Is such language to be no longer permitted when discussing serious matters with meaningful consequences? As all adults should know, the ability freely to engage in sometimes difficult discussions with one another—especially peers—is part-and-parcel for a society in which civil and religious liberties exist and thrive.

The recent decision of the PCA’s Rio Grande Presbytery (RGP) to “indefinitely suspend” Teaching Elder (TE, or Pastor) Zachary Garris is a dangerous step. It places not only that court but the entire denomination on a slippery slope.

As a PCA ruling elder for 22 years, having participated in two difficult pastoral discipline cases in a presbytery other than Tennessee Valley Presbytery, within whose bounds I now serve on my session, I will offer a few thoughts. Oh, yes, I do hold a PhD in U.S. history, which I don’t normally mention.

In 2026, nearly all sentient individuals are aware that the spirit of the age in our culture has become one that works very hard, through various means, to shut down—rather than promote—independence or liberty of speech. This neo-Marxist zeitgeist—rightly termed I am convinced—even attempts to go beyond words and shut down independent thought. It goes so far as to demonize individuals, to include engaging in lawfare, against those with the moral courage to refuse to parrot the words of so-called elites, influencers, or what-have-you, and instead to speak against the approved, safe, ideologically-grounded words and phrases.

Probably the word “racism” is the best example in our day. To use the word racism too often condemns the one against whom it is used as a weapon, as was demonstrated recently in the death of a young Briton, Henry Nowak. Several years ago a previously highly respected institution, the Virginia Military Institute, suffered a devastating assault of like nature, falsely charged with being a racist school.

Back to Zach Garris. From available information, it appears to me that the suspension of TE Garris is just one more example of this cultural trend. The term “Cancel Culture” has been used many times in the past few years. It seems to fit here, too.

Below are the very words used by TE Garris in two exchanges on social media with a distinguished research fellow and research professor at Kuyper College:

“You started by misusing a Bible verse and then calling others ‘biblically illiterate.’ But arrogance can’t tolerate banter.”

And on the following day:

“Even here you only speak of ‘some’ situations. Sometimes things are more complex than a PhD can handle.”[1]

And this is what a PCA pastor has been suspended for? This is not The Babylon Bee, although I expect they will be on it right away. First, the phrase “biblically illiterate” stands out as the precursor to Garris’s use of the word “arrogance.” As Garris mentioned in his reply to his partner’s most likely (one assumes from the context) unserious referral to him as “illiterate,” the two academics were engaged in sparring (or “banter”)—an informal exchange on a theological or intellectual subject.

But what of it? Is such language to be no longer permitted when discussing serious matters with meaningful consequences? As all adults should know, the ability freely to engage in sometimes difficult discussions with one another—especially peers—is part-and-parcel for a society in which civil and religious liberties exist and thrive.

And in certain corners of the culture, that is the very reason that Cancel Culture thrives—because the practitioners of such do not wish a society in which freedom of religion and civil liberties exist.

Eighty-two years ago the Allies—led by generals Eisenhower and Montgomery—launched the invasion of Western Europe at Normandy. Eleven months later, the most horrific war in human history ended. It was fought largely over the same issues at stake today in the PCA, civil and religious liberties.

My main question is this: does this suspension decision by RGP tend to increase—or decrease—the willingness of PCA churchmen to engage in serious discussion and debate regarding matters of importance? At General Assembly a few weeks from now, will open debate—wholesomely conducted—on a hot issue such as shepherdesses in the PCA be more likely to be dampened because of RGP’s actions, or energized?

As the Scripture says, “The fear of man brings a snare…: (Proverbs 29:25).

Forrest L. Marion is a ruling elder in the First Presbyterian Church (PCA), Crossville, Tennessee.

[1] Leonardo Blair, “PCA Pastor Zachary Garris suspended indefinitely for ‘unwholesome speech,” The Christian Post, Jun. 1, 2026.