Category: discipline

An Overture that Doesn’t Make the “Grade”: The Presbyterian Judicial System is Necessarily “Vertically Inclined”

March 26, 2024

By Brad Isbell | March 26, 2024 An overture from a PCA session (meaning it failed to receive a majority at presbytery) would make the presbyterian judicial system more horizontal and lateral. The rationale (in part): For small Presbyteries and Sessions, it can be particularly difficult to perform an investigation properly, let alone to execute a trial. … More An Overture that Doesn’t Make the “Grade”: The Presbyterian Judicial System is Necessarily “Vertically Inclined”

Cretans Are Always Liars: The Necessity of Divine Oaths in Church Courts

January 12, 2024

By Brant Bosserman | January 12, 2024 Please note that the Editorial Board of Presbyterian Polity does not necessarily endorse all views expressed on the blog of this site, but the editors are pleased to present well-crafted position papers on issues facing Presbyterian churches and denominations. What follows is one such paper for our readers’ … More Cretans Are Always Liars: The Necessity of Divine Oaths in Church Courts

Trying to Do Something… Substantial

January 5, 2024

Understanding Overture 4 from Central Indiana Presbytery By Dan Barber | January 5, 2024 Please note that the Editorial Board of Presbyterian Polity does not necessarily endorse all views expressed on the blog of this site, but the editors are pleased to present well-crafted position papers on issues facing Presbyterian churches and denominations. What follows … More Trying to Do Something… Substantial

Our System of Doctrine

September 20, 2023

by Philip Ryan | September 20, 2023 “The words ‘system of doctrine,’ have a definite meaning, and serve to define and limit the extent to which the confession is adopted.” ~ Charles Hodge [1] The Westminster Confession and Catechisms are a treasure. When people ask for a good one-volume systematic theology, I usually recommend the … More Our System of Doctrine

The Benefits & Blessings of Ordination

September 8, 2023

by Guy Prentiss Waters | September 8, 2023 Most Presbyterians have attended an ordination service, but many Presbyterians don’t fully understand what they are witnessing. What exactly is (not) happening when men are ordained to office in the church? What are the benefits and blessings of ordination to the church’s officers? The PCA’s Book of … More The Benefits & Blessings of Ordination

Constraining Choice of Counsel Contravenes Christ

June 12, 2023

By Daniel Thornton | June 12, 2023 Please note that the Editorial Board of Presbyterian Polity does not necessarily endorse all views expressed on the blog of this site, but the editors are pleased to present well-crafted position papers on issues facing Presbyterian churches and denominations. What follows is one such paper for our readers’ … More Constraining Choice of Counsel Contravenes Christ

Overture 11 & Making Objections to SJC Decisions

June 9, 2023

By Jacob Gerber | June 9, 2023 Please note that the Editorial Board of Presbyterian Polity does not necessarily endorse all views expressed on the blog of this site, but the editors are pleased to present well-crafted position papers on issues facing Presbyterian churches and denominations. What follows is one such paper for our readers’ … More Overture 11 & Making Objections to SJC Decisions

Safeguarding Our Unity: RPR’s Citation of a Woman Preaching

June 9, 2023

By Matt Fender | June 9, 2023 Editor’s Note: What follows is a public response to a public criticism of a committee recommendation before the 50th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA). The Review of Presbytery Records (RPR) Committee has recommended to the 50th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in America … More Safeguarding Our Unity: RPR’s Citation of a Woman Preaching