Quote:
Originally Posted by Gryphonette 
If a presbytery has lost confidence in a seminary, wouldn't it be preferable for them to frankly let the seminary know this, rather than waiting for someone there to think "Gee, we haven't had anyone enter from or be called to Whatever Presbytery for ages. How come, do you suppose?" and investigate? And to be brutally honest as to the source of the presbytery's reluctance to call pastors from it?
Thing is, if all presbyteries continue sending and receiving men from a seminary, that would - quite reasonably - encourage the seminary to assume the presbyteries must be alright with what those men are being taught. Even if the presbyteries let their concerns be known, and even flatly complain, if the sending and receiving continues unabated, there's no real reason for the seminary to make any drastic changes.
There's a saying I've bored my children with for years, but it's true for all that: Do what you've always done, and you'll get what you've always had.
That's true in this situation, as well. If the presbyteries wish to insist upon a change in direction at a particular seminary, the most effective way to get that change is by stopping the sending and receiving.
Don't you think?
|
Why would a presbytery loose confidence in a seminary? I can think of several possible reasons, lack of orthodoxy in general being one.
However, if the cause for concern is with one faculty member, then isn’t it the presbytery’s responsibility to address the matter with the individual and/or his own presbytery before they go pulling the plug?
I don’t see where "we don’t think we like what this guy is teaching so we may pull our support" is any way to address the matter from a Christian standpoint. Dialog to at least be sure all the facts are known and acknowledged is in order in this type of situations.
And look at the burden it places on the seminary. They are now forced to attempt to justify themselves, their orthodoxy, their faculty’s orthodoxy, etc., to one or more presbyteries. That’s an insurmountable task IMO. The most expedient thing they can do is fire the offender. Hopefully that will counter the drag on support.
That is why I hope the characterization of what the PCA presbyteries said/did is mistaken.