The language present is clear enough to address the specific problems brought about by the infestation of Side B/Revoice heterodoxy. Even more, even to the degree that there is a hanging “etc.” left over, this is a factor, not of poor wordsmithing, but of the nature of equivocation that necessitates this overture.

Regarding the “word salad problem” with Overture 37, many teaching elders (TE) and ruling elders (RE) may have sympathy with that concern. The “known by” language can (to some) sound a bit clumsy, lacking focus in some manner. While some of this objection is rooted in the hearer rather than the actual wording, the simple fact is that Overture 37 is in part based on a “for example” approach.

But this is not necessarily a weakness, nor even a potential one. The language present is clear enough to address the specific problems brought about by the infestation of Side B/Revoice heterodoxy. Even more, even to the degree that there is a hanging “etc.” left over, this is a factor, not of poor wordsmithing, but of the nature of equivocation that necessitates this overture. It is the practice of equivocation, of saying one thing and then definition-shifting mid-argument, that is the reason for any word-salading in O 37.

And such equivocation is the tactic of the Enemy. The PCUSA has decades of failure to shut down such equivocation. Today, it has openly practicing same-sex attracted (SSA) men and women in their ordained leadership. That may not be the immediate or indirect intention of any Side B/Revoice supporter. But it certainly is the intention of Satan, the author of the equivocation by which Side B/Revoice makes its arguments.

So, I urge you to vote affirmative on both Overtures 23 and 37. I urge you to provide arguments in favor to any elders in presbyteries still to vote on these overtures. It may be that we’ve got a word salad in front of us, but that’s because we only want a honeymoon salad—lettuce alone! It is frustrating that we have to list what that means must be left out of the (ordained) salad bowl, but there it is.

Equivocation may not be stopped in all locations, but let it be stopped in these two locations. Pass Overtures 23 and 37.

Reed DePace is a Minister in the Presbyterian Church in America and is Pastor of First PCA in Montgomery, Ala.