Why the OPC Split from the PCUSA?

Why the OPC Split from the PCUSA?

The OPC was Born out of a Missions Controversy

J. Gresham Machen split from the PCUSA to form the OPC in 1936 due to rampant theological liberalism within the denomination, specifically regarding foreign missions and theological education. The direct catalysts were the formation of an independent mission board, the subsequent ecclesiastical trials, and the suspension of conservative leaders by the denomination. [1, 2, 3]

Key Precipitating Events:

• Theological Modernism:Machen fought against liberal theology within the PCUSA that denied core doctrines such as the deity of Christ, the substitutionary atonement, and the authority of Scripture.
• Independent Board for Presbyterian Foreign Missions (1933):Because the official church mission board refused to guarantee the orthodoxy of its missionaries, Machen helped establish an independent board.
• Ecclesiastical Trials (1935-1936):The PCUSA declared the Independent Board unconstitutional and put its members, including Machen, on trial. Machen was convicted and suspended from the ministry in 1935.
• Formation of the OPC (1936):Following the conviction, Machen and his colleagues concluded the PCUSA was too compromised to be reformed, leading them to form the Presbyterian Church of America (later renamed the Orthodox Presbyterian Church (OPC)) to preserve Reformed, confessional theology. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]

Corresponding Sources:

[1] https://continuing.wordpress.com/2011/06/03/on-the-conduct-of-trials-in-presbyterianism/

[2] https://omegaopc.org/about-us/denomination/

[3] https://www.opc.org/machen.html

[4] https://www.opc.org/qa.html?question_id=144

[5] https://opc.org/books/fighting/pt1.html

[6] https://reformedforum.org/machen-and-the-pca-today/

[7] https://www.reddit.com/r/Reformed/comments/bx42uq/what_are_the_major_differences_between_pca_and_opc/

The Independent Board for Presbyterian Foreign Missions (IBPFM) was founded in 1933 by J. Gresham Machen as a conservative alternative to the official Board of Foreign Missions of the Presbyterian Church in the U.S.A. (PCUSA). Its creation was a pivotal event in the Fundamentalist–Modernist Controversy. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]

Origins and Formation

• The Catalyst: Machen and other conservatives grew concerned over rising "modernism" (theological liberalism) within the PCUSA's missionary work. A major trigger was the 1932 report Re-Thinking Missions, which suggested that Christianity should cooperate with, rather than seek to convert, followers of other religions.
• Official Proposal Rejected: In 1933, Machen presented an overture to the New Brunswick Presbytery calling for a reform of the official missions board. When it was rejected, he and 24 other conservatives formally organized the Independent Board on June 27, 1933.
• Purpose: The board's charter aimed to "promote truly Biblical missions" committed to the Westminster Standards and traditional Presbyterian doctrine. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6]

Ecclesiastical Conflict and Consequences

• The Mandate of 1934: The PCUSA General Assembly declared the Independent Board unconstitutional. It issued a mandate (the "Deliverance of 1934") requiring all PCUSA members associated with the IBPFM to sever their ties or face church discipline.
• Machen's Trial: Machen refused to comply, arguing that he must "obey God rather than man". In 1935, he was tried and convicted of violating his ordination vows.
• Formation of the OPC: After his conviction was upheld in 1936, Machen and his supporters were defrocked and expelled from the PCUSA. They subsequently founded a new denomination, now known as the Orthodox Presbyterian Church (OPC). [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6]

Post-Machen Development

• Leadership Shift: Following Machen's death in 1937, control of the IBPFM shifted to Carl McIntire, founder of the Bible Presbyterian Church.
• Ongoing Operations: The board eventually moved its headquarters to Plymouth Meeting, Pennsylvania. It continues to operate today as an independent agency, supporting approximately 30 missionaries across Central and South America, Africa, and Asia. [1, 2, 3]

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Dr. Machen argued and stood for doctrinal purity: To return to the Word of God; to forsake the wisdom of man; to turn against the trend of the age toward liberalism; and to be faithful to the Christ of the Bible.

Our quest at Second Parish Church must be the same, especially as it concerns our missional discipleship focus.

Local congregations of the Orthodox Presbyterian Church (OPC) maintain a missional focus in discipleship by integrating the "Great Commission" into the core rhythms of church life, emphasizing that spiritual growth is inseparable from the work of witnessing to the world. Rather than treating missions as a separate department, the OPC approach roots outward-facing work in the Covenant community and sound Reformed doctrine. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]

1. Integration into Worship and Community

For OPC congregations, missional focus begins with the understanding that the Christian is a worshiper who longs to see others join in praising God. [1]

• God-Centered Worship as Witness: Corporate worship is viewed as a powerful testimony. When visitors observe the "meeting of God with His people," it serves as a witness to Christ's presence.
• Prayer for the Nations: Local churches often include specific times in Sunday services or monthly prayer meetings to focus on missionaries, unreached people groups, and global needs.
• The "Covenant Community" Model: Discipleship is nurtured within a community that seeks to "wash one another's feet," modeling Christ’s servant heart to observers and guests. [1, 2, 3, 4]

2. Doctrinal Training as a Foundation

The OPC emphasizes that "passion without knowledge is dangerous," so missional zeal is built on a rigorous educational foundation. [1]

• Bible and Catechetical Instruction: Sound doctrinal training (including the use of Westminster standards) provides the foundation necessary for members to explain their faith to others.
• Equipping for Personal Witness: Local churches provide resources like Biblical Evangelism Today or specialized seminars to train members in sharing the gospel and apologetics. [1, 2, 3, 4]

3. Active Outreach and Practical Training

Local congregations engage in direct activities that bridge the gap between the church and the surrounding community. [1]

• Short-Term Missions and "Bootcamps": Programs like Short-Term Missions (STM) offer intensive training in cross-cultural education and field work, allowing disciples to practice evangelism in real-world settings.
• Public Seminars and Events: Churches host public venues—such as concerts, film series, or seminars on biblical subjects—to invite the community to "sample" the ministry of the congregation.
• Ministries of Mercy: Discipleship includes demonstrating Christ’s compassion through practical service to both the "household of faith" and the broader community, which validates the spoken gospel. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6]

4. Denominational Support Structures

Local focus is reinforced by national committees that provide vision and resources. [1]

• Home and Foreign Missions: The Committee on Home Missions and Church Extension (CHMCE) and the Committee on Foreign Missions help local sessions stay connected to global and national church-planting efforts.
• Regular Missionary Contact: Congregations maintain focus by hosting visiting missionaries (itineration) and utilizing regular newsletters and prayer calendars like those found in New Horizons. [1, 2, 3]

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