One of the more interesting news items has been that of our region -the American Baptist Churches of the Pacific Southwest beginning to separate from the "Mother Ship", also know as the ABCUSA over the issue of Biblical Authority with respect to homosexuality. In simplistic terms the ABCUSA, despite having an official policy condemning homosexual practice as contrary to Christian teaching, has permitted openly homosexual individuals to serve in leadership positions and allowed "welcoming and affirming" (AWAB) pro-homosexual churches to remain in cooperating relationship with the denomination despite their having been "kicked out" of their regions for their practices.
The deeper issue is not the pro-gay side versus anti-gay, but rather a sharp difference on biblical authority. The folks in the PSW see the national board as rejecting the ultimate authority of God's Word and replacing it with (substituting) "soul competency" and local autonomy.
For some in-depth analysis of the issues involved, I direct you to my former pastor, Dr. Dennis McFadden's blog.
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