( See follow up letter by Kenneth Burge, reporting the responses by ministers to this letter)
J. Kenneth Burge 720 N. Pine Valley Road Winston-Salem, N.C. 27106 (336) 724-1086
September 27, 2002
To: All Ministers and Board of Elder Members, Moravian Church or America, Southern Province
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
In accordance with my promise of 7/19/02, in my letter of concern I would like to share with you the responses I have received which were as follows:
1. Fifteen (15) ministers including one (1) bishop responded that they believe the practice of homosexuality is a sin as specified in scripture . 2. Two (2) minister responded they believe the practice of homosexuality is a sin as specified in scripture but requested they not be included in the poll since they were concerned the poll might cause division. . 3. Three (3) ministers responded, but refused to take a position. 4. One (1) minister responded that he approved the action taken the 2002 Synod of the Northern Province . 5. Eighty-five (85) ministers and bishops did not respond. 6. Nine (9) unsolicited laypersons from various congregations responded and gave some of the most encouraging witnesses for scriptural integrity that I received.
I would like to thank all of those who did respond, since it has helped me to better understand where our Moravian denomination stands scripturally. I apparently have been naive in thinking for many years that our Moravian denomination had retained its dedication to scriptural truth and standards as articulated in the old "Brotherly Agreement" and as practiced by our forefathers. I’ve always thought our motto, “In essentials, unity; in non-essentials, liberty; and in all things, love" , was very profound and descriptive of our scriptural position. Now I see we have made it a farce. Things previously taught as the essential tenets of our faith, i.e., the centrality and Lordship of Christ, the inspiration of scripture, defined sins (homosexuality, abortion, divorce, drug and alcohol use, etc.), are unceremoniously changed from "essentials” to "non-essential", and things defined as sin by God are unilaterally declared by resolution to be left to the individual's personal belief and action, which implies either position is acceptable to God. God says, "Woe to those who call evil good and good evil" ( Isa1ah 5: 20) and "He who justifies the wicked and he who condemns the righteous, both of them are an abomination to the Lord" (Proverbs 17'15) .God will hold each of us accountable as He did Ezekiel if we refuse to share His Word with any unsaved person (Ezekiel .3:17-19, .3.3r7-9). Christ has given each of us the same commission to share His Word with the lost (Mark 16:15-16). The greatest love we can express toward any sinner is to show them what God, not we, says about their sin and the consequence thereof. We should be be more concerned about the sinner's eternal damnation than about political correctness in placating and appeasing the lost in the unconfronted belief that his/her sin is acceptable to God. To those who chose not to participate in the poll because they felt it would divide members are correct. Hebrews 4:12 tells us that God's Word is sharper than a two edged sword and will divide. However, it on1y divides those who seek to adhere to and obey God's Word from those who seek to change and circumvent God' s Word. Jesus was very explicit about keeping His Word as follows:
1. We cannot experience a saving relationship with Him and reject His Word (Luke 6:46). 2. If we reject His Word, we reject Him and we will be judged by His Word (John 12:48) . 3. We cannot be in conformity with Him and the world at the same time. (Matt. 6:24). 4. We are either for Him or against Him (Mark 9:40). There is no middle ground. .5. If we do not abide in the teachings of Christ, we do not have God (2 John 9).
c
