Did the EPC Rescind Its Old Position Paper on Homosexuality?
The question of whether the EPC rescinded its old Position Paper on Homosexuality, and if so, when this happened, was an item of debate at this year’s General Assembly. This question is unfortunately complicated by the unique combination of the EPC’s traditions, culture, and parliamentary rules. I’m going to address the procedural question first, and then provide some comments on the contents of the Position Paper on Homosexuality.
The EPC has two kinds of documents it produces from time-to-time. The first is Position Papers. Act of Assembly 05-03 (2005) defines Position Papers,
A Position Paper is intended to set forth the mind of the General Assembly of the Evangelical Presbyterian Church on a subject of compelling interest because of developments in the church or the culture at large. A Position Paper is intended to enable the Evangelical Presbyterian Church to make a definitive statement to itself, the Christian community, and the world. It is not intended to be an exhaustive theological statement nor a complete exegetical biblical study on a particular issue. A Position Paper must be adopted by one Assembly as a Preliminary Paper, subject to revision and discussion, and must be adopted or withdrawn by the act of another Assembly. While stating the definitive position of the mind of the General Assembly, a Position Paper does not have the status of a Constitutional document nor is it to be regarded as binding on the conscience of churches or individuals.
This definition is a refinement of a process that was established by Act of Assembly 84-09 (1984). The second kind of document is Pastoral Letters…
