The Presbyterian Church in the United States - Essay Example

The Presbyterian Church in the United s The Presbyterian Church began with the teachings of John Calvin brought to the United States by advocates of the Reformation. Despite the religion’s experience of early schisms, it has finally established itself as one of the mainstream Protestant Churches of the United States, and has ever since emphasized the importance of the Scriptures, spiritual election and the active role of Christians in conversion. Historical Origins Although the Presbyterian Church may have been secretly instituted by the immigrant Protestants of America in the 1630s, it was only in 1706 that the Presbytery of Philadelphia was formally established by seven Presbyterian ministers. The Presbyterian Church of the United States, or PCUS, separated from the Old School Presbyterianism, or the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America, or PCUSA, during the beginning of the Civil War in the United States in May 1861. This is because the Old School Presbyterian Church declared that loyalty to the United States should be a national duty. The PCUS, however, retained its “Old School” heritage despite the split, and only changed in the 20th century as a response to the demands of the changing south. Prior to this change and especially during the war, it was known as the Presbyterian Church of the Confederate States of America (“A Brief History”). All throughout the early 20th century, the issues surrounding the PCUS included talks of unity with the Northern Presbyterians or the PCUSA and the denomination that succeeded it, namely the United Presbyterian Church in the USA, or the UPCUSA. However, the only moment that the PCUS and the UPCUSA worked together was during the Consultation on Church Union in 1962. During this time, the PCUS joined the UPCUSA, the United Church of Christ, the United Methodists and the Episcopalians in carrying out the endeavor (“A Brief History”). The PCUS further split into three factions during the civil rights movement. The liberal group wanted the church to be directly involved in the promotion of racial desegregation and voting in society. The moderates wanted a church consensus on the matter first. The conservatives, on the other hand, did not want the PCUS to be involved in social issues since the 19th century theologian James Henley Thornwell once stated in the doctrines of the Church that the church courts of the Presbyterian Church should not get involved with social reform issues (“A Brief History”). The conservatives of the Presbyterian Church then began the institution of the Presbyterian Church in America, or the PCA, and the Evangelical Presbyterian Church, or the EPC. Their defection from the PCUS left only the moderates and the liberals in the original church. This led to easier talks of union with the northern UPCUSA. In 1983, the talks of the union concluded with 53 PCUS presbyteries voting in favor of it. This new union, or reunion, which officially took place on June 10, 1983, was celebrated in Atlanta by the new church named the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) (“A Brief History”). Presently, the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), or PC(USA), is one of the mainline Protestant denominations in the United States. It is affiliated with the National Council of Churches, the Christian Churches Together, the World Council of Churches, and the World Communion of Reformed Churches. Its office is located in Louisville, Kentucky (“A Brief History”). Distinctive Features Practically, the Presbyterian Church is distinct from other Christian religions in two major ways. one of these is that the members adhere to Reformed Theology, which is a definite pattern of religious thought. The Reformed Theology of the Presbyterian Church still follows through the original Protestant theology advanced by Martin Luther in the 16th century. This is a doctrine that emphasizes God’s supremacy over all things, and that the chief purpose of humanity is to glorify and enjoy God forever. The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), in its confessions, believes in the “majesty, holiness and providence of God who creates, sustains, rules and redeems the world in the freedom of sovereign righteousness and love” (“What is unique about the Presbyterian Church?”). Other aspects of the Reformed Theology by the Presbyterians include a covenant life marked by a “disciplined concern for order in the church” (“What is unique”), the election of the ministers, a stewardship that promotes simplicity of lifestyle and shuns ostentation, the opposition to idolatry and tyranny and the recognition of the human tendency towards these (“What is unique”). Aside from the Reformed Theology, another distinctive feature of the Presbyterian Church is the form of government that emphasizes “active, representational leadership of both ministers and church members” (“What is unique”). It was the French pastor and theologian John Calvin who developed the Presbyterian pattern of church government when he was in exile in Geneva, Switzerland while in exile there. Based on this pattern, laypersons should be elected as ministers and elders. Elders and ministers of the Word and Sacrament should exercise just leadership, discipline and government and should serve faithfully. Based on the Book of Order of the Presbyterian Church, the body of elders is known as a session. As elected members of the congregation, the Presbyterian elders’ primary duty is “to discover and represent the will of Christ as they govern” (“What is unique”). The ministers are also members of the session, and together with the elders, they are both called presbyters. The session is the smallest governing body of the church. Several sessions make up a presbytery, several presbyteries a synod, and several synods make up the General Assembly, or the entire denomination (“What is unique”). The various Presbyterian Churches are actually “connectional” or united in their theology, ministry and government. The session and presbytery meetings are usually held at least four times a year and sometimes more often than this if necessary (Waskey). The constitution of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) is made up of two major parts – the Book of Confessions and the Book of Order. The Book of Confessions reflect the Reformed Theology of the church and includes the Apostles’ Creed, the Nicene Creed, the Barmen Declaration and the Westminster Confession of Faith, as well as other statements of faith. The Book of Order includes the form of government, the rules of discipline, and the directory for worship (Waskey). One essential feature of the Presbyterian Church is its close similarity to Calvinist theological tradition. The Presbyterian Church therefore reflects the religious emphasis on predestination as theorized by John Calvin. This means that the Presbyterian Church believes that God chooses those who are predestined to salvation, and this predestination is not influenced by human efforts. Therefore, the Presbyterian Church emphasizes the sovereignty of God and the doctrine of election or spiritual predestination, which no human being can ever change (Waskey). Contributions to the Christian Faith One of the major contributions of the Presbyterian Church to Christianity is the emphasis of belief in the Bible. Based on the Doctrine of the Scripture by all Presbyterians, the Bible possesses inspiration, authority and sufficiency. The Presbyterian Church also always emphasized the superiority of the Scripture above all forms of governments and church hierarchies. Moreover, the Reformers also emphasized the responsibility of every member of the Presbyterian Church to ascertain careful and accurate interpretation of the Scripture (Boice). Another contribution of the Presbyterian Church is the emphasis on the Sovereignty of God. This means that God rules over His creation with absolutely power and authority. Moreover, God alone can determine what is going to happen and then it happens. God therefore is not anymore alarmed or frustrated by any circumstances because He has already known in advance what would happen, even the rebellion of His creatures (Boice). The Doctrine of Grace is another contribution of the Presbyterian Church to Christianity. The Doctrine of Grace is best emphasized through the acronym TULIP. T stands for total depravity, or the idea that all people have been ruined by sin and that no one is spared. It is therefore only the regenerating grace of God that can please Him. The second letter, U, stands for unconditional election. On the basis of being totally depraved, then the only by which people can possibly be saved by God is if God Himself takes the initiative to save them. This is what is meant by unconditional election. “L” stands for limited atonement, or specific redemption, is the idea that Jesus actually atoned for the sins of only those whom the Father has chosen. “I” is irresistible grace. This means the regenerating grace of God that renews the sinner and overcomes his sin and accomplishes God’s purpose in him. Thus, when a sinner comes back to God, what the Presbyterian Church is trying to emphasize is that God restores the sinner. Lastly, “P” refers to the perseverance of the saints. This means that God perseveres to protect us from sin and temptation once He has restored us with His grace. This means that since God Himself perseveres, then every member of the Presbyterian Church must also persevere (Boice). The fourth contribution of the Presbyterian Church to Christianity is the Cultural Mandate. The Cultural Mandate is the obligation of every Christian to live in a society while at the same time being active in transforming the world and its various cultures in the name of the Scripture and Jesus Christ. Every member of the Presbyterian Church is therefore called in to join God in His evangelization of the world (Boice). The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) had trouble with the divisions that separated the members during the early years of its history. The trouble rested mainly on conflicts concerning the doctrine. Nevertheless, these things were resolved in the end, thus giving rise to the present Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), which emphasizes not only the value of the Scripture and the Doctrine of Election but also the active role of every Christian in converting the rest of the non-Christian world to Christianity. Top of Form Bottom of Form Works Cited “A Brief History of the Presbyterian Church in this Country." Presbyterian Historical Society, 2014. Web. 13 May 2014. Boice, J. M. “What is Reformed Theology?” Faith Presbyterian EPC, 2014. Web. 13 May 2014. Waskey, A. J. L. “Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)." Arts & Culture: Religion. New Georgia Encyclopedia, 2013. Web. 12 May 2014. “What is unique about the Presbyterian Church?" Presbyterian 101. Presbyterian Mission Agency, 2011. Web. 12 May 2014. Read More