Posted on 12/23/2010 7:44:00 AM PST by Cronos
Response to the Elders' Letter of January 20, 1996
PCA are the true separatists and schismatics..
Historical Introduction
I and my family were formerly members of a small, conservative congregation in the denomination known as the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA). The following letters, sent in February and September of 1996, were part of my explanation and justification of our separation from them and from the PCA. The earlier letter (about two-thirds of which is reproduced here) marked the climax of my attempts to convince the session [1] of that church of their departure, both congregationally and denominationally, from the biblical presbyterianism of the Protestant reformation, especially that most consistently practiced and creedally expressed by the Church of Scotland (in her purest times) and by the Westminster Standards [2], respectively. The later letter was a concise recapitulation of our position and a final testimony against the session's wicked, (then) impending excommunication of us for refusing to return and submit to their alleged ecclesiastical authority [3].
We became members of this local body (and of the PCA-- we formerly had been members of the Orthodox Presbyterian Church) in September, 1994. Although we did reap some benefit during our time there, it became apparent fairly early on that whatever salutary things might be said, we were not of the same mind and the same judgment (I Cor. 1:10). In the ensuing months I was increasingly aggravated by this disjunction, and in the Fall of 1995 I began to have grave concerns about our participation in her corrupted worship (as well about the spiritual safety of submitting my household to the leadership of this congregation, and of the denomination). Accordingly, we abstained from attending worship services there due to their acts of public idolatry-- viz., the use of uninspired hymns (though they also sang Psalms and Psalm paraphrases) and the employment of instrumental accompaniment [4]. This separation was spurred in part by an awakening to the issue of "Nicodemism" (dissembling), as addressed by John Calvin in his tract, On Shunning the Unlawful Rites of the Ungodly, and discussed in Carlos Eire's, War Against the Idols.
Majoring on minors, uncharitable fault-finding. Dabney on the universal position of the church concerning musical accompaniment. Calvin -- musical accompaniment equals burying the light of the gospel.
My initial notification of the pastor regarding our abstention and its justification met with incredulous disdain. Our decision (according to him [5]) entailed "a course of action so patently in violation of the clear and extensive teaching of Scripture with respect to the nature of the church," and was "based upon an obsessive determination to dogmatize and elevate to an echelon of supreme importance certain unclear minutiae of Scripture." This notwithstanding the following quotes from R. L. Dabney and John Calvin concerning the Scripture's clarity on the issue of instrumental accompaniment, and the supremely important biblical principles and ramifications entailed:
The author [John L. Girardeau, in his work, Instrumental Music in the Public Worship of the Church] in his eloquent conclusion anticipates that some will meet his arguments with sneers rather than serious discussion, which he proposes to endure with Christian composure. It is a reproach to our church, which fills us with grief, to find this prediction fulfilled in some quarters. Surely persons calling themselves Presbyterians should remember that the truths they profess to hold sacred have usually been in small minorities sneered at by the arrogant majorities. So it was in the days of the Reformers, of Athanasius, of the Apostles, and of Jesus Himself.The resort to this species of reply appears the more ill-considered, when we remember that Dr. Girardeau is supporting the identical position held by all the early reformers, by a Chalmers, a Mason, a Breckenridge, a Thornwell, and by a Spurgeon. Why is not the position as respectable in our author as in all this galaxy of true Presbyterians? Will the innovators claim that all these great men are so inferior to themselves? The idea seems to be that the opposition of all these great men to organs as simply out of their ignorant old-fogyism and lack of culture; while our advocacy of the change is the result of our superior intelligence, learning and refinement. The ignorance of this overweening conceit makes it simply vulgar. These great men surpassed all who have succeeded them in elegant classical scholarship, in logical ability, and in theological learning. Their depreciators should know that they surpassed them just as far in all elegant culture. The era of the Reformation was the Augustan age of church art in architecture, painting and music. These reformed divines were graduates of the first Universities, most of them gentlemen by birth, many of them noblemen, denizens of courts, of elegant accomplishments and manners, not a few of them exquisite poets and musicians. But they unanimously rejected the Popish Church music; not because they were fusty old pedants without taste, but because a refined taste concurred with their learning and logic to condemn it. . . . Every act of public cultus not positively enjoined by [God] is thereby forbidden. Christ and His apostles ordained the musical worship of the New Dispensation without any sort of musical instrument, enjoining only the singing with the voice of psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs. Hence such instruments are excluded from Christian worship. Such has been the creed of all churches, and in all ages, except for the Popish communion after it had reached the nadir of its corruption at the end of the thirteenth century, and of its prelatic imitators [6].
We are to remember that the worship of God was never understood to consist in such outward services, which were only necessary to help forward a people as yet weak and rude in knowledge in the spiritual worship of God. A difference is to be observed in this respect between his people under the Old and under the New Testament; for now that Christ has appeared, and the church has reached full age, it were only to bury the light of the gospel should we introduce the shadows of a departed dispensation. From this it appears that the Papists, as I shall have occasion to show elsewhere, in employing instrumental music cannot be said so much to imitate the practice of God's ancient people as to ape it in a senseless and absurd manner, exhibiting a silly delight in that worship of the Old Testament which was figurative and terminated with the gospel [7].Biblically required functions of the church in her organizational capacity. Living up to prior sanctification of the church. Unity in the Truth, not in organization. As important as these issues are, however, my initial sense-- confirmed and cemented by further study-- was that membership in this congregation, and in the PCA at all, was spiritually dangerous and sinful. Notable scriptural teachings which led to this conclusion are: the nature and function of the church (John 4:23-24; 21:15-17; Matt. 5:13-16; 18-15-20; 28:19; Acts 1:8, 2:32; I Cor. 11:23-34; Is. 44:6-8); the need for the church (like individual believers [8]) to live up to that light which God has graciously granted her thus far in her corporate sanctification (Eph. 4:13-15; Phil. 3:16; Rev. 2:25); the paramount importance of unity in the truth (and not simply in name or organizational ties; Amos 3:3; Eph. 4:3-5) [9]; and the jealous indignation of God promised upon those who "again break [His] commandments, and join in affinity with the people of the these abominations [from which God had granted marvelous deliverance]" (Ezra 9:13-14; that is, those who join in unlawful confederations). Additionally, there is the requirement of Christ's sheep to hear His voice, and follow Him only, walking in the footsteps of the flock (Song of Solomon 1:7-8; John 10:3-5). These are each worthy of extended treatment, and have been considered and expounded ably elsewhere [10]. Correspondingly, my communications with our former session moved beyond the two worship issues, as will be evident below. Sadly, none of these issues was addressed materially, but aspersions were cast upon our characters, the quality of my scholarship, and our motivations and sincerity, and many misconstruals of our position and past actions were presented to our former congregation [11]. Finally, as indicated, on September 14 we were "deliver[ed]. . . over to Satan", in hopes that the "use [of] this most severe form of discipline [would] teach them [i.e. us], and [would] teach us all, not to sin (I Cor. 5:5)."
This brief history, then, explains the stiff tone in the first correspondence below. It had not always been so: my earlier communications were quite mild in tone (as is, I believe, my final letter to them, included below), but the arguments and scriptural and historical evidences presented therein were ignored (and the responses given were quite uncharitable), calling for a more stern address. My aims in presenting these extracts and biographical information are to introduce the reader to classic Protestant (biblical) teachings, to steer him away from sinful and spiritually dangerous associations with denominations like the PCA, and to provoke him to further, fruitful study. I would also forewarn him of what may lie ahead (though I hope not) should he begin to challenge his leadership with their ignorance and violations of these biblical principles [12].
Constitutional issues reasons for separating. Separation necessary in order truly to uphold our membership vows.
Finally, although clear in the following letters, it deserves emphasizing here that our reasons for leaving this congregation and the PCA were constitutional issues (cf. Calvin's Institutes, 4:2.12), not matters of the sins of individuals. We denounce (with Calvin, Knox, and the other reformers) mad Anabaptistic notions regarding the "perfection" required of the church, and deny these abominable ideas as any biblical basis for separation. We believe wholeheartedly in the unity of Christ's church, the vital importance of a sound ministry for her edification, and the unique blessing of fellowship with God and His people in corporate worship. Because we do believe these things, and because we have vowed to the Lord our God to promote the purity and peace of His church, we found it necessary to rebuke and plead with (and separate from, Rom. 16:17; II Thess. 3:6,14-15) those who made the same vows, but who, according to the light of Scripture and our reformed fathers, were working against them, and who were allied with a whole denomination bent on the destruction of biblical presbyterianism. For,
we therefore conclude that among the godly the communion of the church ought not to extend so far that, if it degenerates into profane and corrupted rites, they have to follow it headlong [13].And,
As long as church officers can neglect their duties with impunity; as long as men can violate their ordination vows without fear of rebuke or discipline; as long as elders and deacons are permitted to become outspoken critics of orthodoxy; then it would sin for us to submit to their leadership, or any government in the P.C.A. Instead, it is the obligation of the true sheep of Christ to follow the voice of the Chief Shepherd; for 'a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him.' . . . As long as the P.C.A. courts openly shelter such heresies; and as long as they fail to conduct the judicial business which is appropriate to ecclesiastical courts; we have a clear demonstration that the P.C.A. is Presbyterian neither in form, nor in substance; and we have no obligation to recognize the P.C.A. judicatories as legitimate courts of the Church of the Lord Jesus [14].This work is emitted by way of testimony against the defections from the reformation of the true religion granted by God in ages past, in hopes of playing some small part in the edification of God's people currently languishing under such defected and defecting denominations. Therefore, I have not received, nor will I receive, any royalties from it. All revenue obtained will go to the publishers, Still Waters Revival Books, as just recompense for their work (Deut. 25:4; I Cor. 9:7). All emphases were in the original letters. Personal references in the originals have been replaced by generic language. Editorial comments are enclosed in brackets.
For Christ's Crown and Covenant,
Larry Birger, Jr. November 4 , 1996
I wish that everyone would let the Christian bashing go for a while.
We have ours, they have theirs and everyone should Loving the Lord this week.
The small-mindedness of some Christians is astounding.
To the author of this piece...
Get a life!
A lot of this seems the natural outcome of being in a denomination that seeks only to constantly spread hate.
Not like the utter hatred you have for the few remaining conservative Christian denominations demonstrated by your last few postings. Quit Projecting your own neuroses
The FV thing was dealt with years ago and the lunatics have been identified and isolated. So what value, other than hatred do you pretend that the problem persists and has not been dealt with using Biblical church discipline - the way it has been done since Apostolic times?
In view of this blatant libel, why should I not press the "Abuse" link?
“The FV thing was dealt with years ago and the lunatics have been identified and isolated” —> ah, “isolated”. Interesting terminology...
libel? You mean to say that the Federal Vision teachings has not been adopted by a number of pastors and elders?
or, if you disagree with the authors, you can post them at their website. They’ve broken away from the OPC and PCA as they said.
And btw
Wesolych Swiat Bozego Narodzenia
(wish I could speak as much as my kids do)
>>Unlike most homepages, where people tell others about themselves, yours is used to call out other freepers by name and talk about how wrong they are<<
I read the page too. I see both kinds of posts there. Look at my page and you will see credit given to other FReepers for their quotes.
Perhaps you have never been in discussions on the Religion Forum here. The same quotes are used over and over, no matter how many times they are proven wrong. Now, while it may be more to your liking that Cronos make a Word document, save to the computer as a database of the research to disprove AGAIN, it sure is easier to keep it on your homepage as a reference.
Just a different insight.
Merry Christmas!
Strain out the gnat - swallow the camel mark for later read
Nice! May you find happiness too! And scroll down — or click on the links for some funnies!
Dude.
Wow! You have the right font and everything!!!
>>I don’t see on your homepage the criticism of other freepers that I see on his. <<
Like I said, reference.
I was on a thread just last week where someone misquoted JPII. I hadn’t seen Cronos homepage but the proof of the misquote was right there.
I’m going to use it in the future.
When you see the SAME misquotes and false accusations in different threads all the time, it’s good to have a place to go to.
Quit Projecting your own neuroses
One wonders at the evident obsession. Was someone bitten by a Presbyterian as a child?
Well, Cronos.... I must confess that I was gasping for breath by the end of the first paragraph, and really didn’t need to read more.
Should’nt you be busy co-operating your way to heaven or something? :)
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