Cleaning out my inbox...

Posted this to our "RCA members for conservative evangelicalism" email list:

Due to regional segregation of our denomination, I'm getting the sense that we have little idea how far from Biblical moorings some have gone, while still trying to couch it all in Scripture so as to stay in the RCA. I have little exposure to anything but SW Michigan RCA. But one pastor who has served on the east coast tells me this issue is a drop in the bucket regarding what's going on. He's confused why we're getting upset over a relatively minor issue (homosexuality), compared to other theological drift issues in the RCA.

We're behind the curve, thinking the ice cream has just been taken out of the freezer: "Somebody put it back in before it melts!" But in reality it's been sitting there for hours. It hasn't gone bad yet, but it's more than a little soft - it's liquid. It's still salvageable, but every decision we take to talk about it instead of put it back in the freezer makes it harder for us next time to actually put it back before it turns, even if our hands get sticky, some of it spills on the floor and is lost.

As for Room For All itself, like everybody else, they think they have the truth, and want the RCA to go their way. We shouldn't be surprised or appalled by this - it's natural.

I would point out that there is NOT room for all in the church on earth. Scripture is very clear on this. Jesus' parable of the man without wedding clothes, the unprepared bridesmaids, Isaiah 66. There wasn't room for the one who won't take up his cross and deny himself, for the one who had to bury his father first. Few find the narrow gate. Heb 10:19-31; 1 Cor 5 - this goes on and on. There is room for any who will agree with God about what sin is and repent of it. But not for the unrepentant, arguing with Scripture and making excuses for their sin. They disqualify themselves.

I would encourage *someone* here to organize a similar group. Our problem as conservatives seems to be in part one of organization and preparedness to have a clear and complete answer for the RCA. I think the majority of us have it individually, but we need leaders to count and speak for the rest of us, especially to the undecideds who can be swayed at synods. Who among us knows General Synod procedure and the people involved well enough to do this? Or is this using sub-Scriptural tactics to get the truth to win the day? Fighting fire with fire is ok, as long as the fire is Christ-like...