Greetings,<\/p>\n
This is pure, unvarnished, and unapologetic
\ncommentary. It is my opinion based on my observations so take it
\nfor what it is worth.<\/p>\n
You may have noticed that up to this point I have
\ncompletely avoided reporting or commenting on the controversial book,
\n“Christian Faith and the Truth Behind 9\/11” by David Ray Griffin and
\npublished by the PC(USA) publishing arm Westminster\/John
\nKnox Press. In the event you have been fortunate enough to avoid
\nthe controversy about this book it’s thesis is that the current US
\nadministration is COMPLETELY responsible for the 9\/11 attacks in a
\nmassive conspiracy and cover-up. While this involves the PC(USA)
\nat the national level, it is not really a GA or polity topic and I have
\nseen no reason to address it. That will probably change at the
\nnext GA, but if I am still blogging in San Jose I’ll address it then.<\/p>\n
What I want to use this as an example of is the
\ninstitutional culture of the PC(USA) and how the values of the
\ndenomination’s mind set have, not just now but for many years now,
\nseparated the denomination’s leadership from the “average church
\nattendee.”<\/p>\n
One of the things that American Presbyterians have always
\nprided themselves on is the intellectualism of their faith. The
\nPresbyterians were leaders at building schools, colleges, and
\nseminaries. Presbyterians are know for their requirement that
\ncandidates for the ministry are well educated including learning both Greek and Hebrew. We are a
\nwell educated and well trained group in the leadership.<\/p>\n
Many of the controversies in the PC(USA), including
\nthis one, have begun in this lofty, “ivy covered,” environment.
\nIt is the attitude of “academic freedom” and the intellectual
\ndiscussion of ideas. Some would say it is also a reflection of
\nthe “liberal” nature of colleges, universities, and seminaries today
\nand can point to the fact that the book’s author, Dr. Griffin, is on the faculty of the
\nClaremont School of Theology in Claremont, California. (A United
\nMethodist seminary for the record.)<\/p>\n
I often sit and wonder, does the leadership of the
\nPC(USA) realize that only a small minority of their 2-Million-ish
\nmembers understands this academic culture? This is where the
\nPC(USA) comes across looking irrelevant and out of touch. If your
\naverage person can not understand the corporate culture of “acadamania”
\nthen how will they react when they see something like the Trinity study
\nor this book coming from the highest levels of their
\ndenomination. The leadership may understand Greek and Hebrew, but
\nthey do not understand how the average church member views their
\nintellectual pursuits and they can not, or do not, find ways to
\nproperly communicate to the average member that these intellectual
\nexercises come from a different culture. Until the lines of
\ncommunication can be properly cleared so that the leadership and the
\naverage member can at least understand each other the denomination will
\ncontinue to get controversial press coverage and looks of disbelief
\nfrom most of their members.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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