Posted on 04/14/2010 9:19:29 AM PDT by Judith Anne
With the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church USA scheduled to convene in June for the first time since the 2004 GA passed a notorious anti—Israel divestment resolution, supporters and detractors of divestment are discussing whether the Church's decision was anti—Semitic, or — somehow — anti—Israel without being anti—Semitic. Curiously, despite the storm caused by the divestment vote, most Presbyterians remain unaware of the extent to which the PCUSA leadership has involved itself in old—fashioned theological anti—Semitism.
The anti—Semitic alliances undertaken by the national church are particularly surprising in light of the well—known open—minded and unbiased attitudes of the overwhelming majority of Presbyterians.
One of the resolutions passed at the 2004 General Assembly included a list of recommended theological 'resources.' The most troubling 'resource' on the list is the Sabeel Center for Liberation Theology. Presbyterians are familiar with liberation theology, an approach that emerged after the Second Vatican Council, focusing on Jesus as liberator of the poor and oppressed.
As political theory, it is often characterized by opponents as 'might makes wrong,' positing, as it does, that the wealthy and the powerful are definitionally unjust, and that any claim made by the poor is necessarily just. Sabeel blends this theology with Replacement Theology, in which God rescinds His covenant with the children of Israel, replacing the Jews with Christians (rather than adding a New and more universal Covenant or Testament between God and the Church to the enduring Covenant between God and the Jewish people).
Replacement theology last resurfaced in the work of proto—Nazi theologians, notably Adolf von Harnack. It is also known as Supercessionism. Mainstream theologians perceive a worrying reappearance of supercessionism (Replacement Theology) in the work of the Sabeel Center.
In 1987 the PCUSA formally rejected Replacement Theology:
We believe and testify that this theory of supersessionism or replacement is harmful and in need of reconsideration....We affirm that both the church and the Jewish people are elected by God for witness to the world... We affirm the continuity of God's promise of land along with the obligations of that promise to the people Israel.
This official position has not stopped the leadership of the PCUSA from entering into a close relationship with the Sabeel Center and other proponents of supercessionism. The overtly anti—Semitic Sabeel Center is an official partner of the PCUSA, and receives PCUSA financial support.
Universalist in doctrine? Where do they stand on predestination? Scriptural authority?
It's complicated.
I have, in my library, a copy of the PCUSA's "Book of Confessions". Look in there first. (PDF es aqui.) Lots of good stuff in there: the Apostles' and Nicene creeds, Belgic Confession, Heidelburg Catechism, Westminster Standards. And some modern "stuff". 20th century confessions and statements of faith coming from liberal bodies are carefully crafted, and should be read with an eye to what they say, and especially what they do not say. Paradoxially, if I understand the politics right, this collection, this "Book of Confessions", was a deliberate move to unmoor the PCUSA from confessional subscription.
For more on Protestant confessionalism, I point you to R. Scott Clark's Recovering the Reformed Confession. I don't expect you'll read it, but hey, I had to try.
What do they believe? "I dunno, somethin'." In practice, they're a bunch of raving theological liberals, not as far gone as the Episcopal Church USA. They harbor feminist worshipers of "Sophia" (not quite the "cakes of raisins for the Queen of Heaven" that the ECUSA was doing with their feminist liturgy a few years back. Not quite.), and the likes of Rev. Jane Spahr. (Look her up. A piece of work.)
Universalist? Not officially, but I wouldn't be at all surprised to find some. Predestination? Probably not even on their radar. Scriptural authority? Not the way your or I might think of it.
As is typical in these situations, there are sound congregations, and a conservative lay movement.
I do not defend their politics. For one, they effectively want me dead, so I can't help but feel cool towards them.
Has your church not claimed that it is the New Israel, the New Jerusalem? Such belief is historically identified strongly with Catholicism, tracing to church fathers such as St. Augustine and Tertullian, as it does. Origen, too.
lol. If this is all you can dig up to slander Presbyterians with then once again we must conclude the Roman Catholic apologist cannot mount a Scriptural defense of their faith.
Amen!
Exactly!
Treading on the limit line of mind-reading there? How does replacement theology justify anti-Semitism? That's what the article is about. Not replacement theology. ANTI-SEMITISM. Replacement theology is disconnected from any flesh and blood, it's a CONCEPT. Anti-Semitism gets people killed. I could care less about what areas of agreement Catholics and Presbyterians have. And this is not about Catholics, is it? It's about Presbyterians using flowery language to justify mistreating people. Whatever flavor Presbyterians they ate, they are Presbyterians. By name. Do they agree with all sects of Presbyterians on their theological justification of anti-Semitism? I don't know. Which Presbyterians aren't anti-Semitic? Which one are you? I suspect I may know.
When the same belief leads a Catholic priest to give up his life for a Jewish man in a Nazi concentration camp as the Lutheran (or Presbyterian?) who put them both there, I have to wonder — are you sure they’re the same?
Thank you for your thoughtful and interesting reply. Have you read Scott Hahn? Just wondering.
Actually, if you wander too far from the first two commandments that Christ taught (Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, with all thy mind, with all thy soul, and Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself) I really don’t claim to know much. And if you wander much past John 6 I don’t know much about salvation, but I DO know all I need. Your study at least has some life to it, and I enjoyed reading what you had to say about it on your home page.
You’re right, I probably won’t read your links, my time is limited due to a family illness. But your thoughtful reply is appreciated.
Anti-Semitism predates Protestantism, Judith Anne, as does Replacement Theology.
You’re very vocally Catholic, and have put up a thread regarding the putative anti-Semitism of a Protestant denomination, Presbyterians, with the final rationale for that putative anti-Semitism being Replacement Theology.
I’ve endeavored to point out the difficulties posed, by virtue of your having done so.
I’m not Presbyterian, by the way. My mother’s family were Moravian. My father’s, Primitive Baptist. We attended a nearby, historic church in my childhood, the “Old Dutch Meeting House,” which went through several denominations over the centuries, from Moravian to Reformed and then finally to Lutheran.
All anti-Catholic bigots are Presbyterians, to me.
If you believe that all who are not Catholic, who point out errors and inconsistencies in your postings about their particular beliefs, are somehow "anti-Catholic" and "bigots," you will be one very confused, bitter and angry person, Judith Anne.
And if I don’t believe that? Then what will I be? LOL!!!
It's not slander if it's true. ;-D And I'm not mounting a scriptural defense of my faith, I'm criticizing the anti-Semitic HISTORY of the Presbyterian bigots.
You would be more humble than you are at present, for one. For two, you wouldn’t be inadvertantly casting aspersions upon another church on the basis of beliefs that are shared by your own.
You’re clearly not all that authoritative on those beliefs, let alone any Protestant denomination.
I suggest sticking with what you know.
Why should I have to do that, when anti-Catholic bigoted Presbyterians insist that Catholics worship Mary? They go right ahead and say whatever they want, hold themselves to no standard of truth, and insist that they know Catholic beliefs better than Catholics do.
So, I feel no constraint to find out anything about the bigots before posting about them. Their beliefs are boring: You Live, You Die, by God’s Will you will go to heaven or hell, nothing you do makes any difference, so, for the love of Christ Jesus, do NOT pray to His mother, she’s Jewish you know.
Motivations can be transparent. Careful.
Thank you for your thoughtful and interesting reply. Have you read Scott Hahn? Just wondering.
Thank you for finding my comment "interesting".
I've heard of Hahn, not read anything of his.
As you note ("You’re right, I probably won’t read your links, my time is limited due to a family illness.") life's to short to read exhaustively. I'm 54, aware of the finitude and ephemerality of this life, and trying not to be too much of a fool about how I spend my time. (So, why am I wasting my time arguing with "certain parties"?)
If I was going to suggest one to you, it would be the Cardinal Sadoleto/John Calvin exchange from 1539. Not very long, well worth reading. Though, as always with literature of that time, close attention must be paid. (Note to self, reread this.)
Your study at least has some life to it, and I enjoyed reading what you had to say about it on your home page.
Again thank you for the compliment. At least you didn't run shrieking in horror and metaphorically making hex ward signs with your fingers against the "amillenial replacement theology", like at least one person's response to it was.
Someone said I need more gospel on that page, and I think I shall make changes to say more. Don't look for it to the typical "Invite Jesus into your heart" speech.
Careful of what? Being judged by an anti-Catholic bigot?
While you are certainly spot on with your assessment, I fear you cast pearls before swine, my friend.
When I have encountered this kind of hostile attitude in the past regarding Calvinism it’s been mainly because of that little inconvenient and discomforting sovereignty of God and predestination thing the Reformers taught. Of course even the mere mention of total depravity sends some over the edge, especially when they think they are a “good person” and can save themselves by works and adherence to the traditions of men.
It’s amazing that presbyterians cannot recognize when someone mirrors their very worst actions back to them. Of course, they DO seem proficient at whining about it, though.
Repent, and be baptized in the Name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit!
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