Thread by @CAHutch1990

Presbyterianism 🧵.

At my first presbytery meeting, way back in the mid-90s, there was a controversial case before the brothers.

One large church's delegates said that if the presbytery did not vote a certain way, they would drastically reduce their funding. 1/10

In one sense, I understand that. If you believe a ministry is altogether unfaithful, you don't want to send them your money.

But this was the ministry they themselves belonged to. And the threat was made as *part of the debate* itself. 2/

As such, it amounted to a form of the argumentative fallacy, "appeal to force" or ad baculum:

"If you don't vote the way we want, there will be negative results, not related to the actual matter before us."

It's bad Presbyterianism. It's bad ethics. 3/

That is what has most frustrated me about the polity matters now working their way through the PCA.

Too many ad baculum appeals have been made (not to mention appeal to the populace, appear to emotion, and slippery slope).

When what is before us are matters of polity. 4/

Our BCO is a tertiary document. We change and fill it so often, mine has literal duct tape.

Good men are allowed to disagree on what is helpful wording (Prelim. Principle 5), without being called "unconfessional" or "unfaithful" to the Scriptures. 5/

There has been an unhelpful politicization of the process from outside the courts.

Such that pre-judicial pressures are brought to bear on men to vote a certain way. Or face results.

When they may just like or not like the wording itself. 6/

In Presbyterianism - indeed, in Christian ethics - the means matter. We must do the right thing the right way.

Which means looking at the amendments themselves - the wording - and not just supposed or threatened results if we think a particular measure unwise. 7/

If you are reading this and think I am sub-tweeting you, I am more concerned with the process - and our life together as a denomination - going forward.*

We all have room to grow in our churchmanship, in presbyterianism - and in love and wisdom. 8/

I have had good men like T. David Gordon, Roland Barnes, and David Coffin teach me.

I have had many others put up with me and my poor Presbyterianism at times. Thank you.

Let's not have Paul or Apollos or Christ parties within the PCA. Let's argue more, and politicize less. 9/

* you are also welcome to contact me. If you don't already have my email, it's not hard to find. You don't have to ghost me just because we don't always agree. Christian fellowship is found in the sincere give and take of ideas, not winning or losing a debate. 10/10

This one too, please @threadreaderapp