The Confessions as Statements of the Faith of the Church Catholic – In its confessions, the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) witnesses to the faith of the Church catholic.  The confessions express the faith of the one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church in the recognition of canonical Scriptures and the formulation and adoption of the ecumenical creeds, notably the Nicene and Apostles’ Creeds with their definitions of the mystery of the triune God and of the incarnation of the eternal Word of God in Jesus Christ.

The Confessions as Satements of the Faith of the Protestant Reformation – In its confessions, the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) upholds the affirmations of the Protestant Reformation.  The focus of these affirmations is God’s grace in Jesus Christ as revealed in the Scriptures.  The Protestant watchwords – grace alone, faith alone, Scripture alone – embody principles of understanding that continue to guide and motivate the people of God in the life of faith.

The Confessions as Statements of the Faith of the Reformed Tradition – In its confessions, the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) expresses the faith of the Reformed tradition.  Central to this tradition is the affirmation of the majesty, holiness, and providence of God who in Christ and by the power of the Spirit creates, sustains, rules, and redeems the world in the freedom of sovereign righteousness and love.  Related to this central affirmation of God’s sovereignty are other great themes of the Reformed tradition:  The election of the people of God for service as well as for salvation; Covenant life makred by a disciplined concern for order in the church according to the Word of God; A faithful stewardship that shuns ostentation and seeks proper use of the gifts of God’s creation; and The recognition of the human tendency to idolatry and tyranny, which calls the people of God to work for the transformation fo society by seeking justice and living in obedience to the Word of God.

The Constitution of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).  Part II: Book of Order, 2011-2013

And so tomorrow we will begin a conversation about so what does all of this mean for us, for the way we live in creation, and the way we live in relationship with others.

Grace and peace