Let me begin this reflection with this:

From the PC(USA) Book of Order
W-1.4005

a. The minister as pastor has certain responsibilities which are not subject to the authority of the session. In a particular service of worship the pastor is responsible for

(1) the selection of Scripture lessons to be read,
(2) the preparation and preaching of the sermon or exposition of the Word

W-2.2007

The preached Word or sermon is to be based upon the written Word. It is a proclamation of Scripture in the conviction that through the Holy Spirit Jesus Christ is present to the gathered people, offering grace and calling for obedience. Preaching requires diligence and discernment in the study of Scripture, the discipline of daily prayer, cultivated sensitivity to events and issues affecting the lives of the people, and a consistent and personal obedience to Jesus Christ. The sermon should present the gospel with simplicity and clarity, in language which can be understood by the people. [remainder deleted]

I recently attended worship on the Lord’s Day at one of the more progressive churches in the PC(USA) and had a most unusual experience that is informed by the two quotes above from the Book of Order.  The sermon that unfolded would send members of any other American Presbyterian denomination running for their judicial commissions and pastoral examinations.  For some churches within the PC(USA), this is just another Sunday morning.

For this particular service the first scripture lesson was from the Gospel of John.  The second “scripture” lesson, and the one that was favored for the preaching, was from a Gnostic Gospel.  This was lifted up as a parallel, alternative and in some ways better account of a particular story than the Gospel of John presented with the strong implication that the councils that decided the canon were wrong leaving it out.

Now, I have heard many sermons, and their quality and style covers the whole spectrum.  (As a COM liaison to PNC’s I have listened to hundreds of different preachers both live and on tape.)  I have heard children’s books read, I have heard all manner of analogies, allegories and modern parables, and I have heard statements that I believe to be down right wrong.  I have also heard Gnostic Gospels and all manner of ancient and modern literature quoted within the body of the sermon.  But I am sure this is the first time I have heard a Gnostic Gospel not just quoted in the sermon, but portions read as the primary scripture lesson for the day.

I probably should also comment that there was no significant exegesis of either scripture text but they were simply used as a jumping off point for a discussion of current events and the oppression of particular groups.  I can only guess if this reassures you or troubles you even more.

So, what can a pastor preach within the latitude of the Directory for Worship?  While W-1.4005 does provide for latitude, or at least some “academic freedom” I think that both sections are pretty clear that preaching is to be based on the Scriptures, and these are defined by various confessions,  in particular the Westminster Confession.  In addition, that document goes on to say: The books commonly called Apocrypha, not being of divine inspiration, are no part of the canon of the Scripture, and therefore are of no authority in the Church of God, nor to be any otherwise approved, or made use of, than other human writings.”  Yes, these Gnostic Gospels while apocryphal are not part of the Apocrypha, but I think this guidance would apply to them as well.  In the case of the sermon I just heard the pastor may disagree with the statement that it was not divinely inspired.

Well the preaching is up to the pastor, guided by the Holy Spirit, but the Book of Order does say it is to be “based on the written Word.”  While I recognize and appreciate the flexibility the Directory for Worship offers, I believe that it also provides boundaries which I see as being crossed in this case.  The reading of Scripture is accorded a particular place of honor in our worship.  To substitute something else in that place, however divinely inspired the preacher may consider it, seems inappropriate and contrary to two millennial of corporate guidance.  Yes, you can use it in the sermon.  But don’t substitute it for Scripture.