Resolutions For Watering Down Nazarene Doctrine At The General Assembly

In my last post, I covered what looks to be a troubling situation coming out of the Nazarene church leadership in Holland.  https://reformednazarene.wordpress.com/2017/05/30/sodom-and-gomorrah-and-the-church-of-the-nazarene-in-holland-is-there-any-difference/

A pastor admitting to blessing same sex relations, the belief that homosexuality is not a sin, and the intent by the Holland leadership to make serious changes at the General Assembly have been exposed. The five papers they have produced over the last several years clearly indicate the advancement of a position on homosexuality that is contradictory to Biblical teaching.  I hope to have all five documents translated for your review before the end of the General Assembly.  You will be able to make your own conclusions as to the direction of the Holland Nazarene churches, and what they plan to try to impose on the rest of the denomination.  (Document #1 (“Starting Over”) is available here as I have completed that translation.  I have highlighted some phrases in red for emphasis).  PART 1 Holland Nazarene paper_Starting Over

There are also a few troubling resolutions to the Nazarene Manual which, if passed, will further weaken the Church of the Nazarene and bring it a step further towards full acceptance of homosexual relations as being in line with Christian doctrine and the erosion of other doctrines.  One of them is from Holland, and another is from the New England District.  Both are very similar, and both are attempts to create a further gray area in the statement on human sexuality.  It is not so surprising from Holland, given the state of moral decline overall in that nation.  But apparently, the leadership of the New England District, and those who voted for this resolution’s submission, are aligned closely with Holland’s attitude towards homosexuality, and are determined to water down Scriptural authority.  New England has often been called a “dark place”, and this is further evidence of the lack of discernment in this district.

Holland’s Resolution
CA-701a

In Resolution CA-701a, the Holland District proposes to strike two paragraphs:

[Sexuality misses its purpose when treated as an end in itself or when cheapened by using another person to satisfy pornographic and perverted sexual interests. We view all forms of sexual intimacy that occur outside the covenant of heterosexual marriage as sinful distortions of the holiness and beauty God intended for it.

 [Homosexuality is one means by which human sexuality is perverted. We recognize the depth of the perversion that leads to homosexual acts but affirm the biblical position that such acts are sinful and subject to the wrath of God. We believe the grace of God sufficient to overcome the practice of homosexuality (1 Corinthians 6:9-11). We deplore any action or statement that would seem to imply compatibility between Christian morality and the practice of homosexuality. We urge clear preaching and teaching concerning Bible standards of sexual morality.]

Their reasoning is similar to the New England District’s reasoning, plus some added excuses.  They say that “the complexity of homosexuality and the tension it causes in churches deserves more and careful attention than a concluding paragraph in a section article on human sexuality.”  This is all an attempt to water down biblical doctrine, and reflects their approach and false teaching in their five documents that are available on their websites.  It is clear that the Holland Nazarene District’s goal is to be allowed to have full acceptance of practicing homosexuals into the church.  I am afraid many of them are already in full acceptance, and if so, they all need to leave the denomination if they refuse to repent.  If this watering down resolution passes, it will be further evidence of the moral decline in the Church of the Nazarene.

New England District’s Watering Down
CA-701b

In Resolution CA-701b, the New England District proposes to strike one paragraph:

[Homosexuality is one means by which human sexuality is perverted. We recognize the depth of the perversion that leads to homosexual acts but affirm the biblical position that such acts are sinful and subject to the wrath of God. We believe the grace of God sufficient to overcome the practice of homosexuality (1 Corinthians 6:9-11). We deplore any action or statement that would seem to imply compatibility between Christian morality and the practice of homosexuality. We urge clear preaching and teaching concerning Bible standards of sexual morality.]

Their reasoning is that it adds nothing to the previous passages in the current statement on human sexuality.  And yet, in an era where homosexuality is praised and accepted in so many church denominations today, one would think that a clear statement such as this is absolutely necessary to remain!  This is nothing but politics, and is a capitulation to the radical homosexuality movement.  It would be a grave error to water down any further the Nazarene statement. Instead, it ought to be reinforced and made as clear as possible where the church stands on homosexuality.  This proposal is weak, cowardly, and lacking in wisdom.

I don’t know if the two districts have collaborated on these resolutions, but they are almost certainly kindred spirits in their intent.  It has been an embarrassment to see the New England District in decline the last 10 years, and to see a district leadership weak and non-responsive to those members who have expressed concerns over the years.  Instead, church leaders are themselves promoting ungodly stances on serious doctrinal matters.  It is an indication that they are being very compliant with the goals of the radicals in the church, who have been promoting a changing view of biblical sexuality, which is in error.

The Board of General Superintendents Resolution
CA-701_BOG

I believe this is the best resolution, but I also believe it is a watering down of the original.  You can make your own conclusions on it.

Other Resolutions

Sanctity of Human Life: In Resolution CA-714, The Mid-Atlantic District is proposing the deletion of an entire statement on the sanctity of human life, replacing with a new version.  Reading it carefully, this resolution seems to be another attempt to water down the seriousness of the issue, and allow for a more liberal gray area regarding abortion.  I believe this is also a tragic mistake and another capitulation to those who are in favor of abortion.  You can make your own judgment on this as you read the resolution.
CA-714

Creation:
CA-719
In Resolution CA-719, the North Arkansas District is proposing that t be amended to include this critical statement:

“We are open to scientific explanations on the nature of creation”

This statement opens the door completely to allow the ungodly view that evolution is a mechanism that God used to create Adam and Eve, and everything else in the universe.  This again is an error that should not be allowed to be inserted, although the acceptance of evolution by prominent theologians and pastors in the Church of the Nazarene has been well accepted throughout the denomination.  It is truly sad when church leaders cannot accept the clear historical account of creation, because they themselves cannot understand everything fully.  Thus they turn to their own imaginations and rationale, all of which is based on a lie from Satan.

This is all tragic for the Church of the Nazarene.  It is encouraging that the Southwest Indiana District has submitted a resolution that strengthens the statement on marriage, and there are several other strong resolutions. But these that I have mentioned will further weaken the church, and bring it even closer in line with the other denominations that have fallen into apostasy.