Reader Response :
It was terrible. I first read Narnia over 40 years ago and Disney has ruined Prince Caspian. Narnia is not Tolkien, these are children’s books but it seems the folks at Disney have forgotten that. Most of the religious symbolism is gone, and the level of violence makes it unfit for the children the books were written for. Stick to the BBC version, it is far superior even with the cheesy 70s special effects.
Reader Response :
I just read the article by Kristin J. Tremba titled “Reaching out to gay friends and family members”. I thought it was WONDERFUL! I think we need more articles like that for people to read. I feel there is not a balance in the media with information about the problems of gay life style.
As always, you come up with good editing. Please keep it up. We need your balanced opinions.
Blessings and warm regards,
Emmy Harper, Houston, Tex.
Response By :
Emmy Harper, Houston, Tex. -
January 5, 2009
Reader Response :
I welcome SOMETHING. I agree with previous commenters that implementation of the current music with today's technology should be achievable in a short timeline (this year??). A little of infrastructure and the many hands of the church could work miracles.
In our church, what I feel as inadequate implementation of technology (projected hymns)is both a leadership problem and a technology problem.
We implement the traditional hymns as projected words, leaving many in the congregation behind since the music is not sufficiently remembered.
I would love the hymnal in a configurable format to project (each screen is different), with manageable copyright support (we paid for the hymnals, but projection is different??).
I certainly agree that the blue book has some difficulties, but perhaps there is an opportunity to make a combined red/blue version, allowing for choice at the congregational level as to the wording (especially when the "inclusive" words fail).
IMHO, use of four parts allo... ...Read Full Response
Response By :
Bill Cummins -
Normal , IL - January 4, 2009
Reader Response :
I am intrigued by the idea of reading through Calvin's 'tome' of his Institutes! I will be hosting a small groupchurch fellwoship in my home this Winter and that task may very well be one that could fit into a small group discussion each week. Thanks for the encouragement. God's Shalom/Peace in 2009.
Reader Response :
Gustav Nelson makes outstanding points in the December 29th Outlook, “Rethinking the Call Process.” The problem is that the current system of Interim Pastors is a sacred cow that no one in the Presbytery systems wants to question. I suggest that having served on a presbytery staff and having served on two Committees on Ministry. I’ve also served as a pastor and witnessed the process from the points of view of my departures and arrivals in various congregations.
Presbytery leaders insist on lengthy congregational studies – which, by the way, are rarely shared with the new pastor and seldom embraced by the congregation. “Congregations need to have a vision study for the future,” we tell sessions, but does it make sense to do this without the involvement of the church’s key leader – its new pastor? “Churches need time to grieve the loss of a pastor,” we are told. Really? If I thought I was so vital to a congregation that I believed it would take 2 years for ... ...Read Full Response
Response By :
Maynard Pittendreigh -
January 3, 2009
Reader Response :
Dear Sir or Madam. This a response to the Article by Dr. Torrance. I presented a paper to the Oxford Round Table 7/15/08, World Religions in War and Peace, Conflict and Concord." in It I shared the amazing offer for fellowship in peace-making by the 138 Muslim Scholars who signed "A Common Word Between Us." I was gratified by the response of the Vatican to this offer and the results of their November meeting. Now, I am also grateful for Dr. Torrances response in The Outlook. My paper, by the way, will be published in the "Forum on Public Policy, the Journal of the Oxford Round Table in the New Year
Reader Response :
Thank you for remembering Pete Hammond. I had the privilege of working with Pete when I was interim associate pastor at Christ Presbyterian Church, Madison, where Pete was an elder and key leader. I appreciated his ability to keep the church focused on the mission of Jesus Christ in all of life. Pete was always concerned with knowing how God continues to speak to us today.
Reader Response :
I'm not sure that our Reformed ancestors would accept the statement that "the authority to interpret scripture comes from an ordained minister of God, not from the individual." Some of them went to the stake because they believed in the right of the layperson to interpret Scripture. Wycliffe, Tyndale, et al were adamant about the ability and responsibility of the simple plowman to read Scripture and apply it. The ordained minister was to be well-trained so that they could more adequately read scripture, interpret it, and apply it, but that did not abrogate the right of the believer to read and apply Scripture for themselves.
Reader Response :
This bears no relevance to the actual debate. No one disputes anything relative to "gender condition" (Whatever that may mean!). That topic would have been more relevant during the ordination of women debates. What does one's "gender condition" have to do with their behavior? The issue is behavior (of the immoral variety) in the current ordination debates.
Reader Response :
I'm not sure how your hermeneutic leads to much of a conclusion on homosexuality in the church, apart from that the church should welcome eunuchs. I don't believe that homosexuals consider themselves to be eunuchs. Eunuchs were celibates, usually because they had been born without male genitals, or because their genitals had been removed for some purpose. Christ talks about those who had made themselves eunuchs for the sake of the gospel.
And, I don't think the passage says much about homosexual ordination. I would agree with you that the church should welcome people regardless of their condition or orientation or praxis.
Reader Response :
Given the other qualifications were not wanting, I for one would certainly approve of the ordination of eunuchs—self-avowed, practicing eunuchs included.
Reader Response :
Sadly I have to disagree with retired pastor Arlo Duba. Clearly he has misinterpreted the scriptures and doesn't understand what the passage was really pointing to. Most evangelicals will agree that when reading the scriptures the holy spirit will give them the power to interpret scripture on their own and be the final ruling party on what the author is trying to tell them. If you re-read Philip you will see that the Holy Spirit instructed him to go to the Eunuch and teach him. Why did he need to do that? The Eunuch was clearly an educated man, had already read the scripture for himself. The Eunuch needed to have a higher authority to show him what the scripture meant, to interpret it for him as to its true meaning and then to be baptised and sent back to his country to spread the word. And that is what Philip is telling us, it is not about gender or homosexual equality, I would say that is far from it! Philip is showing that the authority to interpret scripture comes from an or... ...Read Full Response
Reader Response :
Janet rightly points out our final hope is not in the passage of some ammendment to the Book of Order either up or down. Our final hope is found in God and listening to who God is.
My concern is we are not wanting to listen. The experience of the church has been that we find God speaking to us in scripture. Now we are elevating other experiences above scripture. If we don't like what scripture says we narrow it- by saying it only applied then- or it only applied in certain cases- or it was only the Old Testament- or it was only Paul- etc. The experience of the church has been that we draw closest to God when we listen to what God says. The 500th birthday of Calvin is just around the corner. His principal of solo scritura- elevating scripture above reason, tradition, and experience is one of the three cornerstones of our church. The keeping of the current G-6106b is simply a reaffirmation of those standards. Reformed and always reforming is not simply changing to the ways of the... ...Read Full Response
Reader Response :
How refreshing is it to see an article about Stephen Curry that highlights his faith! You did an amazing job! I was never much of a college basketball fan (besides my own college team, Charlotte) but I started noticing Davidson in the southern conference last year. The first thing I remember about Stephen was getting so excited to watch him play. Then I began seeing interviews about him opening up about his faith. His character, humility on and off the court, and his committment to glorify God makes him not only a great basketball player but a great guy. I wish you much success in your future Stephen!
Reader Response :
Pastor Posey makes some excellent points. In addition to helping the environment there are financial and mission benefits that come when congregations can consolidate or share a building. A new web site, www.churchcollaboration.com has practical information about seven ways that congregations can partner for greater effectiveness. The site includes resources to help congregations explore some of options that are available.
Reader Response :
Kudos to Rev. McKinney! My only quibble is that the proposed name, "Winter Holiday," sounds totally vapid... and slightly Soviet. One little adjustment might fix that... in the old British cycle the winter solstice was not the beginning of winter, but "Midwinter" (as Christina Rosseti's lovely carol reminds us). Not to mention that the Romans celebrated the solstice on December 25... which is how we ended up with the date of Christmas to begin with. So, "Midwinter Holiday" gives a bit of traditional panache to the proposal.
Happy Midwinter, and a Merry Christmas to all! (And a good Hannukah, Yule, Kwanza, Boxing Day, Hogmany, etc., too.)
Reader Response :
John Mack Walker also has a carving in First Church of Newton, N.C. It was commissioned by Mrs. Fielding Clark in memory of her late husband, a longtime elder, Davidson College graduate, and first cousin of John Mack's wife. The old pecan tree had to be cut down for new construction but the crotch was saved for the carving of Saul and Barnabas. "The Son of Encouragement" is behind Saul urging him forward in mission. While John Mack's characters are all in Western North Carolina dress with faces from Black Mountain, this one has a long-lanky Barnabas who looks a lot like Fielding Clark. When the carving was unveiled, John Mack encouraged everyone to touch the wood whenever they passed as the oil from their hands would help the wood, then added, "... who knows, some of them might rub off on you."
Response By :
Charles Durham, pastor First Church Tuscaloosa, Ala. -
December 18, 2008
Reader Response :
Your editor's outlook, November 24, was right on! Great sharing of your concept of HOPE and where we should be going as a nation and church.
Hit home for me, as our urban church of 75 members selected the theme of hope for this year. We've entitled it: “Architects of Hope - Esperanza.” We've been involved with Guatemala through mission over ten years. Esperanza has a special meaning for them living in a third world country. Esperanza has taken on a live attitude since our church wall collapsed in 2002. Been worshiping in the YMCA, hoping to rebuild, 39 senior, affordable housing units plus 5,500 square feet for our mission space. Has to be with HOPE, which is carrying our HOPE for tomorrow, and Obama's speech on election night brought tears to our eyes.
Keep up your hopeful fight!
Harry Maghakian, stated supply, Andrew Riverside Church. Minneapolis, Minn.
Response By :
Harry Maghakian, stated supply, Andrew Riverside Church. Minneapolis, Minn. -
December 18, 2008
Reader Response :
Rev Dr Lindsay - great article. I want to hear more. How does Steph deal with so much pressure and expectation? What character qualities did he learn from his parents? How has he developed his own authentic relationship w/ God? We need more!!!
Reader Response :
As a gay Christian and an ordained Elder in the Presbyterian Church (USA), I am deeply grateful for the Rev. Dr. Janet Edwards'Call for prayerful consideration and approval of Amendment 08-B. Our Church, called and gathered together as the Body of Christ in and through the 218th General Assembly, prayerfully and faithfully understood that the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the mission of the Presbyterian Church (USA)would be served by restoring Ordination Standards that honor the priority and place of Christ and faith in a disciple's life along with sacred respect to the place of the Scriptures and Confessions in our lives and in the life of our Church. 08-B allows us to trust God's work of salvation, grace and calling to ministry in one another's lives. Surely God is at work in our midst, as God was at work when our Church removed barriers to women following God's call to serve, and in helping us understand that slavery and segregation were wrong. 08-B is the chance for us to get it r... ...Read Full Response
Reader Response :
Alas, there is a major issue right there: ‘We believe in God and the revelation given to us and to Abraham, Ismail, Isaac, Jacob, and the Tribes, and that given to Moses and Jesus, and that given to (all) Prophets from their Lord. We make no distinction between any of them...’” (2:136)
Failure to distinguish Jesus from the prophets is the crux of the difference here. Moslems have tried the "Join us, we agree on this point, don't we?" line many times. It would be nice to ignore differences - or would it?
Perhaps we as a species should try to understand differences rather than overlook or erase them. Of course each faction interprets "understand" as "agree with me."
We have less in common than you think.
Reader Response :
Janet thank you for this timely and thoughtful piece.
What would Jesus do? I think we get some clues in Matthew 19:10 when Jesus extends his welcome to 3 different types of sexual minorities in that era.
We also see in Acts 8:26-40 that the Holy Spirit directs Philip to baptize the Ethiopian eunuch -- thereby making a sexual minority the first Gentile convert to Christianity.
John 19:26-27 also shows Jesus telling Mary and 'the beloved disciple' to treat each other as family: "When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing beside her, he said to his mother, 'Woman, here is your son.' Then he said to the disciple, 'Here is your mother.' And from that hour the disciple took her into his own home."
For numerous other Biblical reasons to vote Yes on Amendment 08-B check out:
http://www.mlp.org/article.php?story=15biblicalreasonstovoteyes
Clearly Jesus welcomed all who have faith. It is time for the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) to do the same.
Reader Response :
I appreciate Kristen Tremba responding honestly to my request to ask what would Jesus do with Amendment 08-B before the presbyteries for discernment, debate and vote. She reflects in her response her personal experience and her prayerful reading of Scripture that many in our PCUSA share, but not all. That is the important point for me. There were many testimonies at GA in San Jose of people who said they "had lived a homosexual lifestyle, repented of it as sin and were healed by grace." What about the many gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender Presbyterians whose testimony is different? These know themselves to have been fearfully and wonderfully made as LGBT persons in their mothers' wombs. They experience the love of their partners to be blessed with the fruits of the Holy Spirit as does the church community around them. The reason Jesus would vote for Amendment 08-B is that it allows both of these Christian experiences to unfold side by side so that time will tell us what H... ...Read Full Response
Reader Response :
America had better wake up to what's hit 'em. If it doesn't, we're doomed to repeat the past... loopholes, deregulation and more greed. And while we work to stabilize the financial system, the villains should all be sentenced, and pay back what they swindled.
http://www.wealthdaily.com/report/culprits-of-the-financial-crisis/375
Reader Response :
Clay Allard’s “op-ed” piece, “Embrace the frog” … presented an excellent case for choosing to stay in the pot and keep swimming despite the raising temperatures of these difficult times. Although I am inclined to agree with his point and personally believe the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) can not only survive this struggle, but come out stronger because of it, we must all guard against assuming those who do “jump out” are in some way spiritually challenged. The truth is that whatever constitutes tolerable water temperature — or even water fit to swim in — is very subjective indeed. Shadrak, Meshak, and Abednego chose to ride out the heat. But another truth is that water temperatures apparently got too hot for the likes of folks named Luther, Knox, and Calvin, who shoes at some point to jump. If they hadn’t we’d all be reading Catholic Chronicles rather than The Presbyterian Outlook.
It isn’t easy being green.
Norris Hinds, elder
Firelands Church
Post Clinton... ...Read Full Response
Response By :
Norris Hinds, elder, Firelands Church -
December 15, 2008
Reader Response :
Kudos to the Outlook for printing Kristin Tremba's letter. Her perspective, which reflects the costly and transforming grace of God, is something we need to see more of. The One by One ministry is God's gift to our church.
Response By :
John Erthein -
Erie , PA - December 14, 2008
Reader Response :
As life long fan of wanting fair shake to be given to my people. I say as it is all ready known we peplope of color have never been given credit for anytrhing we've ever done. Never mind we are the only people made to come to this country have never been
been given any creit for the achievements made by our race past and present. I only pray that our now president will be the break through we have needed to say now well done to our citzens of color past and present.
Reader Response :
Janet Edwards, co-moderator of the Covenant Network, asked in her online article on December 7, 2008 the question: “What would Jesus do with Amendment 08-B? The answer to that question does not take 40 years of discernment or four years of dialogue to answer. It takes picking up a Bible and looking at Jesus’ words and actions. Jesus would vote an emphatic “no” on Amendment B.
Am I biased? Sure, I am. We all are. But my assertion is not predicated on my personal bias or experience; it is predicated on the Word of God, rightly understood. In fact, there was a time in my life that I would have done anything for God to approve of Amendment 08-B and my living in a lesbian relationship. At the time, I had read Mel White’s book Stranger at the Gate: Being Gay and Christian in America. I was thrilled to get my hands on a book written by a fellow-Christian that said that being gay and Christian was okay. However, when I got to the end of the book where White presented the pro-gay i... ...Read Full Response
Response By :
Kristin J. Tremba -
December 11, 2008
Reader Response :
Reading this review was like returning to the book. M.R. is one of the most talent writers I read, and the passage you cited one of the most beautiful pieces in this book that is a lot of broken bones. Thank you.
Reader Response :
I read your editorial.. Deep and Wide: Growing with Evangelism ? with interest. I concur the evanlegism is a facet on attacking our malaise however I do not perceive it to be the panacea.
No question, we have to make ourselves more attractive and appealing to a new strata of worshippers but whether thatfalls under the mantra of Evangelism alone is to me a falacious assumption.
I am personally sick of blythe " cure all " pronouncements because I suincerely sense that resusitating our constituency is a holistic combination of mant elements.
Deferring answers and praying for a year , then returning to the same issue only prolongs the problem. My primary question is when does the " rubber meet the road " We need stratagies that offer immediate action toward resolution not continued deferred discusion.
Jim Babcock.. Elder, BOzeman, Montana
Reader Response :
I read "Deep and Wide: Growing With Evangelism ? with interest an totally agree that Evangelism is indeed a facet of turning our ship around... But your question mark sopeaks volunes to me.
I was left with the hauhting feeling, " here we go sgain ". because to my mind evangelism is a part of the solutionbut it's not theend all catch all.
We have to make ourselves attractive to a new generation of worshipers and certainly not throw the baby out with the bath water however I for one am suick of ' cure all " solutions because I feel that to resusitate our constituency is combination of many elements
Whether that falls under the mantra of just evangelism or a combination of strategies is the sixty four dollar question.
We have a number of " parking lot experts " who are forver sayting " you've got to do it this way " or " you should have done it that way " but they are never part of the actual doing.
Without question we have to make our efforts, across the board, more attractive a... ...Read Full Response
Reader Response :
I was going back through this lengthy conversation a couple of days ago, and the above quote jumped out at me. It sounded like me, not too terribly long ago. I have quoted, both silently and aloud, Jesus saying, “Go, and sin no more.” I applied that to my Christian brothers and sisters who were and who remain homosexual.
That is until I had the experience of hearing God, who has repeatedly had to say the same to me, ask, “How is ‘go and sin no more’ working out for you?” Not so well, it turns out. It drew me up short. I realized that I continue in willful sin in much the same way as any other sinner walking the face of the earth, including those who struggle with homosexuality. Mine may be more private, or more socially acceptable, but it is willful sin, nonetheless.
Moreover, the former little dialog between my God and me assumed that homosexuality IS sin. There are many good, bible-believing followers of Jesus who either disagree, or who believe that on thi... ...Read Full Response
Reader Response :
For eight years I was blessed to serve a five church parish in Southwest Oklahoma. Each Christmas we would gather for a Parish-wide Christmas celebration. We were blessed each year with a baby born in the parish about the right size to be the Baby Jesus in the Christmas play. One year baby Jesus was a girl. Her mom brought her in a beautiful red dress with red sparkly shoes and a red bow. For the manger scene part we wrapped her in a blanket. I was standing at the back drinking in the joy of the moment. One little angel who had not speaking part was standing near the manger. She had her arms up--angel style with her foil halo and was smiling beautifully. She looked down! Her eyes lit up. She jumped off the front ran straight to her family. In that small child clear angel voice she exclaimed,
"Daddy, Daddy, Baby Jesus has a bow!
She was so excited. Immediately she turned, ran back to her place, arms up in angel pose.
Do we dare be so excited about Jesus and so ... ...Read Full Response
Reader Response :
Tonight the Session and Deacons will meet together. It is my first time to address them together. What to say?
So I prayed and then remembered I wanted to give out the article Dangerous Elders from the Sept Outlook edition. And I re-read many of those articles....
And then...I found this article. Oh God is good. This is what I will share tonight. This is what I hear them calling to do. In this in-between time, (and whoever comes to this church will find a joy in worship and ministry, we need to get on with it.
To get on reaching out in every way we can, to get on with being church, to get on with using every opportunity that God sends us and say Yes.
Thank you for all the reporting you do.
God abides
Bobbie
www.southwestparish.blogspot.com -my almost daily musing.
Reader Response :
Janet, I continue to be grateful for the way in which you engage our church: with faith, love, and courage. Your voice is very important to all those seeking Jesus in the full Body of Christ, of which we all are a part. The passage of 08-B is truly important for our LGBT/Q community and for the healing that awaits us all in a post-B world. My prayers and admiration are always with you. My thanks to The Outlook for publishing your piece.
Response By :
Ray Bagnuolo -
White Plains , NY - December 8, 2008
Reader Response :
Two congregations were "experienced" by the author, each having a different "experience" of homosexual orientation. The author then concludes that "ordinary experience with homosexual people had a profound effect on the moral positions of these congregations". Firstly, casual correlations such as that noted by the author, do not prove causation. The authors "experience" of the congregations is an inadequate basis for such a statement. Secondly, Adam and Eve's "experience" of the Garden of Eden, including the look and taste of the forbidden fruit, was profoundly "good" in their own eyes until the polarizing interruption of the Truth, brought to them, (and through them to us) by our Creator. Clearly, the finite experiences of these finite creatures was severely lacking in foundation and truth be be a normative guide.
Thanks be to God for his gift of the Holy Scriptures and their polarizing nature.
Response By :
Will Groten -
Houston , Texas - December 7, 2008
Reader Response :
As a member of one of the very few churches in the John Knox Presbytery that belong to the "Confessing Church" movement I'm confused. I thought that the General Assembly Permanent Judicial Commission ruled last Feb. 11th that, "the fidelity and chastity standard may only be changed by a constitutional amendment. Until that occurs, individual candidates, officers, examining and governing bodies must adhere to it." It described the "fidelity and chastity" provision as "a mandatory standard that cannot be waived." So why are we at this point?
Reader Response :
My recent post quoting Dr. Francis S. Collins' insights on the genetic basis of homosexuality (taken from his recent book "The Language of God) was in response to Rev. Dr. Brown's request for research information from the scientific community on this subject. Collins comments should awaken us to truth that both nature and nurture shape many aspects of our humanity, (not just sexuality) and that at this time we simply don't have a complete understanding of how these two dynamic forces interact with each other as we are being shaped. His comments on scientific research - like those cited by Dr. Brown concerning alcoholism - should also remind us that we are all imperfect beings struggling to come to grips with who we are as human beings and who we are as divinely created beings. Until we all reach that point of seeing through the glass clearly the one rule that should govern our lives and how we treat each other is Christ's rule: To love others as God has loved us, to love others as ... ...Read Full Response
Reader Response :
People debate whether homosexuality has a genetic basis or not as though the question had already been settled as to what causes heterosexuality. Homosexuality may not have a genetic basis; but then perhaps neither may heterosexuality. What causes sexual orientation in either case remains a puzzle. Nonetheless, the moral response to persons who find themselves with a homosexual orientation should not be predicated on the unproven assumption of a "natural" heterosexuality.
Response By :
paul capetz -
minneapolis , minnesota - December 3, 2008
Reader Response :
While I understand, and agree with the fact that experience should be a part of our theological reasoning; we cannot put experience on a level above Scripture. John Calvin and John Knox musts be spinning in their graves. To follow the ideological path of James Gustavson or Margaret Farley is to follow the road to the denomination's undoing. To quote Farley: "All moral standards, even biblical ones, must somehow fit in with and make sense to our ordinary experience." That may work for a social organization, but it cannot work for a denomination who owes ultimate allegiance to a higher than earthly authority!
Response By :
Michael Moore -
Fort Walton Beach , FL - December 3, 2008
Reader Response :
After my request of two weeks or so ago for information regarding conclusive studies on the genetic factors for homosexuality, I'm aware of only one response, from Tony. Thank you, Tony, for the information from and on Francis Collins' book. It is a book I have but haven't read yet, and I now place it on the "read soon" list. I'm a little bothered that others have not responded, given the assurance of such scientific data by previous writers.
I also realize that my earlier statement, based on Dr. Collins' use of the terms "predisposition" and "predetermination" in the provided quote, was less than crystal clear. I admit I was thinking more in terms of what Collins calls "predetermination" when I stated that several respondents had indicated scientific studies in favor of homosexual orientation being genetic in nature. The general tone and tenor of the comments by these previous respondents goes beyond a mere predisposition toward homosexuality. The implication is that homosexual orien... ...Read Full Response
Response By :
The Rev. Dr. Clay J. Brown -
December 3, 2008
Reader Response :
I am flabbergasted that Tom Eggebeen would quote (without source) from Bonhoeffer, and especially from his Ethics, as a wedge against revelation and its priority over human experience. Such a reading of Bonhoeffer does not fit his Ethics or his theology in general. To extrapolate from this a notion of the priority of experience over revelation (which Eggebeen seems almost to deny entirely) is a complete misreading of Bonhoeffer. I would furthermore underscore a remark within the body of the citation that Eggebeen gives us:
"The action of the responsible man is performed in the obligation which alone gives freedom and which gives entire freedom, the obligation to God and to our neighbour as they confront us in Jesus Christ." "As they confront us in Jesus Christ." You cannot have Jesus Christ apart from his Word, something at the heart and soul of Bonhoeffer's theology. In fact, Bonhoeffer, while not at Barmen, endoresed completely the Theological Declaration of Barmen, "Jesus Christ as ... ...Read Full Response
Reader Response :
Some points for our conversation :
9 I wrote to you in a letter not to associate with sexually immoral people-- 10 by no means referring to this world's immoral people, or to the greedy and swindlers, or to idolaters; otherwise you would have to leave the world.11 But now I am writing you not to associate with anyone who bears the name of brother who is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or a reviler, a drunkard or a swindler. Do not even eat with such a person. 12 For what is it to me to judge outsiders? Do you not judge those who are inside? 13 But God judges outsiders. Put away the evil person from among yourselves. 1Cor 5:9-13
6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. 7 Therefore do not become partners with them; 8 for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light 9 (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true),10 and ... ...Read Full Response
