Comments for Capetz seeks to declare a scruple in Twin Cities Presbytery on "celibacy" at http://pres-outlook.net , comment 1 to 3 out of 3 comments http://pres-outlook.net Sat, 06 Sep 2008 11:10:37 +0100 FeedCreator 1.7.3 http://pres-outlook.net/news-and-analysis/1-news-a-analysis/6478.html#comment-3705 Professor Capetz seems to indicate that the Reformed faith is about faith only and not works; however, his theological view is rather skewed. In the Scots Confession 3.14 there is a clear discussion of works. 'We confess and acknowledge that God has given to man his holy law, in which not only all such works as displease and offend his godly majesty are forbidden, but also those which please him and which he has promised to reward are commanded...we affirm good works to be those alone which are done in faith and at the command of God who, in his law, has set forth the things that please him. We affirm that evil works are not only those expressly done against God's command, but also, in religious matters and the worship of God, those things which have no other warrant than the invention and opinion of man.' To be sure, our salvation is dependent upon 'grace through faith.' But that does not mean that our actions are beyond judgment. Instead, it has always been clear biblically, by the reformers, and by our confessional documents that our actions, our works, are under the judgment of God and God's commands as to whether they are good or evil. Therefore, we must always seriously consider the biblical injunctions with respect to behavior, and not discount our actions by stripping morality from our beliefs and practices. - David McCann Tue, 18 Dec 2007 12:00:00 +0100 http://pres-outlook.net/news-and-analysis/1-news-a-analysis/6478.html#comment-3699 The Outlook of December 17, 2007, reported the advocacy of two theses concerning the life of the Presbyterian church that startle the mind. The first, proposed by Professor Paul Capetz, appears to argue that the the Protestant doctrine of justification by faith alone, and not by works, obviates any moral standards for ordained ministers. The second, advanced by Professor Robert Jensen, claims that there is no essential relationship between belief in God and Jesus and membership in the Church. Both theses are so obviously vacant of theological cogency as to deserve a response of sympathy. For the courts of our Church to invest time and resources in discussing these theses would be a troubling sign of the confusion of our theological and confessional life. - James Luther Mays Mon, 17 Dec 2007 12:00:00 +0100 http://pres-outlook.net/news-and-analysis/1-news-a-analysis/6478.html#comment-3698 Capetz is wrong on so many points, it is hard to know where to begin! The language of the Reformation, the Confessions, and the Book of Order is not 'celibacy,' but 'chastity.' To renounce chastity in the name of the Reformation is the greatest and most egregious of unfaithful, revisionist thinking. Capetz is not returning us to the Reformation. He is turning us away from Scripture, and from the teaching of Christ, the apostles, and the Church from the beginning. A move by Twin Cities Presbytery to approve this would be tantamount to their breaking the unity of the holy catholic church. They will have departed not only from Reformed essentials, but also from ecumenical Christian teaching. - Walter Taylor Mon, 17 Dec 2007 12:00:00 +0100