Comments for Jameswmiller's Blog

Comment on The Opening In Orlando by Tim Ferguson

Tim Ferguson — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 15:38:57 +0000

Sounds like the Holy Spirit is really moving in the hearts of us “frozen chosen”…Imagine the possibilities…the opportunities!!!

Comment on The Opening In Orlando by Dennis & Phoebe

Dennis & Phoebe — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 16:34:53 +0000

Thanks for the update. Change and new beginings is what leads us all. They are fearful – but exciting none the less.

Comment on The Opening In Orlando by noelanderson

noelanderson — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 05:34:58 +0000

Thanks for a great report, Jim. Many of us who could not be there are sorry to have missed out on that energy you describe. I look forward to hearing more.

Comment on The Opening In Orlando by Kevin Womack

Kevin Womack — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 05:23:21 +0000

It felt the same to me, Jim. I’m waiting to see how God leads our congregation but, regardless, I know that the ECO would be a good option for any Presbyterian congregation.

Comment on Denominotions 3 & 4: Which line? by Tim Ferguson

Tim Ferguson — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 20:40:18 +0000

Well said!! …Logically & Theologically Right On!

Tim

Comment on Baptism by chun curtis lin

chun curtis lin — Thu, 06 Oct 2011 19:09:55 +0000

pastor Jim:
thanks for capturing that intimate moment in words… your simple heart of devotion as a dad relinquishing his precious princess to Jesus. I had to choke back tears because I so resonate with what you wrote.

may you experience delight watching Sonoma emerge into a beautiful woman after God’s heart.

c. curtis lin

Comment on About by Todd McIlraith

Todd McIlraith — Sun, 25 Sep 2011 20:28:49 +0000

I hope those of us whose churches bolted for the EPC will not be booed off the site. One can still appreciate Jim Miller’s comments. Even if (in the words of my brother) my church is apostate.

Comment on The Meaning of Minnesota by Case Thorp

Case Thorp — Thu, 01 Sep 2011 00:46:23 +0000

Joe, (with all due respect) you call for renewal in young adult and campus ministries and yet seem to be unable to adopt THE Biblical atonement model presented by New Testament writers? Have you taken the pulse of Cru (formerly Campus Crusade for Christ), Intervarsity, and a whole host of other amazing campus ministries that are dynamically bringing powerful transformation into the lives of young people? They confess a Biblical substitutionary atonement. Why? Because it’s Biblical, it rides with the wind of the Holy Spirit, and it works.

Sure, others have come along since WJB and wasted good ink and time pursuing theological rabbit trails for atonement theories including notions of infanticide (seriously? cosmic child-abuse? when I read that I knew I was wasting my time), moral atonement, and universalism. And look where it has gotten their churches or ministries? I’m sorry, but every Presbyterian (USA) campus ministry I came across in my college days was paltry, pitiful, and more about progressive agendas of the 1960s than about salvation in Jesus Christ.

Theological dialogue, exploration, and articulation within a context has its place. Theological adventurism that drifts from Scripture for the sake of a whole bevy of agendas is dangerous and kills churches (or shall I say denominations?).

Comment on The Meaning of Minnesota by nationaljester

nationaljester — Wed, 31 Aug 2011 20:41:18 +0000

Having actually attended the “Gathering” in Minnesota, perhaps I can help you to understand what really happened.

First was an acknowledgement that each congregation has a specific context or situation it is living in. So a one size fits all solution will not work.

Second, congregations are important. They are the place ministry and mission happen. So actions which harm more than help a congregation should be avoided.

Third, we Evangelicals are facing problems larger than the PCUSA. We are looking at radical shifts in society, where 30 yr old pastors don’t know how to reach 15 yr olds. Membership and Baptisms are declining in our congregations, not just the Progressive ones. If we don’t address underlying problems, leaving the PCUSA will not help.

Fourth, taking one step does not prevent a congregation from taking the next right step later. Moving to a two-Presbytery model may be the first step in leaving the PCUSA altogether for some congregations.

Finally, I saw our Pastors connecting and worshiping as people who have been walking through the desert and have finally found water. They needed to worship, pray, and study together with fellow Evangelicals.

So we are entering a period of dialogue with PCUSA Staff and Executive Presbyters. They may be telling the truth when they say, “we get it.” And they could be telling us bold faced lies. Their actions over the next 2 years will prove things one way or another (2012 GA then voting on Overtures).

Comment on The Meaning of Minnesota by Joe Clifford

Joe Clifford — Tue, 30 Aug 2011 22:06:24 +0000

Part of what the church has been teaching for 2000 years is substitutionary atonement. Scripture speaks of the atonement in many other ways. Justification by grace through faith has many trajectories of teaching through the centuries. In the Catholic tradition, and in some strains of the Protestant Reformation, this was understood to mean the believer’s faith in the atoning sacrifice of Christ. In Calvin, it was Christ’s faithfulness unto death. We are saved by God’s faithfulness embodied in Christ–not by the integrity of our own faith.

What I heard in Minneapolis was a call for “fundamentals” a la “essential tenets.” Those essentials focused on individual sin, and individual salvation only through our faith in Jesus Christ. That is the articulation of early 20th century fundamentalism.

As for 1,900 people who would disagree, I think that group was more diverse than you imagine.