When the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) was formed in 1983, ending a Civil War- era schism, one of the first tasks was to set forth its beliefs. That effort, complicated by the church's theological diversity, bore fruit last week as a national assembly of the 2.9 million-member denomination gave overwhelming approval to an 80-line "Brief Statement of Faith." After endorsement from regional units, it will join the ten other doctrinal statements that guide Presbyterians. The cleverly crafted text seems traditional enough to prevent the conservative opposition that killed a modernized creed in the Southern branch 14 years ago. Liberals, meanwhile, will be...
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