wfn.org | [PCUSANEWS] Task force looks to scripture for advice on dealing

[PCUSA NEWS <PCUSA.NEWS@ECUNET.ORG>]

Note #8814 from PCUSA NEWS to PRESBYNEWS:

05386
July 19, 2005

Consensus optional

Task force looks to scripture for advice on dealing with disagreements

by Jerry L. Van Marter

DALLAS - When disagreements arise in the church, what does the gospel
recommend?

	As the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)'s Theological Task Force on
Peace, Unity and Purity of the Church (TTF) readied its final report here
this week, its 20 members turned to Paul's Epistle to the Romans 14-15 for
answers.

	"Paul seems to think there's room for different ways within the
church for people to respond to the gospel," said TTF member and Bible study
leader Frances Taylor Gench, a professor at Union Theological
Seminary-Presbyterian School of Christian Education in Richmond, VA.

	"That's not to say anything goes - there are limits," Gench said.
"But Paul clearly believes that within the realm of proper response there is
a measure of freedom."

	The presenting issues in the Romans passage, she explained, are
"scruples" about what foods to eat and how to observe special liturgical
days. The conflicts were exacerbated by an edict from the Roman emperor
Claudius that expelled all Jews from Rome from 49 to 54 A.D. "When the Jews
returned to Rome, the city and the church were far different," Gench said.
"They were somewhat isolated, and so there were some severe tensions."

	Despite their common faith, she said "both groups (Jews and gentiles)
were in danger of letting their convictions disrupt the Christian community,"
she said.

	"I think Paul is saying that these disputes are getting in the way of
building up the body of Christ, said TTF member and Dubuque Theological
Seminary professor Mark Achtemeier, "and that they are far less important
than building up the body."

	Barbara Wheeler, the president of Auburn Theological Seminary in New
York, agreed: "There are other values more important than what you eat or how
you observe special days," she said.

	Achtemeier said it's "easy to imagine that the contending parties are
complaining that Paul is sacrificing purity for the sake of unity, though
that's not at all what Paul's about."

	Noting similarities in the present PC(USA), Florida pastor John
"Mike" Loudon recalled a confrontation with church members. "They told me
they knew I stood with them on issues like abortion and ordination, but not
strongly enough," he said. "so they branded me an opponent, not because I
disagreed with them, but because I was not strident enough for them, would
not adopt their tactics."

	Achtemeier said: "It's amazing how quickly this passage can become
'law,' with the 'strong' separating themselves from the 'weak.' That's not
Paul's point at all here. Jesus is the center, not our own positions on
issues."

	Which is why Presbyterians should focus on another key theme of the
passage - humility, said John Wilkinson, a New York pastor. "There is always
this tension between being confident and sure in our beliefs and being humble
about them. I pray we can be more humble."

	Disagreements have a way of becoming "all-consuming," which "takes
away from the work of the church," said Jenny Stoner of Craftsbury Common,
VT, a TTF co-chair.

	Gench agreed, saying: "Paul wants the Romans to move away from their
narrow disputes and see the big picture - the unity of all God's creatures."

To subscribe or unsubscribe, please send an email to
pcusanews-subscribe-request@halak.pcusa.org or
pcusanews-unsubscribe-request@halak.pcusa.org

To contact the owner of the list, please send an email to
pcusanews-request@halak.pcusa.org