The New Calvinist Takeover of Southwood Presbyterian Church: Part 26; Some Questions for the Southwood “Ruling Elders”
Dear Southwood ruling elders,
In your letter to the congregation (which you posted on the World Wide Web), you say that Larroux’s theology has been fully vetted by the Presbytery and found to be in accord with the Westminster Confession, and the larger and shorter Catechisms.
But throughout the time that he has been there, Larroux has referred to his own beliefs as “scandalous.” The scandalous this, the scandalous that, the scandalous other, etc. Where has it ever been said that the Westminster Confession of Faith is “scandalous”? In fact, where in the Bible does it say that the gospel is scandalous? How can “good news” also be scandalous?
Do any of the four Presbyteries that vetted him think the WCF is scandalous? Did Larroux inform the congregation going in that he considered his beliefs to be scandalous? And if he didn’t, should he have done so?
Words mean things. Synonyms for “scandalous” are: shocking; outrageous; immoral; shameful; indecent; reprehensible; appalling. I’m thinking that these things fall under the realm of full discloser. Is it just me?
paul
Paul's Passing Thoughts 
No, it’s not just you. The one use of the word “scandalous” that I found using the BibleGateway.com search engine (Amplified Version for good measure) was in 2 Samuel 13:12. In context, it reads:
10 Then Amnon said to Tamar, Bring the food here into the bedroom, so I may eat from your hand. So Tamar took the cakes she had made and brought them into the room to Amnon her brother. 11 And when she brought them to him, he took hold of her and said, Come lie with me, my sister. 12 She replied, No, my brother! Do not force and humble me, for no such thing should be done in Israel! Do not do this foolhardy, scandalous thing! 13 And I, how could I rid myself of my shame? And you, you will be [considered] one of the stupid fools in Israel. Now therefore, I pray you, speak to the king, for he will not withhold me from you. 14 But he would not listen to her, and being stronger than she, he forced her and lay with her.
Someone should tell the ruling elders to do their job and protect their church from the scandal of foolish preaching. The risk of foolish and even false teaching is greatly reduced when the preacher sticks to biblical terms to explain biblical concepts.
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Randy,
Excellent observation.
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There has been scandal associated with Reverend Larroux since he showed up on the Mississippi Coast and started Lagniappe.
I don’t have a problem with pastors that drink, but when a pastor drinks more than anyone else in the bar, I have a problem. I don’t have a issue with a pastor that occasionally curses, and is apologetic for their lack of discretion. When a pastor in his private conversations with staff and friends is the one who curses more than anyone, you’ve got a problem.
It breaks my heart to see him allowed to pastor a church after all he’s put so many through. He’s a compelling guy behind a pulpit, and he’s exciting to the youth and he’s got a real charisma up to a point… But is that really what being a minister of the gospel is about? I don’t think so, and I don’t think that what he’s done on the coast and what he’s starting to do in Southwood is going to be profitable for the Kingdom.
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“Lagniappe” can be googled. How much of this info is on southwoodinfo.blogspot.com? Also, could I ask someone to give me the Presbyterian authority structure in that neck of the woods? Who are they, what is their authority, and what could have been done to spare Southwood?
Thanks,
I’m on it.
paul
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This blog is a sad testimony to not having a life. Jean’s use of “scandalous” is about grace,
which if you don’t think grace is scandalous, you are out of your mind. Have you ever even listened
to a sermon of his? Or do you just spew worldly judgement hidden in scripture references, and hope
that more “anonymous” wimps fill the comment sections. I bet you have wasted hundreds of hours
striving to harm these individuals and speak as if they are self-centered…have you even tried
reading your own self-serving blog. Be careful you don’t fall off that pedestal you have built
for yourself, it seems very high, and it will hurt. Hopefully, there will be a pastor who will
love you the way that these men you so often condemn, love their congregations.
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Actually Steve, I do have a life, that is why I don’t have time to publish the evidence
I have concerning the decadent lifestyle that Jean L.3 led before coming to Southwood.
I am also sure the Session has been advised of it also. But you know, herding the totally
depraved to the gates of heaven despite themselves is messy business, so I understand there
can’t be a concern about the mere morals of the philosopher kings. To disqualify Jean L.3
over his immoral lifestyle would not be looking at his life
in its “gospel context.”
Have a nice day Steve. If you send me your address I will send you a free box of Kool-Aid
as a love offering.
paul
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Thanks for your immature statement of judgement and your self-approved obedience. Now you can check “being able to see other peoples corruption through a log” off your bucket list. No need for the Kool-Aid, I drink it daily from the Bible.
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“Self-approved obedience” Steve? You mean as opposed to “elder-approved obedience”? Steve, you don’t read the Bible; you search the Scriptures for what the elders tell you to look for. And sorry to tell you Steve, I am not lower in the Reformed spiritual caste system than you because you mindlessly follow a Reformed elder. Therefore, your assessment has no merit.
Sorry. Now call Jean for something that will enable you to take on the day Steve.
paul
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You have just been “trolled” and caught. You have no knowledge of me at all, and yet you can make that statement about me “you don’t read your Bible”. Maybe you have just checked off enough of the “living in obedience list” to now replace Jesus and be all-knowing as well. That’s not Kool-Aid, but some type of elixir that only a few like you are fortunate enough to find. You might be the most happy person in the world…cause you sure have the naive thing down pat!
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Steve, really, I do have a life, so please move on. I understand Reformed theology plenty,so you don’t have to inform me that applying biblical imperatives to life is replacing Jesus. Ok Steve, “you win the debate here.” Feel better? Now please move on.
paul
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