This was a Letter to the Editor in response to a Religion Article by the retired Reverend:
Regarding the article by the Retired Reverend on Unbelieving Clergy, he suggests that if the church was not so judgmental, the clergy could be more honest about their unbelief. He also mentions the problem of choosing a vocation, going through seminary, finding out you don’t believe (perhaps seminary is the problem) and then not being prepared to do anything else, so they take positions in pulpits. I find it ironic that he finds the problem is with the Church being judgmental, not with lying clergy.
There is room in the Church for doubt about God’s will in a particular circumstance. Nobody expects Clergy to have all the answers. The expectation is that the starting point is Jesus as the risen Savior, and God’s Word. I noticed that you have had some responses in the Letters to the Editors to his article, bringing theological points of views. I hope my response will be a little simpler.
In the Gospel of John, Chapter 10, verse 1 to 18, Jesus is telling the parable of the Shepherd and the Flock of Sheep. It is accepted that the Flock is the Church, the Shepherd is Jesus (and today His representative is the Priest or Pastor).
In verse 11, Jesus declares “I am the good (chief) shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.”
In verse 9, Jesus says “I am the gate, whoever enters through me will be saved.” In verse 10, “The thief (Satan) comes only to steal and kill and destroy”.
In verse 1, Jesus says “I tell you the truth, the man who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate (Jesus), but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber.” In other words, if you come into the sheep pen (the Church), and have not entered through the gate, which is Faith in Jesus, then He calls you a “thief and robber”.
Hence, unbelieving Clergy who lie and stay in the pulpit deceives the church (which is the body of Christ on earth), and show that they are in league with the Devil (the Thief), heaping Judgment on themselves from a Holy God that they do not believe in.
In verse 18 Jesus says “I have authority to lay it [my life] down and authority to take it up again.” The Lamb of God, our risen Saviour who died for our sins.
We worship a merciful God, who is quick to save, not counting men’s sins against them. All He requires is repentance and Faith in the One He sent.
As for unbelieving Clergy, they would have been better off flipping burgers for a living. As it is, they will have to give an account for all the souls who sat under their counterfeit ministry.
Bless the Lord, oh my soul, and all that is within me, Bless His Holy Name. (Psalm 103:1 KJV)