Purity

Pure As the Driven Snow

/ Dennis Griffith / Leave a comment

I don’t think I’ve ever met anyone who enjoys “old” snow – you know, the snow that has been around a few day, has blackened from plowing, is choppy from people playing in the yard.  I know that’s not the type of snow my duaghter enjoys looking at.

After the snowstorm this past Friday night, that dumped 3/4 of a foot all around us, my daughter was concerned that her brothers “messed up” the yard. She likes looking at the pure smoothe snow, untouched by human hand – or boot. 

That started me thinking. There is a methaphor there somewhere.

I think we all have have an innate appreciation for the beauty of purity. Unfortunately, because of our sin, purity does not seem to last long in this life. Sometimes it is corrupted and turns black and ugly. Sometimes it is just messed up by us as we go about our work and play.  But fleeting as it is, while it is here it is something to behold.

This all reminds me that God is on a mission, not simply to “save” a bunch of individuals but, to restore and recreate that which has been corrupted and messed-up.  As beautiful and peaceful as it is to look at the pure snow on the pastures outside my living room window, a beauty is coming that is both incomparable and incorruptable. And that will really be something to see.

Sad Day in the PCUSA

/ Dennis Griffith / 4 Comments

We’ve seen it coming.  It has become more iminent with each turn of the calendar page.  But somehow, perhaps naively, I had hoped it would never arrive.  But at the 218th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church USA (not to be confused with the PCA) commissioners voted to strike the language from their constitution that reflects the Biblical prescritions regarding sexuality.  Now both sex outside the bonds of marriage and homosexuality are officially acceptable practices within the PCUSA. (see article.)

I don’t want to be prudish, nor the guardian of some past Victorian era.  My dismay is at the sheer rejection of Biblical authority.  I am hardpressed to understand how any group can call itself a Christian church, yet blatently disregard God’s Word. 

I am also a bit peeved because most of the country makes no distinction between the PCUSA and the PCA, of which I am a member.  To most people, and especially in the part of the country where I live, a Presbyterian is a Presbyterian.  Their action will tarnish the image of our church.

I am reticent to say this, but I think the time has come for the Christians to abandon the PCUSA.  If you are a member in the PCUSA it is time you asked the leadership in your congregation where they stand. If the church wants to stand on Biblical authority, then you need to urge them to leave the denomination – join those who are joining the EPC.  If your church will not start the process of leaving, then I think it’s time for you to leave that church. Why? Because if you are a Christian, your church has left you. And more important, the PCUSA has left Jesus.