More apologies expected in the future

Rev Kenneth Meshoe

The African Christian Democratic Party (ACDP) calls on all churches to preach the truth without fear or favour. This follows a report in the news that the Dutch Reformed Church has formally apologised to the gay community for the pain it had caused. The ACDP also expects the Dutch Reformed church to apologise to other groups of society, who have, in the past, endured pain under the church.

“We read with great interest the Dutch Reformed Church’s apology to the gay community. While we do not know the context in which the apology was made, as details were not given, we never-the-less expect, in future, similar apologies to be made, by the Dutch Reformed Church, to other groups in society.” said ACDP President, Reverend Kenneth Meshoe,

“However, if the apology was based on any teachings in the past that homosexuality was wrong then that apology would be regrettable as it undermines the teachings of scripture.” said Rev Meshoe.

“We in the ACDP, as committed Christians, believe in the authority of biblical teaching that homosexuality as a lifestyle is wrong, just as adultery, prostitution, fornication are wrong.

“The church has the responsibility of calling all sinners to repentance regardless of who they are. This call to repentance obviously has to be made from the understanding that just as God loves everybody we also must love everybody. People should not condone sin in the name of Love as God does not condone sin.”

“The proof that God doesn’t condone sin is in the Biblical teaching that God is going to judge sinners who do not repent from their sins. It will still be the same God who loves everybody, but who doesn’t want people to grieve his heart with a sinful lifestyle."

“We call on all churches to preach the truth that will set people free and not shy away from being prophetic because of fear of victimisation.”