October 25, 2024

The Session of Auburn Road Presbyterian Church to the saints in Christ Jesus, and to all concerned.

This open letter is to address and rectify the defamatory public statement made against church member Shane Hull.

During the Covenant Life Church worship service of June 2, 2024, an announcement was made purveying damaging implications which have unjustly tarnished Shane's reputation, and negatively affected his and his family's fellowship in the church.

Whereas no retraction of the announcement has been forthcoming from Covenant Life where the Hulls previously had their membership, it behooves us to declare that, notwithstanding the implications of false teaching that have been made, Shane, along with his wife Kelly and their son Noah, have been received into the membership of Auburn Road Presbyterian Church as members in good standing. 

Furthermore, having examined Shane's theological views, the implication that he is a false teacher to be warned about is unfounded. To wit:

The announcement warned about Shane being influenced by unbiblical teachings, stating that “He has in recent months articulated the influence of a couple of the leading voices of the CREC and their dominant theological position known as Federal Vision has had on him", notwithstanding:

1. Shane had no conceptual familiarity with Federal Vision theology per se at the time the announcement was made
2. there is no evidence to support the claim that so-called Federal Vision is the "dominant theological position" of the Communion of Reformed Evangelical Churches (CREC)
3. the label "Federal Vision" was given no definitional specificity, with only narrow reference to the 36-page PCA Study Committee Report; and Shane's views on the theology were not clarified with him beforehand.

It is therefore righteously required for the record to be set straight.

In Shane, our session detects an earnest soul, a keen mind, and an inspiring passion as he seeks to follow Christ, in subscription to our Westminster Confession of Faith. It is disheartening to see a beloved brother in Christ being subjected to unfounded implications made by unverified statements that have had harmful consequences.

We hereby urge everyone to disregard the false information, and to love & support Shane and his family during this challenging time. Let us stand together to uphold the values of truth, respect, and justice. We continue to implore that any further dissemination of this defamatory announcement cease immediately, and that efforts be made to restore Shane's good name.

May the grace of our Lord prevail, to the glory of God in all things.

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