Dear Editor:

Paul C. von Wedel challenges me in his letter on two points: (a) whether there really is a tradition of ambiguity in the PC (USA) and (b) the value of an individual's walk with Christ.

To address point "a" I refer him to the Auburn Declaration written in 1923 when a similar conflict was going on between fundamentalists and those of a more liberal persuasion in the Presbyterian Church. The Witherspoon web site has some good background on this that can be found at:

Being that I was born in 1957, this declaration was affirmed 34 years before that, and I did not become a Presbyterian until 1981, in my own view I would consider the 1923 delaration a tradition and not something new. In fact as noted by Mr. von Wedel the Confession of 1967 affirms this line of thinking that apparently continued through the years.

G-2.0500b in the BoO states it best: "Thus, the creeds and confessions of this church reflect a particular stance within the history of God's people. They are the result of prayer, thought, and experience within a living tradition. They serve to strengthen personal commitment and the life and witness of the community of believers." And so the Confession of 1967 is a part of that living tradition.

For point "b" regarding the value of an individual's walk with Christ, I can only think of Martin Luther, the founder of the Protestant Reformation. While I certainly will not consider myself in the same league (I'm sure that some are relieved to hear that :-) ), I do believe Martin Luther set this fine example. Martin Luther challenged the beliefs and teachings of the institutional church that persumed itself to be infallible even though it was made up of fallible humans. Luther's challenges came not just from his reading of the Word for even the institutional church knew the Word quite well. But I think it certainly had to come from his understanding of it as inspired by the Holy Spirit and thus his walk with Christ his Savior. If I'm not mistaken this is the very transformation Luther brought about in Christendom as to the value of the individual believer and the direct line of communication, trust, and faith we have in the living God through Christ. Without this realization the words have no meaning at all and a result is a dead faith.

So I have to admit that I simply cannot understand how believers in Christ can simply dismiss the experiences and reality of God other believers have as if they are of no relevance? What's the point of being a believer in the first place?

I thought Mr. Koster answered my letter quite well in the importance of connectivity and see how I did not address how that relates. In fact I have to state these facts. First of all despite the unfortunate circumstances that took place in June I remain an active member of Mount Auburn Presbyterian Church. For I do still value the sense of community we have there and our dedication to remaining part of the PC (USA) denomination. For I and others who have remained there certainly still see the denomination as an instrument of good in Christendom and the world. And we realize the importance of our having an active role in that and making our own thoughts and beliefs made known as well as hearing that of others. If we didn't believe that we would certainly all be gone by now!

For me personally I had my moments in the past where I was not part of any faith community. And despite my still having a belief and awareness of God, this just doesn't hold water on its own. So I can't even bear the thought today of being a lone soul out there without the support, inspiration, and challenges I get from other believers in Christ. For it seems to me that while it is good to have opinions based on what I have experienced and learned, it is good to be challenged as well. For if one doesn't feel challenged whether it be an individual or denomination, but just content to go with the flow and have no dialog, I think there is something amiss. So I guess that is why I personally still see the PC (USA) as a place for me to be for now. And I continue to appreciate this and other forums where dialog continues even though it may be unsettling for some as well as myself at times.

Yours in Christ,