Geering's honour a 'slap in face' for the Church

Professor Lloyd Geering's New Year honour is a slap in the face for a Christian church that is increasingly being sidelined by the Government, conservative church leaders say.

The Wellington theologian topped the honours list. He was contentiously acquitted of heresy by the Presbyterian Church in 1967, after denying the physical resurrection of Jesus and life after death.

In a case of silence saying more than words, few Presbyterian ministers found it worthy of mention from the pulpit on Sunday morning.

He was made a principal companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit, equivalent to a Knight Grand Companion under the old honours system - and promptly stoked any controversy by saying that an increasingly conservative church would today find him guilty.

The Rev Ross Thompson, of St Andrew's Presbyterian Church in Manurewa, said the award was an acknowledgment by the secular Government of Professor Geering's work in undermining Christian values.

A former student of Professor Geering's at Knox Theological Hall in Dunedin, Mr Thompson disputed the professor's assessment of the Presbyterian Church's conservative character today.

He said it was controlled by liberals, who had stopped his parish's attempts to overturn church acceptance of practising homosexual ministers.

"I find it difficult to have admiration for someone who put his name to upholding certain doctrines, and then constantly proclaimed the contrary," Mr Thompson said.

"I think the Government is recognising that people like him, working within the Church, broke down the standards of absolutes, the whole tradition of morals on issues like abortion and homosexuals.

"It is recognising that he was a key to breaking down the Christian values that built our society. But in this secular world, the Church has been sidelined, I guess."

The Rev Rhys Pearson, of St Andrew's Presbyterian Church in Wanganui, said Professor Geering's views were "irrelevant to the mainstream of Christian thought."

"His views have not helped the Church."

While Mr Pearson acknowledged the professor's scholarship, he said his philosophies had had their day.

The Presbyterian Church's Moderator, the Rev Rob Yule, said he would congratulate Professor Geering on the honour, though his views were controversial.

"His views don't coincide with those of the Church in all respects. He's been notable for his advocacy of a secular interpretation of the Christian message," Mr Yule said.

He was not surprised that the honour had not rated a mention in sermons.

"Our Church does lack a certain cohesion, and people would comment on what suits their own taste, rather than according that public recognition. But he is a genuine product of the Church, whatever views he has come to espouse."

Dr James Stuart, minister of St Andrew's on The Terrace Presbyterian Church in Wellington, said there would be a lot of popular support for Professor Geering. "It's an award that recognises the contribution he's made to New Zealand society."

- NZPA