You can now watch the five part video presentation of the PCA's sociological strategic plan for the future of the denomination as presented by Bryan Chapell. I am thankful that Scripture was not completely left out of this hour long presentation. A verse did actually make it in there at one point. What concerns me the most about this video is the way that Chapell says, "In so many ways our motto as a denomination synthesizes our mission ideals and our history." While the motto is not actually an official part of the constitution of the PCA, Chapell treats it as having more authority than the Westminster Standards and the Book of Church Order. The phrase itself is useful so far as it goes, but Chapell's sociological use of it raises a red flag. Chapell essentially defines phases of the PCA's history according to these three values: "Faithful to Scripture," "true to the Reformed faith," and obedient to the Great Commission." Chapell suggests that the PCA knew what it was to be "faithful to Scripture" in the first 30 seconds of its existence. But it took 30 years to argue and conclude what it might be to be "true to the Reformed Faith." Finally he concludes, "as we look forward to the next 30 years it will likely be saying 'How will we do mission together?'" So apparently we have never done missions together, and have never really been that Reformed either... So, this begs the question, "Was the PCA ever really faithful to Scripture?," since we believe Reformed Theology is scriptural.
Isn't this what the emergent and emerging church is doing, leaving doctrine out and embracing the idea of being missional? If we're true to the faith and the Word of God, being missional must stem from that, just like good works stems from being a new creation in Christ. If we believe the Gospel, the desire and action to share it with all men should flow from a sincere faith. As David said, "I believed and therefore I spoke. (Psalm 116:10, 2 Cor. 4:13) " He's just separated the two. Chapell seems to think you can actually believe the Gospel and the Reformed faith and not be missional. This is a false dichotomy.
1 comment:
However, this is a "false dichotomy" that's been lived out by the PCA for years. We've had our doctrine right and our beliefs accurate, but our lives haven't lived that out. We've let all of our head knowledge stay just that.
One year, at General Assembly, it was announced that all of 9 adult baptisms had occurred that year...in the entire PCA! That is one example of how we've not been missional.
Chapel isn't about to let us lose our Truth in favor of being missional. He, among many other pastors & teachers, want both to be walked in the whole of the PCA.
~Miz Erven :)
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