Kevin DeYoung and TGC on the American Westminster Confession of Faith (WCF)

Kingdom Polemics

In this episode of Kingdom Polemics, host Aldo Leon and guest Pastor Benjamin Glasser engage in a deep analysis of Kevin DeYoung's recent article on The Gospel Coalition (TGC) regarding the American version of the Westminster Confession of Faith (WCF). They critically examine DeYoung's claim that the 1788 revisions of the WCF on the civil magistrate signify a sharp departure from the original 1646 confession. Through historical references and theological insights, Aldo and Benjamin unpack how this alleged shift impacts the understanding of the relationship between church and state and challenge the notion that these changes represent a rejection of Reformed orthodoxy in political theology.

Articles discussed:

• "'Of the Civil Magistrate': How Presbyterians Shifted on Church-State Relations" (https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/civil-magistrate-presbyterians/)
• "The Westminster Tradition vs. DeYoung and the Gospel Coalition, Part I (https://americanreformer.org/2024/08/the-westminster-tradition-vs-deyoung-and-the-gospel-coalition-part-i/)

Key Discussion Points:

• DeYoung's Claim on WCF Revisions: Aldo and Benjamin analyze DeYoung's argument that the American revisions of WCF 23.3 represent an irreconcilable difference with the 1646 version, especially regarding the role of the civil magistrate.
• Role of the Civil Magistrate: The conversation explores the concept of the "nursing father" as used in the WCF and how Reformed theologians like Samuel Rutherford and others historically viewed the civil magistrate's duty in enforcing both tables of the law.
• Historical and Theological Context: The episode delves into historical precedents, such as the Adopting Act of 1729, and how American Presbyterians navigated changes in political context while maintaining Reformed theological commitments.
• TGC's Approach to Church-State Relations: Critique of how The Gospel Coalition tends to separate church and state while simultaneously bringing state ideologies into the church, especially on issues like social justice.
• Modern Implications for Reformed Christians: The hosts discuss the importance of understanding the continuity between the original and revised WCF and how this impacts the church's engagement with civil government today.

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