The more I’ve thought about your question the more I think that there’s no real theological answer.

I think it’s simply a case of it feels good to believe that your part of something distinct. And to increase that good feeling people will focus on the things that they think make them distinct, even when, objectively, it isn’t true.

I’m probably the last person to try and answer your question on why Presbys continually define ourselves. It probably begins with the idea that definitions are very important historically. We are a “by the book” people. That phrase has become divisive and has functionally lost its meaning, but that was not always so.

Today, when I hear what you are describing, I always have an Inigo Montoya moment, “I don’t think that means what you think it means.”

We have alot of thoughtful, inspiring, imaginative and theological statements that serve to keep the Reformation moving forward. If the last generation commits their belief to a confession or statement then the next can stand on their shoulders and see further, see and experience things the previous could not and didn’t. The Christology of the first page of our Book of Order will bring you to tears (literally). For one, it’s beautiful. For two, it’s clear, noone reads it anymore. The Brief Statement of Faith was written in ’83 and would settle some arguments if anyone bothered to read that.

We are defined by centuries of following Christ, but it’s hard to tell what we’re following right now. If you would like, read a little of the Book of Order. Read a little of the Book of Confessions (I think both can be found at http://www.pcusa.org). After 30 minutes of reading, you will have more foundational definition of X and Y than the majority who are trying to define the definitions.

I don’t exactly know why we have such great difficulty loving one another and especially loving our neighbor, but…we do. Perhaps it boils down to my new favorite phrase, “failure of imagination.”

Thanks for the blog, Adam. Years of enjoyment. I’m praying for your job search. Wish I had some leads.

Unless somebody can shed some light on why all this is important, my suggestion for #3 is to spend less time navel-gazing.

Interesting how material property is such a snare both on the individual level (a la rich young ruler) and the communal/corporate.

If you don’t have, or aren’t eligible for, the ordination union card, you can’t even apply for probably 98% of the jobs out there, and even with the ones you can apply for, you have to overcome the presumption that there’s something wrong with you that’s preventing your ordination.

My call to the ministry is a call to the pulpit and I do feel that I have been denied that voice by the policies of the PC(USA) or at least of the presbytery where I was undercare for three years.

I’ve also learned in the last couple of years seeking a job in the church that nobody cares a whit what you did as a lay person. If you didn’t get paid for it, they’ll pat you on the head and say “that’s nice, but do you have any experience?”

I’m confused. This assumes that you have to be ordained to have a voice in the church. That doesn’t seem very Presbyterian, much less Protestant….