I'm certainly not an expert on the nuances of the ARP, OPC or even my own PCA.

However, it seems to me the PCA and OPC are very close, slight differences of emphasis, but very close theologically. Being 11x larger and one generation younger, there are bound to be some differences.

I also feel close to the ARP and except for the local option of determining "person" to allow ordaining women as deacons, think it is a sound denomination.

Hopefully, I'm not naive, but I just do not see signs of theological drift in the PCA as a whole. We have managed a whole lot of growth by absorption, evangelism and covenant family fruitfulness. The Federal Vision challenge was big and while there was a lot of harm done by it, we seem to have met it deliberately (albeit slowly) and head on. A 95% vote on a study committee with clear guidelines is remarkable. Think of it, how often do you have 95% agreement and clear guidelines that are neither more nor less restrictive than they need to be.

I am confident we will meet the challenge of women's ordination in the same way, deliberative (albeit more slowly than many would prefer) and head on. Already, there are encouraging signs on this.

While Christianity is never "secure" due to our sin and falleness, I'm really thankful for all the PCA is doing well- and there is much of it. I would be happy to join and receive the OPC- they have a lot to offer us and we have almost as much to offer them. However, I would want them to be fully comfortable with our doctrinal subscription system and other issues and maybe even they can help "keep us straight" in that. I think the system of stating exceptions line by line to the exception, putting them on the record, recording them by presbyteries and then a high level review at the General Assembly has a lot of checks and balances and is actually making both candidates and presbyteries be *more* careful about taking exceptions. This procedure is still relatively new and we are working the bugs out but it is increasing accountability.

Yes, liberalism can and will rear its predictable ugly head as man drifts from focus on God to focus on self and we always need to be on guard. However, there are still an awful lot of good people involved in our Seminary who really care about preserving God's truth. I count Bryan Chappel and Sean Michael Lucas as some of them and am thankful they are there.

Maybe I am too optimistic, but hopefully realistic, that while the PCA is not perfect, it is getting a lot right!

__________________
Arlene
PCA
North Carolina
Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord.