Desert Hills Presbyterian Church Period of Discernment Recent

Desert Hills Presbyterian Church Period of Discernment Recent Actions – GA 2008

History of the Presbyterian Church (USA) u. We came to this continent in the 17 th century (“Puritans”). u. Presbyterians have split and reunited several times. u. Constitution: u. Book of Confessions u. Book of Order

Where is the Denomination Going? u. There has been a debate about issues: u. Divinity of Christ u. Ordination Standards u. God’s will for our sexuality u. Individual Conscience vs. denomination standards u. Teaching and Authority of Scripture u. The Nature of Christian Life

Voices of Sophia u. Re-Imagining Conference – 1993 u. PC(USA) Group – Voices of Sophia-1994 u. Promotes Feminine Images of God u. Promote Reproductive Freedom- Abortion u. Call to Ministry Persons of all Sexual Orientations u. Denies Deity and Uniqueness of Jesus

2001 GA Statement on Christ u. Overture submitted to GA stating salvation is found in Christ alone. u. GA unable to affirm the overture. u. Compromise proposal – Jesus is “unique”. u. Compromise approved. u. In response, Desert Hills published its own “Summary of Beliefs”.

2002 Summary of Our Beliefs 1. The reality of God who is self-revealed as Father, Son and Holy Spirit. 2. The Deity of Jesus Christ, God’s Son. 3. The integrity and authority of the Bible as God’s Word. 4. Jesus Christ’s atoning death on the Cross.

2002 Summary of Our Beliefs (Cont. ) 5. The bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ. 6. Salvation comes only by God’s grace through Faith, not through human efforts. 7. The necessity for moral behavior. 8. The coming of Jesus Christ to judge the world at the end of human history.

2006 GA – Trinity Paper u. Non-Traditional Statements about Trinity u. Metaphorical in Character u. Report “received for study” – not approved u. Again Introduced to the 2008 GA u. Report and Study Materials were approved in 218 th GA.

2006 & 2008 AI – “Scruples” u 2006 GA approved PUP Authoritative Interpretation – candidates can “Scruple”. u. GAPJC Overruled Interpretation – 2/2008. u 2008 GA reaffirmed PUP Authoritative Interpretation. u. Now applies to all Ordination Standards.

2008 GA – Changes to Heidelberg Catechism u. Reduces confessions from authoritative statements to historical documents. u. Delete language “Christ alone is God’s own eternal son” to read “natural son”. u. Rejection of the Deity of Christ

2008 GA – Changes to Heidelberg Catechism u“Certainly not! Scripture says, ‘Surely you know that the unjust will never come into possession of the kingdom of God. Make no mistake: no fornicator or idolater, none who are guilty either of adultery or of homosexual perversion, no thieves or grabbers or drunkards or slanderers or swindlers, will possess the kingdom of God’. ” u. Based on I Corinthians 6: 9 -10.

2008 GA – Changes to Heidelberg Catechism u“Certainly not; for as Scripture says no unchaste person, idolater, adulterer, thief, greedy person, drunkard, slanderer, robber, or anyone like that shall inherit the kingdom of God. ” u. A portion of I Corinthians 6: 9 -10 was omitted, as catechism was written for children. u. Advocates wish to return to catechism as originally written.

2008 GA Adopted Social Creed u. Promotes quality public education and universal healthcare u. Tax and budget policies – Equalize wealth u. Immigration policies to protect family unity u. Multilateral diplomacy over unilateral force u. Nuclear disarmament and redirect military spending to peaceful uses

2008 GA – Equality for Homosexuals u. GA Approved Resolutions supporting: u. Same-sex marriages in Civil Court. u. Against definitions of marriage – as between man and woman. u. Support legal cases furthering equal civil rights for homosexuals. u. Recommended removing “chastity in singleness or fidelity in marriage” clause.

2008 GA – Interfaith Statement u. Unqualified support for Muslim document, “A Common Word between Us and You” u“Participation in Sacred and Holy observances in each other’s traditions” u“Celebrate religious holidays together, setting aside days of worship” u. Contradicts our Summary of Beliefs

The Issues that Confront Us u. Passed a resolution that Jesus is “unique” u. Allow candidates to scruple any standard u. Confessions become historical documents u. Redirects us to pursue “social justice” u. Participate in sacred observances of other faiths that do not recognize Christ’s Deity u. Diminished importance of Christianity

Summary – Period of Discernment u. Please contact the Connectional Committee: Don Basta Steve Campbell Dave Hulbert Rhonda Bohner Rolene Dinsdale Jim Shields u. Please talk to us.