By L. Roy Taylor, Presbyterian Church in America 
The Office of the Stated Clerk of the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA) has received numerous emails regarding the recent action of the mainline Presbyterian Church (USA) in redefining marriage. On March 17, 2015 the Presbyterian Church (USA) approved language that allows its ministers to officiate at same-sex marriages in its churches. The change comes after the General Assembly and a majority of that denomination’s 171 presbyteries approved an amendment to their Book of Order that describes marriage as “a unique relationship between two people, traditionally a man and a woman.”
There are several Presbyterian denominations in the United States. The Presbyterian Church in America (PCA), formed in 1973 as an evangelical denomination in the Reformed theological tradition, is the second largest. We, like other evangelical, conservative, orthodox, and traditional Christians from many branches of the Christian faith, believe that, from creation, God ordained the marriage covenant to be a unique bond between one man and one woman. This biblical understanding is what the Church has always believed, taught, and confessed. Therefore, we believe that the divinely sanctioned standard for sexual activity is fidelity within a marriage between one man and one woman or chastity outside of such a marriage.
Throughout history, there has often been a conflict between what the Church has believed, taught, and confessed and the society to which the Church ministers. The Church, in contrast to the broader culture, is to base her views and practices on authoritative and timeless divine revelation found in the Holy Scriptures, and not on the changing and frequently subjective social practices within the society. The Church, therefore, has certain unchanging objective standards of biblical ethics.
This is especially challenging in this post-modern era of relativism. We think that the comparatively recent interpretation that biblical prohibitions against same-sex intimacy do not apply to “a same-sex marriage” is based on false premises and faulty reasoning and, therefore, is erroneous – no matter how well-intentioned.
The PCA in both its doctrinal standards (Westminster Confession of Faith, Chapter 24 “Of Marriage and Divorce”) and church polity (Book of Church Order, Chapter 59, “The Solemnization of Marriage”) affirms biblical marriage as being between one man and one woman. Neither the General Assembly nor any of the Presbyteries nor any Session (board of elders) of any congregation that is presently a member of the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA) has redefined marriage. Nor does the PCA intend to do so.
As we affirm what is sometimes called a traditional view of marriage, which we prefer to call biblical marriage, as we seek to follow the apostolic practice of “speaking the truth in love.” We reach out to all persons with the Good News by which we are being saved that “Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures.”
L. Roy Taylor is the stated clerk of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in America.
16 Comments. Leave new
I’m sorry that the PCA got dragged into this mess. I’m still for civil unions across the board, leave marriage to the churches. With that said, the PCA has given us some of the finest Presbyterian ministers in the world.
The marriage question is now being settled in the courts of law, and public opinion, now it’s time for us to wake up, and get in gear for the new reality that’s in front of us!
Our response should be civil, kind, and firm.
I used to attend two PC(USA) churches prior to joining a PCA church. I have to say, it’s nice not having to fight this stuff.
That said, God bless all of you who stayed and fought the good fight. My friendly advice now would be to leave, with or without your property.
Marriage issue settled by the courts and public opinion? Say what? I’ll follow the Word of God, thank you.
The main stream media almost totally ignored recent developments with the apostate PCUSA. That tells us how relevant the newly branded Presbyterian Church is.
Unfortunately it’s not going to be long before the EPC, OPC, RPC Etc. Get dragged into this as well.
I saw this on the front page of the NYTimes. It was on the CBS, NPR, PBS, ABC and NBC, so your comment lacks substantiation. Do yo wish to clarify?
BBC, Washington Post, CNN, FOX, Christian Science Monitor, USNWP, The Guardian, LA Times, Al Jazeera, Wall Street Journal, shall we go on?
On the other hand, not so much news coverage on “PCA defend Biblical Marriage.” Should we also expect an announcement that “PCA defends Biblical Y-chromosome-only clergy”?
Sure, the rather pagan secular media gave the PCUSA debacle a one day blurb on page eight. Big deal. The story had no ‘legs,’ it didn’t raise eyebrows. It didn’t carry through with add’l internet chatter, ‘day two coverage,’ etc.
“I saw it on front page of New York Times, PBS…..” Whoopie, those leftist Anti-American sources sure are fair and balanced……NOT.
No wonder; now I get it. Your ilk go to WAPO, New York Times, BBC and Al Jazeera for your daily ‘fix.’ I go elsewhere.
Googled: YOU are the one who said “main stream media.” Just what do you think that phrase means?
There is something telling about those who love to use the word “ilk” on internet sites.
Just to be clear—mainstream media is understood to be the three networks, the NY Times and the Washington Post. You brought it up and I think you know that you were wrong in your assertion. I shrug whenever someone of your type calls anyone they disagree with anti-American.
The EPC has issued a statement as well:
https://epcepnews.wordpress.com/2015/03/19/epc-reaffirms-biblical-definition-of-marriage/
More than ever we need a Savior. Now is the time for all of us to get down on our knees and ask the Lord for forgiveness I guess that we will be finding more “Cafeteria Presbyterians”–They will accept those things that they believe in and reject those things that they do not believe in.
agreed, but that does not change the facts in front of us now.
Study the Christian based founding and growth of our once great sovereign nation. Revisionist history books now omit all reference to God re: USA. Look deeper, or remain blind. You have free will; choose carefully who you listen to and who you will follow. Or study history. Unless you read the revisionist books, you’ll learn that apostate, Godless nations suffered numerous calamities and hardships.