SCHISM IS WHAT SCHISM DOES

From My Perspective - - - 

Denominational groups of every stripe usually meet at this time of the year to conduct the business of the Church. There are reports from the different agencies that are endorsed and supported by the denominational group. One area that occupies considerable time in Presbyterian conclaves are overtures about various concerns and desired corrections or amendments to the governing documents. One denomination meeting this week (PCA in Houston, TX) has before it 52 Overtures. Some of them will address social concerns such as same-gender marriages; child protection; sanctity of life and marriage, etc. The goal of the deliberative body is to come to a meeting of the minds and reach agreement that is best for the church. Is that always the case? There is often more heat than light and the seeds of schism have been planted.

An interesting Historical account was shared in the daily - "This Day In Presbyterian History" - of an event that occurred in the early 1800s. It is titled: “The Mother of All Schisms in Presbyterianism (Old School Presbyterians…New School Presbyterians). You were either one or the other in the early to mid-nineteenth century in the Presbyterian Church in the United States…The fundamentals of the faith were at stake. First, the Old School Presbyterians held to strict subscription to the church standards, such as the Westminster Standards, with church discipline for any dissenters. The New School Presbyterians were willing to tolerate lack of subscription if evangelism was being accomplished. Second, the Old School Presbyterians were opposed to the 1801 Plan of Union with the Congregational church, while New School Presbyterians were committed to it. Next, the Old School Presbyterians were opposed to the false gospel methodology of a Charles Finney,…while the New School Presbyterians did not wish to hinder revival…Last, there was the matter of theology. Influencing some among the New School Presbyterians…were the two “isms” of Hopkinism and Taylorism from New England, which denied original sin and gospel redemption. Old School Presbyterianism more uniformly held to the Westminster Standards on both doctrines of original sin and gospel redemption as essentials of the faith. For several General Assemblies, there were more New School Presbyterian delegates than Old School Presbyterian delegates. But on June 5, 1837, that majority was reversed, with the Old School Presbyterians in strength. In the assembly that week, the Assembly was able to abrogate the 1801 Plan of Union with the Congregationalists. They then proceeded to expel four largely New School synods from the church, composed of 28 Presbyteries, 509 ministers, and 60,000 members! In one swift vote, they were no longer members of the Presbyterian Church, U.S.A.” Schism was inevitable.

Fast forward to 2014. The Associated Press reported the major focus for a church court this year. “The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) appears to be on the brink of handing a major victory to a movement that wants institutions to wield their investment dollars against Israel over its treatment of the Palestinians.The Presbyterian General Assembly, gathering in Detroit through next week, will consider withdrawing its investments from some companies whose products are used by the Israeli government in the Palestinian territories. Divestment advocates were narrowly outmaneuvered at the last Presbyterian convention in 2012, losing a crucial ballot by just two votes. They enter this year's fight with signs of increasing momentum, within and outside the church.” Is this the God-ordained mission and purpose for His Church? Schism is inevitable.

The mission and purpose of the Church has always been to proclaim the Gospel; make disciples; and declare the whole counsel of God. Is the Church today able to identify itself with Paul when he said, Acts 20:17-22, “You yourselves know how I lived among you the whole time from the first day that I set foot in Asia, serving the Lord with all humility and with tears and with trials…how I did not shrink from declaring to you anything that was profitable, and teaching you in public and from house to house, testifying both to Jews and to Greeks of repentance toward God and of faith in our Lord Jesus Christ”? The answer is “NO!” The preoccupation is with temporal matters rather than spiritual. Once again, schism is inevitable. Consider these things with me.