Sean Michael Lucas (PhD, Westminster Theological Seminary) is senior pastor of Independent Presbyterian Church (PCA) in Memphis, Tennessee. He has taught at Covenant Theological Seminary and Reformed Theological Seminary and authored several books of church history.
"Don't let the title fool you. This is about far more than the PCA.
This book is nothing less than a history of Presbyterianism in the
twentieth century, with all its theological wrangling, all its
political maneuvering, all its failings and all its faithfulness.
This is certainly a story worth telling, and Sean tells it very
well."--Kevin DeYoung, Senior Pastor, University Reformed Church,
East Lansing, Michigan
As God did a glorious work in the lives of His imperfect but
beloved covenant people He would at times tell them to "pile up
some stones" in order to remember what He had done and to teach the
"coming generations". Sean Lucas has "piled up some stones" from
the gracious work of God's providence in establishing the
Presbyterian Church in America (PCA) to remember for His glory and
for the "coming generations" to be both encouraged and equipped for
a future that by His grace will be marked with an imperfect yet
loving obedience.--Harry L. Reeder III Senior Pastor, Briarwood
Presbyterian Church, Birmingham, AL
This is a story that had to be told, and Sean Lucas has told it
with the skill and care of a historian and the warmth and concern
of a pastor. Dr. Lucas is thorough, honest, fair, and accurate in
unfolding the history of a complex movement that includes mixed
motives, different hopes, complicated relationships, and inner
controversies. In spite of its failures ("the purest churches under
heaven are subject both to mixture and error"), the history of the
Presbyterian Church in America is a good story, indeed a wonderful
story, of God's grace and blessing on a group of Southern
Presbyterians who were committed, despite the cost, to establishing
and maintaining "a continuing church," true to the Bible, faithful
to Reformed theology, and obedient to the Great Commission. If you
want to understand the Presbyterian Church in America, you must
read this book.--David B. Calhoun, Professor Emeritus of Church
History, Covenant Theological Seminary
With first-rate scholarship, engaging style, and a pastor's
insights Sean Lucas provides the most insightful history of the
Presbyterian Church in America thus far. His proof that our
forefathers intended for the PCA to be a new mainline denomination
confirms that the growth pains so far have been worth it and
inspires us to renew their vision to be a servant-leader
denomination. According to Lucas's research, our mandate as a
denomination is to make sure that our service to the gospel not be
"done in a corner." My friend has once again been used of the Lord
to refresh my commitment to the Scriptures, the Reformed Faith, and
the Great Commission!--George Robertson, Senior Pastor, The First
Presbyterian Church, Augusta, Georgia
I've always thought of my friend and former colleague, Sean Lucas,
as a walking encyclopedia. Every page of this volume proves me
right. Meticulously researched, this history of the founding of the
Presbyterian Church in America will instantly become the definitive
account of a significant movement in the history of American
Presbyterianism. The detail is comprehensive, the writing is
wonderfully engaging--as though the drama were being played out
before our very eyes, and the sins of the past are neither
downplayed nor exaggerated. As a church historian and pastor in the
Presbyterian Church in America, I've waited a long time for this
history. I was not disappointed. There were surprises, there were
aspects of the story that filled in gaps in my own understanding,
and there was a sense of encouragement as I turned the last page.
It does seem that we can count ourselves as one example of an
evangelical Presbyterian church that God has enabled to remain true
to the Scriptures, the Westminster standards, and the robust
Reformed faith. Praise God from whom all blessings flow!--Michael
W. Honeycutt, Senior Pastor, Westminster Presbyterian Church, Rock
Hill, South Carolina
Sean Lucas has given us an account of events leading up to founding
of the Presbyterian Church in America that is not only informative
from a historical perspective but could be valuable in helping
assess events taking place today. Some of the issues and concerns
facing the church today are similar, if not the same, that fed into
the forming of the PCA. I believe this book will not only have an
appeal to those involved in this history, but could be a resource
for those who have come along at a later time to better understand
where and why we are today.--Charles H. Dunahoo, Coordinator of
Christian Education & Publications, PCA (retired)
Take it from this Baptist. I don't care if you're not a
conservative Presbyterian; you still need to read For a Continuing
Church. It tells an important yet often neglected story in the
history of American evangelicalism. combining original research and
outstanding engagement with current scholarship. Written with the
empathy of an insider, but the historical honesty of a critical
scholar, Sean Lucas has also told this story in a masterfully
crafted narrative. The book makes a lasting contribution to our
understanding of the American evangelical landscape, highlighting
the complexity of denominational movements and institutions. It
should be read widely, not only by historians, but by anyone who
wants to think carefully about the intersection of faith and
culture.--Matthew J. Hall, Vice President of Academic Services, The
Southern Baptist Theological Seminary
This book offers the first comprehensive story of Southern
conservative Presbyterianism˘a most important and too often
neglected part of the larger story of American Christianity. It is
full of both inspiring moments and cautionary tales. It is as
church should be: a faithful and engaging re-telling of the churchs
past in the service of her present and future calling.--Stephen J.
Nichols, President, Reformation Bible College; Chief Academic
Officer, Ligonier Ministries
This important work by my friend Sean Lucas is much needed, well
researched, forthright, and comprehensive. It will be a tremendous
resource for present and future leaders in the PCA in general and
Covenant Seminary students in particular. Lucas gets the story
straight so we can see more clearly both the strengths and blind
spots of our past. He does this with a hope-filled desire for
faithfulness in today's church as another new generation takes its
place of leadership and joins God's mission in and through the PCA
and beyond.--Mark L. Dalbey, President and Associate Professor of
Applied Theology, Covenant Theological Seminary
With For A Continuing Church, Sean Michael Lucas has remedied the
neglect that Southern Presbyterians have generally suffered at the
hands of church historians. His story of conservatives in the
Presbyterian Church U. S. follows carefully the Old School
tradition as it developed and adapted to twentieth-century life,
and then informed the founding of the Presbyterian Church in
America. If history teaches lessons, Lucas' book has at least a
semester's worth for both those who belong to the PCA and others
who desire to promote and maintain the witness of Reformed
Protestantism.--D. G. Hart, author of Calvinism: A History
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