Grafted In
Puritan Board Freshman
Brothers,
I know that this is not the most scintillating topic, but I am hoping to gain some insight from my Puritan Board brethren on the questions I pose below. And your thoughtful response just might help promote the peace, purity, and unity in a small and humble portion of Christ's church.
Presbyterian Book of Disciplines (BD) differ from body to body as to whom they grant the right to file a formal complaint against a judicatory (session or presbytery). For example, see the following from the OPC, PCA, and RPCNA.
My main question is, who should have the right to complain against a court of the church? What biblical and/or logical principle(s) limit it? Should I be able to complain against a session of a church I am not a member or against a presbytery of which I am not a presbyter?
Thanks, in advance, for your time.
I know that this is not the most scintillating topic, but I am hoping to gain some insight from my Puritan Board brethren on the questions I pose below. And your thoughtful response just might help promote the peace, purity, and unity in a small and humble portion of Christ's church.
Presbyterian Book of Disciplines (BD) differ from body to body as to whom they grant the right to file a formal complaint against a judicatory (session or presbytery). For example, see the following from the OPC, PCA, and RPCNA.
- OPC--"It may be brought by an officer or other member of the church against the session or the presbytery to which he is subject, by one session against another session, by a session against the presbytery which has jurisdiction over it, or by one presbytery against another presbytery" (BD IX.1).
- PCA--"It is the right of any communing member of the Church in good standing to make complaint against any action of a court to whose jurisdiction he is subject..." (BCO 43-1).
- RPCNA--"It may be made by the parties concerned, by members of the court, or by any interested persons*" (BD E-15).
My main question is, who should have the right to complain against a court of the church? What biblical and/or logical principle(s) limit it? Should I be able to complain against a session of a church I am not a member or against a presbytery of which I am not a presbyter?
Thanks, in advance, for your time.