Posted on 03/19/2015 5:38:13 AM PDT by Gamecock
The Office of the Stated Clerk of the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA) has received numerous emails regarding the recent action of the mainline Presbyterian Church (USA) in redefining marriage. On March 17, 2015 the Presbyterian Church (USA) approved language that allows its ministers to officiate at same-sex marriages in its churches. The change comes after the General Assembly and a majority of that denomination’s 171 presbyteries approved an amendment to their Book of Order that describes marriage as “a unique relationship between two people, traditionally a man and a woman.”
There are several Presbyterian denominations in the United States. The Presbyterian Church in America (PCA), formed in 1973 as an evangelical denomination in the Reformed theological tradition, is the second largest. We, like other evangelical, conservative, orthodox, and traditional Christians from many branches of the Christian faith, believe that, from creation, God ordained the marriage covenant to be a unique bond between one man and one woman. This biblical understanding is what the Church has always believed, taught, and confessed. Therefore, we believe that the divinely sanctioned standard for sexual activity is fidelity within a marriage between one man and one woman or chastity outside of such a marriage.
Throughout history, there has often been a conflict between what the Church has believed, taught, and confessed and the society to which the Church ministers. The Church, in contrast to the broader culture, is to base her views and practices on authoritative and timeless divine revelation found in the Holy Scriptures, and not on the changing and frequently subjective social practices within the society. The Church, therefore, has certain unchanging objective standards of biblical ethics.
This is especially challenging in this post-modern era of relativism. We think that the comparatively recent interpretation that biblical prohibitions against same-sex intimacy do not apply to “a same-sex marriage” is based on false premises and faulty reasoning and, therefore, is erroneous – no matter how well-intentioned.
The PCA in both its doctrinal standards (Westminster Confession of Faith, Chapter 24 “Of Marriage and Divorce”) and church polity (Book of Church Order, Chapter 59, “The Solemnization of Marriage”) affirms biblical marriage as being between one man and one woman. Neither the General Assembly nor any of the Presbyteries nor any Session (board of elders) of any congregation that is presently a member of the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA) has redefined marriage. Nor does the PCA intend to do so.
As we affirm what is sometimes called a traditional view of marriage, which we prefer to call biblical marriage, as we seek to follow the apostolic practice of “speaking the truth in love.” We reach out to all persons with the Good News by which we are being saved that “Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures.”
>> OK, name them <<
For the time being, the best I can do is 32:
American Presbyterian Church (founded 1979)
Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church
Bible Presbyterian Church
Christian Presbyterian Church
Covenant Presbyterian Church
Cumberland Presbyterian Church
Cumberland Presbyterian Church in America
ECO (denomination)
Evangelical Assembly of Presbyterian Churches in America
Evangelical Presbyterian Church (established 1956)
Evangelical Presbyterian Church (United States)
Evangelical Reformed Presbyterian Church
Free Church of Scotland (Continuing)
Free Presbyterian Church of North America
Free Presbyterian Church Synod of the United States
Korean American Presbyterian Church
Korean Presbyterian Church in America
Orthodox Presbyterian Church
Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)
Presbyterian Church in America
Presbyterian Church in the United States
Presbyterian Church in the United States of America
Presbyterian Reformed Church (North America)
Reformed Presbyterian Church – Hanover Presbytery
Reformed Presbyterian Church General Assembly
Reformed Presbyterian Church in the United States
Reformed Presbyterian Church of North America
Reformed Presbyterian Church, Evangelical Synod
United Presbyterian Church in the United States of America
United Presbyterian Church of North America
Upper Cumberland Presbyterian Church
Westminster Presbyterian Church in the United States
Sounds like 2Peter 2 is talking about these church leaders.
Sounds like 2Peter 2 is talking about these church leaders.
I wasn't counting churches with less than 10 local bodies, though I guess technically you are correct.
No surprise either way.
Nope.
The PCA would do well to remove “Presbyterian” from their name to further distance themselves from the heretical behavior of the like-named group of hedonists.
The PCUSA would do well to remove "church" from their name.
(Yesterday, as part of a lobbying event I was involved with I marched past Abe Lincoln's church in Springfield, IL. I was working over in my mind how to describe it. "First Presbyterian Ecclesial Organization"? "First Presbyterian Club"? )
We have allow them to co-op our language. The word “gay” for example...
I assume this is a direct quote from the BCO. Why the inclusion of the word "traditionally"? At best, it seems unnecessary, at worst, it could be used as a wedge to start introducing exceptions. IMO, its exclusion would make a stronger and more definitive statement.
Just curious. I'm not concerned about the PCA going rogue on this issue. Am I missing something?
I think we will see a LOT more of the non-denom models as the PCUSA folks continue to make a mockery of the Presbyterian name.
You’re missing that the quote is from the PCUSA’s new statement, not the PCA’s statement.
Don we now our gay apparel, Falalalala la la la la!
I understand your reaction - and such a coopting is frustrating.
I have had no real association with any Presbyterian church, besides a bit of a sentimental feeling because of my Scottish heritage. As I have read about the actions of the PCUSA over the past several years, I have not had the sophisticated knowledge to distinguish between the PCA, PCUSA and the others - in fact, this thread is the first I knew of the distinction.
Because my lifetime Christian history has been almost entirely within the nondenominational churches, I have had a similar lack of awareness as it pertains to Baptists, Methodists, Lutheran, Episcopal, etc.
So my point is this - having various groups using the name “Presbyterian” is not a problem as long as the name is used within a Christian context. However, when the largest group using the name are obvious heretics, the perception of the general public - even those within the community of believers - is that the same unchristian behavior is common amongst all who use the name. Coopting is more often forced than allowed - as is true in this case. The larger group has befouled the name without the assent of the others.
I certainly sympathize with the reluctance to surrender the name, but would gently suggest that fealty to Christ is more important than loyalty to the name.
My fault. That makes a lot more sense. I'd expect weasel words like that from the PCUSA.
This is one of the reasons why I’m a reformed NON-DENOMINATIONAL believer.
What is?
The PCUSA has asserted in court pleadings that it now has a hierarchical form of government, rather than a presbyterian, or representative, form of government.
I’d move the PCA and ARP down to moderate. I’d add RPCNA to the conservative group. There are some microdenominations around the country, but I don’t count them if they have fewer members than one of the big five PCA congregations.
Deuteronomy 7:10 “So it shall be, when the Lord your God brings you into the land of which He swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, to give you large and beautiful cities which you did not build, 11 houses full of all good things, which you did not fill, hewn-out wells which you did not dig, vineyards and olive trees which you did not plant—when you have eaten and are full— 12 then beware, lest you forget the Lord who brought you out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage. 13 You shall fear the Lord your God and serve Him, and shall take oaths in His name. 14 You shall not go after other gods, the gods of the peoples who are all around you 15 (for the Lord your God is a jealous God among you), lest the anger of the Lord your God be aroused against you and destroy you from the face of the earth.
16 “You shall not tempt the Lord your God as you tempted Him in Massah. 17 You shall diligently keep the commandments of the Lord your God, His testimonies, and His statutes which He has commanded you. 18 And you shall do what is right and good in the sight of the Lord, that it may be well with you, and that you may go in and possess the good land of which the Lord swore to your fathers, 19 to cast out all your enemies from before you, as the Lord has spoken.
Yeah, putting a whole new spin on the "sheep" concept. Blech.
So, no divorce? Civil punishment for adultery?
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