Martin Luther in his famous hymn A Mighty Fortress is Our God wrote the line ”The Spirit and the gifts are ours through him who with us sideth. Let goods and kindred go…” and this immediately came to mind when I was passed a link to the most recent attempt by those men in the PC(USA) who claim to have had enough of the false teaching in the PC(USA) to state in a public manner that they are mad and they can’t take it anymore. For those who may not be aware this is just the latest attempt for Ministers who are still in the PC(USA) to stake their claim to Biblical fidelity within this mainline church and I can guarantee you it won’t be the last. I was a part of one while still in the PC(USA) 5 years ago.
Just like the other attempts it is another missive full of sound and fury signifying nothing. In this latest petition the claim is made that if they do not get their way this time they will leave and form an another denomination with like-minded folk in the PC(USA). There are a plethora of other denominations of a Presbyterian vintage (ARP, PCA, OPC, RPCNA, EPC, etc…) in which they would be gladly welcomed in out of the cold, wickedness of the PC(USA). These congregations have had multiple opportunities to leave the denomination (both UPCUSA and PCUS) since 1936 and each time they have refused. However as the line in Luther’s hymn states for them to go into the already existing confessionally Reformed denominations they would have to literally let goods and kindred go. It would mean losing #1 Church Property, #2 Pension, Medical, other benefits, #3 Endowments, and #4 Women’s Ordination. Those 4 things and the fear of losing them is what keeps them out of those Presbyterian bodies mentioned (it is also my position that the vast majority of folks signing this petition aren’t exactly what the ARP, PCA, OPC, RPCNA, etc. would consider “Reformed” but that is an issue for another day). As my friend and fellow escapee the Rev’d. Chris Larimer wrote on my facebook page, “We’re being dragged to hell by golden chains of friendship and property.” Which sums up the issue pretty succinctly. No one ever said following conscience in regards to Biblical Christianity and leaving communion with those who want to deny Christ and His Word (which we are commanded to do) was easy or did not come at a price. It is about high time for those who value Biblical Christianity in the PC(USA) to do you know what or get off the pot. Not to continue to try and finagle a way to keep #1-#4 listed above, to have your cake and eat it to, while still complaining about the apostasy of people who have covenanted with in your ordination vows.
[As an edited section after reading through this again I have come to the belief that part of the problem is a defective view of Presbyterianism and Ecclesiology in general. If you want an exhaustive theology of Presbyterianism look no further than James Bannerman's "The Church of Christ"...a shorter but no less important work is Stuart Robinson's "The Church of God". For more advanced studies read George Gillespie's "Aaron's Rod Blossoming".]
As the author of the hymn once stated going against conscience is neither right nor safe. So if your conscience tells you that the PC(USA) is no longer a true Church of Christ (which is really the only good reason for breaking apart from a denomination) than be done with it and move on without property and pension and hold the plow and go forward.
