Reformed theology recognizes that the primary
authority for us in all our faith and life is our Lord and Savior, Jesus
Christ, God's Living Word, as the Scriptures bear witness to him.
However, there have been times throughout history when it has been
necessary for the Reformed Church to articulate its faith and witness as
lead by the Holy Spirit in response to different circumstances and
challenges at certain times and in certain places. These
articulations of faith and witness are found in the various
creeds and confessions of the PCUSA in it's Book of Confessions.
These
confessional statements are subject to the authority of Jesus Christ and
subordinate to Scripture, nevertheless, they are standards giving
witness to the faith of the one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church.
These statements reflect our understanding of God and what God expects
of us at different times in history, but all are faithful to the
fundamental beliefs described above.
The Reformed
tradition has certain characteristics and convictions found in ten
essential beliefs or tenets, which are reflected in the PCUSA's creeds
and confessions. Even though we share these
common beliefs, Presbyterians understand that God alone is lord of the
conscience, and it is up to each individual to understand what these
principles mean in his or her life.
The first
two beliefs we share with Christians in all times and in all places
taken from the faith of the Church universal, particularly the
Apostles' Creed and the
Nicene Creed.
1. Trinity - God the Father, who is over
us, God the Son, who is with us and for us, and God the Holy Spirit, who
is in us and among us.
2. Incarnation - In Jesus Christ, the Word
of God became flesh and dwelt among us. In Jesus Christ, the Triune
God is revealed.
The next two we share with those who took
part in the Reformation of the Church in the 16th century in their
re-affirmation of God's grace in Jesus Christ as revealed in Scripture.
3. Salvation by grace through faith.
4. Scripture is the Word of God, and our
only rule of faith and obedience.
In the remaining six beliefs, the PCUSA
affirms the faith and witness of the Reformed tradition. Central to
this tradition is the affirmation of the majesty, holiness, and providence
of God who creates, sustains, rules, and redeems the world in the freedom
of sovereign righteousness and love.
5. Sovereignty and Providence of God
6. The election of the people of God for
service as well as for salvation.
7. God's involvement in the covenant
community of God's people.
8. A faithful stewardship of ourselves, our
gifts, our resources, and the earth.
9. The recognition of the human sin of
idolatry, tyranny, and disobedience.
10. The commitment of believers to justice,
liberation, and obedience. |
