Paganism at the Re-Imagining Conference 1993

Editorial
May/June, 1994
Volume 29, Number 3

 

In this issue of the BRF Witness you will read about the Re-imagining Conference held in Minneapolis, Minnesota in November, 1993. The women who gathered at Minneapolis set out to re-imagine God, the church, and the family. The whole Conference applauded heresy and celebrated blasphemy. Some of the statements were in extremely poor taste. For example, speaker Delores Williams referred to the biblical account of the conception of Jesus by saying that “the Holy Spirit mounted Mary.” But even more appalling than the poor-taste-statement was the applause and laughter which followed.

Many basic doctrines essential to the Christian faith were repudiated at Minneapolis, often in an atmosphere of disrespect. These include the doctrine of God, the deity of Christ, His atoning death, the sinfulness of humanity, the Genesis account of creation, the authority of Scriptures, and the biblical understanding of human sexuality.

The entire Conference was an assault on the Gospel and a trampling under foot of key tenets of the Christian faith. The new religion promoted at the Re-imagining Conference soundly rejected the incarnation of Jesus, as well as His atonement on the Cross. The reporter in the Minneapolis Star Tribune, said that the conference leaders were “re-shaping the Christian understanding of [the] foundations of theology.” Participants and speakers alike angrily denounced the Christian church, charging that its teachings about Jesus Christ constitute the chief source of women’s oppression, human violence, racism, sexism, classism, and the abuse of the earth.

Faye Short, in the United Methodist Good News magazine, says that the Conference speakers praised every imaginable religion or spirituality except orthodox Christianity, and recognized the power of every deity except Jesus Christ.

It is our belief that most Church of the Brethren members would respond with shame and dismay if they had an opportunity to hear the tapes of the speeches, seminars, and celebrations which took place in Minneapolis.

–HSM

The WCC Solidarity with Women

Minneapolis Conference

November 4-7, 1993

Near the end of 1993, more than two thousand delegates met in Minneapolis for what was called the Reimagining 93 Conference. The delegates were primarily national leaders from mainline denominations associated with the World Council of Churches. The attendees included more than twenty members from the Church of the Brethren. The Conference grew out of The World Council of Churches Decade of Solidarity with Women. The Church of the Brethren Annual Conference in 1988 voted to support the WCC movement which aims to elevate the status of women. (It was at this Conference that 20 women and one man from the Church of the Brethren announced that they could no longer use the word “Brethren” and presented a new name for the denomination. They chose to call it the “Church of Reconciliation”).

The agenda of the Minneapolis Conference, however, went well beyond the commonplace themes of women’s equality. The speakers seemed set to try and destroy the traditional Christian faith–by adopting ancient pagan beliefs and rejecting the divinity of Jesus and His blood atonement on the Cross.

THE ATONEMENT OF JESUS CHRIST

Delores Williams, a professor at Union Theological Seminary in New York, told the group, “I don’t think we need a theory of atonement at all…atonement has to do so much with death…l don’t think we need folks hanging on crosses, and blood dripping, and weird stuff…we just need to listen to the god within.” Another speaker, Virginia Mollenkott, who serves on the National Council of Churches commission to prepare an inclusive language lectionary, claimed that the death of Jesus was the ultimate in child abuse. She said that the commonly accepted view of Christ’s atonement pictures God as an abusive parent, and Jesus as an obedient child.

The Minneapolis Conference trampled under foot the Gospel of salvation through the work of Jesus Christ, and attempted to reconstruct the Christian faith without the offense of the cross.

THE ALL-ENCOMPASSING GOD

Speaker Chung Hyun Kyung drew many of her ideas from Eastern pantheistic religions, in which God is an all-encompassing energy force uniting and permeating all that exists. Chung led the delegates in an exercise that she called “pranic healing,” and said that “this life-giving energy came from god and it is everywhere; it is in the sun and in the ocean; it is from the ground and it is from the trees…lf you feel very tired and you feel you don’t have any energy to give…go to a big tree and ask [the] tree,’Give me some of your life energy.’”

The religion promoted in Minneapolis was New Age pantheism and monism, in which a universal divine energy permeates all matter. This world-view looks at the material world, including human beings, as sacred and divine. At one point, the participants were led by Aruna Gnanadason in putting red dots on their foreheads. The red dots were to represent the divine within them. Then they bowed to each other, that is, to the divinity within human beings. (Throughout the Conference, music leaders repeatedly led the group in singing, “O great spirit, earth and wind and sea, you are inside and all around me.”)

THE UNDERSTANDING OF FAMILY

Speakers at the Minneapolis assembly tried to re-imagine the family by suggesting “sex among friends,” and proposed that such activity should be considered normal and appropriate. They declared that sexual pleasure is “a human right” and implied that fidelity in marriage is a kind of old-fashioned idolatry.

Mary Hunt, co-founder and co-director of the ‘Women’s Alliance for Theology, Ethics, and Ritual,” sensed a need to reinvent the family.” She suggested that we “imagine sex among friends as the norm” and that we substitute “friendship as a metaphor for family.” She told the audience further to ‘imagine valuing genital sexual interaction in terms of how it fosters friendship and pleasure.” She said that “pleasure is our birthright, of which we have been robbed in religious patriarchy…responsible relational sexuality is a human right.” In addition, she said, ‘I picture friends, not families, basking in the pleasure we deserve because our bodies are holy and our sexuality is part of creation’s available riches.”

THE WORSHIP OF GODDESS SOPHIA

One of the most disturbing aspects of the Minneapolis gathering was the worship and adoration paid to Sophia. The Greek word for “wisdom” is “sophia,” and the name “sophia” is a feminine name. At the Re-imagining Conference, as each speaker took the podium, she received a chanted blessing from the entire assembly. The women chanted, “Bless Sophia, dream the vision, share the wisdom dwelling deep within.”

Those who promulgate Sophia-worship claim that they are using “Sophia” as just another name for God, and that they are simply trying to show that there is a female side to God. From their point of view, God must no longer be referred to by male names alone. Speaker Barbara Lundblad raised a few eyebrows when she declared that she “did not need Jesus” as long as she had Sophia.

The new teachings about Sophia are actually drawn from the apocryphal books of Baruch, Sirach, and Ecclesiasticus. The only place in the entire Old Testament where wisdom is personified is in the early chapters of Proverbs. And these chapters make it clear that the literary device of personification is being used, and that there is no intent to view “wisdom” as a divine creator god or goddess. The ‘wisdom” of Proverbs 1-8 does not speak of a Hebrew goddess who supports 20th Century feminism, but instead, refers to that sound course of action which urges us to cling to important principles for living that will bring blessing to human life.

A closing communion service was replaced with a service of milk and honey, and prayers and songs addressed to “Our Maker, Sophia.”

A leader sang,’Our mother Sophia, we are women in your image; with the milk of our breasts we suckle the children…”

The audience sang in refrain, “Sophia Creator God, Let your milk and honey flow. Sophia, Creator God, shower us with your love.” The leader continued,’Our sweet Sophia, we are women in your image; with nectar between our thighs we invite a lover, we birth a child; with our warm body fluids we remind the world of its pleasures and sensations.”

The crowd responded, “Sophia Creator God, Let your milk and honey flow…”

THE CELEBRATION OF LESBIANISM

As if pantheism and debunking Jesus were not enough, an added insult included the celebration of lesbianism. The lesbian theme was heard repeatedly from major speakers. During a workshop entitled “Prophetic Voices of Lesbians in the Church,” one speaker said that the biblical Mary and Martha were not actual sisters, but lesbian lovers. One presenter at the Conference concluded her speech by declaring that her theology is first of all informed by “making love to Coni” her lesbian partner. At least ten of the 34 speakers at the Minneapolis Conference identified themselves as lesbians.

In an unscheduled rally, one speaker said, ‘My name is Melanie Morrison, and I am co-convener of the CLOUT Council. CLOUT stands for ‘Christian Lesbians Out Together.”‘ This announcement was followed by applause. Morrison said, “We are keenly aware that the world is not safe for lesbian women, and often the least safe place is the church.” She asked, “How can we together re-imagine our churches so that every woman may claim her voice, her gifts, her loves, her wholeness?” Then Morrison said, “We invite at this time, every lesbian, bisexual, and transsexual woman who is willing and able, to come forward, quickly, and encircle this podium, facing out as a circle.” About 100 women went forward, and as they came forward, applause erupted and lasted for 1 1/2 minutes.

As far as we know, no Church of the Brethren members had part in planning the Re-imagining Conference. However, the question that keeps annoying us, is: Why should the Church of the Brethren continue its membership in the World Council of Churches when time after time unorthodox programs are promoted as valid activities of the church?

The men and women in Church of the Brethren congregations across the denomination should denounce what took place at the ReImagining Conference. It is important that many voices be heard. If anyone doubts the accuracy of what is reported in the foregoing paragraphs, the 24 official tapes of the Minneapolis Conference can be ordered for $60.00 from Resource Express (612)-891-3069.

— HSM

Renewal Leaders Respond to Re-Imagining 93

During the latter part of the 19th Century and the early decades of the 20th Century many church leaders in America embraced modern theological ideas. The entrance of the new stream of liberal theology into the thinking of many mainline denominational officials led to the formation of movements of renewal and protest in most major denominations. Brethren Revival Fellowship has been one of those movements. The issues confronting the renewal movements are remarkably similar. The topics include the need for a vigorous stand on biblical trustworthiness, for a resurgence of prayer and spiritual growth, for a strengthening of the personal evangelism component in home and overseas missions, for a clear biblical standard for sexual ethics, etc.

A fellowship of renewal group leaders (Association of Executives of Renewal Groups) from mainline denominations has been meeting annually since 1979. The 1994 meeting was held at The Holy Spirit Centre in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. The entire agenda for the 1994 meeting focused on the “Re-imagining” Conference held in Minneapolis in November, 1993. The Association of Executives of Renewal Groups has been reluctant to issue any statements in behalf of the representative constituencies. However, there was unanimous agreement concerning the need to make a statement about the substance of the “Re-imagining” Conference. The following statement was released to Christianity Today, The Christian CenturyTime magazine, and the Associated Press in New York.


CHURCH RENEWAL LEADERS

RESPOND TO THE “RE-IMAGINING” CONFERENCE

American and Canadian renewal leaders from mainline denominations meeting March 13-15, 1994 in Hamilton, Ontario, expressed profound concern regarding a recent feminist conference planned, funded, and attended by members and leaders of mainline denominations.

Beginning with the premise that Christianity needed to be reformulated, 2,000 women gathered to re-imagine God, the Church, and the family. The fourday ‘Re-imagining” Conference was held November 4-7, 1993 in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

The renewal leaders declared the conference a trampling under foot of the Christian gospel, an attempt to reconstruct Christian faith without the offense of the cross.

The event included prayers and a “milk and honey” communion-like service to the goddess Sophia. In addition, speakers denied basic Christian tenets including the incarnation and atonement of Jesus Christ, and the transcendence of the God of Israel.

Some speakers proposed that God is one with trees, mountains, and rivers; and one speaker urged conference participants to harness divine energy in nature through the New Age process known as “pranic healing.”

Participants also joined in a celebration of lesbianism, bisexuality, and transsexuality. Other conference speakers denounced the traditional family structure and proposed the acceptance of sex among friends as a normative expression.

Renewal leaders issued the following statement:

“We call upon all Christians to reaffirm their faith in God the Holy Trinity–the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit; and to confess that Jesus Christ is God’s Son, the risen Lord and only Savior.

While affirming the contribution and role of women in the Christian Church throughout the ages, we call upon the participants and supporting denominations to renounce the idolatrous worship, false teachings, and syncretism of the ‘Re-imagining’ Conference.

We affirm the full and sufficient revelation of God in Christ through the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments and that the Christian faith is a gift of God and not a human invention to be reformulated or reimagined.”


The above statement was signed by Harold Martin (Church of the Brethren); Richard Bowman, Kevin Ray (Disciples of Christ); Roger Boltz, Todd Wetzel (the Episcopal Church); Tom Brock, Toni Freer, Tom Parish (Evangelical Lutheran Church); Susan Cyre, Diane Knippers (Institute on Religion and Democracy); Barbara Byron, Greg Collison, Harold Kurtz, Betty Moore, Terry Schlossburg, Parker Williamson (The Presbyterian Church USA); Steve Beard, James Heidinger, Ron Houp Jr., Faye Short (The United Methodist Church); and nine members of renewal movements in the United Church of Canada and the Presbyterian Church of Canada.

In 2023, Brethren Maine Missions (BMM) purchased the Building Materials Exchange.  The Last Sheaf Building Materials Exchange provides exposure and connection with the community of Lisbon while offering a variety of new, used, and salvaged building materials, tools, and supplies at greatly reduced prices.

Why “The Last Sheaf?”

The Last Sheaf is a reference from the Bible where God says:

When you reap your harvest in your field, and forget a sheaf in the field, you shall not go back to get it; it shall be for the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow, that the Lord your God may bless you in all the work of your hands.

Deuteronomy 24:19 (NKJV)

Links:

  • https://lastsheafbme.org/

Highlights:

   GOD is faithful! The sun shines and GOD is with us, the rain comes down and GOD is with us.

 

   Since we’ve taken ownership of the Last Sheaf BME, we’ve made roof repairs, insulated the ceiling, repaired walls, etc. There were times it felt like every step we took there was another thing to fix. 

 

   We have two people on staff (Craig Keeney and Peter Bucher) assisted by a tremendous team of volunteers. We work together to make repairs, do pricing and inventory work, assist customers and more.  Interacting with and helping customers is the highlight of our day. People come with material needs; they need product to build or repair their home. People come with spiritual and emotional needs, as well. We purpose to get to know the individuals who come through our doors in order to share hope, truth, and love.

 

   One individual who had visited the Last Sheaf a couple of times was loud, large, and in charge. He had a “Goliath” personality. He made me quake in my boots a little (maybe a lot). His language was at times not appropriate anywhere, but especially not in a public place. One day he was standing right beside me and was about to speak that which I did not want to hear.  In a very quiet voice, I called him by name and before I could say any more, he apologized and said, “You are right. I shouldn’t be talking like that.”  Then he launched into a spiritual conversation with me. I was totally taken off guard by the change. He has been a different person ever since. Now he is more like a “David” personality. I now look forward to opportunities to speak with him.

 

   Donations of products/materials as well as finances are always appreciated, but the prayers of the saints are as vital a need to the work at the Last Sheaf, as anything.

Just as in biblical times the last sheaves of grain from a harvest were to be left behind to benefit the needy, we are taking leftover building materials, tools, and supplies and making them available at greatly reduced prices to those in need.

Our Mission:

Our mission is to benefit low-income homeowners, and to reduce waste in the environment by repurposing surplus building materials, enabling low income homeowners to better maintain their homes.

THE BOOK OF DANIEL

Captivity… Dreams… Rulers… Fire… Lions… Prayers… Kingdoms. From a dedicated youth to a faithful sage, Daniel’s life stands as an example to follow.  Yet beyond his personal life, God gifted Daniel with a message of future events.  Though difficult to grasp, these events would shape the world for the coming Messiah and the Second Coming of Christ as King.

STUDIES IN LUKE

Luke presents a warmly personal and historically accurate account of Jesus as “the Son of Man.” This course will survey the Third Gospel, with emphasis on the unique events, miracles, and parables of Jesus found in it.

HISTORY OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH

This class will provide a broad overview of general church history. We will then focus on the Anabaptist and Pietist movements, especially as they relate to the formation and development of the Brethren groups. This is a two-part class. Plan to take both parts.

ONE FOUNDATION

This course is intended to lay down a measure in a world where truth is slippery and often subject to interpretation. Where “Christian Values” become a political slogan, and “good people” are our allies despite their faulty core beliefs. Where Facebook “friends” post memes about the power of God, despite a lifestyle that is anything but Godly. In the process we often fight among ourselves, doing Satan’s work for him. The purpose of this course is to lay the measure of Jesus Christ against the cults, religions, and worship in our contemporary world.

THE APOCRYPHA

While Protestant translations of the Bible contain 66 books, the Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Churches recognize additional canonical books as well.  Where did these books, collectively known as the Apocrypha, come from and why aren’t they part of our Bible?  How reliable are they, and what value is there in studying them?

STUDIES IN 1 AND 2 PETER

The goal of this class is to acquire a firm grasp of the teachings and themes of these two general epistles. Peter covers topics from salvation and suffering to spiritual deception and the return of Christ. These letters are packed with warnings and encouragements for Christian living.

THE GREAT I AM’S OF CHRIST

A detailed study of Jesus Christ and His relationship to the “I Am” metaphors in John’s gospel. Why did Jesus describe himself in these terms? How do they relate to each other? We will look at spiritual and practical applications to further our Christian growth.

JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES: AN AMERICAN CULT

Have you ever been visited by someone who said they wanted to study the Bible with you so that you might discover the truth together?  Jehovah’s Witnesses claim to have much in common with evangelical Christians, and they seem to be well versed in the scriptures.  But what do they really believe and how can we effectively witness to those who have been ensnared by this false religion?

THE BOOK OF HOSEA

While we may consider Hosea as one of the minor prophets, his message vividly illustrates the major doctrine in all Scriptures.  The theme of God’s unconditional love is magnified and extended beyond those deserving it.  God expresses tender words towards His erring people inviting them to turn from sin to reconciliation with Him.

CHURCH LEADERSHIP AND ADMINISTRATION

This course will look at basic principles and polity of leading the local church. We will examine the balance between upholding a spiritually focused organism of ministry and cultivating proper order for effective organization. Practical applications will be emphasized. This is a two-part class. Plan to take both parts.

STATEMENT OF CONDUCT

The Brethren Bible Institute believes in the discipline of the whole person (spirit, soul, and body). We will aim to train students not only about how to study the Bible in a systematic way (2 Timothy 2:15), but also how to live soberly and righteously and godly in this present world (Titus 2:12). God calls Christians to the highest of character when He commands us to be holy (1 Peter 1:15), and holiness requires discipline.

Indulgence in the use of tobacco, alcoholic beverages, drugs, profanity, and gambling are forbidden at BBI. Objectionable literature will be prohibited. Students are asked not to use the college pool during the Institute. Each student must be thoughtful, and respect the rights of others at all times, especially during study and rest periods.

A friendly social group intermingling of students between class periods, and at general school activities is encouraged. Each student should enjoy the friendship of the entire group. At all times, highest standards of social conduct between men and women must be maintained. This means that all forms of unbecoming behavior and unseemly familiarities will be forbidden.

Personal appearance and grooming tell much about one's character. Students are expected to be dressed in good taste. In an attempt to maintain Scriptural expressions of simplicity, modesty, and nonconformity, the following regulations shall be observed while attending BBI.

MEN should be neatly attired and groomed at all times. Fashion extremes and the wearing of jewelry should be avoided on campus. The hair should not fall over the shirt-collar when standing, nor should it cover the ears.

WOMEN should wear skirts cut full enough and of sufficient length to at least come to the knees when standing and sitting. Form-fitting, transparent, low-neckline, or sleeveless clothing will not be acceptable. Slacks and culottes are permitted only for recreation and then only when worn under a skirt of sufficient length. Wearing jewelry should be avoided on campus. Long hair for women is encouraged and all Church of the Brethren girls (and others with like convictions) shall be veiled on campus.

The Institute reserves the right to dismiss any student whose attitude and behavior is not in harmony with the ideals of the School, or whose presence undermines the general welfare of the School, even if there is no specific breach of conduct.

The Brethren Bible Institute is intended to provide sound Bible teaching and wholesome Christian fellowship for all who desire it. The Bible School Committee worked hard and long at the task of arriving at standards, which will be pleasing to the Lord. It is not always easy to know just where the line should be drawn and we do not claim perfection. No doubt certain standards seem too strict for some and too loose for others. If you are one who does not share all these convictions, we hope you will agree to adjust to them for the School period, for the sake of those who do. We are confident that the blessings received will far outweigh any sacrifice you may have to make. If you have a special problem or question, please write to us about it. To be accepted as a student at BBI, you will need to sign a statement indicating that you will cooperate with the standards of the School.