The Fellowship of Presbyterians — and the emerging new Reformed Body — will be grounded in a set of theological essentials. A group has been working hard on developing core documents that will propose confessional standards, essential tenets, and a process for continuing theological conversations.
Leading this effort are Jerry Andrews (pastor of First Presbyterian Church in San Diego), Laura Smit (associate professor of theology at Calvin College) and Joe Small, former director of Theology, Worship, and Education for the PC(USA), along with the board of directors for the Fellowship of Presbyterians.
The theology group is working on behalf of both the Fellowship of Presbyterians (to help strengthen the theological understanding of people regardless of any denominational realignment), and the emerging new Reformed Body (helping clarify the theological DNA of those who form a totally new Reformed body).
Drafts of their documents should be available for thoughtful discussion within the next several weeks. Pray for their work and process as we continue to unite around a shared mission!
We are waiting and praying for this committee. Stuart is right. There is a difference between essentials and the things that distinguish. Distinctions usually make themselves known in confessions.
While I appreciate the convictions of Page and others, I suggest that this is not the document in which to express them. A list of essential tenets is not the same thing as a confession to our generation. “Essential Tenets of the Reformed Faith” is a title that implies universality, across generations and cultures. I believe it would be an error to treat this document as a confession, tying it too closely to these thirty years of history in North American culture. The committee, I would hope, will seek out those broad fundamentals of Reformed faith that describe what unites us as Christians who are are Catholic, Protestant, and Reformed.
Is there anything more universal than the sanctity of human life because it is made in God’s image? Has this not been a nearly universal affirmation of all churches until about 1970?
My apology for not checking back in on this. I guess it would help if you could cite some creeds and confesssions that illustrate what you’re calling for. When we use the term “essential tenets” each of us has a notion of what we’re looking for, but we may have different notions. We need to be on the same page as to what sort of document would unite people who go to Orlando in January.
I am praying for this task force and the theological essentials for the Fellowship of Presbyterians. Thank you for your work and understanding of Biblical Essentials.
Brothers and Sisters in Christ, we simply must say, “NO” to sin in any form! Equiolent long winded speaches are usless. Do not play chicken with God. We as a new reformed body, should be totally reformed in every area! God Bless, Bill
“The theology group is working on behalf of both the Fellowship of Presbyterians (to help strengthen the theological understanding of people regardless of any denominational realignment), and the emerging new Reformed Body (helping clarify the theological DNA of those who form a totally new Reformed body).”
I love this paragraph. There are many Christians in my area of Virginia working for God’s kingdom based on scriptural and Holy Spirit guidance who come from different denominations. When we commit ourselves to celebrate the essentials of a church of Jesus Christ and put aside doctrinal differences, Christ’s Church will become more evident to the world. The validity of that celebration; however, must come from the truth of Scripture and revelation of the Holy Spirit’s guidance into the application of that truth. God’s Grace assures us of our salvation, and God’s Truth assures us that the Father and Son are our Boss, CEO, Supreme Authority. Our lives cannot truly reflect the Grace of God without adherence to the Truth of God.
I look forward to the presentation of the work of this committee, and wish them continued blessings in their work.
I should like to share this quote from Martin Luther:
” If I profess with the loudest voice and clearest exposition every portion of the truth of God except that little point which the world and the devil are at the moment attacking, I am not confessing Christ, however boldly I may be professing Christ. Where the battle rages, there the loyalty of the soldier is proved, and to be steady on all the battlefield besides, is mere flight and disgrace if he flinches at that point.”
It seems clear to me that, in our day, the battle rages over the sanctity of life and the sanctity of marriage. The Bible and our Book of Confessions are clear on these subjects, and my hope is that theological essentials written in our day would also be clear that we stand against abortion, euthanasia, and any other practice that devalues human life, and against any sexual expression that is outside the covenant of marriage between a man and a woman.
My prayers are with you for the task which you have undertaken on our behalf.
I completely concur with Page about this. A strong affirmation of the sanctity of human life at all stages is of the utmost importance. The church must take a stand for life.
I completely agree with Page Brenner’s comments. Life and sexuality issues are theological issues and need to be made very clear from the outset along with other essentials. Thank you for undertaking this.
Indeed I am encouraged by the reality that we may finally be able not only to confess that there are theological essentials, but that the might even be so essential as to be identified. We don’t need a “subscriptionist” mentality but we do indeed need theological agreement on essential matters. What a concept!!!
Continuing prayers and deepest thanks to those who guide us in the way of the Lord! May your lives be richly blessed!!