Westminster Presbytery of the PCA submitted Overture 28 to the 47th General Assembly at its Stated Meeting on March 9, 2019. The text is available in printer-friendly format from the PCA’s Administrative Committee here. It is also reproduced below.
Please note that a majority of the Overtures Committee (91-34, Minutes, 87) of the 47th General Assembly of the PCA voted to answer Overture 28 “with reference to Overture 4, as presented” (Minutes, 78). This means that the Overtures Committee recommended the General Assembly to answer in the affirmative (74-53-1; Minutes, 86) Overture 4 from Calvary Presbytery (to declare the “‘Nashville Statement’ on Biblical Sexuality as a Biblically Faithful Declaration) in place of the essentially similar Overture 28 (as well as Overtures 22 and 37). The Assembly upheld the Overtures Committee recommendation after answering Overture 4 in the affirmative (803-541; Minutes, 76), and later hearing a presentation of a Minority Report on Overture 28 and rejecting said Minority Report by a vote of 210-967 (Minutes, 78). This means that the 47th General Assembly of the PCA elected to declare the ‘Nashville Statement’ on biblical sexuality as a biblically faithful declaration rather than to adopt one of the two statements put forward by a PCA presbytery (Overtures 28 and 37). For more information on how the General Assembly receives overtures and communications, and on how the Overtures Committee operates, please consult the PCA’s Rules of Assembly Operations (RAO) found here (pages 250-319), particularly articles 11 (Communications and Overtures) and 15 (The Overtures Committee).
“Affirmations and Denials regarding Homosexuality”
Whereas a controversy has arisen in the Presbyterian Church in America over certain teachings espoused by Revoice, an organization that is promoting LGBT+ flourishing in various PCA churches, it has become necessary to clarify and reaffirm what the Bible teaches concerning homosexuality and gender;
Therefore be it resolved that Westminster Presbytery ask the 47th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in America to adopt the following 12 articles that clarify and affirm the Bible’s teaching about homosexuality and gender.
Article 1
WE AFFIRM that homosexual attraction, homosexual orientation, and homosexual acts are against nature and sinful. (Rom. 1:26-27)
WE DENY that homosexual attraction is part of the original creation order, since God created man in His image male and female for one another. (Gen. 1:27-28; Gen. 2:18, 21-24; Mt. 19:4-6)
Article 2
WE AFFIRM that homosexual attraction is a vile, degrading, and dishonorable passion, and those who condone homosexuality invite the further judgment of God. (Rom. 1:26-32)
WE DENY that unrepentant homosexuals will inherit the kingdom of God. (1 Cor. 6:9-10)
Article 3
WE AFFIRM that Jesus condemned both sinful sexual attractions and sinful sexual actions. (Mt. 5:27-28)
WE DENY that scripture permits homosexual attraction and orientation. (Rom. 1:26-27)
Article 4
WE AFFIRM that those with homosexual attractions, incestuous attractions, and bestial
attractions are ”sexual minorities” in the church.
WE DENY that there is any virtue in being identified as a “sexual minority,” because all of these dispositions are sinful. (Lev. 18:6, 22-23; 20:13, 15-16)
Article 5
WE AFFIRM that God by His grace can change an unnatural sexual orientation. (1 Cor. 6:11; 1 Jn. 1:9)
WE DENY that unnatural sexual orientations are fixed, permanent, and unchangeable.
(Col. 1:21-23)
Article 6
WE AFFIRM that many people having a homosexual orientation do not desire this orientation.
WE DENY that unwanted vile passions are natural, neutral, or good. (Rom. 7:21-25)
Article 7
WE AFFIRM that Christians ought to abhor homosexual sin (Lev. 18:22). Abhorrence of all sin should be cultivated. Those who love the Lord hate evil. (Ps. 97:10)
WE DENY that revulsion and abhorrence of homosexual sin is sinful. (Rom. 12:9; 1 Cor. 13:4-7)
Article 8
WE AFFIRM that people living in homosexual sin should be shown kindness and lovingly
encouraged to turn from their sin to serve Christ who alone can deliver them from sin and its shame. (Mk. 2:16-17; James 5:19-20)
WE DENY that it is loving or kind to try to diminish or remove the shame of homosexual
attraction and orientation, since God calls it shameful. (Rom. 1:26-27; Jer. 6:14-15)
Article 9
WE AFFIRM that repentant sinners turning from all unnatural attractions and trusting in
Christ should be welcomed into the church as members in good standing. (1 Tim. 1:15-16)
WE DENY that followers of Christ who struggle with homosexual attraction should be identified as “LGBT+ Christians,” because it dishonors Christ to identify with sinful attractions and orientations. (2 Cor. 5:16-17; 1 Cor. 6:9-11)
Article 10
WE AFFIRM that homosexual attraction should be mortified by the power of the Spirit. (Col. 3:1-7; Rom. 8:12-14; 1 Thess. 4:3-5)
WE DENY that continuing homosexual attraction or failure to attain orientation change is evidence of God’s approval of these unnatural and vile passions. (Rom. 7:21-25; Rom. 1:26-27)
Article 11
WE AFFIRM that those struggling with unlawful sexual attractions of any kind should be encouraged to seek the help, prayer, and counsel of mature believers, elders, and pastors. (James 5:16; Heb. 3:12-13; Heb. 10:24-25)
WE DENY that those struggling with homosexual attraction and orientation should suffer in silence. (Gal. 6:1-2)
Article 12
WE AFFIRM that our inward self-conception and outward gender identity must conform to the sex God assigned us at conception, and thus we are to live in obedience to his call evident in our reproductive organs. (Dt. 22:5)
WE DENY that physical anomalies or psychological conditions nullify the union God has decreed between biological sex and self-conception and gender identity.
Adopted by Westminster Presbytery at its stated meeting, March 9, 2019