Welcome to the landing page for our Sunday school course on Christian Identity and Orthodox Presbyterian History, taught by Rev. Dr. Camden Bucey.
While it is necessary to cover basic historical facts such as names, places, and dates, our intent is to cover those items in service of conveying a comprehensive understanding of the Christian’s place in this present earthly age. We are a people living between the times. We are pilgrims who have been redeemed from the slavery of our sin yet are striving to enter our final rest (Heb. 3–4).
As we consider key events in OPC history, we will study foundational biblical texts that explain the church’s place and purpose in this world. In one sense, we could say this is not so much a course in church history as it is historical biblical theology. It is a study in the OPC within the greater context of divine progressive revelation.
Readings are posted here for those who would like to read primary and secondary sources regarding significant historical events that have shaped our ecclesiastical heritage.
Readings
1. What Is the OPC? Locating a Church Identity
- Hart and Muether, Fighting the Good Fight, pp. 1–14.
- Dennison, History for a Pilgrim People, pp. vii–8.
2. Modernism and American Presbyterianism
- Harry Emerson Fosdick, “Shall the Fundamentalists Win?”
- Thompson, The Auburn Betrayal (includes the full text of The Auburn Affirmation)
- Hart and Muether, Fighting the Good Fight, pp. 11–26.
- Dennison, History for a Pilgrim People, pp. 9–40.
3. Identity in Christ
- Carl Trueman, Strange New World: How Thinkers and Activists Redefined Identity and Sparked the Sexual Revolution, pp. 11–30.
- Carl Trueman, The Rise and Triumph of the Modern Self, pp. 11–72.
Forthcoming Lessons
- The Reorganization of Princeton Theological Seminary
- The Independent Board for Presbyterian Foreign Missions
- The Founding of the Orthodox Presbyterian Church
Lessons
Introduction
This is the first lesson in our course, Christian Identity and OPC History, taught by Rev. Dr. Camden M. Bucey. While it is necessary to
Modernism and American Presbyterianism (Part 1)
In this lesson, we will begin looking at modernism, which posed a great challenge for the Presbyterian Church’s purity and distinct confessional witness. While many
Modernism and American Presbyterianism (Part 2)
We continue to study modernism in early twentieth century American Presbyterianism, looking more closely at a sermon preached at First Presbyterian Church, New York on
Identity in Christ (Part 1)
We have had an unexpected hiatus from our Christian Identity and OPC History adult Sunday school course, but I am planning to resume our study tomorrow. We
Identity in Christ (Part 2)
In this lesson, we conclude our consideration of cultural and theological notions of identity with a view toward applying those conceptions to narratives of Orthodox
Others Who Suffered
In this lesson, we consider John DeWaard, Oscar Holkeboer, and Arthur Perkins in their fight against modernism in the Presbyterian Church in the USA.
How Will We Get There?
We consider a key quotation from the OPC’s third historian, Charlie Dennison, which points the church toward her mission in service of her savior.