Smells Like Party Spirit
The National Partnership, a PCA sub-group, is now out in the open, though not by its own design or on its own terms.
What did eight years of organizational communication reveal? Well, thankfully, nothing terribly personal or scandalous — what has become public is mostly political. The messages show a highly-organized group comprised almost exclusively of pastors (teaching elders in PCA parlance). There are members, though how one becomes a member or who decides is never revealed. What... Continue Reading
The Recent SJC Decision and Side B2 Homosexuality
Some conclusions on the PCA Standing Judicial Commission’s decision in the Missouri Presbytery case.
The SJC is the Supreme Court of the PCA. This decision has more authority than the BCO or any decisions of a Presbytery or a General Assembly. In any future cases it will be used as the rule book, as the authoritative interpretation of Scripture on the matter. The PCA is now officially a Side... Continue Reading
PCA Standing Judicial Commission Denies Complaint Against Missouri Presbytery
The SJC ruled that Missouri Presbytery did not violate the investigation requirements of the Book of Church Order and did not err when it declined to bring charges against Greg Johnson.
The SJC officially concluded, “Based on the Record, there was no reversible error in the decisions reached by Missouri Presbytery regarding the four allegations. It was not unreasonable for Presbytery to judge that TE Johnson’s ‘explanations’ on the four allegations were ‘satisfactory.’ (BCO31-2).” The Standing Judicial Commission (SJC), the highest judicatory of the Presbyterian... Continue Reading
The Three “U”s and PCA Overtures 23 and 37: Part 3
Considering the third objection of those opposed to O23 & O37: Not only are the overtures “unclear” and “unnecessary,” but thirdly, they are “unloving” and should not be passed by PCA presbyteries.
Rejection from the world because we teach and preach biblical truth is typical; why do we continue to think otherwise? While I believe all officers in the PCA affirm this principle intellectually, it seems that some of us experientially may become unsettled by the potential rejection of our faith by the culture around us. ... Continue Reading
The Three “U”s and PCA Overtures 23 and 37: Part 2
Considering the second objection of those opposed to O23 & 37, namely that both overtures are unnecessary and should not be passed by PCA presbyteries.
Claiming that the language of O23 & 37 is too “time-bound” and will become obsolete within our BCO signals a gross underestimation of the staying power of the issues before us. Do the members of the National Partnership really believe that the church will not be wrestling with these issues for years to come? Do... Continue Reading
The Three “U”s and PCA Overtures 23 and 37: Part 1 Continued
The Overtures do not disqualify a man from holding church office because he is a sinner, they only disqualify those who are unwilling to pursue victory over their particular sins.
When Overture 23 uses the word “professing” it is clearly modifying the word identity. Confessing on the other hand is admitting that one still struggles with a particular behavior. Professing says, “This is who I am.” whereas confessing says, “This is what I do, but I hate it and my sin does not define me.” ... Continue Reading
The Three “U”s and PCA Overtures 23 and 37: Part 1
Addressing common objections about approving PCA Overtures 23 and 37 raised on several social media sites.
There is a world of difference between identifying our sin so as to mortify it and identifying by our sin as a component part of our Christian identity. Every Christian is called to identify his sin, take it to the cross in faith and repentance, and ask God for an increase of grace to war... Continue Reading
The PCA GA’s Recommendation to Adopt a Revised BCO 32-20 is Wise
Reasons for presbyteries to vote in favor of amending BCO 32-20.
The question of whether an indictment should be brought for an offense committed in the distant past, is, and should be, a matter of judgment and discretion for the original court — regardless of whether the offense was personal or general, private or public (BCO 29). Granted, the court might decide that commencing process for... Continue Reading
A Summer of Courage and Cowardice in the Evangelical Heartland
As the dust settles from the annual meetings of two major evangelical denominations, the contrast between the PCA and Southern Baptist Convention could hardly be more stark.
Seen in the context of the 2,000-year history of the church, the PCA’s deliberations were hardly revolutionary. But in 2021 cultural revolutionary America, the language commissioners proposed be added to the PCA’s Book of Church Order ring with Christian bravery before a hostile world: “Those who profess an identity (such as, but not limited to,... Continue Reading
BCO Amendments Related to Homosexuality Now Before PCA Presbyteries
Proposed amendments to BCO 16, 21 and 24, dealing with homosexuality, have been sent to the PCA’s 88 presbyteries, two-thirds of which must approve to enact them.
Greco is quick to point out that the proposal applies only to prospective officers, not to all church members. “Officers in the church are to be models of godliness and Christ-likeness,” he says. Though imperfect, “they are not to be identified with their sin.” He believes that the three criteria referred to above “make clear... Continue Reading
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