At the same time, however, without any specification or qualification, he denounces partisans “left and right of center” for holding views that are “idolatrous for their adherents” (Feb. 4); and then he labels liberals as merciless, exclusivist militants (Feb. 11). His stated aim is to help to free the task force from the baleful influence of advocacy groups so that it can hear the message of a faithful “third force.” This wholesale condemnation of those who have organized to reform the church hurts rather helps the task force’s prospects.
What will help the task force make progress on its difficult assignment?
Trust. The task force cannot succeed unless Presbyterians of all parties extend to each other fundamental respect for motives of those with whom they disagree. Vigorous criticism of ideas and actions is good Reformed practice. Condemnation of the intentions of opponents is not. Scripture reminds us that we are not the judges of God’s other servants. No one, including the editor of The Outlook, has the capacity to look into the hearts of fellow Christians and determine whether they worship God or idols. It is critical for the task force’s work that the whole church, center as well as left and right, stop trading personal accusations. They undermine the credibility of the task force, which includes leaders of organizations that have been branded faithless and idolatrous. Much more serious, they obscure the love of the church and deep faith that can be found on all sides and that are the building blocks for the task force’s work.
Fairness. The task force cannot succeed unless Presbyterians judge proposals of ideas and principles on their merits rather than by their political origins. In the first editorial, Bullock caricatures the views of the left and right “sides” in a single sentence each; in the second, he indicts all liberals for the same alleged crimes. This tactic — portraying a vast assortment of Presbyterians who share one or more opinions as a unanimous political bloc in order to dismiss all their ideas and values — is inaccurate and unfair. In fact, each segment of the church is a congeries of diverse views and strategies.
The task force is charged with finding good ideas and solid values to undergird the integrity of the church. Almost certainly some of both are lurking in every sector. It makes no sense to pronounce worthless whole groups and viewpoints — including those of all liberals and conservatives who have been working hard to strengthen the church. The task force needs the opposite: encouragement from the church to search everywhere, without fear or favor, for sound ideas and helpful practices, and then to sort among them, without prejudice, in the light of our sense of God’s call to the church.
We Reformed Christians know that our best ideas are mixed with error and our best efforts marred by sin. But we also know that the Spirit of Christ moves in us and among us, reviving and inspiring wherever God wills. I, like many others, have heard God’s word and felt God’s Spirit in surprising places, not only in the midst of allies on my “side” but also among opponents and those who don’t care about the same issues I do.
Thanks to the reconciling work of God, the task force is privileged to serve a church, which, though troubled and torn, has something to gain from all its parties, sides and strata.
I hope that The Outlook, rather than ruling out entire wings of the denomination, will join in affirming the faith and hopes of the whole church. It is from the wisdom and good will given by God to all of us that the peace, unity and purity of the church will be forged.
Posted April 10, 2002
Barbara G. Wheeler is president of Auburn Seminary and an elder in Peniel church, Granville, N.Y.
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