Mercersburg Prepared for Trinity Covenant Church, RCUS Colorado Springs, CO July 25, 2004 Main Source: Preface to: Benjamin S. Schneck, 1806-1874. Mercersburg Theology. Inconsistent with Reformed and Protestant Theology. Electronic version published by the Reformed Church in the United States. Much of the Preface is by Rev. Norman Jones.
In the mid-nineteenth century, Professors Philip Schaff and William Nevin in the seminary at Mercersburg, PA, developed a new system of doctrine based on German philosophy. They claimed that this was an advancement of original Calvinism when actually it was a brazen denial of Reformed truth. The “new theology” resulted in heated controversy in the church on many issues (especially liturgical formulations) and led eventually to the Liberalism and church mergers of the early twentieth century. “Mercersburg Theology” may be summarized as follows (adapted from Professor J. I. Good’s History of the Reformed Church in the U.S., pp. 587—594):
The basis of Authority	“Historical progress” from a philosophical rather than a scriptural point of view. Following Hegel and Schilling, church tradition trumps the Bible.
The Incarnation	“Christo-centric.” Truth comes from the “Christ idea.” Christ united with generic humanity, not with an individual human nature. This denied that the two natures are distinct in the One Person of the Son.
Application of Redemption	We partake of the life of Christ organically through the church and sacraments Salvation is not legal but organic, and infused into the soul This comes through baptism which accomplishes regeneration.
The Church	The visible church is the medium of the “organic life of Christ. The church is growing, and old creeds must give way to new creeds. [This thinking gave us “living” constitutions in the United States.—cwp]
Sacraments	Sacraments have “potential grace” in themselves, and eternal life is communicated through them. Faith is minimized. The name of the Trinity gives grace. The humanity of Christ is present in the Lord Supper in a “spiritual” sense [whatever that means. –cwp], and has the idea of offering up a sacrifice.
Worship	Worship is liturgical and based on the Apostles’ Creed. An altar and a liturgy are necessary: congregational responses, confession, and absolution. The “Church Year” is emphasized.
Church Government	Aristocratic Presbyterianism. Power concentrated in the higher courts. Consistories and Classes are downgraded.
High Liturgical Worship	Akin to Anglicanism. Frowned upon extemporaneous public prayers.
Summary: The influence of the Mercersburg theology continues. It has had a recurring appeal to the main-line liberal churches with Reformed and Presbyterian background, but its leaven has now also begun to infiltrate conservative, confessional Reformed and Presbyterian churches as some are seeking for another model for theology, such as the Auburn Avenue theology and the followers of Norman Shepherd.