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Why a Two Synod Denomination?
The PCUSA and its predecessors, the UPUSA and PCUS, have,
for many decades, consisted of two theological schools, the Progressives, and the Evangelicals. The Progressives adhere
more closely to the Auburn Confession and the Confession of 1967, from the prior UPUSA denomination, and feel, as
James did, that faith without works is dead. Pursuant to this, they have thrown themselves into political action and
social causes. The Evangelicals adhere to traditional, reformed, orthodox theological standards. Therefore,
the Evangelicals tend to follow Biblical standards, more closely, as found in the Apostles Creed, the Nicene Creed,
and to a degree the Westminster Confession of Faith. The Evangelicals feel that the propagation of the
Good News of what Christ Jesus has done for us, by helping to bring others to a real and personal knowledge
of the Lord Jesus Christ, is primary. For years the strength of this denomination has been the existence of both of
these schools of theological thought. The Evangelical Wing took to heart the political proposals of the more
Progressive Wing, understanding that faith without works is dead, and the Progressive Wing took to heart the need to center
their theology more closely to the Lord Jesus Christ.
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The need for Spiritual Integrity:
The passage of the PUP report and reinterpretation of the
Trinity, put the denomination on a collision course, with each of the two theological group's interpretation
of the scriptures, and their spiritual integrity, being at stake. The Progressive's feel that their interpretation
of the scriptures, which encompasses a very broad application of Christ's work on the cross, makes restrictions
on relationships, and sexual expression irrelevant, and allows for a more all inclusive definition of doctrines such as the
Trinity. The Evangelical Wing feels that this is an attack on Biblical Authority, that the Father does have preferences
for forms of relationships and sexual expression, put forth in the scriptures, as well as interepretations of basic Christian
Doctrines, such as the Trinity. Each camp needs to protect their own Spiritual Integrity, in these matters,
in order to fully serve the Lord Jesus Christ, in their ministry, on every level.
The failure of the
PUP Report:
The PUP Report presumes that neither Wing of the denomination has a need to maintain
and protect their Spiritual Integrity.
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