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Prominent PCA Leaders Participate in "Common Grounds Online"

September 2008

Tim Keller, Phil Ryken, Ligon Duncan, Reggie Kidd, and a number of other prominent PCA leaders are publishing essays and participating in a five-week forum that begins this week on the website Common Grounds, hosted by Glenn Lucke.

“I wanted to ignite a conversation about theology and practice within the PCA, and to talk about how to discuss difficult matters,” said PCA member Lucke, a sociologist and researcher from Virginia who organized the forum. In Lucke’s view, “The PCA is roiled by turmoil at the moment, and I think [the PCA leaders participating in the Forum] are taking part because they know it isn’t healthy for the church.”

The Common Grounds forum is structured around the content of February’s “Denominational Renewal Conference,” hosted by PCA pastors Greg Thompson, Jeremy Jones, Bill Boyd, Matt Brown, and Jeff White.

“These talks didn’t get the attention they should have,” said Lucke. “I thought they did a good job of providing a way of thinking about theology, and talking about how to discuss it with those who see things differently.”

Each week for five weeks, Common Grounds Online will highlight a talk given at the Denominational Renewal Conference, and post four essays written in response to it. Various pastors, theologians, and scholars will provide a number of responses to each talk: a sympathetic view on Monday, a wary/critical view on Tuesday, a minority/women’s view on Wednesday, and an outside-the-PCA view on Thursday. On Friday, the original speaker will respond to the essays.

Online readers are encouraged to respond by commenting and dialoging with one another.

“We ask that our online readers offer comments that foster winsome, truthful, gracious discussion,” said Lucke. “I hope that this Forum will improve the dialogue within the PCA and help us assume the good of our fathers and brothers on opposite sides of these issues.”

To participate in Common Grounds Online, visit www.commongroundsonline.typepad.com. To listen to the audio of the original Denominational Renewal conference talks, go to www.denominationalrenewal.org.

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First Name:
Bradley G. Wright

Last Name:
Sugar Land, Texas

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Comment:

I am glad we are talkng about these things. I think we all want to continue to see the process of having our theology more and more re-formed into the likeness of Christ ... especially as a denomination.

2008-09-17 17:42 Permalink Reply

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First Name:
James Perry

Last Name:
Centreville, Alabama

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Comment:

I love the concept and the opportunity to learn from the viewpoints shared. However - we tend to gravitate to the same men for their opinions! Are you suggesting there are only four men in the PCA with a valid point of view? Maybe that is contributing to the issue and perceived problem. I appreciate my brothers but I believe others are just as capable to participate in the debate and exchange of ideas apart from the limitation of a 150 word comment in response to the few! Just a thought!

2008-09-17 17:46 Permalink Reply

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First Name:
Robert E. Hays

Last Name:
Pearl, MS

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In response to James Perry's post, I would say that with all due respect to the four men, and I do respect them all, I was immediately taken by the headline, "Prominent PCA Leaders Participate In..." That is because I remember back in the 70's that there was a big discussion at General Assembly about referring to some TEs as denominational "leaders."

The idea was that Presbyterianism should champion the equality of TEs and REs, and one result of that was that none were to be recognized as "leaders." That was a foundational premise of our denomination, as I remember.

It was also a long time ago. I think it is unfortunate that we sometimes unthinkingly adopt some of the phraseology we do.

2008-09-17 20:03 Permalink Reply

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First Name:
RE Daniel A. Witcher

Last Name:
Bristol, TN

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Comment:

Scripture teaches that the Lord Jesus Christ is Head of His Church and our "prominent leader" and He governs by His written Holy Word as breathed by the Holy Spirit. Maybe our lack of pressing Christ's claims is the source of any "turmoil" if any such exists - although from what I see in the local church and Presbytery God is blessing with unity and purity in Christ, the Son.

2008-09-18 08:00 Permalink Reply