1903년 『웨스트민스터 신앙고백서』 개정에 대한 ‘ACTS 신학공관(共觀)’의 관점에 따른 평가

Abstract

A revision of the Westminster Confession of Faith was made at the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America that was held in 1903. Chapter XVI(Section 7), Chapter XXII (Section 3) and Chapter XXV(Section 6) were amended in their literary style. Also its Declaratory Statement, Chapter XXXIV on the Holy Spirit and Chapter XXXV on the Love of God and Mission were added. We can evaluate the revision to the Confession of Faith in 1903 from the viewpoint of the ‘ACTS Theological Synoptic Movement’ as the following. First, the revisions to the Confession of Faith from the viewpoint of the central truth of Christianity in the ‘ACTS Theological Synoptic Movement,’ can be evaluated as havings opened a way to weaken the orthodoxy of faith. Second, the addition of the Declaratory Statement, Chapters XXXIV and XXXV can be evaluated, from the viewpoint of ‘Sound Theology Movement’ in ‘ACTS Theological Synoptic Movement,’ as slightly deviating from the orthodox Calvinist standpoint toward the Arminian standpoint. Third, the merging of the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America and the Cumberland Presbyterian which resulted from the revision of the Confessions of Faith, has made for liberals’ numerical predominance in the denomination. This was not a sound church unity movement if we evaluate it from the viewpoint of ‘ACTS Theological Synoptic Movement.’ Fourth, from the viewpoint of the ‘ACTS Theological Synoptic Movement,’ it has failed to nurture true believers and has bred and multiplied ministers trained in liberal theology, who do not accept the Bible as the word of God. Fifth, from the viewpoint of ‘Church Renewal Movement’ in the ‘ACTS Theological Synoptic Movement,’ there were changes in understanding of the subscription to the Westminster Confession in a more broad or loose way, after the merging of the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America and the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. This has made the church renewal movement more difficult. The revisions have caused more controversy within the church rather than creating church renewal. This was intensely demonstrated through the events of the ‘Fundamentalist-Modernist controversy.’ The challenge of gender-ism or homosexual problem which is taking place in the present day is similar to the revision movement of Confession of faith. It subtly rejects the Bible as being the Word of God and attacks Christian faith under the slogan ‘God’s universal love for all people.’ The problem of the 1903 revisions of the Confession of Faith is clear from the viewpoint of the ‘ACTS Theological Synoptic Movement.’ We must emphasize, educate and strengthen the ‘ACTS Theological Synoptic Movement’ to preserve the historical Christian faith.