 General Assembly decides not to confront theological differences By John H. Adams The Presbyterian Layman Volume 33, Number 4 Posted August 4, 2000 LONG BEACH, Calif. – The General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (USA) decided not to confront theological divisions within the denomination, which some believe constitute an “irreconcilable impasse.” The commissioners voted 453-71, with seven abstentions, to reject an overture from the Beaver-Butler Presbytery calling on the Assembly to declare that there exists an “irreconcilable impasse” concerning eight theological issues about which evangelicals and liberals have been unable to find common ground for decades.
Instead, the Assembly approved a statement that skirted the eight issues and said “… we disagree with the conclusion that an irreconcilable impasse exists” and “differences in fact have the potential to make our unity in Christ even stronger.” The Beaver-Butler overture was one of the most widely discussed issues before the General Assembly. It was lampooned by the left flank of the denomination as a distraction from a previous mandate to find unity in diversity. The overture calling for acknowledgement of the theological differences was initially accompanied by an overture that would have set up a process by which congregations that could not submit to the Constitution of the PCUSA could leave with their property and assets. Earlier in the week, commissioners followed the recommendation of the Committee on Bills and Overtures and scratched the companion overture from the docket. That action concurred with the recommendation of the 1999 General Assembly, which called for a two-year moratorium on issues related to G-6.0106b, the constitutional standard that requires Presbyterian ministers, elders and deacons to limit their sexual activity to marriage. The eight theological differences were identified as Biblical authority, Biblical interpretation, the atonement, salvation, ethics, leadership, sanctification and the Church. Committee is unanimous The General Assembly Committee on Theological Issues voted 58-0 against the Beaver-Butler overture and 55-1, with one abstention, in favor of the brief response addressed to “Friends in Christ.” It was the response that denied that an “irreconcilable theological impasse exists.” During floor debate, an amendment was proposed to restore some of the essence of Beaver-Butler. The amendment called on the denomination to at least discuss the eight differences during Presbyterian “Unity in the Midst of our Diversity” meetings. The unity-diversity discussions were recommended by the 1999 General Assembly as a part of the two-year moratorium on reconsideration of G-6.0106b. That amendment was defeated 349-159, with eight abstentions. Jack Patrick of the Beaver-Butler Presbytery would not concede that there was no substantial divide. He cited the ordination issue. “We believe there is a great divide, in one area in particular: That is homosexuality. There are those who do not believe they engage in sin; on the other hand, there are those who believe homosexual activity is sinful. We need to bring these issues to the forefront.” “We do not disagree over significant issues,” replied Gerald Butler of Great Rivers Presbytery. “Praying together and working together we can come to unity together.” |
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