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The Continuing Prophetic Ministry of the Church: PFR's Response to the "Spahr Decision" |
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Written by Presbyterians For Renewal
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The EventThe General Assembly Permanent Judicial Commission (GAPJC) recently lifted a lower court’s censure of PC(USA) minister Jane Spahr for conducting same sex commitment ceremonies that she called “marriages.”
This “Spahr Decision” is deeply troubling to Presbyterians who are committed to the traditional view of marriage and to biblical faithfulness in the church. But beyond our initial emotional response, we must be precise in our reaction:
- This complex decision is not about Jane Spahr
- The decision includes at least one discernible step forward in the effort to uphold biblical faithfulness through the PC(USA) Constitution
- The decision also includes unnecessary and self contradictory statements
- The decision requires careful analysis and prayerful interpretation
The Spahr Decision is complex, in part because the case is complex. In this response, PFR will:
- Highlight aspects of the case that impacted the GAPJC’s decision
- Identify one potentially positive impact of the decision
- Challenge several significant and gratuitous statements that are theologically inaccurate, and
- Offer reflection on the role of “the prophet” in the life of the church
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