Does anyone know of any works explaining the "branch theory" of ecclesiology in the reformed tradition? For example, the BCO, provides that a Session is to take certain actions if a member withdraws communion from the PCA's "branch of the visible church" or seeks to transfer to "Another branch of the visible church." The term "branch" is used in the PCA BCO. In addition to "branch," the Confessional standards also use the terms "invisible church," "visible church," and "particular church," which are also used in the BCO.
I was reading
this, which suggests that the "branch theory" was developed largely by Anglican William Palmer in about 1838 (although traces existed before).
Linear Mode
