Andrew White Resigns as PCA Elder

Andrew White, a Democratic candidate for Texas governor who supports Roe v. Wade, has resigned as an elder from Christ the King Presbyterian (PCA) Church in Houston.

White made quite a stir in evangelical circles when he made statements on a variety of issues that conflict with Christian orthodoxy:

“My personal faith is personal to me, but I will not let it interfere with how I govern.”

“I’m for marriage equality and everyone deserves to be treated equally under the law.”

“If elected governor, he promised to respect Roe V. Wade and not push for further abortion restrictions in state law.”

The Houston Chronicle ran an article detailing the difference between Presbyterian Church in America’s view on culture and the Texas Democratic Party platform, which calls for

Democrats to “denounce efforts to not comply with the U.S Supreme Court court decisions which guaranteed marriage equality to all couples, (and) to support municipal, state, and federal nondiscrimination laws which protect LGBTQ individuals in all aspects of their lives including housing, employment, adoption, education, commerce, and public accommodation.”

It also calls for Democrats to “support the factual inclusion of the LGBTQ movement and individuals in history and social studies classes.

Sometime in the recent past, White’s name disappeared from the listing of elders at Christ the King. In response to an inquiry, the church said that its liaison on this issue is unavailable because of health reasons, but did confirm that White has resigned as an elder.

After previously saying that White “didn’t know when life begins,” his campaign website now reads:

I support Roe v Wade. I believe women have the right to make their own medical decisions without interference from the government. As governor, I’ll veto legislation that places an undue burden on women.

In my personal life, I accept that life begins at conception. However, I will not impose my personal belief on other Texans because I’m proud to live in a country that both separates church and state, and respects a woman’s right to control her own body.

As governor:

• I’ll work to protect the right for women to make their own healthcare choices.
• I’ll reopen women’s clinics so healthcare can be accessible and safe.
• I’ll fund access to contraceptives and comprehensive sex education.

This stands in sharp contrast to the PCA’s stance on these issues. For instance, the Westminster Larger Catechism is one of the confessional documents of the PCA. Relevant to the abortion question, it states in part:

Q. 136. What are the sins forbidden in the sixth commandment?

A. The sins forbidden in the sixth commandment are, all taking away the life of ourselves, or of others, except in case of public justice, lawful war, or necessary defense; the neglecting or withdrawing the lawful and necessary means of preservation of life; sinful anger, hatred, envy, desire of revenge; all excessive passions, distracting cares; immoderate use of meat, drink, labor, and recreations; provoking words, oppression, quarreling, striking, wounding, and whatsoever else tends to the destruction of the life of any.

Also, the church in 2016 adopted this statement on gay marriage:

The PCA, like other evangelical, conservative, orthodox, and traditional Christians from many denominations, believes that from creation God ordained the marriage covenant to be a bond only between one man and one woman. That understanding is what the Church has always believed, taught, and confessed. It is based upon the teachings of the Holy Scriptures and is clearly stated in the doctrinal standards of the PCA.

White recently came in second in the Texas Democratic Party’s primary election, trailing Dallas County Sherrif Lupe Valdez. Valdez garnered 42.9 percent of the vote, with White claiming 27.4 percent. Both are headed to a runoff race which will be conducted on May 22.