Abort but Don’t Spank

This month the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (USA) approved a resolution calling for “an end to the practice of corporal punishment in homes, schools and child care facilities.”  At that same meeting, the PCUSA affirmed and expanded its support of abortion. In 1992, the denomination said abortion can be “morally acceptable”. This month the church tacked on its support for “full access to reproductive health care” as defined by “Obama Care.” The “morning after pill” is in the president’s plan (covered 100% with no deductible). The PCUSA is saying it is OK to kill a child but please don’t spank one.

Nothing the PCUSA does surprises me anymore. In May, they began ordaining sexually active gays and lesbians. Unbeknownst to many, they also began ordaining sexually active heterosexuals. After all, if a homosexual can engage in sex outside of marriage, why can’t a heterosexual? In the PCUSA, they both can!

J. Gresham Machen said: “In the sphere of religion, in particular, the present time is a time of conflict; the great redemptive religion which has always been known as Christianity is battling against a totally diverse type of religious belief, which is only the more destructive of the Christian faith because it makes use of traditional Christian terminology” (Christianity and Liberalism, p. 2). Machen said that in 1923. He would go on to say in Christianity and Liberalism: “It is no wonder, then, that liberalism is totally different from Christianity, for the foundation is different. Christianity is founded upon the Bible. It bases upon the Bible both its thinking and its life. Liberalism on the other hand is founded upon the shifting emotions of sinful men” (p. 79). About a decade later, the PCUSA had enough of Machen, and they tried and convicted him—suspending him from the ministry. What was he guilty of?  Defending orthodox Christianity as it is found in the Scriptures.

A poll released in February conducted by the PCUSA found “one in three members…seem to believe there’s some wiggle room for non-Christians to get into heaven.” Of course, they believe that. Why wouldn’t they? If the Bible is no longer authoritative in their seminaries and pulpits, why would it be so in their pews? Jesus said He was the only way (John 14:6) but “shifting emotions” say otherwise—apparently, 33% are going with their emotions.

In 1965, the PCUSA reached its numerical peak of 4.25 million members. A massive exodus then began (especially in the past decade) where they now report having 2 million members. It’s not shocking that the denomination has lost over 2 million; what is shocking is that 2 million have chosen to stay. Is it that important not to spank your kids?

(Research for this article taken from http://online.worldmag.com/tag/pcusa)