by Robert A. J. Gagnon, Ph.D.
Pittsburgh Theological Seminary, gagnon@pts.edu

I am a professor at a Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) seminary. Let’s suppose I make the following announcement in a class at the start of the term:

Class, you are, of course, obliged to follow the requirements for classroom behavior and work outlined in the Seminary’s Student Handbook. I won’t take up class time by enumerating these. You are responsible for reading the Student Handbook so that ignorance is no excuse. However, among all the requirements listed therein I will single out one in particular for special mention: If you are caught cheating on an exam in this course or plagiarizing in your term paper you will not merely receive a failing grade for this course but, in accordance with Student Handbook policy, be subject to “immediate dismissal by action of the faculty.” So don’t do it. Enough said. Let’s move on to more pleasant subjects.

Suppose that, after making such an announcement, a student concluded: “Dr. Gagnon has given us no clear indication that he regards compliance with the code of academic honesty as an absolute essential for the course.” Could this be regarded as a reasonable interpretation of my action in singling out the Seminary’s policy on cheating and plagiarism from amongst all other requirements? I would suggest that no sane person interpreting my words reasonably could possibly come to such a conclusion.

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January 4, 2008

I don’t get it.

Heartland Presbytery approved three motions. First, it removed the Rev. Kirk Johnston from its rolls, making him no longer a Presbyterian Church (USA) minister. That’s draconian.

Second, it deleted the just-removed Rev. Johnston from its rolls again, just for good measure, I suppose. Isn’t that like killing a man twice? Once would seem overly sufficient to me.

Third – and this one makes no sense whatsoever – Heartland Presbytery voted that “any further pastor or ministerial activities by A. Kirk Johnston (G-6.0200) in connection with ‘Lighthouse Presbyterian Church of Paola’ or any other worshipping community within the geographic bounds of Heartland Presbytery – including, but not limited to, preaching, leading worship, or the administration of the sacraments of baptism or the Lord’s Supper – is disapproved.”
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This ministry is needed now more than ever to lead theologically and biblically. As we await Jesus’ Second Coming in the fullness of time, we are called to heed the Scriptures, “Therefore, beloved, since you look for these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, spotless and blameless” (II Peter 3:14). Being ready to greet the coming King requires diligence on our part in allowing the Holy Spirit to live Jesus’ life through us, conforming us more and more to Jesus’ character, spotless and blameless, like the Lamb himself, whose blood washes away our sins (I Peter 1:9).

To what extent can that be said about us? To be sure, none of us is perfect. We are human all of us, sinners forgiven in Christ. Our justification before the Father is secure through Christ’s victory over sin and death in the power of the Holy Spirit. Sola gratia.

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by Randy Jenkins

Oh, the things they don’t teach you in Seminary! I never set out to change my denominational affiliation, but when the Lord opens doors we must go through them. This is the story of how I went from a born and raised northern Presbyterian to a member of the Evangelical Presbyterian Church to a member of the New Wineskins Evangelical Presbyterian Church Presbytery.

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As I write this, two significant events are before me that shape the context of my reflections. First and most important, is the Celebration of our Savior’s Resurrection. Everything we do followers of Christ is in light of that transcendent reality. Jesus Christ has been raised from the dead, sits at the right hand of the Father and has fulfilled His promise by pouring out the Holy Spirit to empower His followers to worship Him (in Spirit and Truth) and to be His witnesses (to Jerusalem, Judea and the Ends of the Earth).

The second event that is immediately before me flows out of the first and greatest event. Because of Jesus’ risen and ascended life, and the Holy Spirit’s leading and empowering, I will board a plane and fly Resurrection Sunday afternoon to Kenya.

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