Weighed in the Balance
Weighed in the Balance
Podcast Description
Weighed in the Balance, the show where we weigh claims against scripture and see if they hold up, of if they fall flat.
Podcast Insights
Content Themes
The show focuses on various theological topics, with episodes tackling the intricacies of doctrines like Sola Scriptura, the deity of Christ, and contemporary cultural claims against biblical teachings. For example, one episode debates whether early Church Fathers’ interpretations support the Protestant view, while another examines the balance of authority between Scripture and church tradition.
Weighed in the Balance, the show where we weigh claims against scripture and see if they hold up, of if they fall flat.
What is schism? When is separation from a church sinful—and when can separation actually be necessary?
In this episode of Weighed in the Balance, I begin examining the debate between Redeemed Zoomer and Dr. Matthew Everhard over whether it was wise for the founders of the Presbyterian Church in America to leave the Presbyterian Church in the United States and form a new denomination in 1973.
Before getting into the debate itself, we need to understand why the founders of the PCA said they left. The 1973 Message to All Churches provides an unusually valuable primary source. The founders described themselves as a true branch of the Church of Christ, expressed deep sorrow over their separation from their ”spiritual mother,” and nevertheless argued that loyalty to Christ required them to separate when the church would no longer maintain biblical purity and exercise proper discipline.
I examine their arguments concerning:
• The biblical meaning of schism
• Christian unity and the visible church
• When separation from a church may be necessary
• The three marks of the church
• The PCA founders' own explanation for the 1973 separation
• Sola Scriptura and the rise of theological liberalism
• The failure to exercise church discipline
• The significance of the Westminster Standards
• Whether the 1973 PCUS should be evaluated on its own terms rather than primarily by what the PC(USA) became decades later
• Dr. Matthew Everhard's opening argument in the debate
• Redeemed Zoomer's argument concerning the historical Presbyterian mainline
I also argue that an important distinction needs to be made: it is one thing to demonstrate that the PCA is preferable to the PC(USA) today; it is another thing to establish that the founders of the PCA were wise—or biblically justified—in separating in 1973.
This is only the beginning of the discussion. In future episodes, I intend to continue working through the debate.
What do you think? Was the 1973 separation justified? Was the language of ”discipline in reverse” appropriate? And should the debate focus primarily on the circumstances of the 1960s and 1970s rather than the present-day PC(USA)?
Do you think this claim is found wanting? Let us know on social!!
Disclaimer
This podcast’s information is provided for general reference and was obtained from publicly accessible sources. The Podcast Collaborative neither produces nor verifies the content, accuracy, or suitability of this podcast. Views and opinions belong solely to the podcast creators and guests.
For a complete disclaimer, please see our Full Disclaimer on the archive page. The Podcast Collaborative bears no responsibility for the podcast’s themes, language, or overall content. Listener discretion is advised. Read our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy for more details.