The Battle for Orthodoxy in the Presbyterian Church

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jul 20, 1916

The Battle for Orthodoxy in the Presbyterian Church

WE referred several weeks ago to the crisis which had arisen in the Presbyterian Church regarding some questions of orthodoxy. It was charged that the New York presbytery had licensed several theological students who refused to accept as cardinal doctrines of the Bible the virgin birth of Christ, the miracles of Jesus, the resurrection of Lazarus, and the inspiration of the Scriptures. Several presbyteries presented overtures to the General Assembly demanding an investigation of the New York presbytery.

Great interest centered around the discussion of the question at the General Assembly of the church, recently held in Atlantic City. The question was referred to the committee on bills and overtures. This committee finally reported that an agreement had been reached, the New York presbytery having agreed that hereafter unsatisfactory candidates who should offer themselves should have their license deferred till they reached a clear and positive conformity to the fundamentals of the church faith. The committee to which the question was referred recommended that the General Assembly call the attention of the presbyteries to the deliverance of the General Assembly of 1910, as follows:—

“1. It is an essential doctrine of the Word of God and our standards, that the Holy Spirit did so inspire, guide, and move the writings of Holy Scripture as to keep them from error.

“2. It is an essential doctrine of the Word of God and our standards, that our Lord Jesus Christ was born of the virgin Mary.”

“3. It is an essential doctrine of the Word of God and our standards, that Christ offered up ‘himself’ a sacrifice to satisfy divine justice and to reconcile us to God.

“4. It is an essential doctrine of the Word of God and our standards concerning our Lord Jesus Christ, that on the third day he arose from the dead with the same body with which he suffered, with which he also ascended into heaven, and there sitteth at the right hand of his Father, making intercession.

“5. It is an essential doctrine of the Word of God as the supreme standard of our faith, that our Lord Jesus showed his power and love, working mighty miracles. This working was not contrary to nature, but superior to it.”

Regarding this declaration made in 1910 the recent committee recommended:—

“Presbyteries are hereby enjoined not to license or ordain any candidates for the ministry whose views are not in accordance with this deliverance of 1910.

“This General Assembly renews its positive mandate with full expectation of loyal compliance by all our presbyteries, and directs that when a candidate appears who is found to be not clear and positive on any one of the fundamentals of our faith, his licensure be deferred until such time as in the judgment of the presbytery he has become so.”

This report was unanimously adopted. The decision of the Assembly is a good one. It remains to be seen whether the church will hold its representatives to this standard of orthodoxy regarding the questions involved in the controversy.