Our denomination was formed in 1927, as a group of Christians who withdrew from the Presbyterian Church in Ireland. At that point in history, the influence of liberal theology was being felt in significant ways within the Church, and our founding fathers believed a new denomination was needed to faithfully proclaim the Gospel.
Influence of Liberal Theology
The history of the Evangelical Presbyterian Church is deeply rooted in the history of Irish Presbyterianism, which traces its ancestry back to the Scottish Reformation. In the closing years of the 19th century the influence of liberal theology in the spheres of Biblical Authority, the Person of Christ, and the way of salvation were increasingly influencing the teaching of Union Theological College in Belfast - the training colllege of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland (PCI).
One of its leading exponents was Professor J E Davey, at the time a Professor of New Testament, but who would later become the College Principal. Davey had an undoutbedly brilliant mind, but as evidenced in his writings, had been heavily influenced by German 'Higher Criticism’ in relation to his view of Scripture and its authority. This began to be seen in his teaching.
James Hunter & WJ Grier
At this time, the two individuals whom God would particularly use to found our denomination were at different stages of their service in the PCI.
Rev James Hunter was the minister of Knock Presbyterian Church. Increasingly concerned about the direction of the church, in 1926 he formed the Bible Standards League. This League produced literature and held rallies, with the aim of contending for confessional theology.
WJ Grier was a theological student in training for the PCI. Having received the majority of his seminary education in North America, on his return to Belfast, he was shocked by some of the teaching he received in Union, particularly in Professor Davey’s class. Grier’s concern was that theological heresy was not only going unchallenged, but being positively promoted.
Trial before Presbytery
In December 1926, Hunter, Grier and a group of evangelical ministers and laity felt compelled to bring five specific charges against Professor Davey. These alleged that what he held and taught was contrary to the doctrinal standards of the Presbyterian Church of Ireland.
Despite evidence drawn from his own published works, notes taken in his classes and his own defence speeches, both the Belfast Presbytery and General Assembly found him “not guilty” on all five charges. In addition, the Assembly appointed a Commission to deal with James Hunter for non-compliance with Belfast Presbytery’s direction that there should be no public reference to the case before the hearing of Appeals.
A new denomination
Hunter considered that this ruling had unacceptable implications for his freedom to support the battle for orthodoxy in the future and so resigned his membership of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland in July 1927. In October of that year the Irish Evangelical Church came into being.
The new church quickly grew, with congregations formed, mainly around the Greater Belfast area. In 1964 the name of the Church was changed to the Evangelical Presbyterian Church, a title which more accurately reflects our stance.
Since then we have undergone many changes, periods of encouragement & discouragement. Our hope is that we serve the same Lord, who is “the same yesterday, today and forever”, and that “he is building his Church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against her”!
Our story: By honour & dishonour
No up to date history of our denomination has been available since The Origin and Witness of the Irish Evangelical Church in 1945. This new book gives the background to our formation in 1927, the reason for our existence, the journey to the present and some challenges for the future. The book is hard back, has over 400 pages and is full of detailed information. You may even see yourself in one of the many photographs throughout. It is your story! Available to purchase from The Evangelical Book Shop.