1By the rivers of Babylon we sat and wept
when we remembered Zion.
2There on the poplars
we hung our harps,
3for there our captors asked us for songs,
our tormentors demanded songs of joy;
they said, “Sing us one of the songs of Zion!”
4How can we sing the songs of the Lord
while in a foreign land?
5If I forget you, Jerusalem,
may my right hand forget its skill.
6May my tongue cling to the roof of my mouth
if I do not remember you,
if I do not consider Jerusalem
my highest joy.
7Remember, Lord, what the Edomites did
on the day Jerusalem fell.
“Tear it down,” they cried,
“tear it down to its foundations!”
8Daughter Babylon, doomed to destruction,
happy is the one who repays you
according to what you have done to us.
9Happy is the one who seizes your infants
and dashes them against the rocks. (Psalm 137)
Thoughts: Today the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) made an effort to redefine Christian Marriage. They did so by immediately (as of 6/21) by allowing pastors to perform a "Christian marriage" in a state that allows same sex marriages. To make this more digestible they also assured pastors that do not believe in LG marriages that they do not have to do so.
The Book of Order was was also sent to the presbyteries to be revised as follows: “Marriage is a gift God has given to all humankind for the well-being of the entire human family. Marriage involves a unique commitment between two people (traditionally between a man and a woman) to love and support each other for the rest of their lives. The sacrificial love that unites the couple sustains them as faithful and responsible members of the church and the wider community.”
The Book of Order was was also sent to the presbyteries to be revised as follows: “Marriage is a gift God has given to all humankind for the well-being of the entire human family. Marriage involves a unique commitment between two people (traditionally between a man and a woman) to love and support each other for the rest of their lives. The sacrificial love that unites the couple sustains them as faithful and responsible members of the church and the wider community.”
I cannot help but feel so very sad for our beloved church. We have specifically repudiated scripture. In fact we rejected an overture to add back into the Book of Order that we are "to obey scripture" with we are "to be guided by scripture." This is the crux of the matter. Many feel they can pick and choose which scripture they can obey. Some of that is a silly hermeneutical folly that says that we must treat all scripture as the same- not recognizing differences in poetry, in cultural, dietary, or sacrificial admonitions- as if we must take the scripture woodenly or simply be "guided" by it. But we ignore the admonition of our Lord that if we love him we will obey him (John 14:26).
The Presbyterian Church has had a rich history that it now repudiates. We led the Protestant world in starting new mission stations (more than any other church). We have had great theologians- Hodge, Dabney, Warfield, Leith, most of whom we repudiate now- and leave in their place mediocre and confusing post-modern theologians. We have had great children ministries- leading the world in Sunday School starting, and children's schools, youth groups and colleges. Most Presbyterian churches now have NO children and no youth. The average age is 67 (an indication of death in about 20 years). We have lost over 700,000 since our reunion in 1983, and half our membership since 1965. While last year we lost 244 churches, we started 5. Yet, the General Assembly applauds itself as if we are heading in the right direction. We have forgotten how to listen, and our lack of repentance is a recipe for spiritual, mental, and physical death.
I still believe we are called to be a part of such a body. We are called to be a light in the dense darkness. We are called to be a remnant. Even when the prophets foresaw the destruction of Israel, they did not encourage the leaving of Israel to form a new nation. Even in exile, the people considered themselves part of the nation of Israel. We are called to be a remnant and right now in exile. Those who have taken over the church, should not expect us to rejoice in singing with them- our hearts are breaking because of our unfaithfulness, and willingness to go our own way no matter what scripture says.
I still believe we are called to be a part of such a body. We are called to be a light in the dense darkness. We are called to be a remnant. Even when the prophets foresaw the destruction of Israel, they did not encourage the leaving of Israel to form a new nation. Even in exile, the people considered themselves part of the nation of Israel. We are called to be a remnant and right now in exile. Those who have taken over the church, should not expect us to rejoice in singing with them- our hearts are breaking because of our unfaithfulness, and willingness to go our own way no matter what scripture says.
Prayer: Lord, there are times when your church shrinks to 12 or 120; or we may feel like Elijah- that we are the only one left. But Lord, keep us- feed us with your love as you fed Elijah in a famine. Strengthen us to make it through exile.
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