Confessional Subscription in the Presbyterian Church

What does it mean for church officers to subscribe to the Westminster Confession of Faith? In this video, we explore the historical background, theological rationale, and denominational practices surrounding confessional subscription in the Reformed tradition.

This lecture addresses:
• The definition and purpose of subscription
• Historical developments, including the Adopting Act of 1729
• Key debates over “scruples” and “essential articles”
• Models of subscription: System, Good Faith, Strict
• Differences in subscription vows across the PCA, OPC, EPC, and PCUSA
• The pastoral and ecclesial wisdom of confessional boundaries


Whether you’re preparing for ordination, serving on a presbytery, or simply want to better understand the role of confessions in Presbyterian polity, this video offers clarity and context for faithful theological practice.

Recommended reading: The Presbyterian Creed by S. Donald Fortson III; The Practice of Confessional Subscription, ed. Hall.

Chapter
00:00 Introduction
00:18 What Is Confessional Subscription?
05:42 Historical Background: 16th-17th Century Roots of Subscription
09:45 The Adopting Act of 1729
29:17 Models of Subscription: System, Good Faith, and Strict
33:57 A Case for Good Faith Subscription
41:47 Denominational Vows (PCA, OPC, EPC, PCUSA)
50:18 The Virtues of Confessional Fidelity