new church life: march/april 2015
in principles of use and trust in the Lord’s Providence.” (Page 165)
The Rev. Lawson M. Smith offers his own opinion – freely admitting
his bias but also based on his understanding of the Word and the Heavenly
Doctrines – on why the priesthood of the General Church should remain open
to men only: Women and the Ministry: Leading Must Come from the Word.
(Page 171)
The Rev. N. Bruce Rogers asks why anyone should join the General
Church, when it is said that people of every religion can be saved and that
larger churches may offer more? The answer is that the doctrines of the
General Church have answers “that may be intellectually satisfying” and these
are answers “that no one outside of the New Church has.” (Page 174)
Among the more challenging issues in our changing culture are
homosexuality and gay marriage, where the teachings of the Word are clear
but contrary to an increasingly secular and tolerant culture. The Rev. Willard
L.D. Heinrichs looks just at what the Word says in its literal sense: “We need
to note especially what the Lord has directly taught in His Word, rather than
be guided in any way by the poor example of how people in the stories of
Scripture too often responded to His teaching.” (Page 179)
The Rev. Kurt P. Nemitz makes The Christian Case for Traditional Marriage,
noting teachings in the Word and the Writings that clearly uphold marriage as
between one man and one woman only. We also need to be compassionate, he
said, noting that, “The Lord, who is goodness itself, condemns no one who has
homosexual inclinations.” But, “For Jesus, marriage was sacrosanct. In truth, it
was – it is – heaven.” (Page 185)
The Rev. Derrick A.M. Lumsden looks at Priorities in Parenting as among
the most important in our lives. “No one in our culture rewards great parents,”
he says. “It is in career and hobbies that society really acknowledges the value
of a person. But in the Lord’s eyes success as a parent is the greatest success you
could have.” (Page 190)
Church News includes: reports from the Boynton Beach Retreat, including
a “General Church Overview” by the Rt. Rev. Peter Buss Jr., a banquet talk
by the Rev. George D. McCurdy, and an update on the New Christian Bible
Study website by Steve David; the sad passing of the Rev. Nicholas Anochi,
much-loved pastor in Ghana; new programs in Bryn Athyn College, including
a nursing partnership with Thomas Jefferson University and partnership in
counseling psychology with Rosemont College; news about Academy Summer
camps and a summer camp already held in Australia; and an invitation to the
upcoming Gathering Leaves. (Page 193)
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