The Wheels of Justice ...

Pastor

Sun, 19 Mar 2006 12:00:00 +0100

A war rages, 200 billion spent; poverty abounds throughout the world and even in this country; 41 million without health insurance and millions more with only limited access to health care; a widening gap between the rich and the poor; and religious folks want to worry about two people who love each other? It is time for prejudice to end and for us to be the Gospel rather than preach it. - Steven Hammond

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Sat, 18 Mar 2006 12:00:00 +0100

I am very appreciative of the editorial by Jack Haberer urging Presbytery of the Redwoods to appeal the decision of its PJC in presbytery's case against Dr. Jane Adams Spahr. Jack was right in pointing out that clarification is needed in a decision which in his words says, 'Only constitutional prohibitions need be obeyed....Definitions need not be." I find it odd that the editor is excoriated by some, who, like me disagree with aspects of report of the Theological Task Force even though in the present case he is clearly calling for clarity in the interpretation and enforcement of our standards. I also see his writing style in this piece as being a wise attempt to persuade the presbytery to do the right thing by appealing the decision rather than as an attempt to make debate points or pre-judge the issue. - Winfield Casey Jones

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Fri, 17 Mar 2006 12:00:00 +0100

Way to go, Jack. Sherry - Sherwood Anderson

Pastor

Fri, 17 Mar 2006 12:00:00 +0100

Get use to it, Mr. editor. The Redwood PJC decision is the future of the Presbyterian Church (USA). It is a future in part made possible by your decision to recommend we leave the standards for ordination in the hands of presbyteries like Redwood. Was not the stated clerk of that presbytery one of your fellow commissioners on the PUP love-in? Have you ever read the fable that ends with one dying animal asking another why he killed him. In the answer there is wisdom: 'You knew what was when you agreed to give me a ride. I was only acting in accord with my nature.' When Revisionists act like Revisionists the set out to revise. Do you really think they will set aside their agenda in order to achieve the peace or unity or purity? Amazing! Editor's note: 'The Stated Clerk of Redwoods Presbytery is not a member of the Theological Task Force on Peace, Unity, and Purity of the Church.' - Gary Miller

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Fri, 17 Mar 2006 12:00:00 +0100

Your editorial on the Redwoods PJC decision focuses on 'the volume' of the emotional response to the decision rather than on the decision itself. That makes me curious. To my mind, the underlying issue is not that people are angry. To say so is to imply that if people were not vocally upset there would be no problem with the decision handed down by the Redwoods PJC. This seems a superficial analysis and reflects an underlying weakness. The Outlook has generally been the voice of the moderate middle of the denomination. In recent years it has seemed that the only agenda of the middle is to lower the volume on divisive issues so that all parts of the church stay together and we can get on with the 'real' mission of the church. What the moderate middle of the church seems to fail to realize is that the issues being debated will determine what the mission of the church is. I understand the need for a certain degree of caution when discussing these issues. But there are also times for boldness and clarity. Ultimately it will not be caution that gets us through our denominational impasse. It will be faithfulness. - elliott scott

clergy - retired

Thu, 16 Mar 2006 12:00:00 +0100

The ruling in the Redwoods Presbytery case demands review by a higher church court. The ruling is scandalous in its total disregard of the facts of our Presbyterian theology, confessions, and judicial history. It flies in the face of rulings by the Gen. Assembly Permanent Judicial Comission as if such higher rulings were meaningless. How can such rogue behavior by a supposedly competent judicial body be allowed to stand? - Dwight Johnson

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Thu, 16 Mar 2006 12:00:00 +0100

The problem is money unfortunately. The Presbytery is broke and tired. If money were no object the volume would be screaming! Any backers out there? - Steve Nesheim

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Thu, 16 Mar 2006 12:00:00 +0100

Dear Editor, Surely you jest! What this decision means is that the PJC of Redwoods Presbytery has already implemented the 'authoritative interpretation' that your PUP Team would have the PCUSA adopt. While there could be an appeal at this time, once the General Assembly 'buys into' your arguments such PJC decisions will become commonplace, but... there will be no appeal possible because the only question that a higher governing body will be able to ask is 'was this action reasonably, responsibly, prayerfully, and deliberately considered?' If you really think that the polity proposed by the PUP report will stop at the altar of ordination, you have been sitting too far from the 'reality bush' for far too long. Does the story of Essau selling his birthright for a mess of pottage ring any bells for you? Hesed ve shalom, Rev. Malcolm M. King III - malcolm king