As a convert to the CRCNA (circa 1994), my road to understanding doctrinal truths has been a slow but completely forward-moving enterprise. Upon taking "a bit of a break" from a church which has placed a somewhat unnerving emphasis about the use of gravamina to accommodate potential officebearers (in my opinion; I could be wrong), I was fortunate enough to be led to another CRCNA church which recently called a new minister to its pulpit. The minister's fall series of sermons (after an eye-opening summer series on Hebrews--a tough "first effort" for a new preacher, I'm told) centers upon 1 Timothy. After the conclusion of our study of Chapter 1, I'm coming away with a much deeper respect for the commitment to doctrine and the Christ-like admonition to abide by love. The minister and I had a jovial back-and-forth in the narthex after his first and second sermons on 1 Timothy 1 as to how one could summarize the first chapter. A "Love Abides; Doctrine Unites" bumper sticker could possibly do it. (I said jovial, right?) Your "The Confessions are for Freedom" essay says much, much more and much more eloquently. Thankfully, the "Doctrine Divides" bumper stickers of the 90s are no longer in vogue. The abuse of the gravamina may give rise to its comeback. Regrettably.
Doctrine does indeed unite by protecting our "true freedom [as] a matter of slavery to the Lord." Thank you for the reminder. And, yes, love can and does abide in a house united...united in sound doctrine.
Confessions are for Freedom by Nick Monsma: the freedoms you speak of the US Constitution. It was written by white people with European background. It is a great Constitution, however, its use , especially over the past recent decades, has been used to suppress the very freedoms espoused especially in respect of minorities/coloured citizenry. The politicization of Supreme Court is alarming. The fact that a person like Donald Trump is celebrated by “Christians” is strange phenomenon to me. He displays all that is contrary to the Love we cherish. Almost tribal. Love sets us free not rules. Abide’s obsession with the LGBTQ + is out of place in todays society, especially in trying to force acceptance by all CRCNA members. It’s not even a cConfession but only a recently adopted interpretation. Unfortunately a very vocal minority opinion is forced on the majority. Synods in the past years has not been representative of our denomination. Too much “power” is sought. Example the hard work done organizing delegates to Synod that support HSR . Synods have not been deliberative but rather “ decision made up” On climate the USA is too influenced with financial welfare of the wee to do at expense of billions around the world. We all need to sincerely pray for guidance not only our will.
As a convert to the CRCNA (circa 1994), my road to understanding doctrinal truths has been a slow but completely forward-moving enterprise. Upon taking "a bit of a break" from a church which has placed a somewhat unnerving emphasis about the use of gravamina to accommodate potential officebearers (in my opinion; I could be wrong), I was fortunate enough to be led to another CRCNA church which recently called a new minister to its pulpit. The minister's fall series of sermons (after an eye-opening summer series on Hebrews--a tough "first effort" for a new preacher, I'm told) centers upon 1 Timothy. After the conclusion of our study of Chapter 1, I'm coming away with a much deeper respect for the commitment to doctrine and the Christ-like admonition to abide by love. The minister and I had a jovial back-and-forth in the narthex after his first and second sermons on 1 Timothy 1 as to how one could summarize the first chapter. A "Love Abides; Doctrine Unites" bumper sticker could possibly do it. (I said jovial, right?) Your "The Confessions are for Freedom" essay says much, much more and much more eloquently. Thankfully, the "Doctrine Divides" bumper stickers of the 90s are no longer in vogue. The abuse of the gravamina may give rise to its comeback. Regrettably.
Doctrine does indeed unite by protecting our "true freedom [as] a matter of slavery to the Lord." Thank you for the reminder. And, yes, love can and does abide in a house united...united in sound doctrine.
Confessions are for Freedom by Nick Monsma: the freedoms you speak of the US Constitution. It was written by white people with European background. It is a great Constitution, however, its use , especially over the past recent decades, has been used to suppress the very freedoms espoused especially in respect of minorities/coloured citizenry. The politicization of Supreme Court is alarming. The fact that a person like Donald Trump is celebrated by “Christians” is strange phenomenon to me. He displays all that is contrary to the Love we cherish. Almost tribal. Love sets us free not rules. Abide’s obsession with the LGBTQ + is out of place in todays society, especially in trying to force acceptance by all CRCNA members. It’s not even a cConfession but only a recently adopted interpretation. Unfortunately a very vocal minority opinion is forced on the majority. Synods in the past years has not been representative of our denomination. Too much “power” is sought. Example the hard work done organizing delegates to Synod that support HSR . Synods have not been deliberative but rather “ decision made up” On climate the USA is too influenced with financial welfare of the wee to do at expense of billions around the world. We all need to sincerely pray for guidance not only our will.