Posted on 03/22/2005 5:58:03 AM PST by Dr. Marten
CLEARWATER - Pinellas-Pasco Circuit Judge George Greer left his church last week after the pastor wrote him a letter suggesting "it might be easier for all of us" if he leave.
Greer, whose orders on the Terri Schiavo case have brought him criticism, is a Southern Baptist who attended Calvary Baptist Church in Clearwater.
Though he had other unrelated problems with the church, Greer's attendance faltered after a Baptist publication the church supported criticized his decisions in the Schiavo case. He stopped his donations to the church, but remained a member. He briefly discussed his relationship with the church in a March 6 St. Petersburg Times article.
Four days later, Calvary Pastor William Rice wrote Greer a letter: "I am not asking you to do this, but since you have taken the initiative of withdrawal, and since your connection with Calvary continues to be a point of concern, it would seem the logical and, I would say, biblical course."
Rice's letter became public when he sent a copy to the Clearwater courthouse. Rice also said the church supports keeping Schiavo alive, though he said he was "truly saddened and embarrassed by the level of harassment and vitriolic nature of so many comments that purportedly come from people of faith."
Rice, who has been pastor at the church for five months, added: "But you must know that in all likelihood it is this case which will define your career and this case that you will remember in the waning days of life. I hope you can find a way to side with the angels and become an answer to the prayers of thousands."
Greer responded with a letter severing his relationship with the church.
Don't worry. You're not a gloater, nor are the rest of us who agree with you. It's the other guy who has some sort of major problem.
"He's broken a few of God's laws."
Absolutely!!!!!!
Oh my.
Thats why we as Southern Baptists are autonomous.
We can police our own when we want to.
And praise God for it!! :-)
Who can file? Can anyone go to the magistrate and file an adultery case?
Also, the article indicated there were problems between Greer and his church. We do not know if they related to this issue, their attempts at church discipline over it or if he was requiring discipline for some other action.
You got any sence?
To a point. Then they are to "shake the dust from their feet" and move on.
Good thing you're there to bash Christians, right?
Unitarian.
Christ is there for you even in your darkest hour.
The Church The Bride of Christ cannot allow sin to go on unmitigated without some form of discipline.
What this Southern Baptist Church did is Scriptual and that is all that the Chruch has to go on is Scripture not how good something feels or if its the right thing to do in the worlds eye.
To become a memeber of Most Southern Baptist Churches one must Confess Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Therefore following the Spirits leadership in your life measuring everything against Scritpure and doing the best you can to live a sinless life knowing that Grace abounds with the confession of sins to Father God or without confession of all sins Grace is still there. But to go on sinning and know it is a sin. Well there lies the problem that the Bride of Christ must confront.
RB<><
Way has that angle not been used?
I do every day!
I sure didn't know that Greer was a SB.
I guess he went to Church with the Clintons?
I know that, but thanks for the backup!
[quote]I am btw,the father to the girl.[/quote]
You and yours are in my prayers.. God Bless you...
The penalty is high.
Come on over!
I don't know...It should. The focus may need to be diverted to the actions of Michael and not on Terri
There are MANY things concerning this, that neither you or I will know. For instance:
1. We do not know that Judge Greer considers any of this his darkest hour and/or perhaps has rebuffed all support and guidance from his church elders.
2. Perhaps we can consider the possibility that all efforts were made to show Jesus' love to Judge Greer, that he remained unrepentant.
I'm not sure I understand what opportunity you believe has been missed.
" It is about the who has the right to decide"
Precisely!
" I know what would happen if this was my daughter. Heaven help me for what I'm thinking."
You were thinking the same as me if it were MY daughter.
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