Open letter to the Potomac conference

[B/W Photodude]

 

The following link, while published at Fulcrum7, is not a product of Fulcrum7 but a reprint of an open letter from the congregation of the Gaithersburg church to the conference.

In early July, our church decided to extend an invitation to Pastor Esteban Bohr.  He is a minister who has current credentials and in accordance with church policies is trustworthy to take the pulpit of our church.  However, Pastor Jonás Baca informed us that the Potomac Conference vetoed Pastor Bohr's entry into this conference.  Recognizing that our commitment as children of God is heaven first, we ask for an "It is written."  The Word of God guides the faith to which we mainly abide, our members and leaders asked for a scriptural explanation why a minister in good standing cannot preach in our church. 

https://www.fulcrum7.com/blog/2023/8/21/the-gaithersburg-congregation-sends-an-open-letter-to-the-potomac-conference

[Hanseng]

This debacle is a very strong argument for congregationalism, i.e., the local congregation holding title to its property and assets.

[Gregory Matthews]

As I have previously explained, normally references to Fulcrum 7 are not allowed in this forum.  However, in life, things do not always fit the normal pattern and exceptions occur.  This is an example of an exception that I agree should be allowed, so the reference to Fulcrum 7 article will remain, while the general rule will also continue to stand.

The following is also a link to an article on this issue that has value:

https://spectrummagazine.org/news/2023/hosting-stephen-bohr-creates-chaos-potomac-conference-churches

 

[Hanseng]

“The language of headship is a cultural construct that we impose on the texts”  (Spectrum article). That is an absolutely false statement. "Scholarly" double talk to obfuscate the plain meaning of Scripture. These are just plain facts. Women are weaker than men and Eve was deceived first, leading Adam into sin:

1Pe 3:7  Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with [them] according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.

12  But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence. 13  For Adam was first formed, then Eve.
14  And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression.
15  Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety.

 

"Movements for “entire sanctification” or Christian perfection have appeared on the fringes of Christianity for millennia and modern Protestant versions have emerged, particularly in the mid-19th century in movements such as The Higher Life, and in the early 20th century, The Victorious Life. This perfectionist language was adopted by Adventists, justifying it with various out-of-context quotes from the Bible and Ellen White" (Spectrum article).

Sinless perfectionism in Adventism goes back to J.N. Andrews and his views on the cleansing of the sanctuary. Andrews died in 1883. He made no reference to EGW in his setting forth of sinless perfection in the context of the blotting out of sin and the cleansing of the sanctuary. I doubt that the Keswick Movement did either but I'm willing to learn from someone who actually knows what they are talking about:

“In those days, and in that time, saith the Lord, the iniquity of Israel shall be sought for, and there shall be none; and the sins of Judah, and they shall not be found; for I will pardon them whom I reserve.” Jer.50:20. When these prophetic declarations are accomplished, we shall no longer need an Advocate, Intercessor, Mediator, or High Priest. Our sins will never after that exist even in the record of the court of heaven. Our lost innocence will then have been recovered, and we shall then be like to the angels of God, who walk in their original uprightness. The Judgment. Its Events and Their Order, p11

The solemn announcement, “He that is unjust, let him be unjust still; . . . and he that is holy, let him be holy still, “ is followed by these words: “And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.” The final work of our Lord for the removal of his people’s sins does therefore precede his return in the clouds of heaven to reward every man according to his works. Ibid. p12