“When it comes to ordained clergy in the PCA identifying themselves as gay in “orientation,” let us not pretend as though we really believe that liberty is called for. I can think of churches in the PCA that would not allow me within 100 yards of their pulpit to preach on the subject of homosexuality and human identity precisely because they know I would refute the category of “sexual orientation,” the theology of Revoice, and Side-B homosexuality…”
(Todd Pruitt – Reformation 21) “In essentials unity, in non-essentials liberty, in all things charity” (In necessariis unitas, in dubiis libertas, in omnibus caritas). That statement has often been attributed to St. Augustine who almost certainly did not say it….
It seems to have its origins in the 17th century either from Roman Catholic or moderate Lutherans in Germany. Whatever the case, the saying stuck. It has found its way into the common vernacular of many churches and denominations. I once served in a non-denominational church where it was repeated copiously. But I could never get anyone to actually define the terms.
Since this year’s historic General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in America I have seen the famous statement repeated by some of my fellow PCA pastors as a way to suggest that the passage of Overtures 23 and 37 are unnecessarily divisive. They seem to believe that the overtures will place too strict a standard upon our denomination and make targets of elders who identify as gay in sexual orientation.
Research
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