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Compiled by the Faith Newsletter editor: Burt Pearson
Contents:
From the Pastor
From the Worship Committee
Why Do I Believe that the Bible is the Word of God?
Up-coming Women's Event
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From the Pastor |
As a follow-up to my last report / article concerning the action taken by General Synod on March 3, 2010, and the response from the Erskine College Board Chairman and the Erskine Alumni Association, I wanted to share an e-mail we (ministers and elders) received from the Moderator of Synod, Dr. John R. (Dick) de Witt.
[Begin e-mail]
April 13, 2010
To the Elders and Ministers of the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church
Dear Brothers:
As you know, the decisions taken by our General Synod in relation to Erskine College and Theological Seminary on March 3 were quickly challenged by the Chairman of the Erskine Board of Trustees, Mr. Scott Mitchell. Within a few days
Mr. Mitchell dropped his suit, but then three trustees-Dr. Richard Taylor, Dr. Parker Young, and Mr. J. David Chesnut-very quickly filed suit and secured a"temporary restraining order," which effectively prevented the Board of Trustees
appointed by the Synod from beginning its work for the college and the seminary.
A hearing was conducted in the Newberry Courthouse on March 25 before Judge
Eugene C. Griffith, Jr. On Friday, April 9, Judge Griffith entered "a preliminary injunction to maintain the status quo as it existed prior to the
General Synod's March 3, 2010 actions."
I hardly need tell you that I am grieved by what has taken place. That will be the case for many of you as well. We were surprised that some among us have believed it necessary to take the step of going to law against the Synod and the
Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church. At the same time, we believe that the Synod's cause is just. Erskine College and Seminary have been an integral part of our denomination from their inception: the seminary since 1837; the college
seminary since 1839. It is virtually impossible to think of either institution as anything other than a ministry of the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church Over the past several decades some tensions have arisen between the denomination
and its educational institutions. It was precisely to resolve these tensions and to draw them back into full accord with the Synod and the Standards of our Church that we acted as we did during our March 2 and 3 meeting.
On March 18 the Executive Board of the General Synod authorized me to appoint a Liaison Committee to work with the attorneys who represent us. The members of the committee, in addition to the Moderator, are Steven J. Maye, Robert E. Patrick, and Peter A. Waid. Steve is the Vice Moderator and Moderator Elect; he is also serving as Chairman of the Liaison Committee.
Rob is the minister of the Bartow Church and Vice Moderator Elect. Peter is minister of the Spartanburg Church.
Decisions will have to be made as to our future course of action. Moderator Elect Steve Maye and I believe it would be irresponsible to turn aside from the task in hand. You should be aware, however, that our defense of the integrity of
the Church and her institutions will be both time-consuming and expensive.
I want to say also that I am deeply grateful for the large measure of restraint which has been so apparent on the part of the Synod and the Church. A great deal of heated rhetoric is to be heard at present. We have chosen to respond in a muted way because we believe that God's people should exercise charity even in the face of substantial provocation. I hope and trust that we can find ways of being both firm and resolute, on the one hand, and loving toward those who have chosen to disagree with us, on the other.
Clearly the solutions we had hoped were at hand will not be reached as quickly as we anticipated. At the same time, I am convinced that God is at work even in the struggle now before us, and that he will bring it all to his own appointed ends. I ask that every member of the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church engage in earnest prayer that the outcome will honor the One to whom we are all accountable and will bear rich fruit in an Erskine committed to the integration of Christian faith and learning under the Lordship of Jesus Christ.
For the Redeemer and his Church, I am,
Very truly yours,
John R. (Dick) de Witt
Moderator of the General Synod
[End e-mail]
As I stated last month, in my opinion, the core of this issue has to do with rejecting the inerrancy / authority of God’s word, which has led our denominational college to become more secularized, and steer away from (basically reject) a Christian world view. Regardless of the root cause, the bottom line is, while we have some great professors at the college who are following the directives of Synod, and who understand, embrace, and attempt to incorporate a biblical world view in their teaching; we also have some professors that do not understand, and/or are hostile toward a biblical world view. Furthermore, we have a divided Board, and an Administration that has failed to enforce the directives of Synod, especially when hiring new professors and requiring them to embrace and teach a biblical world view. This is clearly spiritual battle.
Therefore, let us join our hearts in prayer for this entire situation. Currently it appears that there is no immediate resolution to this critical issue. And let us remember, as our Moderator so eloquently stated, “God is at work even in the struggle now before us, and that he will bring it all to his own appointed ends.”
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Grace and peace,
Pastor Adams |
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From the Worship Committee |
The Worship Committee is working diligently to improve worship at our church. The purpose of worship is to bring glory and honor to God. The high point of the service is the preaching of the Word of God.
Please pray for our choir as they prepare choral anthems for worship.
We are looking into purchasing new choir folders due to the age and condition of the present folders.
The committee has heard nothing but positive responses regarding the addition of evening communion services.
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Respectfully submitted,
Tony Chambers |
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Why Do I Believe that the Bible is the Word of God? |
I believe the Bible is God's Word for ten reasons. Consider the following evidences:
1) The Bible's Oneness - The Bible contains sixty-six books written by over forty different writers from differing backgrounds over a span of two thousand years. Yet from Genesis to Revelation the Bible proclaims one truth, one plan of salvation, one code of ethics. Why? Because the Bible is the Word of God; a God who inspired and guided each human writer to write His Word.
2) The Bible's Indestructibility - Kings have directed campaigns to root the Bible out of their kingdoms. Emperors have declared all-out wars to destroy the Bible. Yet ever since the days of the printing press, the Bible remains the most read book throughout the world. Why? Because the Bible is the Word of God; a God who is almighty to preserve His Word throughout the ages.
3) The Bible's Universality - The Bible speaks to people from all types of cultures, continents, centuries, backgrounds, languages, ages, occupations, etc. It not only relates, but it also speaks powerfully to stop sinners, renew hearts and lead people to God. Why? Because the Bible is the Word of God; a God who delights to apply His Word, by His Holy Spirit, to the minds and hearts of people.
4) The Bible's Inexhaustibility - Hundreds of Bible commentaries have been written; countless sermons have been preached, and yet, new insights are continually drawn from the Bible's limitless depths. Why? Because the Bible is the Word of God; a God of infinite wisdom and truth.
5) The Bible's Honesty - Biographical accounts of the heroes of faith in Scripture differ from human-authored biographies. Biographies written by people tend to enlarge their heroes' strengths, minimize their weaknesses and ignore their errors. The Bible, however, honestly relates David's, Noah's, and Peter's sinful failures as well as their triumphs of faith. Why? Because the Bible is the Word of God; a God of perfect honesty and integrity.
6) The Bible's Truth - Human writings attempt to minimize mankind's sin and expand upon his goodness; they attempt to credit man with some aspect of his salvation. This appeals to people. The Bible, however, teaches that natural man is totally sinful and cannot save himself; only God's grace can save him. The Bible exalts God to the highest and humbles man to the lowest. Why? Because the Bible is the Word of God; a God of infinite justice and graciousness.
7) The Bible's Historical Accuracy - Ancient human writings generally contain numerous errors. With expanding archeological evidence, however, biblical truths are being increasingly supported. To date, no factual evidence has been substantiated that disproves a single, biblical, historical truth. Why? Because the Bible is the Word of God; a God who loves truth and is without error.
8) The Bible's Scientific Accuracy - When reading books written by authors who lived many years ago, we encounter numerous errors due to the writers' lack of current scientific knowledge. To date, however, no scientific truth has been discovered that contradicts the Bible. The Bible, in fact, speaks of several scientific truths prior to their being discovered by man and believed by societies. Why? Because the Bible is the Word of God; a God who creates, upholds and understands all parts of His creation.
9) The Bible's Prophetical Accuracy - Human predictions and prophecies generally contain a mixture of truth and error. Some prove true while others do not. The Bible is full of prophecy; but no biblical prophecy has yet been proven wrong. Why? Because the Bible is the Word of God; a God who is all-knowing, who knows the end as well as the beginning of all things.
10.The Bible's Personal Application - Applications of biblical truth have renewed people's lives, granted new spiritual life, opened spiritual insights, replaced hate with love, convicted people of sin, revealed Jesus Christ as the Savior of sinners and turned people from self-centered to God-centered lives. Why? Because the Bible is the Word of God; a God who delights to convert and save sinful people. Yes, the Bible is the Word of God. Its oneness, indestructibility, universality, inexhaustibility, honesty, truth, historical accuracy, scientific accuracy, prophetical accuracy and personal application all testify of this truth.
The Bible is the Word of God. Do you believe it?
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Submitted by,
Carl Thornton |
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Up-coming Women's Event |
Save the Date: Saturday, June 12th, Women's Prayer Breakfast/ Baby Shower for the Pregnancy Resource Center in Melbourne.
Our speaker will be Michele Fuller. Check the events section as additional details become available.
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Submitted by,
Linda Seiffer |
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