Leithart may come under fire again!
Though Dr. Peter Leithart was effectively exonerated by the Standing Judicial Committee of the PCA in March, he may come under judicial scrutiny again after the General Assembly in June. Three PCA presbyteries have unanimously voted to overture the General Assembly to take original jurisdiction over the PNWP vs. Leithart case on the Federal Vision. They claim a mistrial because the prosecutor, former PCA TE Jason Stellman, converted to Roman Catholicism shortly after a negative verdict.
More details can be found here:
And, as this controversy picks up steam yet again, Dr. Leithart has decided to restate his views on baptism:
http://www.firstthings.com/blogs/leithart/2013/05/08/primer-on-baptism/
May the Lord bring peace and justice to His church.
Leithart exonerated! (again)
It seems that Peter Leithart has been exonerated for the final time now!
Lane Keister reported this on his blog GreenBaggins:
In the case of the Leithart trial complaint, the case was heard by the full court. That means that the decision is usually the final verdict, unless a motion (which has to be in order) has been filed to reconsider the case. If that happens, then the verdict will be treated as if it were a panel’s decision. That is what has happened in the Leithart case. The verdict is in, and the verdict is to reject the complaint that Pacific Northwest Presbytery erred in exonerating Leithart. That may be a bit hard to follow. PNW Presbytery exonerated Leithart in the trial. That decision was complained against. The complaint always goes first to the Presbytery, which in this case rejected the complaint. That complaint was then taken to the SJC. The SJC has now concurred with the PNW Presbytery. This is the final decision, since there has been no request for a reconsideration.
Praise the Lord who saw fit to exonerate a righteous man from all accusations brought against him!
Peter Leithart on the Antidote to Roman Fever
Biblicist, liturgical, sacramental, ecumenical Protestantism is the antidote to Roman fever, not the cause. --Peter Leithart
See also: "Too Catholic to be Catholic" by Peter Leithart
Jason Stellman Abandons the Reformation!
Stellman's Farewell to the Presbyterian Church letter of resignation (here) concludes with these striking words:
Due to the fact that these disagreements strike at the very core of the system of doctrine set forth in our Standards, I feel that I have no other choice than to tender my resignation from the ministry of the Presbyterian Church in America.
I would like to express my gratitude to the godly and faithful men of the Pacific Northwest Presbytery for the eight years I have been a member of this body. My desire when I joined was to remain pastoring in Woodinville for my entire life and ministry, and it is with deep disappointment and regret that this will not be the case. My sincere hope is that the fathers, brothers, and friends I have gotten to know here will keep me in their prayers, and forgive me for any offense I may have caused during my involvement in the case against TE Leithart, as well as for any offense I may be presently causing by breaking my ordination vows.
Additional Articles:
Stellman Resigns from the Presbyterian Church in America
Doug Wilson on Jason Stellman's Departure
Who's Got the Gateway Drug? by Peter Leithart
Jason Stellman
Jason Stellman leaves the PCA, heads in the direction of Rome
Jason Stellman, longtime critic of the Federal Vision, and the man who brought charges against TE Peter Leithart, has announced that he is leaving the PCA. The reason for his leaving revolves around his changing theology, specifically in regard to Sola Fide and Sola Scriptura, both of which he no longer holds.
You can read his own words on his blog here: http://www.creedcodecult.com/2012/06/heartfelt-farewell-to-pca.html.
A Reformation Day Sermon
In this excerpt, Peter Leithart addresses the question Is the Reformation Dead?
Is the Reformation dead? It may be a surprising question to us, especially since we’re commemorating Reformation Day this morning. But it’s a question worth asking. When we assess Protestantism honestly, we find that there are good reasons to wonder.
Over the past couple of centuries, many of the Protestant churches in Europe and the US have abandoned the Reformation faith in favor of a modernized form of Christianity, a heresy known as liberalism. Liberalism turns theology into anthropology, treats the events of the gospel as symbols of religious experience or human aspiration. Liberalism’s ethos is shaped more by the ethos of modern pluralism and tolerance than by adherence to Scripture or the Reformation confessions. H. Richard Niebuhr summarized liberal theology this way: “A God without wrath brought men without sin into a kingdom without judgment through the ministrations of a Christ without a cross.” Even if the Reformation slogans continue to be mouthed, there is no room for the real Reformation gospel to be preached within liberalism.
In the Matter of Presbyterian Church in America v. TE Peter Leithart
The Pacific Northwest Presbytery of the PCA has posted the minutes of the Leithart Trial:
PCA’s Pacific Northwest Presbytery Finds TE Peter Leithart Not Guilty of Federal Vision Charges
PCA’s Pacific Northwest Presbytery Finds TE Peter Leithart Not Guilty of Federal Vision Charges. More details HERE.
Peter Leithart update
People have been inquiring about what happened with the Peter Leithart's trial. The short of it is that it was a closed case until the verdict is given. All those present were asked to not discuss the case until after the verdict is given, which is slated for sometime in October.
Thanks for your prayers, and keep praying.
Sola Deo Gloria
Peter Leithart Trial
On June 3–4, the Pacific Northwest Presbytery (PNW) of the PCA is conducting a trial to determine whether or not Dr. Peter Leithart, pastor of Trinity Reformed Church, in Moscow, Idaho (CREC) has views contrary to the Westminster Standards. Please pray that God would be glorified through these proceedings.
Dr. Peter Leithart
Specifically, please pray that:
- If there is indeed heresy, the accused would see it clearly, and repent.
- If the concerns raised are unfounded, and no heresy is found, that this would come clearly to light, and that all may walk away giving thanks to God.
- If it comes to light that false accusations were made, please pray that those men would acknowledge it, repent, and remedy the affects of their false accusations to the best of their abilities.
- That all those involved in this trial would honor the authorities over them, allowing for a fair trial, and respecting the outcome, even if in disagreement.
Sola Deo Gloria.
For background on the Federal Vision, read the Joint Federal Vision Profession.
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