Talks On Doctrine

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31652, 11 April 1968, Page 15

Talks On Doctrine

Doctrinal matters which are causing concern in several Presbyterian churches in the Christchurch Presbytery, will be discussed at a special meeting of church sessions at the Knox Church, Bealey Avenue, on May 19.

The conference, which was approved by the Presbytery at its monthly meeting on Tuesday evening, has been arranged as a result of a number of letters from parish sessions expressing concern at the confusion and disquiet surrounding the heresy trial of Professor L. G. Geering last year.

The Rev. R. M. Rogers, convener of the special presbytery committee on matters of doctrine, said that the joining of church sessions for discussion was because of doctrinal controversy not only in New Zealand but as part of a world-wide theological ferment

The conference would be divided into three topics faith, resurrection and immortality—and it was proposed that each session be invited to appoint at least four of its members to attend.

During discussion on the special meeting, the Rev. L. Jones, minister of St Paul’s Presbyterian Church, Cashel Street, said that members of parish sessions should, as Cristian believers, be exercising their faith in Christ by using their own resources rather than depending on what others said.

“How long must we go on tn this matter of helping.” he said.

Mr Rogers said that sesaioos would be encouraged to

use their own resources am to judge for themselves, in spite of assistance from the Presbytery. Mr Rogers said that the recent meeting between members of the special presbytery committee and the Rangior; church session had been oi value to all present and that the Rangiora session was now able to come to terms with the doctrinal situation and tc cope with it from its own re sources.

The Presbytery agreed to reply to a letter from the Hornby session, which also expressed concern over the trial of Professor Geering, informing the session of the special meeting and reminding members that doctrinal matters were more important in this situation than the personalities involved.

In reply to a letter from the session of Cust-Oxford asking that the Presbytery consider ways in which it could act in the current doctrinal discussion, the Presbytery agreed to inform the session of its plans to hold the special meeting. A motion that the steering committee be instructed to

convene a meeting of elders and ministers who were concerned about the current

theological discussions was opposed. The Rev. I. D. MacGregor, of John Knox Church, Rangi-

d ora, who put forward the i motion, also suggested that s the clerk of the General Assembly or some other com- • petent person or persons, be - asked to speak on the conf stitutional issues raised in a connection with confessional f stands, and on matters of doct trine relevant to the sub•t stance of the Christian faith, i “I am concerned as a pasj tor of the church that a house i- divided against itself cannot stand,” said Mr MacGregor.

Several members said that they doubted the value of two meetings, one on constitutional issues and the other for church sessions on doctrinal matters. The Rev. G. F. McKenzie said that the great value of the May meeting could perhaps be destroyed by a second gathering.

Mr Rogers said that there was doubt whether the church at large was really disturbed at constitutional matters. The fundamental matters were theological ones, he said.