Trace the history of the formation of the PCA Flashcards
When, where, and why did the PCA begin? From what major branch of Presbyterianism did early members of the PCA come? Identify and explain the significance of the Presbyterian Evangelistic Fellowship, Concerned Presbyterians, the Presbyterian Journal, Morton H. Smith, W. Jack Williamson, Ken Keyes, and G. Aiken Taylor.
Separated From (PCA)
The Presbyterian Church in the United States (PCUS, also called the Southern church)
Reasons for Separation (PCA)
30 year struggle between liberals and conservatives; Dr. L. Nelson Bell and others noticed that liberals (e.g., Ernest Trice Thompson) were trying to take over the denomination (e.g., secret organization “Fellowship of St. James”); Different views on Bible, Standards, participation in National Council of Churches and WCC, and their major goal was to unite with the far more liberal and three times larger PCUSA—the Northern Church
Intolerable Situation (see below)
Intolerable Situation
Intolerable Situation: We have reached the point where the situation in our beloved church has become intolerable to thousands of loyal Presbyterians who love the Lord, and want to serve Him in a Presbyterian church which will be true to His Word.
• We feel that we can no longer be a part of a denomination in which the Board of Christian Education publishes literature which violates our Confession of Faith and encourages our young people to experiment with sex and drugs;
• in a denomination in which the Board of World Missions no longer places its primary emphasis on carrying out the Great Commission;
• in a denomination with seminaries which train ministers who substitute social and political action for the preaching of the Word;
• in a denomination where presbyteries violate our constitution by receiving ministers who refuse to affirm the Virgin Birth. the bodily resurrection and other cardinal doctrines, while denying membership to faithful ministers who stand firmly for these doctrines which they vowed to uphold.
• Especially do we feel that we can no longer subject our children and grandchildren to the kind of youth leaders that those in control have seen fit to place in these sensitive position-young radicals who seem determined to lead our young people away from their faith in God.
What were the four key groups responsible for organizing the PCA (and combating the spread of liberalism in the PCUS)?
- The Southern Presbyterian Journal
- Concerned Presbyterians
- Presbyterian Evangelistic Fellowship
- Presbyterian Churchmen United
The Southern Presbyterian Journal
Its goals was to let the members of the PCUS know about the liberals attempt to undermine the historic faith and to encourage conservatives to resists the liberals efforts to gain complete control; founded by Dr. Bell and Dr. Henry B. Dendy; G. Aiken Taylor became the editor in 1959
*Journal Day (conference for conservatives, 1,700 people, made news)
Concerned Presbyterians
Formed and headed by Ken Keyes and other laymen; Issued first bulletin in 1965 which listed their “concerns”—primary mission (evangelism not social gospel), Word of God, Standards, against union with North; gave the elders of the church a point of unity and information
Presbyterian Evangelistic Fellowship
Organized by Rev. William P. Hill; started in response that the PCUS was no longer interested in evangelism; later this group became a sending agency for missionaries; it was “a fellowship of Christians praying for, and seeking to promote Biblical evangelism and spiritual revival in the PCUS and the Church universal.”
Presbyterian Churchmen United
Formed by more than 500 pastors to inform members in the pews of the liberals doings; Headed by Dr. John E. Richards
1st constitutional assembly (PCA)
December 4th-7th, 1973 at Briarwood in Birmingham, AL (260 congregations)
First names
From Continuing Presbyterian Church to National Presbyterian Church; changed to PCA in 1974
Morton H. Smith
Stated Clerk (first GA of 1973)
W. Jack Williamson
Helped form Concerned Presbyterians; moderator (first GA of 1973)
Ken Keyes
A ruling elder in the PCA; key figure in Concerned Presbyterians, which was one of the four key groups responsible for organizing the PCA; member of the Steering Committee, which helped establish formal plans for the new denomination
G. Aiken Taylor
Became the editor of the Journal in 1959
What are some of the distinctives of the PCA?
(1) According to PCA Vision 2000, “The distinctiveness of the PCA lies in our stress on both reformation and revival (so not sterile doctrine or shallow pietism)
(2) Purpose Statement: Faithful to the Scriptures, true to the Reformed faith, and obedient to the Great Commission of Jesus Christ
(3) Reformed Faith: Solas (grace, faith, scripture, Christ, glory)/Tulip (Total depravity…Unconditional election…Limited atonement…Irresistible grace…Perseverance of the saints
(4) Polity: Session, presbytery, GA
