Rev Bill

With splits within the Presbyterian Church (USA) making headlines and some feeling they need to separate themselves from others instead of “stand with” them, I found this post at the Pyromaniacs to be interesting.

The point of the post is that unity is more important than schism within a church, and our witness for Christ is tarnished when we fail to get along with fellow Christians. I agree with this.

The post goes on to say that unity can not be kept at the expense of core beliefs. I believe that also.

But — what are the core beliefs that would force a split within a Church or a denomination? I believe it boils down to questions of salvation and the Lordship of Christ. Issues of ordination or other such issues are not core issues. Our salvation does not depend on where we stand on the issue of ordination. Our salvation depends on whether or not we accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior.

Until someone can show me that the Presbyterian Church (USA) has abandoned the belief that salvation comes only through faith in Christ, I will have to stay with — and work for a renewal within — the Presbyterian Church (USA).

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