Reformed Presbyterian Minutes of Synod 1993

94 1993 MINUTES OF THE SYNOD OF THEto show that promoting temperance for the right reason (the MediatoriaKingship of Jesus Christ over the bodies of all human beings) is aworthwhile and unique contribution we can and should make in this area.2. What is the purpose of Synod' s Temperance Committee? What toolsare available to this committee? Must those of us Uving "the SeparatedLife" avoid all the findings of science, medicine, and personal tragedies aswe seek to advise the church? Are the Greek and Hebrew manuscripts theonly resources we are permitted to use? Furthermore, are we to lead orfollow the church in temperance considerations? Without a clear statementof purpose formulated by Synod, members of this committee are bound todisappoint many. We await your directions.3. What is this church' s position on drug and alcohol use and abuse? Weurge Synod to develop a clear statement, from which this committee mayformulate a charter with goals and objectives. We were shocked to leamthat some elders felt our January mailing contained teachings contrary tothe doctrine of the R.P. Church! The Dear Elder booklet contained strong"total abstinence" arguments regarding beverage alcohol, but the authorbelieved he was bolstering church doctrine, not contradicting it. As adeacon and licentiate, he is under abstinence vows; if anything, the bookletwas an attempt to justify cunent church practice.The author's copy of the RP Testimony, Section 26 declares that "it isaltogether wise and proper that Christians refrain from the use, sale, andmanufacture of alcoholic beverages." To him, that seemed to be a strongabstinence statement. If this is not the intent or understanding of Synod,please clarify. If to refrain is wise and proper, but not to refrain is also wiseand proper (similar to the decision to attend a baseball game tonight or not. . . both could be wise and proper), then this meaningless sentence inSection 26 should be struck from church law and order. Our everreformingchurch must be above political language of appeasement;instead, let our yes be yes and our no be no.Recommendation1. That printing, mailing, and phone expenses be paid from the SynodMiscellaneous Fund.Respectfully submitted in serviceto the God of our souls and bodies,John M. McFarlandThe report of the Committee on Finance was taken up. Item 1 wasreferred to the Nominating Committee. Marcia Siebring was extendeda rising vote of thanks for her service on the Committee onFinance. Items 2-18 were adopted. The report as a whole was ap-