Good is called "Evil" or Evil is called "Good."

Presbyterianism is a system of Church government. It consists of ascending courts that interpret Presbyterian law in order to establish an orderly community where all can grow in their love and knowledge of God. This law is not a set of codes but a constitution. The constitution consists of four documents. The Book of Confessions, a collection of nine theologically doctrinal statements such as the Apostles’ Creed, several Reformation era (16^th century) statements, later, 17^th century summaries of what the Bible teaches about God, and, lastly, some modern statements. All these are understood to be the correct interpretation what the Bible teaches us to believe and to do. The next of the four documents is the Form of Government which applies the teachings of the Confessions to practical processes and standards for right living. The Directory of Worship applies these teachings of the Bible so that we order our worship life faithfully. The Rules of Discipline regulate the way we deal with conflict – either doctrinal or moral error or poorly conducted decision making procedures.

The Church Courts do not take up the task of dealing directly with what the Bible teaches. Rather, they make their decisions based exclusively on how orderly the process was in making a given decision. This is what happens in this most recent and historically significant case. A procedural based complaint was filed against the presbytery because it voted to ordain a minister who was an actively engaged homosexual man. In the court's majority decision we read the following. This is not simply a rumor that the candidate might be homosexual, it is an accepted fact freely admitted.

“During his examination by the Presbytery, the Candidate stated that "in every respect" his relationship with his partner is exactly like a marriage except for procreation, and that he has never taken a vow of celibacy. The Candidate stated at his examination that he believes his manner of life is consistent with Scripture and the Confessions, as well as with the ordination standards in the Book of Order.”

The complaint was based on the section in the Book of Order, Form of Government, which addresses the standards for moral character for a minister. The homosexual candidate makes the issue crystal clear. He is homosexual and it is, in his view, moral to be so.

His presbytery voted to approve him for ordination. A complaint was registered and the court enforced a “stay of enforcement” which suspended his ordination. The highest court in the Presbyterian Church (USA) voted to lift that stay and allow the ordination to proceed. The rationale was that the complaint is “moot” because it was based on a paragraph in the Form of Government that is now deleted and replaced by substantially different language. The members of the commission (court) refused to admit the clear implication that the new language permits what the old language forbade.

Those presenting the case understood that the paragraph in our Form of Government had been deleted so they argued directly from Scripture. After all, all our documents are, supposedly, based on the Bible. This holy document did not persuade the members of the commission. They maintained that proper order does not allow for arguments made on the basis of biblical teaching. This was brought up in a dissenting opinion.

So, we have just voted to ordain an active practicing homosexual man to the office of Teaching Elder. This error has become not merely possible but actual.

If homosexuality is not a sin, then the actions of the court advances humanity by correcting a blatant affront to individual liberty. This would mean that we have heretofore called something that is good, “evil.” If, however, homosexuality is a sin (and I believe Scripture teaches that it is) then we have just called something that is evil, “good.” Someone is terribly wrong.