Less than half of Christians in the largest Presbyterian denomination in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) believe Jesus Christ is the only way to salvation, a new survey reveals.
The latest “Religious and Demographic Profile of Presbyterians” report, released by the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), shows that two in five (39 percent) members agree or strongly agree that “only followers of Jesus Christ can be saved.” Fewer pastors (35 percent) agree or strongly agree. Meanwhile, 45 percent of elders at least agree.
Among members, only 43 percent disagree or strongly disagree that “all the world’s religions are equally good ways of helping a person find ultimate truth.”
At the same time, majorities of members (60 percent), elders (68 percent), and pastors (66 percent) at least agree that “the only absolute truth for humankind is in Jesus Christ.”
The findings are from the initial survey of the 2009-2011 Presbyterian Panel. Questionnaires were sent to more than 5,000 Presbyterians in the PC(USA) in October and November 2008. Those who responded will serve on the panel for three years. The first panel was created in 1973 to collect information about the practices, beliefs, and opinions from both clergy and laity.
Results of the most recent survey come as the PC(USA) experiences continued losses in membership. A number of congregations have left over the past decade with some citing disagreement with the 2001 decision by the denomination’s highest legislative body not to affirm the “singular” saving Lordship of Jesus Christ. Though in 2002 the General Assembly adopted the language, it left out a critical statement: “Although we do not know the limits of God’s grace and pray for the salvation of those who may never come to know Christ, for us the assurance of salvation is found only in confessing Christ and trusting Him alone.”
Although salvation through Jesus Christ is true for the Presbyterians, they can’t say that it’s true for everybody, the Rev. Dr. D. Dean Weaver, who leads a network of dissident Presbyterians, has noted.
Another issue that has rocked the PC(USA) is the ordination of partnered homosexuals.
The denomination’s 173 presbyteries are considering a proposal to delete the requirement that clergy live in “fidelity within the covenant of marriage between and a man and a woman, or chastity in singleness.”
According to the Presbyterian Panel, nearly 40 percent of members and nearly half of pastors reject the proposal. A simple majority vote by presbyteries is needed to defeat the proposal and early poll numbers show the required majority has already been filled.
Other results from the PC(USA) survey show that one in six members and fewer ministers believe the Bible is to be taken literally, word for word. Forty-six percent of members and 61 percent of pastors say the Bible is the word of God, to be interpreted in the light of its historical and cultural context. Around one in three lay people and pastors say the Bible is the word of God, to be interpreted in the light of its historical context and Church teachings.
Notably, less than half of members (44 percent) say they had a “conversion experience,” or when they experienced a turning point in their life by committing themselves to Christ.
by Lillian Kwon
Jesus taught, “…every city or house divided against itself shall not stand…” Matt. 12:25
If the “leaders” of this denomination cannot agree, it is no wonder that those under them are uncertain;
The bible doesn’t support both positions as they are opposite tenets.
Does the Bible state that Jesus is the ONLY way of salvation or not?
Does the Bible condemn homosexuality as sinful or not? Romans 1:18-32, esp. verses 24-27.
18For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;
(TRUTH IS ABSOLUTE; NOT RELATIVE) IT CAN BE HELD IN UNRIGHTEOUSNESS…
19Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.
[GOD WAS ONCE KNOWN]
20For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:
[THE CREATION BEARS EVIDENCE OF A CREATOR (DESIGN IMPLIES A DESIGNER)]
21Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.
[AGAIN MAN ONCE KNEW GOD BUT GLORIFIED HIM NOT AS GOD...HE BECAME VAIN IN HIS IMAGINATION; AS A RESULT, HIS FOOLISH HEART WAS DARKENED]
22Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,
[THIS IS WHY HE BECAME A FOOL]
23And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.
[HE CHANGED THE GLORY OF GOD INTO A CORRUPTIBLE BEING, AFTER HIS FOOLISH IMAGINATION'
24Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves:
[FOLLOWING THE LUSTS OF HIS HEART, IT LED TO DISHONOR...LUSTS HAVE TO BE RESTRAINED; AND THEY CAN BE.
25Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.
AGAIN, TRUTH EXISTS; IT WAS REVEALED TO MAN BY GOD]
26For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature:
THIS EXPLAINS WHAT HOMOSEXUALITY IS; A CHOICE MADE BY MAN WHO DOES NOT CONTROL HIS LUSTS]
27And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet.
[THAT WHICH IS 'NATURAL' IS CLEAR]
28And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; [HOMOSEXUAL LIFESTYLE IS A CHOICE; YOU ARE NOT BORN THIS WAY; THIS IS WHAT THE BIBLE TEACHES]
29Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers,
30Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,
31Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful:
32Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.
[HOW COULD THE BIBLE BE CLEARER?}
Man once knew God and honored Him as God; but CHOSE to go against his maker’s will; he received the recompense of his reward for such futile decisions.
No person or group or people have any right to “legislate” and change what the Bible says about Jesus as the only source of salvation; nor about their “stand” on marriage, divorce, & re-marriage.
While these teachings are not forced upon anyone; their worth is seen in their source and consistency – - – in other words, the Bible does not contradict itself!
Teach it correctly (‘rightly divide’ – 2 Timothy 2:15) and mankind will be benefited, not harmed.