Commentary: Changing
the unchangeable Word
By Stephen Brown, The Layman, June 17, 2010
One of the foundations of Reformed theology is the principle of sola Scriptura. As those called to uphold Reformed theology, we Presbyterians are to believe in the inspiration of Scripture, the infallibility of Scripture and the inerrancy of Scripture. Further, we affirm that God is truth, the source of all truth and the Bible, being God-breathed, is truth. The Church and its pronouncements are, in the contrary, fallible. We as believers in Reformed theology are to give the Word of God its rightful and highest place as a “lamp to my feet and a light for my path” (Psalm 119:105). Then the authority of Scripture would not be an issue. Yet that is precisely the cause of discord in the Church.
God reveals Himself clearly to those who truly seek Him. God loves order and harmony. If indeed the Bible is God’s Word, then we would expect clarity and consistency. During the Reformation, He provided wisdom on how best to understand His Word, using Scripture to interpret Scripture. Multiple meanings of the same verse can only lead to confusion, disunity and chaos. Martin Luther commented on the issue of multiple meanings:
The Holy Spirit is the plainest writer and speaker in heaven and on earth. Therefore, His words can have no more than one and the most obvious sense. This we call the literal or natural sense. But that the things meant by the plain sense of His plain Word may also mean something further and different, and thus one thing signifies another, is more than a question of words and language. For this is true of all things outside Scripture, since all God’s works and creatures are living signs and words of God, as St. Augustine and all the teachers declare. But we should not on this account say that Scripture or God’s Word has more than one meaning. (Luther, What Luther Says, 1:91-92)
The PCUSA does not uphold the doctrine of sola Scriptura in what it proclaims or how it lives. One only needs to look at the issues that will come before the PCUSA General Assembly this year to see how far afield the church is from relying on Scripture as God’s Holy Word. Here is a short list:
- The definition of marriage
- Removal of ordination standards related to sexuality (presbyteries may vote on this for the 5th time.)
- Radical changes to PCUSA Form of Government without preservation of safeguards
- Adoption of Belhar into the Book of Confessions
- Creation of a 17th non-geographic theologically conservative synod (there would be two faiths officially established within one denomination)
The last two general assemblies were considered outrageously detrimental to the life of the denomination by those who believe in the authority of Scripture and who believe Jesus Christ alone is the way, the truth and the life. In 2006 the Report on Peace, Unity and Purity (PUP) was adopted, which in effect provided for a local option on ordination standards. In 2008 the GA brought forth for the fourth time a vote required of the presbyteries on removing the sexuality standards for ordination.
Consider the large number of churches who departed the PCUSA in the last four years. Consider the massive expenditures in the last four years litigating over who owns church property. Consider just one of the 2010 issues mentioned above that will be debated in July. How will church members and congregations react to a denomination that has ignored the plain words of Scripture and redefined marriage as something other than one man and one woman? If the definition of marriage is changed, I predict an even higher level of disunity than we saw after past assemblies.
Our Lord commanded us to go out into the world and make disciples teaching them to obey everything He commanded us. As the ambassadors of Jesus Christ in the world today, we are called to be conformed to Him, not to the culture. As agents of His grace, we are called to be light and leaven, influencing the culture toward holiness, not following the culture into licentiousness. The culture is doing a fine job in conforming the church to its standards, or shall I say lack of standards. But God’s Word does not and will not change – not one iota, dot or title to be removed – for the Word of God stands forever.
We pray for the Church universal that is fighting the war between liberalism and Christianity. And we pray for the commissioners to the 2010 General Assembly that they will receive God’s wisdom and discernment to comprehend the consequences of their actions and be led into all truth.
Stephen G. Brown is an elder at First Presbyterian Church of Haines City, Fla. He is chairman of the Board of Directors and chief executive officer of the Presbyterian Lay Committee.