To: The Daily Advertiser
Dear John Sullivan,
After almost two years in Acadiana, Lafayette Presbyterian Church (PCA)
is changing its name. With works in progress in New Iberia and Church
Point, Lafayette Presbyterian has decided to reflect this effort in its new
name: Acadiana Presbyterian Church. The name change is effective this
Sunday (15th) with a Visitor Sunday emphasis and Fellowship Lunch to
celebrate. It is the beginning of many things. We will begin to preach
through the book of Romans on Sunday mornings; a book so important in
the history of the Western World. And we have published the first volume
of our magazine, "Taking Every Thought Captive," twenty four pages of
the best writing America has to offer.
The Church Point effort began early in the summer after a member of
Acadiana Presbyterian Church began sharing his comprehensive
world-life view with his friends in the area. The fire flamed quickly and
soon many people were asking for more training! Now there is an
average of twenty-five meeting in a rented church building every Friday
night for a thorough explanation of the Christian world and life view, by
expounding Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount. The effort is named Acadiana
Presbyterian Church of Church Point and is meeting at 510 N. Sylvia, 6:30
on Friday nights.
New Iberia is a work just beginning in the home of a member of
Acadiana Presbyterian Church with ability to expand to a larger meeting
place. The same work and enthusiasm is evident in New Iberia revolving
around a comprehensive Biblical world and life faith. The Acadiana
Presbyterian Church of New Iberia is meeting every Tuesday night at
7:00. Just call for directions.
These efforts are born out of the hard work of members in Acadiana
Presbyterian Church of Lafayette. We are aggressively putting forth the
Biblical view of Family, Church, and Society. If you are interested in
personal, familial, and societal revival and reformation, give us a call at
234-3569. Or, join us for worship Sundays at 10:00 at Westminster
Christian Academy 105 Patriot, (across from Randol’s) Lafayette.
Sincerely,
Rev. Marcus Rench
Acadiana Presbyterian Church, PCA
203 Suffolk Ave.Lafayette, La. 70508
318-234-3569
To: The Daily Advertiser
Dear Sir,
I read John Sullivan’s August 9 article titled, LIFE ON
MARS? PASTORS ACCEPT POSSIBILITY AND GOD'S PART
IN IT. And...well, I was disappointed with the lack of perception
on the part of our local Pastors. Of course, when a reporter
interviews he edits as he sees fit. Taking that into consideration
however, not one Pastor questioned the ‘scientific’ finding, rather
they assume what has been reported is true. The report is basically
this: a ‘scientist’ while taking a walk in the area of Antarctica trips
over a rock. In a bumbling daze he perceives the rock is from,
where else, Mars! He then breaks the rock into pieces to discover:
my favorite bacteria Martians.
Now, how did NASA recognize this rock’s space traveling
history? The ‘scientists’ used a high-tech procedure to give the
rock a fancy autopsy. Okay, they cut it to pieces. And, while
carefully dissecting the rock (in the back of a Lincoln Continental?)
they discover microscopic bacteria from - eek - Mars! Is it just me
or is anybody else wondering when was the last time a highfalutin
Ph.D. saw an ameba from Mars? Or is it common knowledge alien
bacteria have the ability to expel jet fuel which allows the little
worms to defy gravity and flee their harsh planet? Then ending up
on a planet where the IQ is so low they will be able to take over in,
say, about four years. ARGH!
NASA must stand for Not As Smart As you people think.
How do they know it is from Mars?! How do they know it was 3.6
Billions years ago?! How do they know the little maggots landed
here 13,000 years ago?! It is speculation upon speculation derived
from the false faith of Evolution. And our Pastors fell for it -
double ARGH!
Sincerely frustrated,
Rev. Rench
Lafayette Presbyterian Church
To: The Daily Advertiser
Dear Editor,
Regarding your question (July , 24) concerning time limits being
imposed on welfare aid. As a Pastor I would like to respond. In
answering this question Americans must ask another question,
`What is the responsibility of the State?' And, Americans must
realize too that the Bible speaks directly or indirectly to all of life.
So, we must look to God's inspired Word to find out the proper job
description of the State.
Romans 13:1-7 is, of course, the classic passage on the
subject. There we see very clearly that the State is, "...God's
minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil."
(V. 4, NKJV). The State, according to God's Word, is to punish
criminals and that is the extent of the job description in summary
form. Other details can be fleshed out by looking at the rest of the
Bible.
So, the question you ask is `time limits?' Your question
shows your Statist assumptions. How about asking, `Should the
government be involved in welfare?' The answer from the Bible is
an emphatic NO.
But, Americans have been duped into a Statist perspective.
We, by default, think the government ought to do something for
everyone in everything. Just read what is at the top of this page.
Not only is there an inability to articulate (state education?), but it
shows a Statist faith, a belief that the State is our god, that the
Federal, State, Parish `infra structures' can give us a better life.
That is not what the Bible teaches nor is it what our founding
Fathers thought.
There was a time when `the government' was minuscule.
E.g. allow me to inflame the passions of Statists' by picking on their
sacred cow: Public (State) education? - the Bible is clear: parents
and the Church are to educate, not the State. You say, `But, but,
but...how would our kids....?' Well, the State can't dole out
welfare, do you think it can educate? Again, there was a time in
America when the State was not involved in education and literacy
was at 98%. And the kids had character too, imagine that!
Finally, it is time for all in Lafayette to get off welfare, to
quit looking to government and to look to the Bible for their rule of
faith and life.
Looking forward to your next question,
Pastor, Marcus Rench
Lafayette Presbyterian Church
203 Suffolk Ave.
Lafayette, La. 70508
234-3569
To: The Daily Advertiser
CC: The Times
Dear Editor,
In your August 7 edition, Carl Tritschler wrote convincingly that
the Republican Party ought to be Pro-life in its platform. I would
like to respond to Mr. Tritschler's letter by explaining why ALL of
America must adopt the Biblical position on life. The sixth
commandment says, "You shall not murder" in Exodus 20:13.
After which, Moses in chapters 21 and 22 gives us case law in
order to understand the application of the Ten Commandments.
And in Exodus 21:22-25 the status of the unborn baby is given, “If
men fight, and hurt a woman with child, so that she gives birth
prematurely, yet no harm follows, he shall surely be punished
accordingly as the woman's husband imposes on him; and he shall
pay as the judges determine. But if any harm follows, then you
shall give life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand,
foot for foot, burn for burn, wound for wound, stripe for stripe.”
In that short paragraph the unborn baby is clearly regarded as life!
And, we in America and the world must submit our thoughts,
beliefs and actions to God's Law. Whether they are personal,
familial or societal. If we do not, we stand under the curse and
judgment of God.
Sincerely,
Rev. Marcus Rench
Lafayette Presbyterian Church
203 Suffolk Ave.
Lafayette, La. 70508
318-234-3569
Dear Editor, 12-5-96
In reference to Cardinal O’Donnel’s comments on the TV news
last night (12-4) regarding Homosexual ‘marriages’. I was
disappointed. While attempting to defend the marriage institution
he gave credence to Homosexual partners. Saying, there should
be a commitment, but not marriage. I wonder if he has forgotten
what the Bible says regarding this ‘lifestyle’?
The Bible is very clear regarding Sodomy in both the New and
Old Testaments. Leviticus 18:22 and 20:13 condemns such
behavior by both men and women as an abomination. (Leviticus
18:22 'You shall not lie with a male as with a woman. It is an
abomination.) In both chapters after the condemnation of sodomy, bestiality immediately condemned as well. The grouping together
of both these sins shows the perverted nature of the homosexual ‘lifestyle’.
The New Testament is equally descriptive of this sinful delusion.
The Apostle Paul under Divine inspiration writes about this sin in
Romans 1:26-27 and calls such behavior as "vile" and "shameful".
Later in 1 Corinthians 6:9 Paul gives a list of those who will not
inherit the kingdom of God. Homosexuals and sodomites are
included in this list ("Do you not know that the unrighteous will not
inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither
fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites,").
In order to protect the marriage institution we must look to the
Bible as our rule of faith and life. And that infallible guide gives us
the marriage institution as the paradigm, while condemning any
perversion of it.
Those who call themselves Christians must refer to homosexuality
as the Bible does. Calling those who are caught in that sin to
repentance and faith in Jesus Christ.
Sincerely,
Pastor Marcus Rench
Acadiana Presbyterian Church
To: The Vermilion
CC: President of USL, Dr. Ray Authement
Dear Editor, 12-9-96
I recently read your editorial column in your December 6, issue. And as
a Pastor I would like to respond to View Point and the letter by
Mr. Bennett. When the Gay-display was brought to my attention I was not
surprised given the state of higher education since the 1960’s. One thing
you can be certain of on a University campus, that is everything is
relative. This religion of relativity is intolerant to any other rival faith
as demonstrated in your paper in the case of the honorable Mr. McGowen
and the rude treatment given him.
First, the Bible is clear regarding homosexuality. It is sin. The Creation
account is clear; male and female is the paradigm (Gen. 1:27-28). God
created mankind as male and female with the obvious physical capacities
to couple within the bounds of marriage for the pleasure of one another (1
Cor. 7:3-4) and to procreate.
The Genesis account of Sodom in chapter 19 is, once again, a clear
condemnation of a city given over to this sin. It was judged and
destroyed in the wrath of God. God’s holy law also condemns the
practice of homosexuality, whether between males or females, in Leviticus
18:22; 20:13 (Cf. Ex. 20:14; Rom. 1:26). In fact, anyone who disobeys
the Law of God is under His curse (Deut. 28). Thus the necessity of
redemption so that men may be saved and delivered from wrath and
judgment!
The New Testament also condemns the sin of homosexuality in many
places. Most prominent is the passage in Rom. 1:28-32 (Cf. 1 Tim. 1:10).
The Bible is clear - homosexuality is sin. Sin is defined in the Bible as
thebreaking of God’s Law. 1 John 3:4 (Cf. Rom. 3:20) says, "Whoever
commits sin also commits lawlessness, and sin is lawlessness." But, I
don’t expect this to be received amongst University folks who claim to be
pluralistic. In their feigned ‘openness’ they are adamantly opposed to the
Biblical faith. They are willing to consider anything but that which rejects
their own position. So, in fact, a University campus can be a
most intolerant environment.
Anticipating the shallow slogan that is often spoken in opposition to the Biblical faith and was given in Mr. Bennett’s letter e.g. "it is all about
love". Let me define what true love is. Again the Bible is clear when the
Christian community is confused over this issue. Rom. 13:10 (Cf. Gal.
5:13-14) says after quoting several of the Ten Commandments, "Love
does no harm to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment ofthe law."
Yes, Biblical/Christian love is to fulfill the Law of God. So, Mr. McGowen
is acting in a lawful manner (therefore most loving) in prophetically calling
in general USL and specifically the ‘Gay’ community to repentance and
faith in Jesus Christ. The Christian community ought to be opposed to all
that opposes God’s Word. Unfortunately, the Church today is without
strength and is failing in its proper function to call society to conform to
God’s absolute standard. The Church should also use the language of
the Bible when it refers to sin. Words that retain the immoral connotation
such as: "Abomination," "Perversion," "Vile," "Shameful," "Debase."
Rather than the words that are chosen because they are devoid of
immoral connotation such as the word ‘Gay’.
I also want to address something that Mr. McGowen wrote in expressing
his lack of malice to anyone personally. He wrote "Our Lord loves the
sinner but hates the sin - so do I." Although, this really is a peripheral
matter in his letter it is pertinent to Mr. Bennett’s condition. Our Lord i.e.
the God of the Bible hates sin and also hates the sinner. Psalm 5:5 is
clear, "The boastful shall not stand in Your sight; You hate all workers of
iniquity." (Also, Hos. 9:15; Mal. 1:3; Rom. 9:13; Psa. 11:5; Cf. Isa. 61:8;
Jer. 44:4; Rev. 2:6, 15). That is why all men need to be saved from the
wrath of God (Jn. 3:36). For if God loves them, then redemption,
salvation, deliverance would not be necessary.
Not only does God abhor evil but, He teaches us to do the same. Mr.
Bennett mentioned King David, yet David writes in Psalm 139:22, "I hate
them with perfect hatred" (Cf. Psa. 45:7; 97:10; 101:3; 119:104; 119:113,
128; Prov. 8:13; Amos 5:15). But that doesn’t mean Christians are to treat
reprobate and vile sinners improperly, rather we demonstrate godly hate
by denouncing their sinful behavior and true love by treating them lawfully
(Matt. 5:44).
Now, I offer to those at USL who read this letter my sincere help in
explaining the way of salvation, thereby averting the wrath of God, and
exhorting them in overcoming this despicable sin.
In conclusion I commend Mr. McGowen in his effort to confront sin.
Finally, I would ask those who claim to be in the Gay (read reprobate)
community that they refrain from hateful, disgusting communication with
me, as you have done to Mr. McGowen. But then, how can I ask the
dishonorable to do the honorable thing!
Sincerely,
Pastor Marcus Rench, B.A., MDiv.
Acadiana Presbyterian Church, PCA
cc
President, Dr. Ray Authement
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