We don’t like to admit it but we preachers put a whole lot more weight on any given message than most would ever know. In a sense it is the highpoint of our own practical unbelief in the Gospel because we easily tie much of our own sense of value into how well our messages are received.

Abstract

The practice of confessional subscription, or giving assent to a confession of faith through signing a formula of approbation, was the subject of debate among Presbyterian Churches in the early eighteenth century. While other studies have examined the local controversies, this thesis offers a comprehensive examination of the question of subscription and the connections between the debates among English Dissenters, in the Church of Scotland, the General Synod of Ulster, the Synod of Philadelphia and the Presbytery of Charleston. It identifies the common background and influences, especially in questions of ecclesiastical authority in the Church of England that preceded and greatly influenced the subscription controversy, which itself was essentially a debate over Church power. The discussions within the different Church bodies are reviewed with the connections between the bodies being highlighted. The debates began with the attempt to introduce subscription among English Dissenters leading to the Salters’ Hall Debate of 1719. Although there was not an open challenge to the Westminster Confession of Faith in the Church of Scotland, the tradition of subscribing inherited from emigrants and the involvement of ministers in correspondence with other Churches influenced the developments elsewhere. Next the development of Irish Presbyterianism from both English and Scottish traditions is shown followed by a discussion of the actual controversy in the General Synod of Ulster. In a chapter on the Synod of Philadelphia an interpretation of the American Adopting Act (1729) within the context of the international debate is offered. The closing chapter covers the much overlooked Presbytery of Charleston with insights from sources that have not previously been studied for that Church’s history.

One of the most common questions I am asked as a minister is “How do I know God’s will for my life?” Sometimes it is asked in those very words, but often it is asked about a specific decision someone is facing: Should I sell my house? Is this who I should marry? Where is God leading me to work? Most Christians come to a time when they have to decide, not between a good and bad, but between goods. They want to be obedient and faithful and struggle with the question of what direction God wants them to take.
The Holy Scriptures are our ultimate guide in what we believe and how we live out our faith. The Bible is God’s revelation of not only who He is, but how He wants us to live. Therefore, where the Bible gives us explicit direction, God’s will is clear. God desires that believers gather regularly for worship (Heb. 10:25), that we should not lie (Ex. 20:16), that we forgive others (Matt. 6:14), and that we care for those in need (James 1:27). Knowing God’s will where the Scriptures are clear is not difficult even if obeying it is.
But the Bible does not give us detailed instructions for choosing a career, a spouse, or what congregation we should join. (Although I have heard some interpret Ezekiel 20:29 as a sign to study at Tuscaloosa.) How do we make decisions where God’s Word has no specific direction? When we’re faced with questions like this it is good for us to make a distinction between questions of obedience and questions of wisdom. Following the commandments of scripture is an issue of obedience — and to disobey is sin. God’s will is that “you shall not steal”, to take what belongs to another is a sin. The other questions we face are often a matter of deciding what is the wisest course of action. In these cases we make wise or foolish choices — but we don’t sin if there is no Biblical command to obey or disobey. In other words, God has given us the freedom and responsibility to live and make choices within the bounds of what scripture commands. Sometimes people have the impression that God has a narrative laid out for our lives and as we come to forks in the road we are supposed to scrutinize God’s plan from signs or an “inner voice” and hope we follow the correct path. God does have a plan for us, but we cannot thwart God’s purposes because He is absolutely sovereign. God knows “the days that were formed for [us], when as yet there was none of them.” (Psalm 139) But when we face difficult decisions where we have no command from Scripture we are responsible to make the wisest decision we can. We are not called to uncover some hidden map for our lives. Nor are we to make such decisions in fear that we sin if we choose wrong.
That said, God has given us gifts and ways of coming to good decisions. Our natural inclinations, desires, and talents often serve as a good guide. Someone who can’t stand math is not going to be called to accounting; someone who loves explaining things to others might need to pursue a teaching vocation. Validation from others is another gift that can guide us in making appropriate decisions. If you’re head over heels in love with someone none of your friends trust, it would be wise to consider their opinion before making them your spouse. We are invited to pray for wisdom and discernment. “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.” (James 1:5) We should discuss things with friends whose opinions we value; Proverbs 22:17 tells us “Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.” Our choices should be informed by an understanding of appropriate timing as the writer of Ecclesiastes reminds us. While going back to school might be a good decisions, other things in your life might mean that it has to be postponed for a time. Above all we are guided by the Bible. Even though there aren’t specific directives for many of the decisions we make, it is a sure guide for wisdom.
(image: Prayer is the language by Lel4nd)

Thy Will Be Done follows Male-to-Female Transsexual Sara Herwig in her path to ordination in the Presbyterian Church. Efforts have been made to block her ordination by the evangelical conservative groups who don’t recognize her as female and question her fitness to be a Pastor….. but who also challenge her candidacy because she is in a same-sex relationship, with a woman.

Thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, to all the exiles whom I have sent into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon: Build houses and live in them; plant gardens and eat their produce. Take wives and have sons and daughters; take wives for your sons, and give your daughters in marriage, that they may bear sons and daughters; multiply there, and do not decrease. But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the LORD on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare. (Jeremiah 29:4-7)

In many ways the Church seems to be in exile, without having moved. The changes in our society over the past fifty or so years have been profound for the Church in America. Denominations have lost members. Many can remember a culture that would have been embarrassed at breeches in traditional values that are now taken as a normal part of life. Actions that would have ruined an entertainer’s career at one time now seem to increase their popularity and profit making potential.
The Sabbath is perfect example of this change. Not long ago the idea of a business being open on a Sunday would, at least in parts of the country, been unthinkable. Now it would be difficult to find a national chain that closes on the Lord’s Day. I mention this, not to pine for the good old days, but to illustrate that while the Church was at one time supported by the society as a whole, now the culture around us is at best indifferent and at worst hostile to the Church. We find ourselves in Exile, asking the same questions our ancestors in the faith asked when the Jews were taken from the promised land to live in Babylon.
Much debate in the Church in the past decades has been over how we respond to the Exile-like situation in which we find ourselves. Some would say that the Church should acquire political power and fight for the overthrow of those seen as enemies of the Church. They draw up agendas and form political action committees. Others think that separation from the culture is the answer, set up alternatives systems to “secular” culture. Some seem to completely embrace the culture around us baptize it and denounce the Church’s past actions as hypocritical and oppressive.
I have often turned to the above passage of scripture, a letter from Jeremiah to the elders and other Jewish leaders in Babylonian exile, as a guide for Christians living in cultural exile. It reminds us that, although we should remember that this world is not our home, we are still to settle in and dwell wherever we are. Just as the Jews were to be part of their community, we should fully enter into the place where we live. We should not turn up our nose at the food or ignore the interests of the people with whom we live. We are to care for the place where we are, seeking the “welfare of the city,” not pray for the death of our leaders or the overthrow of the government. We have no excuse to separate or exclude ourselves, but rather enter into the life of wherever we are and seek its redemption, bearing witness in our words and actions, to the Redeemer. And just as God warned the Jews of false prophets, (vs. 8 & 9) we are to be wary of those seeking to turn us against the place or draw us away from our obligations to it.

I got notice today that my thesis has passed final approval. I graduate in June.

Then he led them out as far as Bethany, and lifting up his hands he blessed them. While he blessed them, he parted from them and was carried up into heaven. – Luke 24:50-51

The year I graduated from University a fellow student, Heather Whitestone, won Miss America. Many of us who had little or no interest in the competition before watched that year. It was exciting to watch someone who ate in the cafeteria with us competing in a national competition. And of course we were proud when she won. My roommate at the time had asked her out and been told that she was dating someone – I still tease him about being able to say that he was turned down by Miss America.
There is something in us that takes pride in sharing something in common with someone given an honor. I was proud of a fellow University student. We feel a sense of honor when they play the “Star Spangled Banner” at the Olympics. I’ve heard folks tell me with pride that Mt. Carmel and friends and family are in the movie Walk the Line. We share in the honor given to someone we have a bond.
The Sunday before Pentecost is Ascension Sunday, when we remember that Jesus, having finished his earthly ministry was “carried up to heaven” to be seated, as the Apostles’ Creed puts it, “at the right hand of God the Father Almighty”. Consider what it means for Jesus to have ascended to heaven. Jesus is the Word become flesh, God incarnate. Yet after he had paid the penalty for our sin by dying on the cross, and after he was resurrected from the dead, he didn’t throw off the human body and become pure spirit. Nor did he become un-incarnate, dumping off His human nature now that the “dirty work” was finished. The flesh he had taken was not disposed of as though it had no use. It was taken into glory. Jesus remains incarnate, that is, he continues to be fully Human (mind, body, and spirit) as well as fully Divine.
How all this works in incomprehensible, but what we can understand is the God values His good creation, including the physical world of dirt and water, flesh and blood. We receive an amazing honor in having one who is fully human “seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven” (Hebrews 8:1). Therefore, the way we view and treat ourselves and our neighbor should bear in mind that Lord did not despise the flesh or his humanity, but has glorified it and promises to glorify us as well.