Calhoun First Presbyterian Church is a Reformed Protestant congregation. Our congregation is a member of Cherokee Presbytery, the Synod of the South Atlantic and the Presbyterian Church (USA). We have a rich history in Gordon County and Calhoun, dating back to 1847! Our governance, leadership and theology are in keeping with a Reformed Presbyterian tradition. Our theology, doctrines, foundational beliefs and statements of faith are grounded in the Biblical witness, Reformed theology and our PC(USA) Constitution, which is made up of the Book of Order and the Book of Confessions. Reformed Protestant denominations trace their roots to the great Protestant Reformation that began in Europe in the early 1500’s.
A part of the rich beauty of the PC(USA) is that our lay leaders and ministers work collaboratively and equally in guiding our congregations. There is not an autocratic system where pastors or ministers make decisions completely on their own. Our lay leaders of Deacons, Elders and Trustees, and our pastors are all ordained for their ministries and service to the Church. Another part of the beauty of the PC(USA) is that we have learned to live and minister together as “conservatives,” “liberals” and everyone else in between. The firm foundation of our belief that Jesus Christ is our Lord and Savior, Whom we are called to worship and serve, is our starting point of all our theological doctrines, values and beliefs.
Our foundational doctrines, which hold us together as one even though we may have some theological differences, are called the “Essential Tenets.” These make up the foundation of our beliefs and theology. The Essential Tenets of the Presbyterian Church (USA) are known as the doctrines of: Trinity, Incarnation, Justification, Scripture, Sovereignty, Election, Covenant, Stewardship, Sin and Obedience.
The doctrine of the
Trinity is common to all Christians. It means that we believe in one, holy and triune God, Who is called the Father, Son and Holy Spirit or the Creator, Redeemer and Sustainer. The Trinity is God in three Persons, not individual or disconnected, but intimately and spiritually One.
The doctrine of
Incarnation is also accepted by all Christians. God came into the world by pouring God’s own self into the life of Jesus. God became incarnate into the world to live and be among God’s people to show us how to live.
The doctrine of
Justification is about God’s grace and forgiveness for humanity and our sin. We are justified by grace through faith in Jesus as our Lord and Savior. We are forgiven and saved from our sinful nature and ways because, by God’s gracious love for us, we are saved by grace through faith.
The doctrine of
Scripture refers to the Bible, God’s holy, Written Word, as an authority in and for our lives. The Bible is the account of God’s revelation in the history of Israel and Jesus, guided by God in its writing through the Holy Spirit. The biblical witness was first passed down among God’s people through oral traditions before being written and canonized as God’s sacred Word. Shirley C. Guthrie, the late Professor of Systematic Theology and author of the book, “Christian Doctrine,” says this, “We learn in the Bible itself that God is a living God, that Christ is a risen and living Lord, that God’s promised Holy Spirit will continue to guide the people of God.” Thus, our reading and studying of the Bible, God’s Written Word, is the foundation for our lives in service to Jesus, the Living Lord and Living Word. The Bible is an authority in our lives of faith.
The doctrine of
Sovereignty is that God is Sovereign. The most basic definition of sovereign is supreme or supreme ruler. This is exactly God, for God is all-knowing, all-wise, all-loving, all-powerful and all around us. God is the Almighty, Omnipotent, Creator, Heavenly Father and the Holy One of Israel. Yet, God has given humanity “free will,” thus there is sin.
The doctrine of
Election means that we believe that God has “elected” or “chosen” salvation, redemption and eternal life by the Redeemer, Jesus, for all God’s people in humanity. All can receive God’s choosing, election or grace, however, not all will choose to accept God’s gift of grace.
The doctrine of
Covenant refers to the covenant nature of the Church. God has entered into a covenantal relationship with His creatures in humanity. God chooses to be in a living relationship with people. God chose to give and teach love in relationship with people through His Son, Jesus. Covenant is about commitment, mutuality, love, care and spiritual connection. The Church, as the body of believers gathered with Jesus through the working of the Holy Spirit, is a covenant community that God helps us to live within as disciples of Christ.
The doctrine of
Stewardship is about the stewardship of all Creation. God’s good Creation was created with order, balance and even mystery. God commands us to care for God’s good Creation with respect, nurture, love and responsibility.
The doctrine of
Sin is, well, about us sinful, human beings. It reminds us of the sin of idolatry in all of us. Not a single human being has ever been perfect or sinless, except of course for Jesus Christ! All of us fall prey to sin. Though created in God’s image, sin and evil persist. The sin of idolatry is what “distorts, twists, corrupts and contradicts” the beautiful Creations God has made of us
(adapted from Guthrie, p.213).
The doctrine of
Obedience regards our obedience to God. In Jesus, God has shown us His intentions for humanity and how we should live. In His own life, ministry and atoning sacrifice, Jesus brought God’s intentions and love for humanity incarnate in human form. Jesus was obedient to God the Father, even in going to the cross for our salvation. When we live in the ways of Jesus, loving as He loved and following His commandments, we live in obedience to God.