Refreshing may not the first thought that typically comes to mind when the word sanctification is broached, but that’s exactly what the panel presentation on sanctification by Dr. Bryan Chapell and Dr. Mike Ross at the PCA General Assembly was!

He told the non-Calvinists: "There seems to be some non-Calvinists who are more concerned about rooting out Calvinists than they are about winning the lost for Christ." He then addressed Calvinists, some of whom he said "seem to think that if we do not believe the same thing about soteriology that they believe then somehow we are less intelligent or ignorant."

What Erskine is doing is not an easy task, but it is worthwhile. The 2011 ARP Synod commended Erskine’s trustees and President Norman, who was just completing his first in office, for their effective work. Again this year, the 2012 ARP Synod commended Erskine’s trustees and administration for being willing to continue the dialogue on these issues.

Though we decry what we see as a lack of wisdom in Vanderbilt’s policy, our consciences are clear that we have not shirked our responsibilities by remaining on campus at Vanderbilt. Why? Because to date it has not enforced this policy in such a way that binds our consciences, impelling us to leave.

First order of business was to bring forward 37 of the EPC’s world missionaries for prayer and recognition. Across the stage stood singles and couple’s representing the 324-church denomination’s work in Afghanistan, Belarus, Guatemala, and England among other locations.

After the Thursday evening worship service, the Assembly reconvened with the plan to complete all their business and then adjourn, meaning they would not have to meet again on Friday morning.

On a vote with a majority of about 60%, the General Assembly on Thursday approved an overture from Potomac Presbytery that asked that no 'in thesi' statement be made concerning evolution and Adam.

As the General Assembly resumed business on Thursday after the morning seminars, the first item of business taken up was the Review of Presbytery Records. It is the work of this committee to review records from the previous calendar year of all Presbyteries in the denomination. This is a long, arduous process and that committee now meets a month prior to the assembly to complete their work.

McKissic, who is black, said it was "an unfair comparison" for gays to equate same-sex marriage with civil rights because there is not incontrovertible scientific evidence that homosexuality is an innate characteristic, like skin color. "They're equating their sin with my skin," he said

A packed house of presbyters, many toting Bibles under their arms, could set them aside for the evening as entertainment was clearly the goal of the initial gathering.