In addition to our regular mailing list, this issue of Theology Matters is being mailed, with the help of the Presbyterian Coalition, to every pastor/clerk of session in the denomination.
Presbyterian Renewal Groups, along with many pastors and their sessions, are on record opposing the Report of the Task Force on the Peace, Unity and Purity of the Church (PUP). You will find their Statement on p. 2. Ecumenical groups note that the PC(USA) Task Force is but one of several similar attempts across denominations to give the appearance of maintaining ordination standards while undermining them with a new twist on “local option.” Read about this new strategy in the Association for Church Renewal Statement on p. 3.
This issue of Theology Matters focuses on the problems in the PUP Report. Articles in this issue point out some of the theological and historical distortions and inaccuracies. However, the most serious problem in the Report is in its Recommendations section. Recommendation 5 proposes a new authoritative interpretation (AI) of Book of Order paragraph G-6.0108. The proposed AI contradicts Scripture and our Confessions, overturns 2000 years of church history, and holds in contempt the church-wide votes by presbyteries.
As Jim Berkley writes on p. 7, “What the A.I. would do is allow ordaining bodies to determine if outright departure from scriptural and/or constitutional standards ‘constitutes a failure to adhere to the essentials of Reformed faith and polity.’ Should a session or presbytery consider such a departure inessential, it could freely ordain the person, despite any continuing unrepentant failure of fidelity or chastity—or any other troubling sin or cock-eyed theology, for that matter.” This new authoritative interpretation WILL NOT be voted on by the presbyteries. It can be adopted by a simple majority vote of commissioners to the 217th General Assembly in June 2006.
At the October 16 called meeting of the Presbytery of Shenandoah, Rev. Dr. John Sloop asked Task Force member, Dr. Frances Taylor Gench:
“Is it your understanding that the Book of Order currently prohibits the ordination of self-affirming, practicing, unrepentant, homosexual persons?” Task Force member Gench answered, “Yes.”
Sloop asked, “Am I correct that should the PUP Report pass, it will be possible to ordain self-affirming, practicing, unrepentant homosexual persons?” Gench answered, “Yes.”
Tricia Dykers Koening, the national organizer for the homosexual advocacy group, the Covenant Network, said at their national gathering that if the Report passes,
“…it would still be a huge step forward because a lot more ordinations would be happening.”
This introduction first appeared in Theology Matters, Vol. 11, No. 5 (Nov/Dec 2005).
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