Jane Crutchfield has been an active member of the Moravian Church in Winston Salem for 50 years. She has served  as adult teacher, Vice Chairman of the Board of Elders, and twice served as Synod delegate.

She agrees that PEC statements seem to mirror those of Truman Dunn that caused so much division earlier. She responds to Rev. John Jackman's remarks on the PEC's statement.

See all responses on this issue

Jane Crutchfield
Wednesday Aug 6, 2003 

I have read John Jackman’s response to the webmaster’s remarks introducing a statement from the office of the PEC "A Moravian Understanding of Jesus is the only way to salvation".

I agree with Lee Sprinkle’s opinion that the PEC statement “appears to mirror and support the statement that had led to such division one year ago. Suggesting that Rev. Dunn’s position is now accepted as official church position.”

The PEC statement was on this website with this introduction – “Read the letter from the PEC that explains the decision made on Br. Truman Dunn’s pastorate at Messiah Moravian Church. Other documents – press releases, remarks, and a statement on salvation are posted and provide additional information.”

I also interpret this to mean that this  PEC statement on salvation was to serve as corroborating evidence to support the decision on Dunn. This seems a logical conclusion to me.

In his response to Sprinkle, Jackman states: “This is really unfair, it means nothing of the sort. The statement, though it could have been better written, is trying to express a position that has in fact been a Moravian position for centuries. It is expressed clearly in Zinzendorf’s writings, in Spangenberg’s writings, and (I’d have to look up the references) is also present in the documents of the Ancient Unity.”

However, he did not give any sources of reference, or any quotes from these writings to substantiate his claim. Rather, he called Sprinkle’s opinion unfair, and stated that this is not the way to have an open discussion.

Sprinkle replied to Jackman in a respectful, clearly stated manner, asking if he would consider posting a more complete explanation of the points he was making. Sprinkle also asked for documentation of the position he claimed as being a Moravian position for centuries, and if he would offer some scriptural basis for his viewpoint, for the purpose of stimulating good, thoughtful and relevant dialogue. This seems to be a reasonable way to continue “fair discussion.”

The issue under discussion is from the PEC statement posted on the Moravian Church Southern Province (MCSP) web site, stating: “Historically and theologically then Moravians have professed, taught and believed that:

“we don’t know whether strict ’belief in Christ’ (understood as intellectual assent to faith) is in fact the ONLY way to God.”

In Jackman’s response to Sprinkle, he stated: “Spangenberg says that God will deal with those who have not heard the gospel ‘in the same manner in which He sought after mankind before they had the Holy Scripture.’” (Idea Fidei Fratrum, pp.63-64)

In my copy of Idea Fidei Fratrum, Third English Edition, 1959, pp.63-64, Spangenberg poses the question: “But how is it with the poor heathen, who have never heard any thing of the Gospel? It is probable, that he deals with them in the same manner in which He sought after mankind before they had the Holy Scripture.” “It is probable” is very different from “God will deal.”

Apparently, there was strong opposition to the PEC statement posted on the website, as it was removed. Another statement, entitled “Claiming Our Common Ground” has now been posted, with the stated intention to restudy the Ground of the Unity. Either we submit to the authority of Scripture, or we fall.

Our Ground of the Unity states: “The Triune God as revealed in the Holy Scripture of the Old and New Testaments is the only source of our life and salvation; and this Scripture is the sole standard of the doctrine and faith of the Unitas Fratrum and therefore shapes our life.

“The Unitas Fratrum recognizes the Word of the Cross as the center of Holy Scripture and of all preaching of the Gospel and it sees its primary mission, and its reason for being, to consist in bearing witness to this joyful message. We ask the Lord for power never to stray from this.”

Some have obviously strayed from this official doctrinal statement. We need to hear the beginning of Jesus’ ministry again. “The time has come. The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news!” (Mark 1:15)

To be disrespectful of tradition and of historic theology is to be disrespectful of the Holy Spirit who has been actively enlightening the world in every century. (Dr. John R.W.Stott, The Cross of Christ, p.12, InterVarsity Press, 1986)

You and I need to discern the times in which we live. We are living in an era that attempts to stretch grace to heretical extremes. (Charles R. Swindoll, JOSEPH, p.35, Word Publishing, 1998).

It behooves us to obey the advice of Paul to Timothy. “Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.” (1 Tim.4:16).

Jane Crutchfield
Ardmore Moravian Church