The Pulpit: Presbyterian Church USA allows same-sex marriages

The PCUSA (Presbyterian Church United States of America) is the largest Presbyterian denomination in the nation, though it has been rapidly losing membership for years. Their recent actions may not help in stemming the downward spiral as they might hope. This past March 17, the leadership of that denomination jettisoned the clear teaching of God’s Word on the issue of same-sex marriage. The Book of Church Order which, among other things, dictates what churches and ministers can and cannot do, has now been officially amended permitting her ministers to perform same-sex marriage services without fear of discipline. No ordained minister of that denomination need worry if they perform marriage ceremonies “uniting” a man with another man or a woman with a woman in what was once known as “holy matrimony.” The PCUSA now joins a number of other denominational bodies in the tacit, if not outright approbation, of the church’s participation in and blessings upon the joining of same sex couples in marriage. It is widely assumed that the Supreme Court will affirm that same sex couples have a constitutional right to such marriages making it the law of the land and overturning any state law forbidding such unions. That judgment may come as early as this summer. In response, on March 18, 2015, the Stated Clerk of the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA), to which Grace Presbyterian in Madison is affiliated, has issued the following statement on behalf of all our churches, pastors and institutions: On March 17, 2015 the Presbyterian Church (USA) approved language that allows its ministers to officiate at same-sex marriages in its churches. The change comes after the General Assembly and a majority of that denomination’s 171 presbyteries approved an amendment to their Book of Order that describes marriage as ‘a unique relationship between two people, traditionally a man and a woman.’ There are several Presbyterian denominations in the United States. The Presbyterian Church in America (PCA), formed in 1973 as an evangelical denomination in the Reformed theological tradition, is the second largest. We, like other evangelical, conservative, orthodox and traditional Christians from many branches of the Christian faith, believe that, from creation, God ordained the marriage covenant to be a unique bond between one man and one woman. This biblical understanding is what the Church has always believed, taught and confessed. Therefore, we believe that the divinely sanctioned standard for sexual activity is fidelity within a marriage between one man and one woman or chastity outside of such a marriage. We believe that, from creation, God ordained the marriage covenant to be a unique bond between one man and one woman. This biblical understanding is what the Church has always believed, taught and confessed. Throughout history, there has often been a conflict between what the Church has believed, taught and confessed and the society to which the Church ministers. The Church, in contrast to the broader culture, is to base her views and practices on authoritative and timeless divine revelation found in the Holy Scriptures, and not on the changing and frequently subjective social practices within the society. The Church, therefore, has certain unchanging objective standards of biblical ethics. This is especially challenging in this post-modern era of relativism. We think that the comparatively recent interpretation that biblical prohibitions against same-sex intimacy do not apply to “a same-sex marriage” is based on false premises and faulty reasoning and, therefore, is erroneous – no matter how well-intentioned. The PCA in both its doctrinal standards (Westminster Confession of Faith, Chapter 24 “Of Marriage and Divorce”) and church polity (Book of Church Order, Chapter 59, “The Solemnization of Marriage”) affirms biblical marriage as being between one man and one woman. Neither the General Assembly nor any of the Presbyteries nor any Session (board of elders) of any congregation that is presently a member of the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA) has redefined marriage. Nor does the PCA intend to do so. As we affirm what is sometimes called a traditional view of marriage, which we prefer to call biblical marriage, we seek to follow the apostolic practice of “speaking the truth in love.” We reach out to all persons with the Good News by which we are being saved that “Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures.” Signed, Dr. Roy Taylor, Stated Clerk of the PCA. I share this with you because the majority of people in America have no clue that there are numerous Presbyterian denominations in the US just as there are a number of different Baptist and Methodist denominations. They all have distinctives that motivated them to form their own fellowship in the first place. But the average person driving by Grace Presbyterian, for instance, likely connects only with the fact that we are a “Presbyterian” church probably having no idea or concern for the varied groups within the umbrella of Presbyterianism and what differentiates them one from another. I have no doubt that there are conservative, Bible believing churches still within the PCUSA who will now have a decision to make as to whether they can, in all good conscience, remain within their denomination. However, they must remember, as should we all, that if we please Christ it doesn’t matter whom we displease, but if we displease Christ then it doesn’t matter whom we please.