Briefly trace the history of Presbyterianism in the USA Flashcards
Include in your answer Francis Makemie, the first American Presbytery, the formation of the first synod, the Adopting Act, the Old Side/New Side division, the first General Assembly, the Plan of Union, the Old School/New School division, and the division and reunion of the Northern and Southern branches of the Presbyterian Church
Francis Makemie
The man to whom honor belongs of laying the foundation of the PC; an Irishman and licentiate of the Presbytery of Lagan in 1681. In 1684 he organized the PC in Snow Hill, Maryland; became an itinerant missionary in Maryland, Virginia, and sometimes SC; first moderator of Presbytery of Philadelphia (1706)
The First American Presbytery
The Presbytery of Philadelphia was formed in 1706
The Formation of the First Synod
Because of growth (mostly from Scotch-Irish settlers) the Synod of Philadelphia formed from three presbyteries—Long Island, Philadelphia, and New Castle; held in Philadelphia in 1717; WCF adopted as the confessional standard in 1729
The Adopting Act
When, at the First Synod (above), the WCF adopted as the confessional standard (1729)
The Old Side/New Side Division
In the 1730’s and 1740’s the Great Awakening brought division in the PC; one side favored revival (New Side) and other looked upon it as unorthodox and dangerous; Gilbert Tennent, leader of the revivalist party, preached “The Danger of an Unconverted Ministry”; The Old Side, lead by Robert Cross, protested to the Synod of 1741. At the synod, the New Side withdrew (formed New Side Synod of NY)
The First General Assembly of the PCUSA
Meet in Philadelphia in 1789; Dr. John Rogers, first moderator
The Plan of Union
In 1801 the GA of the PCUSA and the Connecticut GA (Congregationalist); the plan allowed interchange among pastors as well as mutual forbearance and accommodation
- Was a compromising of confessional beliefs and let to the Old School/New School division
The Old School/New School Division
The New School (liberals, like Albert Barnes, Charles Finney) gained control of the GA; Old School (Charles Hodge)(conservatives, both theologically but some socially—believed in slavery); Split in 1837.
- The Old School adopted the Gardner Spring Resolution which committed their allegiance to the existing federal government (Confederate)—formed the Presbyterian Church in the Confederate States of the America (Southern Church) - 1861
The Presbyterian Church in the Confederate States of the America; Presbyterian Church in US; (Southern Presbyterian Church)
(1861), Benjamin Morgan Palmer was first moderator; James Henley Thornwell and Robert Lewis Dabney important figures
The Division and Reunion of the
Northern and Southern Branches of the Presbyterian Church (PCUSA)
Split in 1861 over the Gardner Springs resolution. In 1983 the Northern Church (UPC) and the Southern Church (PCUS) minus its conservatives (who went into the PCA) formed the PCUSA
