134 articles from 67 issues, 1995 to 2026 · Page 5 of 12
Does the proposed new Form of Government protect the ordination of women as plainly as the current one does? Sylvia Dooling compares the existing constitution with the new Foundations and Ordered Ministry chapters and finds the clear “shall” language missing.
What does a Trojan horse have to do with the Presbyterian Book of Order? Robert Dooling warns that the proposed Foundations of Presbyterian Polity, left as written, could be read as controlling everything that follows, and he proposes a simple fix.
How might a declining denomination be reformed from the congregation up? This plan, presented at the 2007 Coalition Gathering in Houston, follows Nehemiah and sets twelve goals, from returning to Scripture and equipping elders to reforming presbyteries and synods.
What happens to a church that treats the Bible like letters it no longer needs? Mary Holder Naegeli, drawing on Nehemiah 8, calls Presbyterians to read the Word aloud, explain it, and receive it again with joy.
Can a church keep the peace by tolerating every belief? Mark Patterson takes his title from Karl Barth’s reply to Emil Brunner and argues that the PC(USA) is dying of tolerance, because Progressive theology has replaced the gospel of Christ alone with a vague grace.
What would the proposed rewrite of Chapter 14 of the Book of Order change for ordination? This Presbyterian Coalition analysis finds substantive changes buried in a long document, from advisory handbooks to presbytery power over pastoral relationships, and recommends defeat.
Is the church’s trouble a lapse in biblical authority, or something older? Eric Laverentz calls it “hyper-humanism,” traces its family line through Arianism, Pelagianism and Donatism, and argues for patience, plain witness and trust that Christ has already won.
Where is renewal taking root in the PCUSA? Five more reports, from Philadelphia, Cincinnati, Carlisle, Los Ranchos and Sheldon Jackson College in Alaska, describe regional gatherings, support teams and congregations responding to the PUP report.
How should a church speak before a vote that could change its destiny? James Edwards, at the 2006 General Assembly, answers four groups of Presbyterians on ordination, judging, division and weariness, and says the real question is whether doctrine matters.
What does renewal look like presbytery by presbytery? Nine ministers and elders, from Boston to San Joaquin, report how prayer groups, sister-session meetings, overtures and campus ministry are changing the PCUSA after the Peace, Unity and Purity report.
Is “Father” a name or an image? Andrew Purves and Charles Partee answer a Presbyterian study paper on the Trinity by arguing that God names himself, so the name cannot be treated as one metaphor among many.
Does a Presbyterian study paper on the Trinity speak of the Father and the Son, or only of love overflowing? Gerrit Dawson finds altered quotations, silent omissions and a drift from the God who names himself to impersonal imagery.
In print, to anyone who asks.
"Sustained by readers."
Theology Matters is sent in print to anyone who requests it, sustained primarily by readers like you. Tax-deductible.
Give a Gift