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Some things about Presbyterian Christians...

Did you know...

Building on Scottish Social Contract Theory, Presbyterians live a form and order that is at the root of our nation's government?

As opposed to the feudalist authority reflected in bishops and priests, Lords and kings, the Scotts in their rebellion against England engendered a covenant of mutual social accountability.  It soon found theological expression in the leadership of the Protestant Reformer, John Knox, influenced by John Calvin. 

This thinking was influential in the Mayflower Compact, drafted by a group of Calvinist Separatists off the shoals of Provincetown, Massachusetts, to keep their community together when they were 3000 miles from any governing authority.

 

This theological and social perspective found political resonance with the emerging nation, and from this grew the balance of powers, the civilian commander-in-chief, the elected representative legislature, the limited executive, the sovereign judiciary,  and other cornerstones of our nation. 

This might explain why there have always been more Presbyterian Senators, Representatives and Presidents, and  more local government leaders who are Presbyterian than from any other expression of Christianity; and disproportionately to the percentage of actual Presbyterian Christians in the national population.

The ethos of our nation is the ethos of Presbyterianism. 

 

On a structural level, Presbyterianism is merely an anglicized derivation of the Greek presytos, or simply, "elder."  It is an organization of church governance that balances the authority between clergy and lay elders, so that neither an oligarchy of the elite, nor the anarchy of the masses can rule.  It is a system of checks and balances, accountability and respect, balance the wisdom. 

Theologically speaking, Presbyterianism emphasizes tenants of faith crystallized in the Reformation of the 16th century.  Most notably is the solid adherence to scripture.  Sola scripture, "only scripture," is the basis of the faith and revelation.  The total sovereignty of God is paramount against our idolatrous tendency to elevate our depraved ways above that of God's design.  His grace is merciful and when encountered is so embracing that there is little else to do than surrender in welcome subjectivity to the Lord. 

If you want to know more about the theological doctrines of Calvin and Presbyterianism, clink onto this link to a PDF download of faith statements, or the Book Confessions, that have been used to express the faith of the church throughout the centuries.  

Book of Confessions - CLICK HERE:  http://www.pcusa.org/oga/publications/boc.pdf

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Updated: 09/29/08