Pca Ordination Exams: History Of American Presbyterianism And The Pca

Front 1

Who was the first Presbyterian minister in the US?

Back 1

Francis Makemie, who immigrated to the US in 1682 from Scotland

Front 2

When and where was the first American presbytery formed?

Back 2

1706, in Philadelphia (by Francis Makemie)

Front 3

When was the first American synod formed, and who formed it?

Back 3

1716, formed by the presbytery of Philadelphia

Front 4

What is the Adoption Act?

Back 4

In 1729, the Synod of Philadelphia adopted the Westminster Standards and mandated that all ministers adhere to them.

Front 5

What is the Old Side/New Side division?

Back 5

18th century controversy over the disorder created by the First Great Awakening, subscription to the Westminster Standards, and the regulation of theological education for ministers (The synod of Philadelphia was split into two Synods fo 18 years)

Front 6

When was the first GA?

Back 6

1789

Front 7

When was the first BCO published?

Back 7

1788, restructuring the church from one synod into 16 presbyteries, 3 synods, and the general assembly
-This was largely led by John Witherspoon, president of Princeton and a signer of the Declaration of Independence

Front 8

What was the Plan of Union?

Back 8

19th century plan to unite the Presbyterian and Congregational denominations in evangelizing the Old Northwest. Failed.

Front 9

What was the Old School/New School division?

Back 9

19th century debate precipitated by the 2nd Great Awakening, which resulted in the Presbyterian church splitting into 2 denominations
-Issues were doctrine (old school was Calvinistic, and new school was more Arminian), subscription to the standards (old school was strict subscriptionism, and the new school was system subscriptionism), church polity (old school focused on denominational identity, and the new school was on interdenominational consciousness), revivalism (old school focused on conversion by the Spirit, while the New school focused on the use of means for conversion), and social reform (old school often supported slavery, and the new school supported abolition)

Front 10

What was division and reunion?

Back 10

-Old and new schools each split over the issues of slavery and states' rights.
-Old and New school churches in North united to form the PCUSA, and in the south they formed the PCCSA, which would later become the PCUS.
--The New school in 1856 declared slavery a sin deserving of discipline, and in the following year the southern churches formed the United Synod of the south, breaking from the Northern churches
--The Old school in 1861 said churches must support the federal government, putting southern churches in an awkward spot, leadin gthem to form the Presbyterian Church of the Confederate States of America (PCCSA)
--In the South, Old and New School churches reunited in 1864 to from a single denomination. Became the PCUS
--In the North, Old and New School churches reunited in 1868 to form a single denomination: PCUSA

Front 11

Name Southern Presbyterian Theologians of the 19th Century

Back 11

James Henley Thornwell, Robert Lewis Dabney, Benjamin Morgan Palmer, John L. Girardeau

Front 12

James Henley Thornwell

Back 12

Most important churchman of the 19th century South. He debated many issues with Charles Hodge. A leading voice in the Old School South and the PCCSA.

Front 13

Robert Lewis Dabney

Back 13

Professor at Union Seminary (VA) who defended slavery and was largely responsible for the union of the Old and New school churhces in the South

Front 14

Benjamin Morgan Palmer

Back 14

Moderator of the first GA of the PCCSA

Front 15

John L Girardeau

Back 15

Professor at Columbia Seminary who trained black church leaders and wrote against using instruments in worship

Front 16

Fellowship of St James

Back 16

A group of ministers and seminary professors who created a secret organization for the purpose of getting men with liberal views into the bible colleges, seminaries, and principle pulpits of the denomination. By the 1960s, they controlled most of the seminaries, colleges, and most influential churches, as well as the most important influential churches, committees, synods, and GA of the PCUS

Front 17

What four organizations were part of the Continuing Church movement to counteract liberalism in the PCUS?

Back 17

-Presbyterian Journal: vehicle for expressing the opinions of conservatives
-Presbyterian Evangelical Fellowship: formed to offset the denomination's growing disinterest in evangelism
-Concerned Presbyterians: organized to counteract liberal control of the PCUS organizational structures
-Presbyterian Churchmen United: organized to counteract liberal control of the PCUS church courts

Front 18

What were the concerns of the conservatives in the PCUS?

Back 18

-Theological heresy stemming from a rejection of inerrancy
-Ecumenical relations, including a potential merger with the liberal United Presbyterian Church (UPCUSA)
-Elevation of the social gospel above missions and evangelism
-Ordination of women
-Moral concerns, including promotion of abortion and unbiblical views of marriage and divorce
-Misuse of Presbyterian ecclesiology, including the presbytery owning the local church's property

Front 19

What happened in 1970 that moved toward the organization of the PCA?

Back 19

Delegates from the four conservative organizations (Presbyterian Journal, Presbyterian Evangelical Fellowship, Concerned Presbyterians, Presbyterian Churchmen United) formed a Conservative Caucus to organize their efforts

Front 20

What happened in 1971 that moved toward the organization of the PCA?

Back 20

A Steering Committee was formed to organize a withdrawal from the denomination

Front 21

When and where did the first PCA General Assembly meet? Who were the moderator and clerk?

Back 21

-1973 at Briarwood Presbyterian Church in Birmingham, AL
-Moderator: Jack Williamson
-Clerk: Morton H. Smith
-Called National Presbyterian Church for first year

Front 22

What was the "Joining and Receiving"?

Back 22

At the 1982 General Assembly, the Reformed Presbyterian Church Evangelical Synod joined the PCA

Front 23

What ecumenical organizations is the PCA apart of?

Back 23

-NAPARC (North American Presbyterian and Reformed Council)
-NAE (National Association of Evangelicals)
-WRF (World Reformed Fellowship)