Candance Chellew Hodge of Religion Dispatches has informed her readers a Presbyterian Judicial Council* for the PCUSA convicted Reverend Jane Spahr. The charges: legally marrying 16 gay or lesbian couples in California. The ceremonies were held before Proposition 8 was passed that banned a same-sex marriage. I read this headline and re-read the headline to make sure I had the correct denomination, PCUSA, could it be you really stood up for a literal reading of the biblical principles for marriage?
Nope. Not yet.
While the Council found Reverend Spahr guilty of violating the rule that no PCUSA pastor should represent a same sex marriage is a marriage by performing the wedding. Also, they convicted her for failing to be governed by the polity of Presbyterian Church. But here’s the catch: she was unanimously cleared of charges for failing to preserve the peace unity and purity of the Church. //Excuse me, I have one question; how can one perform a same sex marriage without failing to preserve purity in the church? Luckily, the council answered in the explanation of their decision.//
” … we call upon the church to reexamine our own fear and ignorance that continues to reject the inclusiveness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.”
And
” … in the reality in which we live today, marriage can be between same gender as well as opposite gender persons, and we, as a church, need to be able to respond to this reality as Dr. Jane Spahr has done with faithfulness and compassion.”
In essence, the Council followed the rules of order with tongue in cheek convicting Rev. Spahr for her actions, but in reality commended her for them. Truth is that the Council could do nothing to Rev. Spahr concerning her job because she has recently retired. The PCUSA Council used this as a public way of “loving” the gay and lesbian community.
The Council is right to say we need to extend support those in the homosexual community, but accepting the sin of the creature rather than the holiness of the Creator is not the support this world needs. Rather, the love of Christ is to transform us into people we are not already. This transformational support needs to be export of our ministries.
Lastly, the council is dead wrong that there is ‘inclusiveness’ in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The Gospel of Jesus excludes all that will not, by faith, align with his person, work, and teachings; even the teachings of heterosexual marriage.
*For those not familiar with a Presbytery. The Prebyterian local churches do not have autonomy within themselves. Rather they are governed on a regional level and ultimately a national level. Therefore, the pastors are held responsible to the Presbytery in their region.
August 28, 2010 at 6:17 pm
I am utterly disgusted. No, not at the gay people. Lost sinners will act like lost sinners. I am disgusted more so by those who hold the gospel and a command to “command and teach” truth (1 tim 4) and yet, ignore it blatantly by using “irreverent, silly myths” of what the gospel is and what it isn’t (also 1 Tim. 4). Where was the scripture?
Thank God for the PCA, a refuge for Presbyterians disgusted with the PCUSA.
August 30, 2010 at 11:50 am
I’m sure that John Knox is rolling around in his grave somewhere. I’d ask how the council was able to use Scripture to defend their viewpoint, however I’m sure they have an ‘erasable Bible’ around there somewhere.