new church life: september/october 2014
His disciples consuming others in this way, and instead
taught that even those who sin against us or who are our
enemies must be loved. The many societies in heaven make
one by love, even though their perspectives on truth differ.
He encouraged us to remember that we are known to be
the Lord’s disciples if we love one another.
The Rev. Alain Nicolier’s paper: “Is the Gentilisation
of the World a Prerequisite for the Descent of the Holy
City?” He said he had spent 33 years in Burgundy – where
Mr. Nicolier touched
on the idea that the
Catholicism once thrived – trying to get the doctrine
gentile state is a fertile
across in the traditional way but with little success. So he
one for the implantation
moved to the Druidic Pyrenees in southern France and
of genuine truths.
took a different approach.
Now, avoiding mention of his own religious background at his pamphlet
table in the marketplace, he begins with the terminology and concepts people
already have and brings light and order from the Writings into it, guiding
them to the visible God – the Lord incarnate.
Mr. Nicolier touched on the central doctrine of his paper, which is that the
gentile state is a fertile one for the implantation of genuine truths. There are
truths among non-churched people, and spiritual life can be taught by means
of their moral life, just as the angels do with people arriving in the spiritual
world from gentile nations.
Membership: A proposal by the Membership Committee to amend
its procedures was ratified. One significant change is that when the Bishop
determines that a minister is not fit to serve in the priesthood because
of disorder, the committee can now suspend council
membership and its privileges until final membership
status can be determined when the whole council meets.
Discussion on Women in the Priesthood: Bishop
Peter Buss Jr. set the stage for our discussion of the doctrine
bearing on women in the General Church priesthood. He
said there is a call for leadership by the priesthood over an
issue facing the Church. Since there are many perspectives
and deep-seated feelings, he encouraged continuing our
personal preparation to come to these meetings with an
Bishop Peter Buss Jr. set
affirmative attitude and a willingness to hear different
the stage for our discussion
perspectives and engage in open dialog.
of the doctrine bearing
on women in the General
He said that in determining our best understanding
Church priesthood.
of the Word as a clergy, we need to converse in a way
that allows us to hear what the consensus is, and not divide into camps. He
reminded us that at these meetings we will not seek a particular conclusion or
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