Assembly calls Jesus ‘unique,’ but does not affirm him as Lord alone By John H. Adams The Presbyterian Layman Volume 34, Number 5 Posted July 6, 2001 LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (USA) declared by a vote of 369-163 on June 14 that Jesus Christ is “uniquely Savior.” The statement fell short of what evangelicals had sought – a clear affirmation that is consistent with Scripture and The Book of Confessions – that Jesus alone is Savior and Lord for all humanity. Instead, the General Assembly borrowed phrases from a Reformed Church in America document titled “The Crucified One is Lord.” The assembly said: “Although we do not know the limits of God’s grace and pray for those who may come to know Christ, for us the assurance of salvation is found only in confessing Christ and trusting him alone. We are humbled in our witness to Christ by our realization that our understanding of him and his way is limited and distorted by our sin.” The issue of “Christ alone” was prompted by a minority report in response to the majority report of the General Assembly’s Committee on Theological Issues, Educational Institutions. The minority report asked the General Assembly to declare that Jesus Christ “is the singular saving Lord as understood through Scripture, our confessions and the Book of Order.” The committee majority skirted the Jesus-alone issue altogether, asking only that the General Assembly direct the denomination’s Office of Theology and Worship to cull Christological statements from Scripture, the confessions and The Book of Order for the church’s consideration. Rhee seeks compromise Former General Assembly Moderator Syngman Rhee suggested a compromise: Combine the committee’s majority report and the minority report. That suggestion appeared to gather momentum – or at least extended debate. Why not do both, Rhee asked? “That’s the reason why I am lifting up both of these signs,” he said, while holding up red and green signs to indicate he wanted to speak on both sides of the issue. “These need to be put together. Couldn’t there be some way that we also confess our faith … as well as ask our theological department” for a broader theology of Christ? “It’s about time for us to put Jesus Christ together.” Rhee’s question set in motion a number of procedural moves to blend the essences of the resolution submitted to the General Assembly by the Committee on Theological Issues and Educational Institution and a minority report written by nine members of that committee. But the commissioners sliced off the minority report and grafted the “uniquely Savior” statement proposed by Malcolm Brownlee Jr. of the Presbytery of Charlotte, N.C. Variety of views During debate, there was a variety of views about the Lordship of Christ, including some that described Christ as merely a preference for Christians and not necessarily the one who is vested with all authority in heaven and earth. Those favoring the “Christ alone” statement expressed concern that some church leaders were not providing a clear, unambiguous declaration of faith in Christ as necessary for salvation. Several quoted John 14:6: “I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father but by me.” The “Jesus is singular Lord” minority report was introduced by Catherine Purves, a minister in the Presbytery of Pittsburgh. “My husband gave me this cross last Christmas,” she told the commissioners. “This is the kind of cross we must wear today. This cross shines brightly so it is a clear signal for all to see, a brilliant symbol of our salvation. Today, we have the opportunity to let our faith in the singular saving Jesus Christ shine brightly.” “It is well known that there is debate among us about the meaning of Jesus,” she added. “Congregations all over the world are waiting to see what we will do. There comes a time when a clear and strong singular affirmation of the Lord Jesus Christ must come, and this is the time.” Who are the other gods? Jeff McDonald of the Presbytery of Missouri River Valley countered: “If salvation isn’t singular through Jesus Christ, does it mean that it is plural? If it is plural, who are the others?” Another commissioner, who did not state his name, called on the General Assembly to “respect diversity regarding belief in God.” He described the “Jesus alone” statement as an “exclusionary practice … that will split our church even greater. I don’t believe our church is in such a perilous time that such a matter needs to be passed.” But Homer Beggs of the Lake Erie Presbytery, a member of the Committee on Theological Issues, said he had voted with the majority but had since changed his mind. He urged the commissioners to affirm the singular saving work of Christ. Former General Assembly Moderator Freda Gardner was opposed to the affirmation of Christ alone. “Words can become stumbling blocks,” she said. Melinda Bowman of the Redstone Presbytery in Pennsylvania urged the General Assembly “to reaffirm the heart of our faith. This is the comfort and consolation all of our congregations need and turn to. My session expects no less of this assembly.” Robert Ray, a South Carolina presbytery executive, complained that the Jesus alone is Lord statement fails to address the sovereignty of God. “I do not have the right to say other people cannot find God in other ways. If God is all powerful, God can find ways to save Hindus, Jews and other people.”

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