The Cambridge Declaration
Encyclopedia
The Cambridge Declaration is a statement of faith written in 1996 by the Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals
, a group of Reformed and Lutheran Evangelicals
who were concerned with the state of the Evangelical movement in America, and throughout the world.
' 1993 book No Place for Truth or Whatever Happened to Evangelical Theology? (ISBN 0-8028-0747-X). This book was highly critical of the Evangelical
church in America for abandoning its historical and theological roots, and instead embracing the philosophies and pragmatism of the world.
While not a best seller, the book was critically acclaimed by a number of important Evangelical leaders. In 1994 a number of these leaders formed the Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals. Since much of Wells' thesis stemmed from the modern church's abandonment of historical confessions of faith (such as The Westminster Confession
and the 1689 Baptist Confession of Faith
), the Alliance was based upon Evangelicals who not only adhered to these Reformed confessions of faith, but were able to direct their ministries accordingly.
The two principal players involved in spearheading the conference from which the Cambridge Declaration emerged were James Montgomery Boice of Evangelical Ministries (Philadelphia, PA), and Dr. Michael S. Horton of Christians United for Reformation (Anaheim, CA). Like Wells, Horton and Boice were both strong critics of the shallow nature of contemporary Evangelicalism, and had published a book to that effect [see: "Power Religion: The Selling Out of the Evangelical Church" (1993) edited by Horton, and featuring Boice as a contributing author]. Later in 1996, these men joined forces by merging their respective organizations into The Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals.
. The choice of location was deliberate, since Cambridge was the seat of Harvard and thus the center of ecclesiastical and intellectual life in 17th century America. Cambridge was also the location of The Cambridge Platform
, a declaration of church polity made in 1648 by New England Puritans.
Approximately 100 delegates from around the world gathered for the four day conference, with the explicit intention of creating an official declaration that would be released once the conference concluded. The conference was also important because it included the presence of evangelical Lutherans
, who had traditionally kept themselves apart from mainline Evangelical and Reformed movements.
Throughout the conference, a document was drafted and suggestions / changes were solicited from the various delegates. The two principal authors of the Cambridge Declaration, however, were Dr. David F. Wells, and Dr. Michael S. Horton. The various papers delivered at the conference were later edited and published in the book Here We Stand (Baker Books), edited by James Boice and Ben Sasse (republished in 2004).
and deny modern teachings:
1. Sola Scriptura: The Erosion Of Authority
2. Solus Christus: The Erosion Of Christ-Centered Faith
3. Sola Gratia: The Erosion Of The Gospel
4. Sola Fide: The Erosion Of The Chief Article
5. Soli Deo Gloria: The Erosion Of God-Centered Worship
Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals
The Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals is a Christian ministry which produces print and internet resources, broadcasts radio programs The Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals is a Christian ministry which produces print and internet resources, broadcasts radio programs The Alliance of Confessing...
, a group of Reformed and Lutheran Evangelicals
Evangelicalism
Evangelicalism is a Protestant Christian movement which began in Great Britain in the 1730s and gained popularity in the United States during the series of Great Awakenings of the 18th and 19th century.Its key commitments are:...
who were concerned with the state of the Evangelical movement in America, and throughout the world.
"No Place for Truth"
Both the conference and the eventual declaration came about as a result of David F. WellsDavid F. Wells
David Falconer Wells is Distinguished Senior Research Professor at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. He is the author of several books in which his evangelical theology engages with the modern world....
' 1993 book No Place for Truth or Whatever Happened to Evangelical Theology? (ISBN 0-8028-0747-X). This book was highly critical of the Evangelical
Evangelicalism
Evangelicalism is a Protestant Christian movement which began in Great Britain in the 1730s and gained popularity in the United States during the series of Great Awakenings of the 18th and 19th century.Its key commitments are:...
church in America for abandoning its historical and theological roots, and instead embracing the philosophies and pragmatism of the world.
While not a best seller, the book was critically acclaimed by a number of important Evangelical leaders. In 1994 a number of these leaders formed the Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals. Since much of Wells' thesis stemmed from the modern church's abandonment of historical confessions of faith (such as The Westminster Confession
Westminster Confession of Faith
The Westminster Confession of Faith is a Reformed confession of faith, in the Calvinist theological tradition. Although drawn up by the 1646 Westminster Assembly, largely of the Church of England, it became and remains the 'subordinate standard' of doctrine in the Church of Scotland, and has been...
and the 1689 Baptist Confession of Faith
1689 Baptist Confession of Faith
The 1689 Baptist Confession of Faith was written by Particular Baptists, who held to a Calvinistic Soteriology in England to give a formal expression of their Christian faith from a Baptist perspective...
), the Alliance was based upon Evangelicals who not only adhered to these Reformed confessions of faith, but were able to direct their ministries accordingly.
The two principal players involved in spearheading the conference from which the Cambridge Declaration emerged were James Montgomery Boice of Evangelical Ministries (Philadelphia, PA), and Dr. Michael S. Horton of Christians United for Reformation (Anaheim, CA). Like Wells, Horton and Boice were both strong critics of the shallow nature of contemporary Evangelicalism, and had published a book to that effect [see: "Power Religion: The Selling Out of the Evangelical Church" (1993) edited by Horton, and featuring Boice as a contributing author]. Later in 1996, these men joined forces by merging their respective organizations into The Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals.
Conference in Cambridge
Eventually a conference was held between April 17-20 1996 in the town of Cambridge, MassachusettsCambridge, Massachusetts
Cambridge is a city in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, United States, in the Greater Boston area. It was named in honor of the University of Cambridge in England, an important center of the Puritan theology embraced by the town's founders. Cambridge is home to two of the world's most prominent...
. The choice of location was deliberate, since Cambridge was the seat of Harvard and thus the center of ecclesiastical and intellectual life in 17th century America. Cambridge was also the location of The Cambridge Platform
The Cambridge Platform
The Cambridge Platform was a doctrinal statement for the Puritan Congregational churches in Colonial America. It was drawn up in August, 1648 by a synod of ministers from Massachusetts and Connecticut, which met pursuant to a request of the Massachusetts General Court...
, a declaration of church polity made in 1648 by New England Puritans.
Approximately 100 delegates from around the world gathered for the four day conference, with the explicit intention of creating an official declaration that would be released once the conference concluded. The conference was also important because it included the presence of evangelical Lutherans
Lutheranism
Lutheranism is a major branch of Western Christianity that identifies with the theology of Martin Luther, a German reformer. Luther's efforts to reform the theology and practice of the church launched the Protestant Reformation...
, who had traditionally kept themselves apart from mainline Evangelical and Reformed movements.
Throughout the conference, a document was drafted and suggestions / changes were solicited from the various delegates. The two principal authors of the Cambridge Declaration, however, were Dr. David F. Wells, and Dr. Michael S. Horton. The various papers delivered at the conference were later edited and published in the book Here We Stand (Baker Books), edited by James Boice and Ben Sasse (republished in 2004).
Reasons for the Declaration
The conference, and the eventual declaration that was created, was broadly influenced by the following:- The culture of the modern world (as represented by PostmodernismPostmodernismPostmodernism is a philosophical movement evolved in reaction to modernism, the tendency in contemporary culture to accept only objective truth and to be inherently suspicious towards a global cultural narrative or meta-narrative. Postmodernist thought is an intentional departure from the...
) is changing the message that the church preaches. - The erosion of Christian doctrine within the modern church, including the lack of Expository preachingExpository preachingExpository preaching is a form of preaching that throws light upon the meaning of a particular text or passage of Scripture. As "throwing light," this term is more general than exegesis, which is used for more technical and grammatical exposition, a careful drawing out of the exact meaning of a...
. * The increasing influence of RelativismRelativismRelativism is the concept that points of view have no absolute truth or validity, having only relative, subjective value according to differences in perception and consideration....
within the church, which has led to an environment where "truth" is subjectively determined, and where church leaders aim to preach only "positive" messages. - The increasing focus upon man, rather than God, within the church.
- An increasing focus on man's ability to respond to God's grace, rather than a focus upon God's ability to save man. * A focus on the quantitative and measurable aspects of church growth (which thus links Christian ministry with outward success) rather than the qualitative and spiritual aspects of Biblical ministry.
Content of the Declaration
The declaration is a call to repentance for the evangelical church in order to reaffirm the historical Christian truths that are articulated by The Five solasFive solas
The Five solas are five Latin phrases that emerged during the Protestant Reformation and summarize the Reformers' basic theological beliefs in contradistinction to the teaching of the Roman Catholic Church of the day. The Latin word sola means "alone" or "only" in English...
and deny modern teachings:
1. Sola Scriptura: The Erosion Of Authority
- A reaffirmation that the Bible contains all things necessary to understand and obey God.
- A denial that any other form of authority is needed to bind the conscience of the Christian.
2. Solus Christus: The Erosion Of Christ-Centered Faith
- A reaffirmation that Christ alone and his penal substitutionary atonement on the cross are the means by which all Christians are saved.
- A denial that the Gospel can be preached without the atonement being declared and without faith being solicited from the listeners.
3. Sola Gratia: The Erosion Of The Gospel
- A reaffirmation that salvation is a supernatural work of the Holy Spirit.
- A denial that salvation is in any sense a work of the human heart, either fully or partially.
4. Sola Fide: The Erosion Of The Chief Article
- A reaffirmation that a person is justified (declared innocent) before God through faith alone and through Christ alone - that Christ's righteousness is imputed to the Christian.
- A denial that justification relies upon any human merit, and that churches which teach this cannot be considered legitimate churches.
5. Soli Deo Gloria: The Erosion Of God-Centered Worship
- A reaffirmation that salvation is ultimately for God's glory rather than man's, and that Christians everywhere should understand that they are under God's authority and act for his glory alone.
- A denial that God can be glorified through "entertainment"-style worship; the removal of law and/or gospel in preaching; and preaching that focuses upon self-improvement, self-esteem and self fulfillment.
Attitudes towards the Roman Catholic Church
The declaration reflects traditional conservative Protestantism in its rejection of the Roman Catholic Church as a legitimate church. This is mainly due to the differences expressed over the issue of Justification. These rejections of the Roman Catholic Church are found implicitly and explicitly in the text of the Declaration:- In Thesis one (Sola Scriptura), the text asserts We deny that any creed, council or individual may bind a Christian's conscience. While this has a universal application, it is specifically aimed at the Roman Catholic Church and its insistence that Scripture is to be interpreted by the church's institutions and historical councils, and of the Pope's authority.
- In Thesis four (Sola Fide), the text asserts We deny that justification rests on any merit to be found in us, or upon the grounds of an infusion of Christ's righteousness in us, or that an institution claiming to be a church that denies or condemns sola fide can be recognized as a legitimate church. It is this last phrase that indicates a rejection of the Roman Catholic Church, since it is clearly an "institution" that "denies or condemns" the Reformation understanding of Sola Fide.
- In the section Call To Repentance And Reformation, the following point is made: We also earnestly call back erring professing evangelicals who have deviated from God's Word in the matters discussed in this Declaration. This includes those... who claim that evangelicals and Roman Catholics are one in Jesus Christ even where the biblical doctrine of justification is not believed. This is an explicit reference to the issue discussed in Thesis four.
Criticisms of Charismatic and Pentecostal Christianity
The declaration also contains many statements that were intended to criticize the influence and theology of the modern Charismatic movement, along with the continual influence of the historic Pentecostal movement:- In Thesis one (Sola Scriptura), the text asserts We deny that... the Holy Spirit speaks independently of or contrary to what is set forth in the Bible, or that personal spiritual experience can ever be a vehicle of revelation.. In seeking to declare that Scripture is the sole source of the Spirit's revelatory work, the declaration is at odds with the entire Charismatic and Pentecostal movement with this statement. Private and personal revelation - outside the work of the Bible - is of critical importance to Christians in this movement. Essentially, the declaration calls upon these Christians to stop seeking private revelation and seek guidance from the Bible only.
- In Thesis two (Solus Christus), the text asserts We deny that the gospel is preached if Christ's substitutionary work is not declared and faith in Christ and his work is not solicited. This is a criticism of the practice of calling for people to "make a decision" through various means without actually preaching the Gospel. In many cases, when people are asked to "come forward" in these churches, it has come at the end of a sermon which may be emotionally charged, but which has not explained the Gospel as represented by the Atonement.
- In Thesis three (Sola Gratia), it states We deny that salvation is in any sense a human work. Human methods, techniques or strategies by themselves cannot accomplish this transformation. Faith is not produced by our unregenerated human nature. This section is a specific reference to the influence of revivalism in American Christianity - especially in the influence of historical preachers such as Charles Grandison FinneyCharles Grandison FinneyCharles Grandison Finney was a leader in the Second Great Awakening. He has been called The Father of Modern Revivalism. Finney was best known as an innovative revivalist, an opponent of Old School Presbyterian theology, an advocate of Christian perfectionism, a pioneer in social reforms in favor...
(especially in the last phrase). It asserts that emotionally manipulative techniques that exist within Charismatic and Pentecostal churches are not necessarily evidence of the work of the Holy Spirit. Moreover, the existence of these emotionally charged atmospheres within a church is certainly not a guarantee that people who have "been saved" in this environment have, in fact, been truly regenerated by the Holy Spirit. - In Thesis five (Soli Deo Gloria), it states We deny that we can properly glorify God if our worship is confused with entertainment, if we neglect either Law or Gospel in our preaching, or if self-improvement, self-esteem or self- fulfillment are allowed to become alternatives to the gospel. Considering the fact that many Charismatic and Pentecostal churches have entertaining worship services, and that the focus of preaching is not necessarily an exposition of the Bible but a positive message of self-fulfilment, this part of the Declaration is also evidence of a critical attitude towards this section of the Christian church.
Quotes about the declaration
- In 1994 Dr. James M. Boice called a number of us together in Philadelphia to discuss the possibilities of forming an alliance. Although many of us were already engaged in this sort of work in some fashion, Gordon-Conwell Seminary professor David F. Wells' book, No Place for Truth, Or Whatever Happened to Evangelical Theology? had just appeared and helped to organize us around a common concern. We came to seek God's wisdom together as to how we should proceed...
-
- - Michael S. Horton
- If we evaluate the pragmatism of the pragmatists on a pragmatic basis, we have to say that by their own standards they have failed. Why don't American medical statistics reflect the healings of the charismatics? Why don't our crime statistics reflect the holy living of evangelicals? Why, after a generation of church growth methodology and user-friendly worship, is church attendance down significantly?
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- - Robert Godfrey: One of the framers and a member of the United Reformed Church.http://home.hiwaay.net/~contendr/7-1-96.html
- This is a somber matter; we are repeating on the evangelical side the very attitudes which led to the birth of liberalism. The irony is that the very things which led to the liberalism which has been the great enemy of evangelicalism early on in this century have been taken into the evangelical churches. We are fools if we think that what happened in liberalism will not happen in evangelicalism too unless we repent and recover the gospel.
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- - David F. Wells: One of the framers and a member of the Congregational church. http://www.iclnet.org/pub/resources/text/reformed/archive96/nr96-048.txt
- What lies ahead of evangelicalism if it does not correct its path is it is going to give birth to a new liberalism. If (the alliance of Confessing Evangelicals - the framers of the Cambridge Declaration) is effective, on the other hand, it is going to give birth to a new focussed resurgence of reformational Christianity. These two paths will become the alternatives between which people are going to have to choose.
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- - David F. Wells
- Luther's theology of the crossTheology of the CrossThe Theology of the Cross is a term coined by the theologian Martin Luther to refer to theology that posits the cross as the only source of knowledge concerning who God is and how God saves...
totally destroys the modern gospel of success. It's in Calvin too, but a lot of people don't realize that.
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- - Dr. G. Edward Veith: One of the framers and a member of the Lutheran church.
- Worship should not be confused with feelings. It is true that the worship of God will affect us, and one thing it will frequently affect is our emotions. At times tears will fill our eyes as we become aware of God's great love and grace toward us. Yet it is possible for our eyes to fill with tears and for there still to be no real worship simply because we have not come to a genuine awareness of God and a fuller praise of Himself in His nature and ways... True worship occurs only when that part of man, his spirit, which is akin to the divine nature (for God is spirit), actually meets with God and finds itself praising God for His love, wisdom, beauty, truth, holiness, compassion, mercy, grace, power, and all His other attributes.
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- - James M. Boice: One of the framers and member of the Presbyterian Church. http://www.the-highway.com/br_herewestand.html
1996 Signatories
- Dr. John Armstrong (theologian)
- Rev. Alistair BeggAlistair BeggAlistair Begg is the senior pastor of Cleveland's Parkside Church , a position he has had since 1983. He is the voice behind the Truth for Life Christian radio preaching and teaching ministry that broadcasts his sermons daily to stations across the United States...
- Dr. James M. BoiceJames BoiceJames Montgomery Boice, Th.D. was a Reformed theologian, Bible teacher, and pastor of Tenth Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia from 1968 until his death. He is heard on The Bible Study Hour radio broadcast and was a well known author and speaker in evangelical and Reformed circles...
- Dr. W. Robert Godfrey
- Dr. John D. HannahJohn D. HannahJohn D. Hannah is an author and professor at Dallas Theological Seminary. His official title is "Distinguished Professor of Historical Theology, Research Professor of Theological Studies." He served as the department chair of Historical Theology for over twenty years and has taught at DTS since...
- Dr. Michael S. Horton
- Mrs. Rosemary Jensen
- Dr. R. Albert Mohler Jr.R. Albert Mohler, Jr.Mohler's approach to Muslims is driven by his belief in the relevance of the Christian Gospel to all people.-Media appearances:Mohler appeared on MSNBC's Donahue on August 20, 2002. The subject was Christian evangelization of Jews...
- Dr. Robert M. Norris
- Dr. R. C. SproulR. C. SproulRobert Charles Sproul, is a prominent American Calvinist theologian, author, and pastor of the Reformed tradition...
- Dr. Gene Edward Veith, Jr.
- Dr. David F. WellsDavid F. WellsDavid Falconer Wells is Distinguished Senior Research Professor at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. He is the author of several books in which his evangelical theology engages with the modern world....
- Dr. Luder Whitlock
- Dr. J. A. O. Preus IIIJ. A. O. Preus IIIDr. Jacob Aall Ottesen Preus III is the former president of Concordia University in Irvine, California. He served as president of the university from 1998–2009. Previously, he was a professor at Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, Missouri...
2007 Council members
Alliance Council Members- The Rev. Mr. Eric Alexander, Former Senior Pastor, St. George’s Tron Church, Glasgow, Scotland. Presbyterian (Church of Scotland)
- The Rev. Dr. Alistair Begg, Senior Pastor, Parkside Church, Cleveland, Ohio; Speaker, Truth for Life. Independent (Parkside Church)
- The Rev. Dr. Gerald BrayGerald BrayGerald L. Bray is an English theologian and church historian. From 1993 to 2006 he taught at Beeson Divinity School, where he is now a research professor. He is the editor of the Churchman journal. His book, Biblical Interpretation: Past and Present was one of Christianity Today's books of the...
, Anglican Professor of Divinity, Beeson Divinity School, Birmingham, Alabama. Anglican/Episcopal (Church of England)
- Mr. Jerry BridgesJerry BridgesJerry Bridges is an evangelical Christian author, speaker and staff member of The Navigators. He is the author of more than a dozen books, including The Pursuit of Holiness, which has sold more than one million copies...
, Author and Bible teacher, long-time staff member with the Navigators, where he served as Vice President. Presbyterian (PCA)
- The Rev. Dr. Donald CarsonDon CarsonDonald Arthur Carson is a Canadian-born evangelical theologian and professor of New Testament.-Background and education:...
, Research Professor of New Testament, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, Deerfield, Illinois. Independent (Evangelical Free Church)
- The Rev. Dr. Mark DeverMark DeverMark E. Dever has been the senior pastor of the Capitol Hill Baptist Church in Washington, D.C. since 1994, and is the president of 9Marks , a Christian ministry he co-founded "in an effort to build biblically faithful churches in America."...
, Senior Pastor, Capitol Hill Baptist Church, Washington D.C; Author/Speaker, 9 Marks Ministries. Baptist (Southern Baptist)
- The Rev. Dr. Ligon DuncanLigon DuncanJ. Ligon Duncan III is an American Southern Presbyterian scholar and pastor.-Early life and education:Duncan is native to Greenville, South Carolina. His father, J. Ligon Duncan, Jr. was an eighth-generation Southern Presbyterian ruling elder. He had a small commercial printing company, still in...
, Senior Minister, First Presbyterian Church, Jackson, Mississippi, and Adjunct Professor of Theology, Reformed Theological Seminary. Presbyterian (PCA)
- The Rev. Dr. Sinclair FergusonSinclair FergusonSinclair Ferguson is a Scottish theologian known in Reformed Christian circles for his teaching, writing, and editorial work. He is currently a professor at Redeemer Seminary in Dallas.-Career:Ferguson received his Ph.D...
, Professor of Systematic Theology, Westminster Theological Seminary, Dallas, Texas. Church of Scotland
- The Rev. Dr. Robert GodfreyRobert GodfreyW. Robert Godfrey is a minister in the United Reformed Church and the third President of Westminster Seminary California, where he is also Professor of Church History. He has taught at Westminster Seminary California since 1981 and has previously taught at Westminster Theological Seminary in...
, President, Professor of Church History, Westminster Theological Seminary, California. Reformed (URC)
- The Rev. Dr. John Hannah, Department Chairman and Distinguished Professor of Historical Theology, Dallas Theological Seminary. Independent (Scofield Memorial Church)
- Dr. Paul Jones, Music Director and Organist, Tenth Presbyterian Church, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Presbyterian (PCA)
- The Rev. Dr. John MacArthur, Jr.John F. MacArthurJohn Fullerton MacArthur, Jr. is a United States evangelical writer and minister noted for his internationally known and broadcast radio program titled Grace to You...
, Pastor-Teacher, Grace Community Church, Sun Valley, California; President of The Master’s College and Seminary; Speaker, Grace to You. Independent (Grace Community Church)
- The Rev. Mr. C. J. MahaneyC. J. MahaneyCharles Joseph Mahaney is the former leader of Sovereign Grace Ministries , a network formed to establish and support local churches, and was one of the founding pastors and leaders of Covenant Life Church, in Gaithersburg, Maryland.-Selected publications:* Why Small Groups?* Disciplines for Life*...
, President, Sovereign Grace Ministries, Former Senior Pastor, Covenant Life Church, Gaithersburg. Maryland. Independent (Sovereign Grace)
- The Rev. Dr. Albert Mohler, President, Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Louisville, Kentucky; Author/Speaker, The Al Mohler Show. Baptist (Southern Baptist)
- The Rev. Mr. Richard Phillips, Senior Pastor, First Presbyterian Church Coral Springs, Margate, Florida. Presbyterian (PCA)
- The Rev. Dr. John PiperJohn Piper (theologian)John Stephen Piper is a Christian preacher and author, currently serving as Pastor for Preaching and Vision of Bethlehem Baptist Church in Minneapolis, Minnesota...
, Senior Pastor, Bethlehem Baptist Church, Minneapolis, Minnesota; Author/Speaker, Desiring God Ministries. Baptist (Baptist General Conference)
- The Rev. Dr. Philip RykenPhilip RykenPhilip Graham Ryken is president of Wheaton College in Wheaton, Illinois. Dr. Ryken was inaugurated on Friday, September 17, 2010 at Edman Chapel.-Education:...
, Senior Minister, Tenth Presbyterian Church, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Preacher, Every Last Word. Presbyterian (PCA)
- The Rev. Dr. R. C. SproulR. C. SproulRobert Charles Sproul, is a prominent American Calvinist theologian, author, and pastor of the Reformed tradition...
, Chairman, Ligonier Ministries, Orlando, Florida; Senior Minister for Preaching, St. Andrews Chapel, Orlando, Florida; Professor of Systematic Theology and Apologetics, Knox Theological Seminary, Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. Presbyterian (PCA)
- The Rev. Dr. Derek ThomasDerek Thomas (theologian)Derek W. H. Thomas is a reformed pastor and theologian known for his teaching, writing and editorial work. He is currently the Distinguished Visiting Professor of Systematic and Historical Theology at Reformed Theological Seminary in Jackson, MS.-Career:...
, John E. Richards Professor of Systematic and Pastoral Theology, Reformed Theological Seminary, Jackson, Mississippi; Minister of Teaching, First Presbyterian Church, Jackson, Mississippi. Presbyterian (PCA)
- Dr. Carl Trueman, Professor of Church History, Westminster Theological Seminary, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Presbyterian (Orthodox Presbyterian Church)
- Dr. Gene Edward Veith, Jr., Professor of English, Concordia University – Wisconsin; Cultural Editor, WORLD magazine. Lutheran (Lutheran Church Missouri Synod)
- The Rev. Dr. David F. WellsDavid F. WellsDavid Falconer Wells is Distinguished Senior Research Professor at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. He is the author of several books in which his evangelical theology engages with the modern world....
, Andrew Mutch Distinguished Professor of Historical and Systematic Theology at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, South Hamilton, Massachusetts. Congregationalist (Conservative Congregational Christian Conference)