Universalist in doctrine? Where do they stand on predestination? Scriptural authority?
Universalist in doctrine? Where do they stand on predestination? Scriptural authority?
It's complicated.
I have, in my library, a copy of the PCUSA's "Book of Confessions". Look in there first. (PDF es aqui.) Lots of good stuff in there: the Apostles' and Nicene creeds, Belgic Confession, Heidelburg Catechism, Westminster Standards. And some modern "stuff". 20th century confessions and statements of faith coming from liberal bodies are carefully crafted, and should be read with an eye to what they say, and especially what they do not say. Paradoxially, if I understand the politics right, this collection, this "Book of Confessions", was a deliberate move to unmoor the PCUSA from confessional subscription.
For more on Protestant confessionalism, I point you to R. Scott Clark's Recovering the Reformed Confession. I don't expect you'll read it, but hey, I had to try.
What do they believe? "I dunno, somethin'." In practice, they're a bunch of raving theological liberals, not as far gone as the Episcopal Church USA. They harbor feminist worshipers of "Sophia" (not quite the "cakes of raisins for the Queen of Heaven" that the ECUSA was doing with their feminist liturgy a few years back. Not quite.), and the likes of Rev. Jane Spahr. (Look her up. A piece of work.)
Universalist? Not officially, but I wouldn't be at all surprised to find some. Predestination? Probably not even on their radar. Scriptural authority? Not the way your or I might think of it.
As is typical in these situations, there are sound congregations, and a conservative lay movement.
I do not defend their politics. For one, they effectively want me dead, so I can't help but feel cool towards them.