A Great Moment in the History of the PCA

Yesterday the General Assembly of the PCA overwhelmingly approved the recommendations of the study committee on the "New Perspective" on Paul and the "Federal Vision." Note my earlier entry for the text of the recommendations.

That approval came after two hours of debate. It was clear that there was overwhelming support for the report. The only question was whether it might be improved by further study involving a one-year delay and input from parties more sympathetic to the Federal Vision. That option for delay was rejected after two powerful speeches by Dr. R. C. Sproul and Dr. David Coffin. Immediately following the report the Assembly sang "My Hope is Built on Nothing Less than Jesus' Blood and Righteousness."

Dr. Sproul also preached in the evening service of the assembly. The worship services at this assembly have been outstanding. It occurred to me that it is very important for us to appreciate the worship tradition that we have received through churches such as Tenth in Philidelphia, Briarwood, and many of our other excellent larger churches. Also, many of the orthodox PCUSA churches retain this solid tradition of covenant renewal with expository preaching and excellence of musical offering. In our critique of particular points of worship (on one side or another) we have to be careful not to throw out the worship tradition that defines the experience of so many dignified Presbyterian congregations throughout the world.

I went to bed last night so very happy to be a part of the Presbyterian Church in America. I realize that some of the few Federal Vision advocates in our denomination naturally approached the evening with a very different emotion, but I think it was essential to take the wind out of the sails of this minority movement within the PCA before it had another year to pick up more speed and cause more unnecessary confusion and division.

Sometimes the pain that a few members feel is necessary for the health of the whole body.