Overture 04-3. On Reorganizing and Improving the Presentation of G 2.0300, G-2.0400, and G 2.0500 Without Material Alteration to Its Actual Content—From the Presbytery of John Calvin.

The Presbytery of John Calvin overtures the 216th General Assembly (2004) of the PC(USA) to reorganize and improve the presentation of G 2.0300, G 2.0400, and G 2.0500 without material alteration to its actual content.

Rationale

The constitutional questions require all candidates for ordination to affirm that they “sincerely receive and adopt the essential tenets of the Reformed faith” (G 14.0207c), and the Book of Order does not explicitly identify or describe these “essential tenets,” as such.

The failure to respond adequately to repeated requests for guidance in this regard leaves the impression that we are unwilling or unable to express our faith when asked to do so, contrary to the great tradition of our confessional church, which has always sought to hold forth to the world a clear statement of faith.

The Book of Order (G 2.0300 and G 2.0400) contains an eloquent summarization of the “essence” (or core substance) of our Reformed faith, but it has existed in a presentation that is not easily recognizable for what it is, nor has it been arranged in such a way to draw sufficient and helpful attention to itself.

Current tensions in the church may cause some to suggest that “important” matters of the faith are “essential” (i.e., belonging to its core substance) when, in fact, they are “important” matters that, although susceptible to error in an imperfect church, are unworthy of schism in the Body of Christ.

The Presbytery of John Calvin, seeking to “further the peace, unity, and purity of the church” (G 14.0207g), suggests that G 2.0300, G 2.0400, and G 2.0500 could be reorganized as follows: (The current text is shown with a strike-through; the suggested text is shown as italic.]

“G 2.0300 Faith of the Church Catholic

“In its confessions, the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) gives witness to the faith of the Church catholic. The confessions express the faith of the one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church*b in the recognition of canonical Scriptures and the formulation and adoption of the ecumenical creeds, notably the Nicene and Apostles’ Creeds with their definitions of the mystery of the triune God and of the incarnation of the eternal Word of God in Jesus Christ.

“G 2.0400 Faith of the Protestant Reformation

“In its confessions, the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) identifies with the affirmations of the Protestant Reformation. The focus of these affirmations is the rediscovery of God’s grace in Jesus Christ as revealed in the Scriptures. The Protestant watchwordsCgrace alone,*c faith alone,*d Scripture alone*eCembody principles of understanding which continue to guide and motivate the people of God in the life of faith.

“G 2.0500 Faith of the Reformed Tradition

“a. In its confessions, the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) expresses the faith of the Reformed tradition. Central to this tradition is the affirmation of the majesty,*f holiness,*g and providence of God*h who creates,*i sustains,*j rules,*k and redeems*l the world in the freedom of sovereign righteousness and love.*m Related to this central affirmation of God’s sovereignty are other great themes of the Reformed tradition:

“(1) The election*n of the people of God for service as well as for salvation;*o

“(2) Covenant life marked by a disciplined concern for order in the church according to the Word of God;

“(3) A faithful stewardship that shuns ostentation and seeks proper use of the gifts of God’s creation;

“(4) The recognition of the human tendency to idolatry*p and tyranny,*q which calls the people of God to work for the transformation of society by seeking justice and living in obedience to the Word of God.

“Reflect a Particular Stance

“b. Thus, the creeds and confessions of this church reflect a particular stance within the history of God’s people. They are the result of prayer, thought, and experience within a living tradition. They serve to strengthen personal commitment and the life and witness of the community of believers.”

“G 2.0300 The Essential Tenets of the Reformed Faith

“Among the tenets deemed essential to an understanding of the Reformed Faith, as expressed in the confessions of the Presbyterian Church (USA), are:

“a. The faith of the one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church in the recognition of canonical Scriptures and the formulation and adoption of the ecumenical creeds, notably the Nicene and Apostles’ Creeds with their definitions of the mystery of the triune God and of the incarnation of the eternal Word of God in Jesus Christ.

“b. The affirmations of the Protestant Reformation in the rediscovery of God’s grace in Jesus Christ as revealed in the Scriptures. The Protestant watchwords grace alone, faith alone, Scripture alone embody principles of understanding which continue to guide and motivate the people of God in the life of faith.

“c. The central affirmation of the Reformed Tradition expressing faith in the majesty, holiness, and providence of God who creates, sustains, rules, and redeems the world in the freedom of sovereign righteousness and love.

“d. The great themes of the Reformed Tradition which are related to its central affirmation:

“1. The election of the people of God for service as well as for salvation;

“2. Covenant life marked by a disciplined concern for order in the church according to the Word of God;

“3. A faithful stewardship that shuns ostentation and seeks proper use of the gifts of God’s creation;

“4. The recognition of the human tendency to idolatry and tyranny, which calls the people of God to work for the transformation of society by seeking justice and living in obedience to the Word of God.

“G 2.0400 Reflect a Particular Stance

“Thus, the creeds and confessions of this church reflect a particular stance within the history of God’s people. They are the result of prayer, thought, and experience within a living tradition. They serve to strengthen personal commitment and the life and witness of the community of believers.”