System Subscription -- By: William Barker

Journal: Westminster Theological Journal
Volume: WTJ 63:1 (Spring 2001)
Article: System Subscription
Author: William Barker


System Subscription

William Barkera

I. Introduction

Events in recent decades have reminded us of the value of confessional statements for safeguarding the teaching of the truth of Scripture. Whether we think of the very recent struggles within the Christian Reformed Church, those somewhat earlier in the Southern Baptist Convention, or still others, we see the importance not only of affirming the inerrancy of Scripture, but also of declaring corporately what we believe Scripture teaches.

Throughout church history, creeds, confessions, and catechisms have served this purpose. When officially adopted by the church, such documents become dogma, constituting the tradition of that church.1 Such creeds, confessions, and catechisms are clearly secondary to Scripture, which is the only infallible rule of faith and practice, a point underscored in the Westminster Confession in its first chapter on Scripture, in its declaration that synods and councils of the church can err and many have erred, and in several other places.

While different denominations handle their confessional statements differently, the method of subscription of American Presbyterianism, if properly understood and practiced, is the best method of safeguarding and promoting the teaching of the church’s doctrine. In this essay, I will defend the view that we should require that those who are ordained subscribe to the system of doctrine taught in confessional standards (system subscription) by taking a primarily historical approach. First, I will use as my point of departure the second ordination vow as it appears in the Presbyterian Church in America’s (PCA’s) Book of Church Order (roughly equivalent to the second vow in the Orthodox Presbyterian Church [OPC]). Second, I will clarify the methodology of system subscription by construing the Adopting Act of 1729 and referring to the first heresy trial in American Presbyterianism. Third, I will attempt to articulate a philosophical principle for following such a practice, which is essentially that of

Charles Hodge and of the Old Princeton Seminary. Fourth, I will discuss certain contemporary exceptions that have been or are taken to the doctrinal standards. Finally, I will discuss the reunion of the Old Side and New Side (1758–1788) which provides us with a positive model for today.

II. The Ordination Vow

The second ordination vow in the PCA’s Book of Church Order reads as follows:

Do you sincerely receive and adopt the Confession of Faith and Catechisms of this Church,...

You must have a subscription and be logged in to read the entire article.
Click here to subscribe
visitor : : uid: ()