformed,<blockquote><font size=1>In reply to:</font><hr>[color:"blue"]They argued that, even though the Bible says homosexuality is a sin, they would instead go by "today's culture." </font><hr></blockquote><p>Sadly that's when they stopped being the Church of Jesus Christ and became a worldly social club. [img]http://www.the-highway.com/w3timages/icons/sad.gif" alt="sad" title="sad[/img]<br><br>If the Bible isn't the final authority then whatever they replace it with is. In this case they appear to be not only condoning this sin but offering the promises of God's blessing on such unions. Surely those who teach this heresy will have a special place in hell. How does a church from the Reformed perspective get so confused and loose her way? When and how does the Bible become irrelevant?<br><br><br>Wes

Van Kuiken said: <blockquote><font size=1>In reply to:</font><hr>[color:"blue"][color:red]"I intend to appeal the guilty verdict because I believe that this decision is theologically wrong and contrary to the Scriptures,"</font color=red></font><hr></blockquote><p> This is indeed sad, but not unexpected from "liberal" beliefs deconstructing the faith once delivered to the saints. Van Kuiken would have been more correct in saying:<br><br><blockquote>[color:blue]I am guilty because I am theologically wrong and contrary to Scripture.</font color=blue></blockquote> A poor day for Christianity and Presbyterianism to be associated with the error of his beliefs.

For some time I've pondered the description of the various churches in Revelation 2-3. How do you all think this applies to today's church?

Sbc_reformed,<br><br>Much of the New Testament is made up of letters to churches in a given locality or region. It is therefore striking that Peter, John, and Paul--the three major writing apostles--spoke to particular local congregations about the larger catholic church of which they were members or parts. In the book of Revelation, John not only addresses each of the seven churches in Asia Minor with a message peculiar to its need but also encourages them to be overcomers by trusting in God alone. He repeatedly says listen to what the Spirit is saying to the churches.<br><br>Each time that man has believed himself to be more intelligent than God, that he has painstakingly developed a religious system more conformable to the spirit of our times, instead of simply following the Biblical model, his attempts will not be blessed by God and most assuredly will be judged. In Paul’s letter to Timothy he writes “If any man teaches otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the doctrine which is according to godliness; he is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings, perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of truth, supposing that gain in godliness: from such withdraw thyself.” (I Tim. 6:3-5)<br><br>All heresies and deviations in the church spring from the abandonment of Scripture and of the model the church is intended to follow. The true Church will be identifiable by it’s faithfulness in preaching the gospel, rightly administering the sacraments, and proper discipline. <br><br><br>Wes<br><br><br><br>

<blockquote>"Without absolutes revealed from without by God Himself, we are left rudderless in a sea of conflicting ideas about manners, justice and right and wrong, issuing from a multitude of self-opinionated thinkers." - John Owen (1616-1683)</blockquote><br><br>

John Calvin comments on Romans 1:32, “It is the height of evil when the sinner is so completely void of shame that he is not only pleased with his own vices, and will not tolerate their condemnation, but also encourages them in others by his consent and approval. This desperate wickedness is thus described in scripture: They ‘rejoice to do evil’ (Prov 2:14)"<br>Sounds like a comment on the mentioned article.<br>

Wesley, <blockquote><font size=1>In reply to:</font><hr>[color:"blue"]When and how does the Bible become irrelevant?</font><hr></blockquote><p>Frankly, I think it is a matter of everyone wanting to be people pleasers. We don't "like" what the Bible says and so therefore we just throw it out and say it is not important. The homosexual agenda is getting out of hand these days, in my opinion. Not to be a bigot. I just will not stand to see sin condoned by what is supposed to be the bride of Christ. <br><br>I heard about the PCUSA's ruling not when it happened, but not too long ago at church. My friend Joe was preachin' to the youth that night, and he mentioned that as a major prayer concern. And in thinking, I really think that is what this denomination needs. LOT'S of prayer. We know that James says, <blockquote>[color:blue]...The supplication of a righteous man availeth much in its working.</font color=blue> (James 5:16 ASV)</blockquote><br><br><br><br><br>