Friday, December 16, 2011

An insignificant group in the PC (U.S.A)

An insignificant group in the PCUSA, but the question is- insignificant to what and who? And why or how are they insignificant? Someone tweeted insignificant about Voices of Orthodox Women because they were upset at the article, Review of the November/December Horizon’s Magazine which included a review of the article, To Every Season. Since I wrote the review that caused the retort I thought I might play around with the word insignificant.

I got to thinking about the insignificant people and groups in the Scripture. There is Gideon’s army which God reduced to a mere 300 soldiers so that their victory might bring glory to him.(Judges 7) Or there is Jonathan and his armor bearer who, by themselves, defeated many philistines. (1 Samuel 14) Although there are many more in the Old Testament, it is Christmas and the New Testament shines with those who were insignificant in the world’s eyes but were acknowledged by the Lord of the universe.

A mere peasant girl, not a king’s daughter, is favored by the Lord to give birth to his Son who will live, suffer, and die for the sins of the world. The shepherds see a host of angels singing and speaking of the baby born in a stable but destined to be a Savior. An elderly man and woman were given the privilege of knowing who the baby was and speaking over him blessings and prophecy. Few of the people that Jesus was to heal were considered significant by the world, but he took time and care for them. Above all he blessed the children.

So what of this group, VOW, are they insignificant. Well, maybe, but not to God. Not to the many who receive their Newsletter. Not to those women and men who want to know about the Horizon’s yearly Bible Study from an orthodox perspective. You can see some evaluations here and here.

So if you are feeling rather insignificant in the PC (U.S.A.), remember all of those tucked under the wings of the Lord of the universe are very significant to him. He uses the small and insignificant things of earth to do his bidding. Remember the verse:

O Lord, our Lord,
How majestic is your name in al the earth,
Who have displayed your splendor above the heavens!
From the mouth of infants and nursing babes you have established strength
Because of your adversaries,
To make the enemy and the revengeful cease. (Psalm 8: 1-2)


Or the words of Mary:

He has done mighty deeds with his arm;
He has scattered those who were
Proud in the thoughts of their heart.
He has brought down rulers from their thrones,
And has exulted those who were humble. (Luke 1: 51-52)

11 comments:

Sherry L. Kirton said...

AMEN! Thank you, Viola.

I appreciated hearing some GOOD NEWS! So long as we are put down and shelved for godliness, we are blessed and protected by our Heavenly Father, regardless of our circumstances. Rejoice, all ye beloved children! We are counted with Him who was considered nothing; the Religious leaders mocked Him and looked for ways to entrap Him. He smiles on us, and one day we will hear, "Well done, good and faithful one."

Anonymous said...

"Insignificant!" they huff.

That's the tactic left for those pompous souls who are unable to mount a worthy defense of their off-kilter ideas and assertions.

When confronted with sound, logical, biblical thinking, all they can do is puff themselves up and issue put-downs.

That's pretty pathetic, I would think.

Jim Berkley
Roslyn, WA

Alan said...

Of course you're assuming that all those who view VOW as insignificant actually believe the stories of Gideon, and the incarnation.

My guess is they are more likely to merely shake their heads and saying, "Tish tosh how naive to believe such things in this modern world."

Alan
Portland

Viola Larson said...

Alan & Jim,
I have to admit that it is fairly hard to be logical on twitter since you are only allowed 140 characters. However one does not have to insult. I have found myself wondering lately if I should even be on Twitter because people can be so insulting with just a few words and I instinctively jump into the fray when I should not. Our Vice Moderator often insults people and I even found myself reacting to the Palestinian Ali Abunimah-which was stupid.
It is a good place to link to blog postings and there are those I enjoy communicating with. The interesting part is that Robert Austell linked to a twitter newspaper which turns out to have been started by Bruce Reyes-Chow but he evidently no longer pays any attention to it. A lot of progressive tweeters and articles turn up there. I joined it and my articles if I put a hashtag of #PCUSA on them go there. But you do see a lot of insults. http://paper.li/tag/pcusa

Dave Moody said...

First off, I'm amazed at your continued dexterity with social media. You are far more patient than I am.

Twitter just makes no sense to me, and I find myself as irritable as constipated grizzly when I try and participate in the twitter-verse. For flash announcements-its great (recent events in west Asia, Egypt), but to actually converse, discuss or debate... it attracts and engenders shallow thinking narcissism, covered in a patina of hipness.

One mans opinion, but there it is.

I also think relevance is highly overrated and insignificance is underrated. You keep being insignificant there Vi. God sees.

Presbyman said...

Unfortunately, the PC(USA) itself is becoming insignificant, which is a shame because at its best it has a lot to offer theologically, spiritually and "missionally." But it seems to me that in its decades-long quest to be "relevant" it has become irrelevant. Who is relevant? Someone who doesn't try to be relevant, like Pope Benedict.

John Erthein
DeFuniak Springs, FL

Presbyman said...

BTW, Viola, I really appreciated your review. Billy Graham's ministry has meant a great deal to me as well. In fact, if I had to point to a single event that directed me to the ministry, it would be my attendance at a Billy Graham Crusade in 1992, where the Holy Spirit compelled me to accept Jesus Christ as my personal Savior and Lord.

Bless you, and Merry Christmas!

John Erthein
DeFuniak Springs, FL

Anonymous said...
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Viola Larson said...

Dave this:
"but to actually converse, discuss or debate... it attracts and engenders shallow thinking narcissism, covered in a patina of hipness."
Amen!

Viola Larson said...

So John you are partly the fruit of Billy Graham's ministry. That says a lot (good stuff) for Graham and how God has used him. Merry Christmas.

Viola Larson said...

Sherry, I forgot to say thank you. I pray you and Kieth have a wonderful Christmas.