“Family Struggle” Rejects the Bible

Joe R. Price

A-called “Presbyterian family struggle” has led to a majority of presbyteries of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) approving a change in the church’s ordination standard. It is, in fact, a further rejection of God’’s word. The change strikes down a requirement that “all ministers, elders, and deacons live in ‘fidelity within the covenant of marriage’ between a man and a woman or chastity in singleness” and approves the following new language: “Standards for ordained service reflect the church’s desire to submit joyfully to the Lordship of Jesus Christ in all aspects of life” ("Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) approves change in ordination standard", May 10, 2011).

This change opens the door to the ordination of lesbian, “gay,” bisexual, or transgender clergy in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). It casts off any semblance of restraining sexual immorality for subjective definitions of submitting “joyfully to the Lordship of Jesus Christ in all aspects of life”.

It was Jesus who said that marriage is a lifetime joining of one man and one woman (Matt 19:4-6). It was Jesus who said that fornication is sin (Mark 7:21-23; including homosexuality, Jude 7). Furthermore, it was Jesus who said that respecting Him as Lord means doing what He says and not just saying He is Lord, “But why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do the things which I say?” (Luke 6:46)

This decision in the PCUSA illustrates the result of rejecting the Bible standard of authority. Lip service to the Bible will be given for a time – for the sake of church tradition. But the spirit of the age eventually prevails (2 Timothy 4:3-4).

Even now, winds of change are blowing in churches of Christ. Beware and stand fast! (1 Corinthians16:13; Colossians 3:17)