The American Presbyterian Church began in 1706, with the founding of the Presbytery of Philadelphia, especially through the leadership of Francis Makemie (the “father of American Presbyterianism”).9 The first General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in the USA took place in 1789, with four synods: New York and New Jersey (four presbyteries), Philadelphia (five presbyteries)... Continue Reading

While certain forms of so-called “conversion therapy” are clearly, unquestionably to be denounced by the Christian, Canada’s new law intentionally undercuts every biblical mooring for even defining sexuality and gender. Churches in the United States have been called upon this Sunday to stand with our brothers and sisters in Canada whose faithfulness to the Scriptures... Continue Reading

Even without the draft, congregation leaders already encounter young women considering the military who need counsel since women are now sent into combat.  Still, few congregation leaders with whom I have spoken either know the main points in biblical studies about women and the military, or that everyone who enlists agrees to go into combat.... Continue Reading

The language present is clear enough to address the specific problems brought about by the infestation of Side B/Revoice heterodoxy. Even more, even to the degree that there is a hanging “etc.” left over, this is a factor, not of poor wordsmithing, but of the nature of equivocation that necessitates this overture.   Regarding the... Continue Reading

From a BA perspective, if the NP asked about how to go forward, I would advise it to publish a purpose and mission statement compatible with PCA officer vows, accept all such within the PCA who desire to participate in order to grow in their understanding of PCA polity and practices, and do away with... Continue Reading

On January 20, 2022, Richardson was fined $3,000 (plus lawyers’ fees). In response to this court ruling, Richardson wrote on his Twitter account: “Thank you for your prayers.  I have been overwhelmed at the outpouring of support in prayer that I have received in the last few days.  Praise God for a wonderful outcome: That... Continue Reading

Earlier this month, the judicial commission announced Olivetti was required to “refrain from the exercise of office of teaching elder until the judicial process is complete.” At that time, the commission announced that charges had been dropped against two of the 2020 Immanuel elders, Zachary Blackwood and Nate Pfeiffer, who had since resigned their positions.... Continue Reading

Justice Neil Gorsuch made a strong statement supporting our request. He wrote, “This case may be a small one, and one can hope that the error here is so obvious it is unlikely to be repeated anytime soon. But I would correct it. Bureaucratic efforts to ‘subject’ religious beliefs to “verification” have no place in a... Continue Reading

The rubric of Overture 23 is a common sense Presbyterian adaptation to our context. It does not promulgate a stricter sexual ethic or a narrower view of sanctification. It specifies qualifications for office exactly where they may well be misunderstood or challenged. Our society has largely and even unconsciously adopted new corrupt assumptions about homosexuality…... Continue Reading

So what will be the end of the matter, if end there be? Maybe cries of “Make presbyterianism boring again!” will reverberate in the cavernous GA hall as presbyters long for the day when some of these controversies are behind them.   Please forgive the fact that all of these very personal and very fallible... Continue Reading