WIERSINGA CASE IS PASSED ON TO NEXT SYNOD – The Wiersinga case, which occupied the Synod of the Reformed Churches in the Netherlands (CKN) in both June and November of last year, was again one of the primary matters on the agenda at the March meeting of Synod. A previous session addressed a letter to Dr. H. Wiersinga and requested a response for the March session. In the interim a synodical committee was to discuss the content of the letter with him.

This committee subsequently framed a letter which it asked Wiersinga to sign. After articulating his disagreement with the confessional view of the atonement (Christ bore Cod’s wrath in our stead), the letter went on to say that Wiersinga would, however, submit to the judgment of the church. It attempted to elicit a promise from Wiersinga that he would not contradict the church‘s confession of the atonement. But Wiersinga did not feel that he could sign the letter.

His own letter to the Synod struck a very conciliatory note but essentially maintained his earlier position. He insists, however, that it does not conflict with the confessions of the church to which he wants to be faithful. In characterizing the nature of that faithfulness, Wiersinga distinguishes between the content and its conceptualization, between the “what” and the “how.” His argument is Dot with Christ‘s atoning work itself but only with the way in which the church describes or conceptualizes it. Dr. K. Runia points out that such a distinction is rather hard to maintain. When one’s concept of the atonement changes, this touches the content of the atonement as well. Wiersinga, he says, denies that aspect of the atonement which according to the confessions is an essential part of its content.

Many members of the GKN Synod were disappointed with the contents of Wiersinga‘s letter despite its conciliatory tone. Dr. B. Wentsel and others wished Synod to once more impress upon Wiersinga the responsibility of his office to support the confessions of the church. But the Synod only voted to pass on Wiersinga‘s letter to the next Synod that will convene in May [1975].

Dr. A. Kruyswijk, moderator of the Synod, pointed out that the Wiersinga case does not just involve a family quarrel within the CKN. It rather involves issues central to Christianity. Reflecting on the fact that the Wiersinga case has been handled much differently than it would have been twenty years ago, he suggested that the church has learned new ways to deal with one another. (RES NE 4/8/75)

CRWRC SENDS LAST MINUTE HELP TO VIETNAM REFUGEES – In the two weeks prior to the fall of Saigon the Christian Reformed World Relief Committee was able to transfer $23,000 for refugee use in South Vietnam. Of this $15,000 was transferred through the Mennonite Central Committee which operated in Saigon until almost the last day. Another $5,000 was channeled through the World Relief Commission and $3,000 was sent to the Presbyterian Church in Saigon. The last gift was acknowledged by cable by the moderator, the Rev. Nguyen-Xuan-Bao just a few days before the Americans abandoned Saigon. The Rev. Bao also stated that he had received $1,000 and $1,350.00 from the Reformed Churches in Australia and New Zealand. (RES NE 5/6/75)

FUNERAL SERVICES were held for Professor John Murray in Badbea, Bonar Bridge, Scotland on Tuesday, May 13. Some 500 people came to pay their last respects for this “saintly scholar” who taught Systematic Theology until his retirement at Westminster Theological Seminary in Philadelphia. (RES NE 6/10/75)

MERGER OF CONSERVATIVE CHURCHES FAILS: UNION STILL A PROSPECT – The main item of interest on the dockets of the Orthodox Presbyterian Church and the Reformed Presbyterian Church, Evangelical Synod, was the proposed plan of union. Both churches met concurrently at Geneva College in Beaver Falls. Plans to unite the two denominations were begun in 1968 and could have culminated in the union of the two churches in 1976. The proposed plan called for approval by a two-thirds vote of the commissioners of both churches.

The OPC reached the two-thirds majority in a vote of 95 to 42, but the RPCES, while reaching a good majority (122–92) failed to reach the two-third mark by 21 ballots.

In both communions there was broad support for union as well as some misgivings about the effect of the merger on the life and witness of the united church. From the OPC side concern was expressed that the RPCES is not fully Reformed in its teaching, and from the RPCES side that the OPC uses the Reformed faith to force conformity.

The failure of the plan of union to pass both assemblies does not mean the end to union discussion. The Orthodox Presbyterian General Assembly instructed its Inter-Church Relations Committee to continue conversations with the corresponding committee of the Reformed Presbyterian Church, Evangelical Synod with a view to eventual union and communicated this action to the Synod of the RPCES. The Synod on its part agreed to give the same instructions to its Inter-Church Relations Committee. Many commissioners expressed the hope that failure of the plan to gain the support of both assemblies will not block but only postpone union. (RES NE 6/10/75)

ORTHODOX GIVEN LEADERSHIP IN ’75–’76 GKN SYNOD – The Synod of the Reformed Churches in the Netherlands (CKN) opened in mid-May. This is the first of several sessions spread over 1975-1976. The Synod‘s first task was the appointment of a moderamen (executive committee). Dr. H. B. Weijland was chosen to replace Dr. A. Kruyswijk as moderator. Reformatorisch Dagblad pointed out that all but one of the moderamen are members of the conservative Confessional Reformed Consultation (Confessioneel Gereformeerd Beraad).

The opening address emphasized that the Synod must above all attend to what is brought forward by the grassroots of the church. It also indicated that the main matter to occupy the Synod’s attention will again be the nature of the church’s confession. (RES NE 6/10/15)

UPUSA DISALLOWS PROTEST TO ORDINATION OF WOMEN – In a landmark decision the General Assembly of the United Presbyterian Church in the USA upheld its judicial commission which barred from ordination a seminarian, Walter Wynn Kenyon. Mr. Kenyon could not endorse, for biblical reasons, the denomination‘s position allowing for the ordination of women ministers, elders. The decision has been interpreted to mean that ministers, elders and deacons of long standing who think like Mr. Kenyon are unwelcome in the church. The discussion on the issue lasted only thirty minutes.

Christianity Today reports that now it is possible to stay in the church while denying the virgin birth, bodily resurrection, vicarious atonement, and the personal return of Christ, but if one believes that the Bible forbids the ordination of women, he may not hold office.

There is a movemcnt afoot on the part of evangelists in the church to discuss withdrawal from the denomination as a result of the General Assembly’s decision. In the denomination 1,700 of the 8,700 churches do not have women elders. (RES NE 6/10/75)

UPUSA ASSEMBLY INVESTIGATES EVANGELICAL LAYMEN‘S GROUP – The General Assembly of the UPUSA called for an investigation of the Presbyterian Lay Committee, an unofficial “concerned” organization that has been critical of Assembly policies. The Mission Council of UPUSA was instructed to “counsel with the Lay Committee about the manner in which its publications, its distribution policies and its spokespersons deal with persons, organizations and policies of which it disapproves.” The mandate also called for the establishment of “a vehicle through which the Lay Committee is obliged to dialogue with such persons or groups in the interest of mutual respect and understanding.”

The Presbyterian Layman, organ of the Lay Committee has a circulation of 300,000. In recent issues it expressed strong criticism of the way denominational reserves, which were once $40,000,000 have largely been depleted. (RES NE 6/10/75) ECUMENICAL COUNCIL FORMED FOR PRESBYTERIAN AND REFORMED CHURCHES IN NORTH AMERICA – At the initiative of the Presbyterian Church in America, the inter-church relations committees of several confessionally-oriented Presbyterian and Reformed churches met during October 1974 and arranged to draw up plans for a council of Presbyterian and Reformed churches that would function as a basic ecumenical instrument for the member churches. The purpose and function of the NAPARC, as stated in the constitution is:

1. Facilitate discussion and consultation between member bodies on those issues and problems which divide them as well as on those which they face in common, and by the sharing of insights “communicate advantages to one another” (Institutes IV.2.1).
2. Promote the appointment of joint committees to study matters of common interest and concern.
3. Exercise mutual concern in the perpetuation, retention and propagation of the Reformed faith.

SPANISH CHRISTIAN REFORMED CHURCH FffiST TO SPONSOR VIETNAMESE FAMILY The Christian Reformed World Relief Committee has enlisted in the resettlement of Vietnamese refugees. It will work in cooperation with local diaconates of Christian Reformed churches to arrange for sponsorship. The Spanish CRC of Grand Rapids, whose membership is predominantly resettled Cuban refugees, was the first church to ask for a Vietnamese family to sponsor. (RES NE 7/8/75)