tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7560220615271337359.post9222812499667552852..comments2024-03-12T08:04:47.314-07:00Comments on Naming His Grace: The newest 1001 New Worshiping Community, Mercy Junction & their Holy HereticViola Larsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09146967423654966140noreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7560220615271337359.post-7437706559978176432014-10-19T20:18:13.680-07:002014-10-19T20:18:13.680-07:00I encourage any and all of you to contact Rev. Bri...I encourage any and all of you to contact Rev. Brian Merritt, organizer of Mercy Junction, rather than guess at what his intentions and beliefs are. Here I just see a danger of someone reading a zine, not understanding it, and then freaking out about "New Age" and "heresy" and so on, without really taking the time to understand it. Brian Merritt is really easy to find and contact through various social media avenues. That is, if the goal is to understand, rather than castigate.<br /><br />Rev. Doug Hagler<br />First Presbyterian Church<br />Phoenixville, PADouglas Underhillhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02215736448645573566noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7560220615271337359.post-35373724216566405982014-10-09T13:41:49.330-07:002014-10-09T13:41:49.330-07:00Karen,
Don't want to speak for Jeff, but I be...Karen,<br /><br />Don't want to speak for Jeff, but I believe you can find the answer here:<br /><br />http://www.biggaychurch.org/#!beliefs/c2gq<br /><br />Near as I can tell, there is nothing Trinitarian, nothing about the Incarnation, nothing about the Holy Spirit and their references to the Bible are mostly about what it is not. The web site as a whole contains few references to God or Christ, and their mission seems to be about enabling gay people to feel good about themselves. Except for the quote from John Calvin, they seem more Unitarian than Christian.<br /><br />David Fischler<br />Woodbridge, VAAthanasiushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17384457517221949345noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7560220615271337359.post-81470713759942986452014-10-08T19:14:38.020-07:002014-10-08T19:14:38.020-07:00Jeff,
How is the Big Gay Church not Christian? Jeff,<br />How is the Big Gay Church not Christian? Karen Wagnerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15459748052052165153noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7560220615271337359.post-28766289174336359732014-10-08T19:03:51.261-07:002014-10-08T19:03:51.261-07:00It is evident that 1001 Worshipping Communities d...It is evident that 1001 Worshipping Communities do not always worship the living God; the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Many of these communities are not even Christian (e.g. The Big Gay Church). I am not sure what Mercy Junction is doing? From what I read about it, I am embarrassed that our denomination supports such heresy. Jeff Winterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10142996112736793481noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7560220615271337359.post-3612134560521829222014-10-07T21:36:01.802-07:002014-10-07T21:36:01.802-07:00Thank you Tim, and praise God for the Fellowship.Thank you Tim, and praise God for the Fellowship.Viola Larsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09146967423654966140noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7560220615271337359.post-64975204220840156552014-10-07T21:07:18.010-07:002014-10-07T21:07:18.010-07:00It is not that I want to rail against this New Age...It is not that I want to rail against this New Age "Worshiping Community," or deny that something can be learned from the New Age take on things.<br />I am just very sorry that it is happening in the PCUSA, that I have served as a minister for 27 years.<br />The PCUSA, still fairly evenly divided, made a series of choices that is taking it in a very different direction, and something like this is the natural result of those choices.<br />I am not surprised that some rejoice; please don't be surprised that some grieve.<br />And I grieve most over a small church where I have close friends that is literally being torn apart over these issues.<br />This is not the denomination I was ordained in in 1977, but the Presbyterian Fellowship has given me a place where I can stand for what I believe in with integrity. Core belief -- a God who loves sinners -- like me.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12610491136224287832noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7560220615271337359.post-39687129712204288402014-10-07T20:59:09.538-07:002014-10-07T20:59:09.538-07:00Anonymous, I normally don't allow anonymous wr...Anonymous, I normally don't allow anonymous writers. I need to know your name, city and state.<br /><br />Yes, the word Trinity is not found in Scripture, rather it is a word used to picture what the Bible has to say about God. For instance the Father is personal, Jesus is made known to us in Scripture as both human & God, and the Holy Spirit is shown to be personal and God. <br /><br />A beautiful verse which speaks of the Trinity is "The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with you all." (2 Cor. 13: 14. Viola Larsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09146967423654966140noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7560220615271337359.post-29486519539147432932014-10-07T20:41:09.187-07:002014-10-07T20:41:09.187-07:00Karen, I believe that when Jesus says he has other...Karen, I believe that when Jesus says he has other sheep he is speaking of the gentiles who will and do come to faith in him. The verse you are speaking of is John 10:16. "I have other sheep which are not of this fold; I must bring them also, and they will hear my voice ; and they will become one flock with one shepherd."<br /><br />Chapter 10 is a beautiful chapter where Jesus points out that the sheep only hear the shepherd's voice. That is Jesus. They will not follow anyone but Him. And here it is a good thing to point out that the Christian places all their fears and anxieties in the hands of the great shepherd who loves them. No one can take us out of His keeping. So although fear may come it is wiped away by his keeping power and love.<br /><br />I should tell you that one of my BAs is in Religious Studies. Learning about other religions is interesting and I think important if we want to witness to those in other faiths. I do have friends in other faiths so don't think I am dismissing such friendships. However, Jesus tells us in Scripture that He is the only way, truth and life. <br /><br />I believe trying to get others to experiment with other religious practices is unacceptable for Christians. <br /><br />There are a few Christian celebrations that took over pagan holidays. I believe that is good. The incarnate One has overcome in life, death and resurrection. He has also overcome many pagan rituals. Or we could say he has brightened them with his light. Viola Larsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09146967423654966140noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7560220615271337359.post-68331105581395869082014-10-07T19:19:31.442-07:002014-10-07T19:19:31.442-07:00"There are several pages that speak of Christ..."There are several pages that speak of Christian beliefs, but the exercises are never directed toward the word of God and the worship of the triune God. Not even the page on the Trinity."<br /><br />You do realize that the word "trinity" never appears in the Gospels and is not based in "The Word" of God? Instead it is based on later Biblical scholars, Church leaders, philosopher and theologians. Christmas is a Christian appropriation of a Roman pagan holiday. "Born a Virgin" was a common attribute given to all holy peoples in Greek and Roman religions - claimed by everyone of improtance from August Caesar and Socrates.<br /><br />Seems to me you limit your faith and religion to a very narrow, socially constructed and unBiblical worldview that is based more in self-righteous contempt for others than a genuine spiritual commitment to growing the Beloved Community.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7560220615271337359.post-81507982910352841112014-10-07T17:56:07.513-07:002014-10-07T17:56:07.513-07:00John 10 Jesus says I have other sheep...Who might ...John 10 Jesus says I have other sheep...Who might they be? I agree that the church is sick, but I think it is sick from fear. We fear anything that doesn't fit our worldview, fear new or different ideas, we fear that it might shake our foundation of faith. I have had the great honor of learning from people of other traditions and faiths, they are people who seek peace, justice and are kind and compassionate. I have learned a great deal from them and I feel it makes me a better Christian. <br /><br />I used the Holy Heretic ezine in August and I appreciated the variety of viewpoints. As I read them and pondered them, I found myself drawn back to the Christian foundations of my faith. I will vote in favor of the Amendment mentioned in the above comment in November at Presbytery. As a TE I do know what I am signing off on and my congregation will be doing some study over the amendments. If we don't fear other beliefs and practices, we can learn much from them. <br /><br />Many of our current "Christian" practices stem from pagan ritual and other religious practices from ancient times. Early Christians co-opted other celebrations and rituals to hide in plain site. Instead of fear, how can open ourselves to what others may be able to show us about a God who is bigger than we can imagine. It is not up to us to divide the sheep and the goats, so shouldn't we treat everyone like sheep?Karen Wagnerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15459748052052165153noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7560220615271337359.post-46503854968744521882014-10-07T03:33:04.827-07:002014-10-07T03:33:04.827-07:00This just follows the Affirmation of Interreligiou...This just follows the <i>Affirmation of Interreligious Committment</i> as espoused at the latest General Assembly:<br /><br /><i><br />We confess<br /><br />that the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) has sought to live up to its commitment to<br /><br />love people of other religious traditions, but many times we have not;<br /><br />with God’s help we resolve to do better;<br /><br />that self-serving theologies and goals and triumphalistic attitudes pull us apart;<br /><br />with God’s help we resolve to do better;<br /><br />that some of our confessions and the dated perspectives of our religious<br /><br />heritage have resulted in patterns of unhealthy relationships with people of other religions;<br /><br />with God’s help we resolve to do better.<br /><br />We resolve to do better and not perpetuate divisive relationships among our neighbors and ourselves.<br /><br />God calls us to have loving relationships with people of other religions.<br /><br />God calls us to approach others in a spirit of openness and trust as we follow Jesus Christ<br /><br />in respecting and affirming the freedom of others.<br /><br />God calls us, by the power of the Holy Spirit, to work with people of other religions<br /><br />for peace, justice, and the sustainability of creation.<br /><br />Guided on our way by the Holy Spirit, we will<br /><br />meet human needs,<br /><br />work for social justice,<br /><br />participate in mission and evangelism,<br /><br />pursue peace,<br /><br />strengthen families,<br /><br />educate for greater understanding,<br /><br />nurture diverse communities,<br /><br />value hospitality in our congregations, and<br /><br />respect one another in our workplaces.<br /><br />We follow Christ’s call to work for God’s kingdom; we believe that God will complete what we leave incomplete. To God be the glory!<br /><br />Endnote for “The Interreligious Stance of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)<br /><br />1. Throughout this document, religion and religious practices include organized religions, folk religions, and indigenous religions and spiritualties practiced throughout our world.</i><br /><br />See ... follows this thinking endorsed by the GA.<br /><br />Which again tells me that most of the REs and TEs at GA really do not understand what they're signing off on.Reformed Catholichttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15582319442292078422noreply@blogger.com