Church Line Sought

Press, Volume CV, Issue 31061, 17 May 1966, Page 3

Church Line Sought

"The Press" Special Service AUCKLAND, May 16. After debating controversial articles by a leading Presbyterian theologian, Professor L. G. Geering, the South Auckland Presbytery decided by 20 votes to 9 to ask the Presbyterian General Assembly to reaffirm its beliefs according to the standards of the Presbyterian Church.

Professor Geering Is principal of Knox Theological Hall, the Church training college at Dunedin. The articles appeared in “Outlook.” the official journal of the New Zealand Presbyterian Church. They’ were entitled “Is a New Reformation Possible?” and “What does Resurrection Mean?” The South Auckland Presbytery has issued the following statement:— “The assembly will be asked at its meeting in November, to reaffirm that the Presbyterian Church of New’ Zealand holds firmly to the teachings of its supreme standard and its subordinate standards with reference to the following statements: “‘The Bible is the supreme rule of faith and life. There is such a thing as the supernatural. The

resurrection of Christ is an historical event. The body of Jesus did not experience corruption. The story of the empty tomb is not a legend.’ ”

The Presbytery decided that the theological education

committee should be instructed to take appropriate action to ensure that teaching at Theological Hall, while allowing academic freedom to examine other subjects, is not at variance with the confessional standards of the Church as stated in the Book of Order.

The assembly will be asked to consider the establishment of a second theological college staffed by Presbyterian teachers trained in conservative theology in order to provide an alternative to the Theological Hall at Dunedin for the training of ministers and deaconesses.