At our last meeting, we discussed The Jesus Debate , a timely topic considering the secondary decisions of General Assembly 213. What about salvation, of Christ being the one way? There is scriptural evidence to suggest that God may be "more just" to the rest of the "good" people of the world than we commonly give Him credit for.

Previous Discussion Topics

The main topic of a discussion that predated the controversy focused on the appropriate response of Christians to people of other faiths and beliefs.  As we share the message of Christ with the world, it is crucial that we be aware of religious intolerance, and how it fosters an atmosphere of persecution that is itself abhorrent to the Word and Spirit. Appropriately, our denomination urges the elimination of hatred or intolerance of the religious beliefs of others. Check out the Recommendations of the 211th General Assembly on Religious Intolerance and a Seminar on Intolerance held in New York. We focused on our need to judge ourselves, yet to be open to others.

One discussion centered on our unity as Presbyterians in the midst of our diversity.   Using insights gained from Jack Rogers book, Reading the Bible and the Confessions, the Presbyterian way, we discussed the impact of cultural conventions and political dogma on the changing way that Bible teachings have been applied to ethical and moral issues, including slavery, women's rights, and the treatment of sexual minorities.  The specific intentions and some counterintuitive results of Amendment B (enacted as BO G-6.0106b) were discussed.  Just how important is tradition? Is discrimination acceptable if you can find scriptural support of it?

Are Christians capable of respectful dialog on these serious issues???

Should G-6.0106b be repealed?

The Beaver-Butler overture to the 212th General Assembly declared that an irreconcilable impasse exists in the denomination.  It was resoundingly rejected, with the statement , "We choose rather to see differences positively and believe that differences in fact have the potential to make our unity in Christ even stronger." We must seek to express  this unity within our church, as well as in the society of which we are a part.

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These are confusing times in America. The rights of the individual make people nervous when cultures and lifestyles coexist. Where is the line between personal expression and personal assault? The ideal of freedom of religious expression has itself grown from a tenuous mutual respect for similar faiths to a mutual neglect of all.  Cast adrift by disillusionment and the perceived hypocrisy of organized religions over the millennia, society founders in a sea of uprooted fragments of many religions. Angels, heaven, demons, the spirit world, life forces, karma, good will . . . are they just fads and popular games? Some secular philosophies incorporate Christian ideals and respect for others, but without allegiance to religious traditions. Others blatantly mock Christ in their outrage over atrocites committed in His name. The media identify Christians with right wing conservatism, with those who pass judgment, rather  than those who care. Politicians invoke the name of God to win votes for their party.

What would Jesus REALLY do?  Who would he minister to, and whose actions would he condemn? What SHOULD a Christian do?

PLEASE BRING YOUR OPINIONS TO OUR DISCUSSION

Yours in Christ,
Craig Tenke elder, neuroscientist
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