It appears that the degree of care and organization he puts into his office is quite telling.
Posted on 06/13/2006 9:04:38 AM PDT by WestTexasWend
(Austin) - UT journalism associate professor Robert Jensen has found himself at the center of many debates. This time, the conflict lies over his religious beliefs and membership in a local church.
The Presbyterian church he has been attending since last December was reprimanded Friday for admitting him as a member.
St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church was told by the Mission Presbytery, the regional governing body of 157 Presbyterian churches in South and Central Texas, that the acceptance of Jensen into membership was "irregular." Furthermore, it was "void" because Jensen has said in the past he doesn't believe in God.
"I believe God is a name we give to the mystery of the world that we don't understand," Jensen said.
In a March article that appeared on several Web sites and the Houston Chronicle, Jensen wrote a piece entitled "Why I am a Christian (Sort of)," in which his first line reads, "I don't believe in God."
St. Andrew's was directed to move Jensen from the active roll to the "baptized" roll, making him a non-voting member of the church. St. Andrew's is also ordered to work with representatives to come up with an appropriate process for receiving members in the future. The church may re-examine Jensen's membership after these changes are implemented.
"The whole issue turns on the fact that the Book of Order's only requirement is that a person believe in Jesus as their Lord and Savior," said Terry Nelson, stated clerk of Mission Presbytery. The Book of Order is equivalent to the Presbyterian Church's constitution.
After the decision was rendered, the presbytery motioned to wait 45 days before applying the ruling.
This period will hopefully allow people to cool off after a fierce debate that had both sides using the church's law to make their point, Nelson said.
"I have never seen a presbytery where the stated clerk was put on the spot to know the rules in the Book of Order so much, because every attempt to get around or to abide by the rules was being made," Nelson said.
The Rev. Jim Rigby, pastor of St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church, knew not everyone agreed with the decision to accept Jensen.
"Some people said, 'We want your head on a platter,'" Rigby said. "Jensen's membership was the perfect opportunity to come after us and take out a liberal church."
While on the surface the debate seems to concern Jensen's membership, there is a lot more to the argument, Rigby said.
"Can a modern mind be included in the church, or must we use medieval verbage?" Rigby said. "We are doing this for our children's children. If we don't address the times, we are going to lose a lot of people."
The vote, which may nullify his membership in the church, has nothing to do with whether or not he will still attend the church, Jensen said.
"If my membership is eventually declared null and void, I would still go," Jensen said. "The congregation at St. Andrew's has been very supportive and caring."
This guy typifies the liberal media, after all, he is a "journalism" professor.
He looks like a middle aged woman in that picture.
"Belief in God optional. And try your best to follow as many of the Ten Helpful Hints as you can."
He certainly looks like a woman. Actually he looks like a dyke. All that is missing is a plaid shirt and baggie jeans.
I don't understand why someone who doesn't belive in God would wish to belong to a church or even go to one unless they have some doubts about their own disbelief. Any church has the right to admit or refuse membership based upon their own doctrines. I don't go to my chuch to debate. I go to feed my spirit in Communion but then I'm old school Anglican and nothing much ever changes there except light bulbs.
He looks like a middle aged woman in that picture.
----
Yeah, and how about a smile? Afterall, you now are basking in the glow of the fame that your perfunctory solipsism craves. Or is that just the standard Leftie immature pout? Fecalith.
Jensen craves attention. He got some by declaring himself an atheist and joining a (supposedly) Christian church, and then writing about it in a leftie rag for all his atheist buddies to guffaw about. The "pastor" of the church let him join for similar reasons.
Two more interesting questions are why would any Christians go to this church, and why would the presbetyrians put up with it.
The Methodist Church is eat up with non-Christians who like inflicting their liberalism on the congregation. I often hear people complain about Jesus being "narrow-minded" when He says He is the only way.
It appears that the degree of care and organization he puts into his office is quite telling.
I went to the PCA way back in the late 70's--from Southern Baptist. Didn't understand all details of Reformed theology, but I knew that what they taught was Biblical. I've found myself back in a Baptist church again (conservative, not Southern) but I'm longing to return to the PCA. I've just not found another denomination as solidly Biblical.
That's an excellent point. Our church went through the 40 Days of Purpose program last year and it attracted a lot of "seekers." They will not be allowed to join the church until they accept Christ. But a lot of them have gotten very involved in the life of the church. I think it's very, very healthy.
Verbiage
If you teach them wrong, not only are they still lost, but so are you.
You brought this false doctrine into the ministry...
...and Satan laughed, all the way to the BBQ.
Thanks for posting the pic.
If you look carefully, one of the books behind him is
"What's So Great About America" by Dinesh D'Souza, a fine book by a Reagan-era patriot. The two feet between that book and his brain are probably as close to conservative thought as this prof's ever come.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.