On Being Presbyterian, by Sean Lucas

Conservative Presbyterians have a bit of an identity problem in this day and age. Not that we don't know who we are (though true of some), but others outside our relatively small circles aren't sure what to make of us. To some fundamentalist Christians, we appear to be liberals, or licentious, or both. To liberal Christians, we are fundamentalists (and drinking beer won't change that notion). And from an American evangelical perspective, certain practices of ours, such as infant baptism and liturgical worship, smack of Roman Catholicism. And to many of these same evangelicals, our Calvinist teachings are coldly fatalistic. So when someone asks me what kind of church I pastor and I tell them it is Presbyterian, I'm not always sure what meaning that word will convey for him or her (the problem is only compounded by the name "Orthodox" in my particular denomination). For those completely unfamiliar with denominational monikers, as I once was, "Presbyterian" means basically nothing.

"On Being Presbyterian" is a very helpful primer for explaining the basic beliefs, practices, and history of Presbyterianism. The author, Sean Lucas, sets out to describe what can be called a "vanilla Presbyterianism" of the conservative sort. While he does not ignore some of the differences among Bible-believing Presbyterians, he succeeds in setting forth the essential features of what constitutes historic, traditional Presbyterianism. And while he obviously writes as one who is Presbyterian by conviction, the tone of the book is not strident or polemical. Lucas has the humility and wisdom to recognize Presbyterians are but one part of God's Kingdom. At the same time, he would have the reader appreciate, and even embrace, the heritage he himself has embraced as his own.

What I like about this book is that Lucas highlights what I believe are vital, but not always understood, aspects of a thorough-going Presbyterianism. There is much more to being a Presbyterian than subscribing to the so-called five points of Calvinism. Rather, as Lucas details in his book, Presbyterians are committed to many important teachings and practices: union with Christ, covenant theology (and infant baptism), a high view of the sacraments, the corporate nature of Biblical piety, the spirituality of the church, a view of God's people as a pilgrim people, the importance of worship (and the need for worship governed by Scripture), and of course the connectional nature of the church. All of these things help make up the total picture of what Presbyterianism is all about.

Because Lucas includes and helpfully explains so much that constitutes a full-formed Presbyterian identity, I will definitely recommend this book to those who are interested in learning more about Presbyterianism. In fact, we are reading it now in our leadership training course.

I particularly enjoyed reading the last section of the book, in which Lucas gives a brief history of American Presbyterianism. Though he could not possibly include everything there is to say about this, I only wish he had written more about the major role Presbyterians (and Princeton seminary, a Presbyterian institution) played in world missions throughout America's history. I would hope this impulse to spread the gospel is also a vital part of a Presbyterian identity.

Upon reflecting on this book, I thought that we who are Presbyterians are at our best when we are actually being faithful to our theology and principles. Our belief in the absolute sovereignty of God should create in us a deep humility. Our understanding of the covenant ought to inspire us to be faithful in nurturing our children in the faith. Our understanding of the spiritual nature of the church should cause us to focus all our efforts, as a church, on building Christ's Kingdom on earth and not be sidetracked by involving ourselves (as a church) in the politics of the day. Our belief in the universality of the church should motivate us to do all we can to pursue true union with other churches.

And finally, our belief in union with Christ ought to to serve to root our ultimate identity in our glorious Savior. We are Presbyterians, but even more fundamentally, we are Christians. And our Presbyterianism is worthwhile only insofar as it serves to facilitate our worship of Christ, and our service in his Kingdom.