Commentary
Seasons of change and ‘Westminster 101’
Commentary by Forrest A. Norman III, The Layman, February 13, 2012
Alright – everybody is talking about ECO and FOP. ECO, of course, is the Evangelical Covenant Order of Presbyterians, the new name for what was being called the “new Reformed body.” It’s a new Presbyterian denomination. And FOP, the Fellowship of Presbyterians, is the ECO’s PCUSA stay-at-home brother. But I am not ready to talk about it in this column as the story is still developing, and I am not sure I understand all the moving parts. I have not studied ECO’s theology, polity or vision, nor have I assessed its viability. As the ECO venture is laudable as a genuine matter of conscience for a great number of Presbyterians, it is premature for it to be critiqued, piqued or heralded. I have the greatest respect for its authors, and believe it is born out of necessity, given the recent radical changes to the Presbyterian Church (USA). This is one movement which we should give the Gamaliel test: if it is of God, we neither can stop it, nor should we, and if it is of man, it will not be long for this world. And I would urge the PCUSA leadership to let it develop in peace, without claims of schism or claims on property.
So if I don’t know much about ECO and FOP, why bring it up? Indulge me as I traipse down a winding path, hoping to arrive at a worthwhile point.
I am an elder at an Evangelical Presbyterian Church. We left the PCUSA five years ago, and are in the process of transitioning into a new presbytery, which means that all of the elders are going to be examined by the presbytery. We will be questioned on the essential tenets, the Book of Order, and the Westminster Confession of Faith. Our test is in April and everyone is studying. We are studying not only as a session, but in Sunday school classes, in our Tuesday morning men’s group, and in personal readings as well. The whole congregation is invited to join in the fun.
While the elders are moderately motivated by fear of the test, the consequences of failure are apparently to be tasked with learning the material and undergoing further spiritual enrichment. For some the material is a refresher course. Others are encountering theology in depth for the first time, or finding new meaning in doctrines often overlooked and seldom explained. Either way, seeing my brothers and sisters in Christ becoming engaged in the doctrines of the Reformers is energizing. And allowing it to well up again in my own heart, with all its truth, is spiritually restorative. In the midst of all the denominational turmoil roiling up across mainline Protestantism, immersion in plain matters of faith is a cool stream on a hot day.
At the Presbyterian Lay Committee our mission includes keeping a vigilant and watchful eye out for errors which might erode the integrity of the faith handed down to us by our forefathers, and calling it to the attention of the larger church. In another aspect of my life I serve as a counselor for churches, often assisting in their discernment process, or at least trying to help guide them through the rocky shoals of denominational dissention, legal property matters and ecclesiastical or civil courts. I see churches in the midst of their seasons of change. Some of those seasons are fraught with stormy weather, and others are as welcome as winter’s turn to springtime.
There is a correlation I have seen: The more closely the church body holds to Scripture and doctrinal expositions like the Westminster Confession, the less anxiety they experience. We would all do well to honor the wisdom and truth given to us by our Protestant faith tradition, Bible first, of course, but let’s not neglect the Westminster.
What does the Westminster Confession say that might be instructive to today’s season of denominational change? Let’s start with Chapter 25: “Particular churches … are more or less pure, according as the doctrine of the Gospel is taught and embraced. … The purest churches under heaven are subject both to mixture and error; and some have so degenerated, as to become no churches of Christ. … Nevertheless, there will always be a church on earth to worship God according to His will.” God will always find a way to purify His church. And if this seems to be too harsh, turn to Chapter 30, which tells us “Condemnation by the church is necessary in order to reclaim and regain spiritual brothers … and to avoid the wrath of God, which might justly fall on the church, should it allow His covenant and the sacraments to be profaned by notorious and obstinate offenders.”
Let me state that there are those in the PCUSA who are of good faith, just as there are those of good faith who have left, are leaving or are still unsure. There are legitimate disagreements on polity, theology and dismissal methodology. Studying the Westminster Confession once again reminds me how careful God has been to equip the saints to deal with times of strife, even amongst ourselves. Our people thrive when we hold fast to the Bible, applying its lessons in our lives.
So as the new Reformed body takes shape, I pray that the PCUSA leaders give the ECO and FOP the Gamaliel test, and study its birthing by Biblical standards as clarified by the confessions of our faith.
Forrest A. Norman III is an elder at Hudson Presbyterian Church (EPC) in Hudson, Ohio. He is chairman of the Board of Directors and chief executive officer of the Presbyterian Lay Committee.