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The comprehensive witness of the Book of Confessions
is
sufficient to lead, instruct, and guide the church. From time
to time, however, questions arise in the church that call for
careful articulation of a particular aspect of Christian faith,
drawing upon the testimony of the confessions in a way that
illuminates the unique and authoritative witness of the
Scriptures. Such occasions do not require a new confession,
but rather a faithful expression of the consistent teaching
of
Scripture and the confessions. In this way, we may be helped
to reappropriate central affirmations of the faith and to
renew our faithful witness in the world.
In recent times, some within the Presbyterian Church
(U.S.A.) have expressed understandings of Jesus Christ that
other Presbyterians believe breach the limits of Scripture and
the church’s confessions. Many Presbyterians have been
dissatisfied with responses to the controversy, and some have
questioned the clarity of the General Assembly’s affirmation
of Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.
The 213th General Assembly (2001) requested the Office of
Theology and Worship to help the church better understand
the theological richness of the Lordship of Jesus Christ. The
Office of Theology and Worship has prepared a concise
articulation of the church’s historic faith, which also
expresses our clear convictions.
The 214th General Assembly (2002) of the Presbyterian Church
(U.S.A.)
voted (497-11-5) to affirm “Hope
in the Lord Jesus Christ,” commend it to the church,
and urge its study throughout the church.
Related Papers
The Crucified One is Lord
Confessing the Uniqueness of Christ in a Pluralist Society.
Commission on Theology, Reformed Church in America.
Esperanza en el Señor
Jesucristo
Reciban abundancia de gracia y de paz mediante el conocimiento que
tienen de Dios y de JesĪs, nuestro Seøor.
Jesus is Lord
How the Earliest Christian Confession Informs Our Proclamation
in a Pluralistic Age, by Marianne Meye Thompson, Professor of
New Testament Interpretation at Fuller Theological Seminary.
Is there saving grace for those
who do not profess faith in Jesus Christ?
Rev. Dr. Malcolm Brownlee, Interim Pastor, First Presbyterian Church, Beckley, WV.
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