Studies & Actions
of the General Assembly of
The Presbyterian Church in America
[27th General Assembly (1999), 27-44,
III, Recommendation #13, pp. 174-175.]
RESOLUTION REGARDING HOMOSEXUAL AGENDA
13. That OVERTURE 22 from Westminster Presbytery, "Warning Regarding
Homosexual Agenda," be answered with the following:
"That the 27th GA respond to Overture 22 from Westminster Presbytery
by reference to the statement of the M5GA, 1977, pp. 67-68 (cited
below) and this General Assembly and with the following statement:
Given the serious threat that sexual perversion generally, and
homosexuality in particular, represents to young people in our
society, the congregations of the PCA are encouraged to study
the Scriptures, to pray for God's mercy and truth to triumph in
the lives of people involved in or affected by homosexuality,
to speak and act pastorally on behalf of our children, and to
direct further questions and concerns within our churches to those
within our denominational circles especially able to assist them,
such as Harvest USA. And that the General Assembly encourage sessions
to warn parents of the homosexual agenda being promoted through
the agency of government schools."
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[The above text constitutes the official resolution
rendered by the 27th General Assembly. The text excerpt immediately below
was also referenced in the Minutes]:
Excerpt from the M5GA, 1977, pp. 67-68:
"Overture # 11.... Be answered in the affirmative:
Whereas, God has plainly spoken of homosexuality in his Word, denouncing
both the act and the desire as sin, condemning this perversion as unnatural,
a degrading passion, an indecent act, an error, an abomination, and hence
worthy of death (Lev. 18:22, Rom. 1:26-32); and
Whereas, we recognize, that God's righteous judgment is upon those
who approve of such detestable acts, as well as those who practice them;
and
Moreover, whereas God has clearly stated that the condoning of
homosexuals along with murderers, immoral men, kidnappers, liars, perjurers,
and all other unrighteousness is contrary to sound teaching (1 Timothy
1:11, Peter 3:14-18);
Therefore, be it resolved that the General Assembly encourage Christians
to recognize their responsibility to petition the powers that be such
men and women who practice, approve, or condone any of these activities
not be invested with the authority to teach in schools or be in a position
where they can influence our nation, which professes "In God we trust."
8. Resolution #7 be answered in the affirmative:
"..That the 5th GA of the Presbyterian Church in America affirm the Biblical
position for our denomination which states that: 1. The act of homosexuality
is a sin according to God's Word; 2. Churches should actively seek to
lead the homosexual person to confession and repentance that he might
find justification and sanctification in Jesus Christ, according to 1
Cor. 6:11; and 3. In light of the Biblical view of its sinfulness, a practicing
homosexual continuing in this sin would not be a fit candidate for ordination
or membership in the Presbyterian Church in America." "
Adopted as amended
[The General Assembly's 1999 resolution (see above)
was in response to Overture 22 from Westminster Presbytery, the text of
which is provided below]:
OVERTURE 22 from Westminster Presbytery, "Warning Regarding Homosexual
Agenda"
Whereas, the Scriptures that are recorded in the Old Testament
condemn homosexual relations and that these condemnations are directly
from God the Father to Moses (Leviticus 18:1, 22, and Leviticus 20:1,
13); and Whereas, the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah were destroyed
because of the moral corruption of homosexuality (Genesis 18 and 19);
and
Whereas, the New Testament shows willful and ignorant abandonment
of God and His laws leads to complete moral corruption and that one of
the outgrowths of this moral corruption is the homosexual life style (Romans
1:18-32); and
Whereas, Paul in his letter to the Church at Corinth listed homosexuals
(among others) as people who shall not inherit the Kingdom of Heaven,
however, Paul gives homosexuals (as well as others) a wonderful message
of hope in this passage "such were some of you." (1 Cor. 6:9-11); and
Whereas, the Gay and Lesbian community has focused their efforts
on recruiting and changing the opinions of our young people and children
of this nation to accept and defend the homosexual life; and
Whereas, the Gay and Lesbian Community has sought and obtained
inroads into public and private education, Therefore Be it Resolved, that the Presbyterian Church in America requests the churches in this
denomination to inform and warn the members of their congregations of
dangers of the homosexual agenda in the schools. Be it further resolved,
that the congregations be informed of the possible use of the video, "It's
Elementary: Talking About Gay Issues in School," and that this video will
possibly be aired on Public Television in June 1999.
Also, Be it Resolved, that the Presbyterian Church in America is
committed to biblical standards and urges its congregations to apply those
standards in appropriate fashion.
Adopted at the Spring Meeting of Westminster Presbytery on April 10, 1999.
Attested by: /s/ Larry E. Ball, Stated Clerk |