This is in regard to the VIEWPOINT Posting, “The Auburn Affirmation - have they read it?” by Rev. Ron Scates:

The Auburn Affirmation revisited
by Rev. A. David Bos

I urge Mr. Scates to take another look at the Auburn Affirmation for I think that he has misunderstood both the document itself and those who are pointing out its relevance for today.

One of the main points of the Affirmation is to oppose the imposition of uniformity of belief in our denomination. So whereas the writers did indeed “affirm and declare their acceptance of the Westminster Confession of Faith”, they, at the same time, reaffirmed the Adopting Act of 1729 which “anticipated and provided for dissent by individuals from portions of the Confession”. Whereas they did indeed “sincerely hold and earnestly preach the doctrines of evangelical Christianity”, they also highlighted these words from the Declaration of Principles adopted at the formation of the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America (1788): “ These are truths and forms, with respect to which men of good characters and principles may differ. And in all these they think it the duty, both of Christians and Societies, to exercise mutual forbearance towards each other”.

The signers of the Affirmation did assent to the core of the faith and were anchored in the Constitution; so why did they write it and sign it? Because a faction had gained control of the church which presumed to add five “essentials” to that core of faith and to require all ministers and employees of the General Assembly to subscribe to them. Yes, the signers held to the “great facts and doctrines” of Christianity; and they opposed the attempt of the General Assembly “to commit our church to certain theories concerning them”. Thanks to the Affirmation, the attempt to impose uniformity of belief was overturned.

Those who are calling for a new Affirmation in the spirit of the original are also anchored in the Constitution and assent to the core of the faith. I find it hard to understand why Mr. Scates would call them “promoters of creative unbelief, …seeking to overthrow the Constitution of PCUSA”. Nothing could be further from the truth. As the signers of the first Affirmation testified: “We do not desire to go beyond the teachings of evangelical Christianity.”

Rev. A. David Bos, honorable retired minister who lives in Louisville, Kentucky, preached a sermon "Reclaiming the Church" in Downtown United Presbyterian Church, Rochester, New York, on September 3, 2000, calling for another Auburn Affirmation.

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