Is it just me or does it seem a bit hypocritical for a Presbyterian Church in America elder to complain about folks refusing to attend their "reformed" churches? The last PCA I attended was predominated by Arminian members. The pastor had the audacity to say that Roman Catholics are "Christians" and "saved" and had no need for conversion to the Gospel of grace. When Mr. William H. Smith can demonstrate that the Federal Vision error, Auburn Avenue, error, and the New Perspectives on Paul error has been eradicated from the PCA maybe we might take him seriously. As it is, the PCA is just another Reformed denomination that has gone down the road to broad evangelicalism and accepting Armininism as a viable "optional" gospel. Unfortunately, the Synod of Dort called it what it is: heresy.
Can You Go to Heaven without Being a Church Member? (Or, The Curious Case of A. W. Pink)
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Moses dwelled for quite some time in the land of Midian, apart from his "church", but he never forgot where he belonged. Perhaps there are many good excuses for separation, but hating the brethren is not one of them. I find nothing excusable in A.W. Pink's attempt to go it alone.
I find nothing excusable in false unity and ecumenicalism. The PCA, OPC, and the ARPC have for all practical purposes become semi-Arminian at best. The ARP has some congregations that are liberal. And the OPC and PCA have major problems with the Federal Vision error.
Arminians are not "brethren". They are damnable heretics on the same order as Roman Catholics. Salvation is either by grace alone through faith alone OR salvation is by faith PLUS obedience/faithfulness/works. If the latter then the Gospel no longer exists.
Separation is called for when the local congregation/church/assembly has become so corrupt that the two Gospel sacraments are no longer properly administered and the Gospel is no longer rightly preached.
That would rule out the vast majority of local churches since the sacraments are not duly administered nor is the Gospel being rightly preached. A proper administration of the sacrament of the Lord's Supper includes a general/collective confession of sin and an absolution. It would also include the proper elements, namely wine (not grape juice) and unleavened bread.
The only option therefore is to plant a new church or to simply separate. I will do what God calls me to do. If the Lord is willing I will plant a new church in my area.
I might add that I will not be a part of any Anglo-Reformed movement that tolerates the heresies of Arminianism, Amyraldianism or Tractarianism.
Peace,
Charlie
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