Prayer, A Sweet Communion
Ultimately, the goal of prayer is a sweet communion with God: the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Yes, we might begin the praying life with nothing more than petitions and requests, but in the end, we will receive much more than answered prayers. We will receive God Himself.
The Beginning of Prayer
In the beginning, God breathed His breath into humanity. According to both Moses and Paul, this breath (or Spirit) caused Adam and Eve to be living souls (see Gen 1:7; 1 Cor 15:45).
What does it mean to be a living soul? At the very least, it means that we were created with a unique spiritual capacity to commune with God. But why would God give us this capacity?
The Bible’s answer is simple yet profound: God desires to dwell with humanity. This becomes evident in many places: the Garden of Eden (Gen 1-2); the tabernacle of Israel (Ex 40); the incarnation of Christ (Mt 1; Lk 1; John 1); the New Jerusalem (Rev 21-22); and more. Indeed, the entire biblical story culminates in the fulfillment of God’s desire: “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God” (Rev 21:3).
Thus, prayer can be described as an offshoot or implication of God’s desire to dwell with us. It is a God-given means by which we commune with God—through speech and listening and meditative reflection—this side of heaven. Its great and final end, as noted above, is everlasting and unencumbered communion with God.
The Fall of Prayer
How was prayer affected by the Fall of humanity? Did Adam and Eve’s sinful rebellion eradicate the possibility of prayerful communion with God?
According to the biblical story, prayer continues on, even after the Fall. Indeed, God speaks to Adam and Eve as they hide from Him, and they speak back (see Gen 3:9-10).
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Be Honest About Your Perspective on Christ
Do not be satisfied to live in the shell of Christianity with all the forms and religious talk without truly believing. Remember what Jesus said, “You are my disciples if you abide [remain] in what I have said. And you shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free” (John 8 ). Live honestly. There is a way forward if you do.
It is oxymoronic that a person can happily claim the title of Believer in Christ, while simultaneously not fully and happily accepting as true the actual words of Christ and of his apostles and prophets which is explicit in that title, and must be true if there is any actual benefit of belief.
If you are a believer, then believe and follow unashamedly. Don’t pretend not to believe for fear of others who are skeptical. You have nothing to be ashamed of if you believe, say, in the way the Apostle Paul did, do you?
But if you are only an interested observer, do not take the title of believer until you do. If you are a curious but doubtful, then be that openly and humbly until things change. If a seeker, then seek the truth until you find it.
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Faith (and Flexibility) of Our Fathers
There has been discussion recently of the spiritual “wastelands” in our own country, in terms of the relative paucity of a Reformed and Presbyterian presence in some regions. Might we then take a page out of the book of the Father of Presbyterianism and think through ways of putting similar not-ideal-but-sufficient-for-the-time-being Presbyterian measures in place? Who knows what shape that may take? Perhaps it looks like small “core group” gatherings in places where there is not yet a Reformed church, or yoked pastorates where several small congregations cannot afford a full-time minister by themselves, or interim evening-evangelistic worship services supplied by a (somewhat) proximate congregation that doesn’t itself have an evening service in place—surely the collective Presbyterian intellect can exert some confessional ingenuity!
It is sometimes alleged (or perhaps just assumed) that Reformed doctrine and practice can be rigid, intractable, and stubbornly inflexible—refusing to allow for any adaption to serve the needs of a context or mission field. It has been intimated (at least in my hearing) that some more conservative actors in the PCA would not allow for any adaptability when such is allowed and even commended by Scripture.
I am not sure how true or untrue that may be, and my goal here is not so much to answer those allegations as they may exist in our contemporary situation, but to demonstrate that, for at least one of our major Presbyterian forebears, such a mentality was not the case.
The name “John Knox” does not often connote “flexibility” or “adaptability” in the modern, popular imagination. But perhaps this brief observation and pastoral application will dispel some of those assumptions and provide some encouragement to those of us in the 21st-century PCA that there is a place for what we might call “biblical and prudent adaptability” and it is not without precedent in our tradition.
A few months ago, I was reading John Knox’s Letter of Wholesome Counsel, Addressed to His Brethren in Scotland.[i] In perusing his essay, it struck me that Knox provides grounded counsel as to how the church might carry on its operation in his absence—and not only his personal absence (as if the health and existence of the Christian church in Scotland were solely dependent on his personal presence), but also in the current absence of any duly ordained Protestant ministers. Knox is mindful of the fact that what he suggests is not a permanent solution and that the absence of a suitable Protestant minister is not an ideal situation, but it is the current reality facing these Proto-Protestants in Scotland.
Likening their situation to that of a hungry people needing food, he acknowledges that, like Israel of old eating manna day after day, subjecting oneself to the same predictable diet can become “tiresome and wearisome.” And while this is a temptation that God’s elect may endure for a time, Knox is confident that ultimately God’s people will be called away from such boredom. In other words, Knox is acknowledging that the sort of makeshift worship services and devotional habits that he is suggesting these house churches (“privy kirks”) implement (in the absence of an ordained ministry to structure regular public worship and administration of the sacraments) may seem predictable and tedious at times. Nevertheless, he trusts that by the grace of God his countrymen will find joy and sustenance in it, even as much as a hungry man will find joy and sustenance in the same predictable bread coming upon him day after day after day. Just as a man who is starving will soon come not to despise that monotonous bread supply, likewise God’s children will not long despise feeding their souls upon the Word of God when that is precisely what their soul needs.
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Overture 29 Points to the Need for Overture 15
Note: the second half of this article is a line-by-line look at how Overture 29 lines up with the PCA Constitution
I have many friends who are in support of Overture 29. In addition, I am on the GRN General Council and the GRN has officially advocated for its passage. Sadly, I am less encouraged than my friends on what Overture 29 will accomplish as it relates to the Side B Problem in the PCA. Of course, I agree wholeheartedly with the Overture’s language. As I show below, it is simply a restatement of what is already in the PCA Constitution. In fact, there is nothing in it that is not already in our BCO or the Westminster Standards. Therefore, something is still missing. That is of course not a reason to vote against it. I’m just asking:
How can Overture 29 deal with the Side B problem in the PCA, if our Confession and BCO have not?
Further to the issue, Overture 29 is being hailed as “addressing the substance of the problem” and the “final word on the matter” by men who believe that Former PCA Pastor Greg Johnson’s only violation was that “he could have spoken more clearly” and who believe it is ok to partner with, speak at, and host Revoice. (See examples at the bottom of this article) That leads to the question:
How can Overture 29 deal with the substance of the problem if these same men are supporting it and they have not changed their view?
What is missing from our Confession therefore isn’t something in Overture 29, but something that neither the Westminster Divines nor the founders of the PCA could have conceived of, namely the adoption of a homosexual self-conception. We would be good to remember that Former PCA Pastor Greg Johnson objected to Article 7 of the Nashville Statement on this point, yet he said he agreed with the language of Overture 29 at the 2022 General Assembly.
Therefore, what is needed to deal with the issue of the Side B anthropological and ontological conception of man is not Overture 29 on its own. Something more is needed. That is where Overture 15 completes Overture 29. Here are some articles in support of Overture 15:What follows is a line-by-line look at Overture 29 and how it corresponds to the PCA Constitution.
Overture 29 to Amend BCO 16 says:
Officers in the Presbyterian Church in America must be above reproach in their walk and Christlike in their character. While office bearers will see spiritual perfection only in glory, they will continue in this life to confess and to mortify remaining sins in light of God’s work of progressive sanctification. Therefore, to be qualified for office, they must affirm the sinfulness of fallen desires, the reality and hope of progressive sanctification, and be committed to the pursuit of Spirit empowered victory over their sinful temptations, inclinations, and actions.
Officers in the Presbyterian Church in America
must be above reproach in their walk and Christlike in their character.1 Timothy 3:2 – Therefore an overseer must be above reproach… (cf. Titus 1:6)
BCO 21-4c – Trials for ordination shall consist of: (1) A careful examination as to: (a) his acquaintance with experiential religion, especially his personal character and family management (based on the qualifications set out in 1 Timothy 3:1-7, and Titus 1:6-9)
BCO 24-1 & 24 -1 a. apply the same language to Ruling Elders and DeaconsWhile office bearers will see spiritual perfection only in glory
WCF 13.2 – This sanctification is throughout, in the whole man; (1 Thess. 5:23) yet imperfect in this life, there abiding still some remnants of corruption in every part; (1 John 1:10, 7:18, 23, Phil. 3:12) whence ariseth a continual and (irreconcilable war), the flesh lusting against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh. (Gal. 5:17, 1 Pet. 2:11)
they will continue in this life to confess and to mortify remaining sins in light of God’s work of progressive sanctification.
WCF 15.5 Men ought not to content themselves with a general repentance, but it is every man’s duty to endeavour to repent of his particular sins, particularly. (also WCF 11.5)
WCF 13.1- ….by His Word and Spirit dwelling in them, (John 17:17, 5:26, 2 Thess. 2:13) (the dominion of the whole body of sin) is destroyed, (Rom. 6:6,14) and the several lusts thereof are more and more weakened and mortified; (Gal. 5:24, Rom. 8:13) and they more and more quickened and strengthened in all saving graces, (Col. 1:11, Eph. 3:16–19) to the practice of true holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord. (2 Cor. 7:1, Heb. 12:14)
WLC 75 & 76 further elaborateTherefore, to be qualified for office, they must affirm
BCO 21-5 VOW 2 already does this: Do you sincerely receive and adopt the Confession of Faith and the Catechisms of this Church, as containing the system of doctrine taught in the Holy Scriptures; and do you further promise that if at any time you find yourself out of accord with any of the fundamentals of this system of doctrine, you will on your own initiative, make known to your Presbytery the change which has taken place in your views since the assumption of this ordination vow?
the sinfulness of fallen desires
WCF 6.5 This corruption of nature, during this life, doth remain in those that are regenerated; (1 John 1:8, 10, 7:14, 17–18, 23, James 3:2, Prov. 20:9, Eccl. 7:20) and although it be, through Christ, pardoned, and mortified; yet both itself, and all the motions thereof, are truly and properly sin. (Rom. 7:5–8, 25, Gal. 5:17)
WCF 6.6 Every sin, both original and actual, being a transgression of the righteous law of God, and contrary thereunto, (1 John 3:4) doth in its own nature, bring guilt upon the sinner, ( 2:15, Rom. 3:9, 19) …
Also WLC 25 & WSC 18the reality and hope of progressive sanctification,
WCF 13.3 …through the continual supply of strength from the sanctifying Spirit of Christ, the regenerate part doth (overcome); and so, the saints grow in grace..
Also WCF 13 & WLC 75 & 76and be committed to the pursuit of Spirit empowered victory over their sinful temptations, inclinations, and actions.
WLC 76 …upon the apprehension of God’ s mercy in Christ to such as are penitent, (Joel 2:12–13) he so grieves for ( 31:18–19) and hates his sins, (2 Cor. 7:11) as that he turns from them all to God, (Acts 26:18, Ezek. 14:6, 1 Kings 8:47–48) purposing and endeavouring constantly to walk with him in all the ways of new obedience. (Ps. 119:6,59,128, Luke 1:6, 2 Kings 23:25)
WLC 75 …having the seeds of repentance unto life, and all other saving graces, put into their hearts, (Acts 11:18, 1 John 3:9) and those graces so stirred up, increased, and strengthened, (Jude 20, 6:11–12, Eph. 3:16–19, Col. 1:10–11) as that they more and more die unto sin, and rise unto newness of life. (Rom. 6:4,6,14, Gal. 5:24)
See answers above regarding WCF 16.1,2,3_ _ _
What follows are some examples of men who are in favor of Overture 29 yet believe that there is no issue running afoul of it in the PCA.Yet, below he indicates that the issue is not with the theology of Memorial (and therefore Former PCA Pastor Greg Johnson) but “the wisdom they’re exercising.”
Here is an Article that contains the same sentiment as the image above, namely that Memorial was bullied out of the PCA and the real issue with Memorial PCA and Greg Johnson was a lack of wisdom.
Below the Founder of the National Partnership and supporter of Former PCA Pastor Greg Johnson’s ministry also shows his support for Overture 29.