Monday, February 13, 2006

More On RC

More On RC
Topic:
A Justice Primer

I want to follow up my previous post on RC Jr. I am doing this, not because I have anything new to say, but rather because the situation demands that we go over the basics again and again.

My point has been that those who jump into a situation like this with glee, and who cut loose with scurrilous attacks are, on the face of it, not to be trusted with anything. I would provide links to the kind of sites I have in mind, but I don’t think it is responsible to administer poisons just to try to exhibit your skill with antidotes. But anyone who knows the situation knows about these people. And any responsible Christian who knows about these people knows his Christian responsibility to base absolutely no conclusions about RC and his friends from what is said on these sites. It is equally necessary to refuse to countenance anything from people who are associated with the character assassins, but who do not participate in any direct attacks themselves. The unconverted Saul never actually threw any of the stones at Stephen — he just held the cloaks.

Some might want to object that I write with a satiric edge, but that when I or any of my friends are in the crosshairs, I start immediately talking about the need to “love your brother.” Two points. Folks who cannot tell the difference between the long and honored literary tradition of satire, and the equally long and dishonored tradition of scurrility may be left to their own devices. I approve of the former and disapprove of the latter. In this I have the support of some of my friends, and all of Western civilization. The second point is related to the first. Not only can people approve the former and disapprove the latter, as I do, but I have frequently noted how some people reverse this. There are many who have no problem with scurrilous attacks but who become positively indignant about biblical satire. Some of the nastiest attacks I have ever experienced have come from people who belonged to the school of thought that would outlaw Erasmus, the prophet Amos, Swift, or Horace. So it is not quite true that these folks cannot tell the difference. They usually can tell the difference between the two approaches — they have just inverted the values (Is. 5:20).

And last, I am not defining scurrility as holding to the view that the action of the RPCGA was correct. It is not a scurrilous attack to disagree with me here, or to have a concern based on the fact that there was a decision of the RPCGA through their moderator. This was a public action, taken by the moderator of a Presbyterian denomination. It was not done in a corner, and I can easily envision a responsible person holding to the view, for example, that RC ought to have stayed and appealed. And I can easily imagine someone responsible holding the reverse. That is why I urged everyone to let the governing bodies involved in all this to sort it all out in a godly and charitable way — which is what is happening.

But in the meantime, while this is occurring, the only course of action that should be obvious to godly Christians everywhere is that of ignoring and despising attack sites that savage men’s reputations. These sites despise their responsibility under the 9th commandment to be guardians of their brother’s good reputation and name. In this, the pagan officials of Ephesus have more wisdom than our internet vigilantes. “Wherefore if Demetrius, and the craftsmen which are with him, have a matter against any man, the law is open, and there are deputies; let them implead one another. But if ye enquire any thing concerning other matters, it shall be determined in a lawful assembly” (Acts 19:38–39).

Posted by Douglas Wilson — 2/13/2006 10:35:19 AM

Saturday, February 11, 2006

RC Sproul Jr.

RC Sproul Jr.
Topic:
A Justice Primer

I have not really said anything in particular about the web controversy that has engulfed St. Peter Presbyterian Church and the Highland Study Center (R.C. Sproul Jr.’s ministry), and I am not going to say anything specific about it now. But I do need to say a few things at the general level. If you don’t know anything about the situation, then that is just great and your world remains a better place. But if you do know about it, I would urge you remember two things, and bind them on your forehead and on your right hand.

The first thing is that everyone involved needs to honor and respect (and pray for) the principals in the situation, which would be Ken Talbot, as the moderator of the RPCGA, and the congregation and leadership of St. Peter. These are the entities and men involved, and they have ways of addressing us all if they want to say something. Responsible Christians everywhere should wait patiently while these responsible adults sort this one out.

But a good deal of the inflammatory aspect of this is coming from outside. If you come across a rogue web site, then remember that I have been writing extensively here about the principles of justice for more than academic reasons. Anyone running such a site should take it down in repentance and tears, and anyone remotely associated with such a site should walk away from it and never look back. Scurrilous attacks (such as I have seen) do nothing but discredit those who mount them, and those who listen to them

The comeback may be that some of these attacks from outside are being mounted by those who used to be inside, and so they have first-hand knowledge. But any responsible individual with first hand knowledge should be supplying that information to the appropriate bodies involved privately. To the extent that they take the show on the road (and team up with groups that are discreditable on other grounds) to that same extent they are demonstrating just how reliable that “first hand knowledge” must be. In our skirmishes here, I have seen more than one person demonstrate (by their subsequent unbiblical behavior after leaving us) that their first-hand knowledge was actually first-hand ignorance.

The second principle is this. I have seen some websites in this that had a powerful amount of “information,” and lots of links to other attack sites and/or purported proofs. When you are shoveling excrement, the basic operating strategy has to be one of moving total tonnage. Many of the things claimed were issues about which I had no personal knowledge (with the only thing to go on being the way the charges were being made; cf. my series on justice). But happily mixed in with all this were slanders that I did have personal knowledge of. And guess what? These guys are about as reliable as any other guy with a spittle-flecked keyboard.

So honor Ken Talbot, and pray for the RPCGA. Honor RC Jr. and Laurence Windham and pray for St. Peter and the Highland Study Center. Dishonor character assassination websites — that kind of scurrilous behavior is one reason why prayers of imprecation are still in the Bible. And finally, on a personal level, Laurence Windham and R.C. Jr. are friends of mine. I wanted readers of this blog to know that nothing has happened that would even begin to alter that.

Posted by Douglas Wilson — 2/11/2006 10:36:48 AM

Tuesday, February 7, 2006

Highlands Study Center website, dated February 7, 2006

On February 7, 2006, the deposed elders of Saint Peter Church removed the previous note from the Highlands Study Center website and uploaded this one in its stead. One day later, on February 8, 2006, they removed this note.

Dear Friends,

The Westminster Presbytery of the Reformed Presbyterian Church, General Assembly has found the session of Saint Peter Church to be guilty of what they saw as grave sin against the church. Our brothers there were concerned about the elders’ failures in pastoral care. They were likewise concerned that our practice of admitting young children to the Lord’s Table, if they had made what we deemed to be a credible verbal profession of faith was against their standards, and the Westminster Larger Catechism. The session has repented to the presbytery for our pastoral failures, and repented for violating the standards of the presbytery as it applies to the Lord’s Supper. The presbytery has in turn, with great grace and kindness, deposed us from our offices in the denomination without censure, and has released us from their jurisdiction. We are grateful to have these issues resolved, and are thankful for those of you who endeavored to both reserve judgment, and who prayed so faithfully. If you have any questions, please email lnawindham@aol.com.

The Highlands Study Center

Monday, February 6, 2006

For Public Release

WESTMINSTER PRESBYTERY
REFORMED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
OFFICE OF THE MODERATOR

Dr. Kenneth Gary Talbot
P.O. Box 6321 / Lakeland, Florida / 33807

February 6, 2006

~ For Public Release ~

The deposed session of St. Peter Presbyterian Church (R.C. Sproul, Jr., Laurence Windham, Wayne Hayes, and Jay Barfield) sent the following letter of confession, repentance, and apology to the Moderator and Elders of the Westminster Presbytery on February 2, 2006. The letter of response from Westminster Presbytery is also included.

Clarification:
While these men were deposed (defrocked) from office for their continued pattern of actions in violation of the Book of Church Order, they were not brought to trial on personal issues from other allegations that were made. Westminster Presbytery was considering a further investigation of the allegations of personal sinful behavior against them to determine if there was sufficient evidence that a trial regarding these allegations was necessary. The apology letter states “Deposed without censure” means that these men individually had not yet been dealt with regarding personal sinful behavior at trial and therefore were in good standing as laymen until such trial would take place. The ‘deposition’ or ‘removing them from office’ was and is a ‘censure’ by the Presbytery for their actions as officers in the church. In this letter of confession, apology and repentance, these men admitted to a full acknowledgement of the validity and authority of the Declaratory Judgment of January 26, 2006. Furthermore, a list of the individuals who were abused by this deposed session is being sent to each of the deposed elders with the expectation that they will, as truly repentant men, write a letter of apology (without any justifications, thereby making it an apology and not an excuse) to these families. The Reformed world is now waiting to see if the apology is genuine or not. The burden of proof is upon the words and actions of these men. If they were sincere in their apology, and it was not just an expedient move for them, they will give evidence in all that they write, preach, teach, instruct, counsel and in their actions towards the RPCGA and those who have been offended by their former conduct as officers in the church. They will be observed and judged by the Reformed community at large as to the sincerity of their repentance.

Letter of Confession, Repentance, and Apology
Dear Mr. Moderator and Brethren of Westminster Presbytery:

In light of our desire to teach and practice paedo-communion, and because of the complaints that have been submitted to the presbytery, we believe it is our duty to respectfully submit the following letter.

As you know, when R.C. joined the RPCGA, it was on the understanding that he would neither teach nor practice paedo-communion. When Laurence was examined the same night he had not yet determined his final position on paedo-communion. Since that time the Session of St. Peter Presbyterian Church has come to the conviction that we can no longer abide by the vows of the RPCGA. We acknowledge that for some time we have been in violation of our vows on this issue and humbly repent and seek your forgiveness for failing to inform the Presbytery and for teaching and practicing that which was agreed not to be taught or practiced. If we had been aware of the 1997 General Assembly Act on paedo-communion, which forbids even holding to the paedo-communion doctrine and practice, let alone not teaching or practicing it in our ministries and church, it is likely that we may have never considered joining with the RPCGA. We know that failure to inform us of this Act was an unintentional oversight by Presbytery and we harbor no grievances on the matter. However, we now realize that given our current teaching and practice we can no longer stay within the denomination.

In consideration of the above, we, the Session of St. Peter Presbyterian Church of Bristol, Mendota and Abington, Virginia, request to be dismissed from the Westminster Presbytery of the RPCGA while deposed from office w/o censure and to be hereby released from any association or affiliation with the RPCGA.

In addition, we confess that because of instances where our offices and authority have been mishandled, some families have been hurt and others unknown to us could have been offended. To those that have made it known to us we have apologized. Further, we are aware of the embarrassment that this has caused to the good name of the Reformed Presbyterian Church General Assembly. Consequently, we repent and apologize, and ask for your forgiveness as well as from those unknown families who have been affected.

We want to thank you and the brethren of Westminster Presbytery (RPCGA) for your friendship, kindness, and gracious patience shown to this Session over the past four years.

Furthermore, as a result of the Declaratory Judgment of January 26, 2006, having been deposed without censure from the ministry of Westminster Presbytery we request that you dismiss us from the jurisdiction of the Westminster Presbytery of the Reformed Presbyterian Church General Assembly.

Laurence Windham

R.C. Sproul Jr.

Wayne Hayes

Jay Barfield
(Signatures and date are on the original faxed copy).


[The following letter was sent to R. C. Sproul Jr., Laurence Windham, Wayne Hayes, and Jay Barfield on February 3, 2006, by the Moderator, at the direction of the Elders of Westminster Presbytery in response to their Letter of Confession, Repentance, and Apology.]

To: The Deposed Session of St. Peter Presbyterian Church

Dear R.C., Laurence, Wayne and Jay;

On behalf of Westminster Presbytery of the Reformed Presbyterian Church General Assembly and as its Moderator, I want to thank you for your letter of repentance dated February 2, 2006.

We appreciate your sincerity in confessing to the violations recorded in the Declaratory Judgment of January 26, 2006 from the Westminster Presbytery.

We are thankful for your honesty in confessing your violations concerning the teaching and practicing of paedo-communion which is in violation of our standards. Your confession and repentance is received and you are forgiven.

We also appreciate your confession of mishandling your offices and authority as ministers in the Church of Jesus Christ to those who have been hurt and offended by your actions. We will encourage them to contact you concerning these offences. We believe, with your desire to make things right with the family of God, where such offences have been made, whether intentional or not, you will do the right thing by them. (Westminster Confession of Faith Chapter 15 Section 6) Your confession and repentance is received and you are forgiven.

Further, we greatly value your concern for the good name of the Reformed Presbyterian Church General Assembly, and the professed repentance for any embarrassment you have caused the denomination, whether by word of mouth, by writing and/or by your actions and deeds, which were in violation of our Book of Church Order. Your confession and repentance is received and you are forgiven.

We are most grateful for your recognition of our “friendship, kindness and gracious patience shown to the session over the past four years”. We thank you for your expression of and recognition of our leadership and the love we have for you as brethren.

Finally, in recognition of our authority and proper proceedings, according to the Book Of Church Order, regarding your deposition from the ministry, and in light of your confession and repentance to the above mentioned issues, we accept your word, that you have knowingly and willingly given true repentance in a spirit of humility, hereby grant you your request to be “dismissed from the jurisdiction of the general membership of Westminster Presbytery.”

The Presbytery would also like to take this opportunity to, once again, apologize to Dr. R.C. Sproul Jr. for our failure to disclose our 1997 General Assembly Act concerning paedo-communion. Our intent was never to mislead any individual concerning our position. We recognize that even though we offered R.C. to remain in the RPCGA on the condition that he would not teach (in any fashion) or practice (in any fashion) paedo-communion. We did this because R.C. came to us in good faith promising not to teach or practice paedo-communion; however, we understand that it created a very difficult circumstance because the other three elders were not extended that same provision. For our failure, we apologize and ask you for your forgiveness. We greatly appreciate your recognition that this oversight was “unintentional . . . [and that you] . . . harbor no grievance regarding this matter.”

We pray that you go in peace, honor your repentance, and serve our living God whose Son Jesus Christ is Lord over all creation. Again, we praise God for your confession and repentance. We pray and exhort all Christians to seek repentance and reconciliation as you gentlemen have professed in your letter because as Dr. R.C. Sproul Jr. has written, “. . .a true man takes responsibility for his failures. That is why a godly man’s best posture is on his knees repenting. . .” (“When Bucks Fly” in Family Reformation Magazine, page 34, Fall 2004). We believe you men have modeled this attitude before all, and we are most humbled by your humility. Be assured that our love and prayers are for each of you.

Ordered this 3rd day of February, 2006 and sent to the office of the Stated Clerk.

Your servant in Christ and on behalf of all members of Westminster Presbytery,

Kenneth Gary Talbot

Dr. Kenneth Gary Talbot Moderator
A copy of this letter will be sent by certified mail.


[With the admission, confession, repentance and apology, Westminster Presbytery believes that we are required to take these men at their word (Luke 17:3–4: “Take heed to yourselves. If your brother sins against you, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him. And if he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times in a day returns to you, saying, ‘I repent,’ you shall forgive him.”). It is our prayer that these men will abide by their professed repentance and prove themselves as changed men for the glory of Christ and His Kingdom].

Saturday, February 4, 2006

Highlands Study Center website, dated February 4, 2006

The deposed elders from Saint Peter Church uploaded this note to the Highlands Study Center website on February 4, 2006, and kept it there until February 7, 2006, when they replaced it with another message.

Dear Friends,

As many of you have read, Dr. Sproul Jr., along with the entire session of Saint Peter Presbyterian Church, has heard from the moderator of the Westminster Presbytery of the Reformed Presbyterian Church, General Assembly, that they have been deposed from their offices as elders in the church. This action was taken without a trial, indeed without even a conversation. We disagree with the action taken, and are considering our options as to how to respond. What we will not do is take shots against our accusers over the internet, and would encourage you not to do so, either. Please be patient, and please pray for the peace and purity of the church.

The Highlands Study Center

Friday, February 3, 2006

RPCGA to the Deposed Session

WESTMINSTER PRESBYTERY
REFORMED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
OFFICE OF THE MODERATOR

Dr. Kenneth Gary Talbot
P.O. Box 6321 / Lakeland, Florida / 33807

February 3, 2006


To: The Deposed Session of St. Peter Presbyterian Church

Dear R.C., Laurence, Wayne and Jay;

On behalf of Westminster Presbytery of the Reformed Presbyterian Church General Assembly and as its Moderator, I want to thank you for your letter of repentance dated February 2, 2006.

We appreciate your sincerity in confessing to the violations recorded in the Declaratory Judgment of January 26, 2006 from the Westminster Presbytery.

We are thankful for your honesty in confessing your violations concerning the teaching and practicing of paedo-communion which is in violation of our standards. Your confession and repentance is received and you are forgiven.

We also appreciate your confession of mishandling your offices and authority as ministers in the Church of Jesus Christ to those who have been hurt and offended by your actions. We will encourage them to contact you concerning these offences. We believe, with your desire to make things right with the family of God, where such offences have been made, whether intentional or not, you will do the right thing by them. (Westminster Confession of Faith Chapter 15 Section 6) Your confession and repentance is received and you are forgiven.

Further, we greatly value your concern for the good name of the Reformed Presbyterian Church General Assembly, and the professed repentance for any embarrassment you have caused the denomination, whether by word of mouth, by writing and/or by your actions and deeds, which were in violation of our Book of Church Order. Your confession and repentance is received and you are forgiven.

We are most grateful for your recognition of our “friendship, kindness and gracious patience shown to the session over the past four years”. We thank you for your expression of and recognition of our leadership and the love we have for you as brethren.

Finally in recognition of our authority and proper proceedings, according to the Book Of Church Order, regarding your deposition from the ministry, and in light of your confession and repentance to the above mentioned issues, we accept your word, that you have knowingly and willingly given true repentance in a spirit of humility, hereby grant you your request to be “dismissed from the jurisdiction of the general membership of Westminster Presbytery.”

The Presbytery would also like to take this opportunity to, once again, apologize to Dr. R.C. Sproul Jr. for our failure to disclose our 1997 General Assembly Act concerning paedo-communion. Our intent was never to mislead any individual concerning our position. We recognize that even though we offered R.C. to remain in the RPCGA on the condition that he would not teach (in any fashion) or practice (in any fashion) paedo-communion. We did this because R.C. came to us in good faith promising not to teach or practice paedo-communion; however, we understand that it created a very difficult circumstance because the other three elders were not extended that same provision. For our failure, we apologize and ask you for your forgiveness. We greatly appreciate your recognition that this oversight was “unintentional . . . [and that you] . . . harbor no grievance regarding this matter.”

We pray that you go in peace, honor your repentance, and serve our living God whose Son Jesus Christ is Lord over all creation. Again, we praise God for your confession and repentance. We pray and exhort all Christians to seek repentance and reconciliation as you gentlemen have professed in your letter because as Dr. R.C. Sproul Jr. has written, “. . . a true man takes responsibility for his failures. That is why a godly man’s best posture is on his knees repenting. . .” (“When Bucks Fly” in Family Reformation Magazine, page 34, Fall 2004). We believe you men have modeled this attitude before all, and we are most humbled by your humility. Be assured that our love and prayers are for each of you.

Ordered this 3rd day of February, 2006 and sent to the office of the Stated Clerk.

Your servant in Christ and on behalf of all members of Westminster Presbytery,

Kenneth Gary Talbot

Dr. Kenneth Gary Talbot
Moderator

A copy of this letter will be sent by certified mail.