Confession of 1967

Confession of 1967. It is a confession of faith adopted by the United Presbyterian Church in the United States of America (UPCUSA) as part of its Book of Confessions. Ratified at the 179th General Assembly in Portland, Oregon in May 1967, it was the first new confession of faith produced by a major Presbyterian body in North America since the Westminster Confession of Faith in the 17th century. The document sought to address critical social issues of the mid-20th century, particularly racial discrimination, poverty, and war, through a theological lens centered on the concept of reconciliation.

Historical context

The development of the Confession of 1967 occurred during a period of profound social upheaval in the United States, including the Civil Rights Movement, the Vietnam War, and increasing awareness of global poverty. Within the Presbyterian Church, leaders felt the historic Westminster Standards did not adequately speak to these contemporary crises. This sentiment was amplified by the ecumenical movement, particularly through dialogues with bodies like the World Council of Churches and the Second Vatican Council, which emphasized social engagement. A Special Committee on a Brief Contemporary Statement of Faith, chaired initially by Edward Dowey and later by John H. Leith, was appointed to draft a modern confession that would guide the church's witness in a changing world.

Content and theology

Theologically, the confession is structured around the biblical theme of reconciliation, drawing heavily from the Pauline epistles, especially the Second Epistle to the Corinthians. It affirms Jesus Christ as God's agent of reconciliation, not only between humanity and God but also among estranged groups of people. The document explicitly condemns racism, economic exploitation, and international conflict as violations of God's will. It also reflects mid-20th century theological developments, showing the influence of Karl Barth's neo-orthodoxy and the Biblical theology movement. A significant and controversial section advocates for the right of conscientious participation in war or conscientious objection, directly engaging with the debates surrounding the Vietnam War and the nuclear arms race.

Adoption and reception

The process of adoption involved intense debate within the United Presbyterian Church in the United States of America. The final draft was presented to the 178th General Assembly in Boston in 1966 and, after amendment, sent to the presbyteries for ratification. It received the necessary two-thirds majority vote from the presbyteries and was officially adopted at the 179th General Assembly in Portland, Oregon in 1967. Reception was mixed; while many celebrated its contemporary relevance, theological conservatives, including professors from Westminster Theological Seminary, criticized it for departing from the Westminster Confession of Faith and for its strong social and political emphasis. Its inclusion in the new Book of Confessions alongside the Nicene Creed and the Heidelberg Catechism marked a significant constitutional change for the denomination.

Influence and legacy

The Confession of 1967 had a substantial influence on the direction of mainline Protestantism in the latter half of the 20th century, providing a theological mandate for direct involvement in social justice issues. It served as a key document during the Presbyterian reunion of 1983 between the UPCUSA and the Presbyterian Church in the United States to form the modern Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). Its emphasis on reconciliation informed subsequent church statements and programs on apartheid in South Africa, Central American conflicts, and domestic civil rights. The confession remains a foundational, though sometimes contested, part of the constitution of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), continuing to shape debates on the church's role in public life and its relationships with other faiths in a pluralistic society. Category:1967 in Christianity Category:Presbyterian confessions of faith Category:1967 documents