The Highway Forums General Discussion Theology Discussion Forum Evangelical Presbyterian Church

This was also a major issue in the CRC back in the 1970's and finally came to a head in their General Synod where they passed "Report 44", which was a statement concerning Scripture. And THIS is what underlies most of these so-called "non-essential" disagreements. It isn't the doctrines themselves but the doctrine of the Inspiration and Authority of God's Word. There is no possible way for someone to hold to the traditional doctrine of verbal plenary inspiration and at the same time ordain women into church offices. Yes, yes... there are some/many who would disagree and tenaciously insist that they do in fact hold to the traditional doctrine of biblical Inspiration but also believe that women should be ordained as Elders and/or Deacons. But the fact of the matter is that the two issues are diametrically opposed and thus such individuals hold to these two views inconsistently and in contradiction, despite their protest to the contrary. The same holds true for the alleged ecstatic "gifts of the Spirit".

What it comes down to is one's "hermeneutic" (method of interpretation). Either one uses the Bible's own method or one devised by man. Since I hold to propositional truth (true truth), there can be only ONE correct view/answer. And I am totally convinced that women are not allowed to be ordained to any office in the church nor to have any position where one is to have authority over men. Likewise, I also hold to the cessation of the ecstatic gifts; they being a temporary phenomena for the purpose of building the foundation of the Church; i.e., bringing Gentiles and Jews together into the one body of Christ.

So, a weak view and/or use of the Scriptures will always bring about erroneous views/doctrines. The EPC, regardless of what they might claim, re: Scripture do hold to a weak(er) view of the Bible than what the Reformed Confessions and the more notable theologians throughout history have taught.

In His grace,