Why Presbyterian?

TUES., JAN. 11, 1994, 11:26 AM
OFFICE, PULLIAM HALL

Driving by your “home church” just a few minutes ago you read the quite visible sign in front and even noticed the shiny “plaque” on the wall, both proclaiming that this gray stone building is the First Presbyterian Church. As you drove on you thought about this Teaching that you would be hearing, and the title came to you before you even had parked. So listen as I answer My question of the morning… Why Presbyterian?

The “larger” answer first: there is a Presbyterian denomination because, years ago, I called a man named John Calvin… yet another John. He was to hear Me, in a way not as specifically as you are hearing and writing, and he was to develop a theology, somewhat different than others of the time. One unique feature is the doctrine of election and predestination. Certain Christians are called to service of various kinds, some of these before birth. This is a check to the notion of unbridled free will… an important contribution to Christian thought… and religious thought in particular.

Even as John was not a noticeably humble man, he suggested a form of church government that was particularly suited to your culture… a representative democracy, with much responsibility on the shoulders of ordained laymen rather than excessive power in the clergy. There was also a focus on education for both clergy and laymen, as well as much emphasis on hard work and sacrifice for worthwhile goals, both in learning and in “production.”

John was the spiritual leader, originally. In later generations there were others, elected and not so, who shaped this portion of the Body Christian into its present state. It can be called a “mainline Church,” for it has a history quite parallel with the development of this culture. Members tend to be well-educated and to value education. Because of this there is diversity “in the ranks.” Education tends to cause its learners to see beyond a single answer or interpretation. For this Church this value is both a strength and a weakness. I see it more as a strength, and I want you to continue to regard it as such, also.

You grew up as a Methodist, without much conviction (typical of many Methodists). In Hawaii you were in a Congregational Church, but mainly because of tradition (Punahou’s) and your desire to sing in a super choir. Then you cane to Stanford, and I lead you, through Lenore’s response to My late servant Don Hall, to the Presbyterian Church. You don’t remember the details, but you became aware of the predestination doctrine, and you knew this “was you,” even as you were aware that this was a rather embarrassing premise for most Presbyterians. The cultural values on freedom and on equality didn’t seem to mesh well with My choosing certain folk and directing them in tasks of My choosing.

An earlier John recorded Me, as Jesus, saying to Nicodemus, “You must be born again.” That was a term and a concept that seemed to be “the property of” evangelicals and pentecostals, quite different from you, in background and in experiences. Yet you became aware that you were “born again” in the Presbyterian environment, out of the Scriptural influence of Me, through Gospel writer John and the Apostle Paul.

It became more and more clear to you (though not in any sudden, dramatic flash) that you were predestined to be an educator, in a field that was secular, but with great potential to be somewhat sacred. I led you into areas of study, research, and teaching that were proper for your destiny. Then I came to you in a semi-dramatic way, and you became one with an even more special election.