That the Christian Reformed Church is in the midst of a crisis is not here being reiterated; it is assumed. The question raised in this piece is, What ought we to do about it? An increasing number of people appear to be calling for formal separation. Others, while recognizing the gravity of the situation, seem to be content with pointing out in print the dangers that we face. There are yet others who seem to operate under the (rather naive) notion that everything will work itself out, somehow. I suggest that we, as a committed, Reformed people, put on the full armor of God and take our stand against the devil’s schemes, throwing them back in his blasphemous face. We’ve got to get tough for Christ. Too many conservative members and ministers are busy packing their bags, ready to abandon ship. I am urging them to stay on board and save our ship.
There is much concern, and right concern it is, about the sort of church we will be leaving our children if things continue on the present course . But may I remind the elders and ministers of the Christian Reformed Church that we have a very present responsibility under God this moment to shepherd the faithful in our pews. The sound leaders of the church should not be the first ones overboard. It has been my experience in the short time in which I’ve been a member of the CRC to meet with many, many fine and faithful Christians in our denomination who are ripe for strong leadership in waging the battle against relativism. They will lend their support to men who would be Valiant for Truth, but they, like God in Ezekiel’s time, look for a man to stand in the gap, yet find none (Ezekiel 22:30). Now is the time for all of us who hold dear the absolute truth of Scripture to stop running, to stop hiding, and to start fighting.
The first thing we need in order to fight is a knowledge of the enemy. Who is it we’re fighting? The answer is “Relativists.’ Relativists appear as neo-orthodox, as modernists, as feminists, as egalitarians—they wear all sorts of garb. But they all have one thing in common: they deny that God Almighty can speak absolutely and once for all in the Bible. They vary in their methods of compromise (some redefine the words of Scripture, some deny the words of Scripture, some re-“interpret,” via convolution, the words of Scripture, others sacrifice one portion of Scripture seemingly on the altar of another, but actually on the altar of Relativism), but they are generally agreed that an absolute and final revelation is anathema. In fact, many are convinced that the Holy Spirit Himself regrets being “bound” to the word written; they claim that He is “leading” the Church, in essence, beyond (away from?) the Bible.
The current controversy in the CRC regarding women in office is stunningly analogous to the very first temptation of Satan in the Garden. “Is it really the case that God has said ye shall not eat from every tree of the garden?” (Gen. 3:1, Leupold’s translation). Leupold’s comments are to the point: “The thought aimed at by this suggestive question is that there must be something about God’s restraint of man that puts a very unwelcomed curb and check upon man. The circumstance that God has permitted man to make use of all the rest of the trees (cf., what God has permitted woman to do–SMS) is pushed aside as negligible. The fact that man has been barred from one tree (or, woman from office in the Church–SMS) is dragged into the forefront and magnified into a grievous and very unwelcome restraint that could hardly be thought of as imposed by God (cf., “I can’t believe God would give me the ability without willing me the opportunity.” –SMS) . . . . As Luther rightly points out, the temptation . . . directs itself against God’s Word. More specifically, it seeks to make that Word doubtful to man . . . “Adam and Eve are to be led away from its truth according to the purposes of the tempter.” If God’s Word is not Absolute, it is relative. If it is relative, it is subject to the same forces and influences as man’s word, indeed, it can be no more absolute than Satan’s word. There is no sure starting point; everything becomes relative. Man might as well lead the way. God becomes simply a very smart being who can offer good advice for the benefit of man. Man has fallen in with Satan to try and do away with God. In so attempting, he merely does away with himself. God does not come under the death sentence. Man does.
The relativist seeks to lead the denomination away from the Word of God as absolute, final, authoritative and normative. He will appeal to passages such as Galatians 3:28 (neither male nor female) in the same way Satan asked Eve to regard the general permission to eat from every tree (Gen. 2:16): as final in themselves and admitting of no qualification, no, not even by God. If God tells you you can eat, then eat anything you like. Passages like 1 Timothy 2:11ff. are then, a priori, inadmissable and unacceptable. But if God speaks absolutely, (and, of course, that’s the only way He can speak) then He legislates the exceptions as well as the rules. To seek “freedom,” as some are doing, by interpreting a qualified rule as unqualified, is to embrace death. The relativist will not find all of God’s law unacceptable, but like a spoiled child, he’ll eat the chicken and sneak the spinach to the dog. Christians, however, follow Jesus Christ, who said, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by EVERY word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God” (Mat. 4:4).
(While we’re on the subject of words, I’d like to note parenthetically that the Bible happens to be in favor of “inclusive language,” though I doubt that it would find favor with relativistic feminists. According to Scripture, woman is INCLUDED in man, her head. Therefore, Scripture says, “God created MAN in his own image . . . male and female he created them.” If they wish to be consistent, they might think of speaking about man and “wo.” But that might come too close to the truth, in their case, for comfort!)
In addition to identification of the foe (not to be confused with “wo”), we need wisdom. Who can deny that relativists have taken full advantage of every opportunity to maneuver and manipulate? We need to take to heart our Savior’s command to be “wise as serpents” while remaining harmless as doves. Let us strategize. Let us meet together before Classis meetings, and certainly before and during Synods, to analyze the movements of those who would destroy our beloved denomination. As we say in Brooklyn, we’ve got to “get hip” to what’s up and learn how to use procedures patiently and persistently against the forces of the father of lies. And we especially need to encourage greater participation by Elder delegatess in all assemblies. Elders alone could make the difference if they are given sound, wise advice on how they might be faithful in times like these.
Make no mistake about it, we also need courage. It may—it will be necessary to say things against the actions of people who may be personally dear to us. But to place feelings toward another above loyalty to Christ is to be guilty of idolatry. We ought to follow up on questionable statements and practices of ministers in our churches and in our own and neighboring classes. We need to make a little noise, ruffle a few feathers. As I said, some people find it easier to leave the denomination than to be a “pest for Christ.” But don’t we realize that if all our faithful friends follow suit, this entire denomination with its noble history will become a haunt of doctrines of demons! We must not let this be!! We must remember God’s words to Joshua, “Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their forefathers to give them. Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you.”
Now listen to a portion of that law: “Rebuke your neighbor frankly so you will not share in his guilt” (Lev. 19:17). Listen to Jesus: “If your brother sins, rebuke him” (Lk 17:3). Listen to Paul: “when Peter came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face , because he was clearly in the wrong . . . When I saw that they were not acting in line with the truth of the gospel, I (rebuked) Peter in front of them all” (Gal 2:1 1, 14). And again, note Paul’s instructions to Titus in the face of spreading heresy: “There are many rebellious people, mere talkers and deceivers . . . They must be silenced . . . (R)ebuke them sharply, so that they will be sound in the faith.” Things weren’t good, but Paul didn’t advise, “Bail out.” No. Rather, he told Titus, in the power of the Spirit of Truth, to dig in and fight!
Throughout Scripture, God raises up rebukers to set people on or keep them in the right path. Little Samuel reproved Eli with the Word of the Lord; a donkey rebuked Balaam; John, Elijah and Nathan brought the word of the Lord against nobility. Too often, we are content to air our complaints only in the sight of those who already agree with us . Its time to have a showdown, face to face with those who have been led into error and who endeavor to so lead others. With the grace of God and humility of the Spirit, which seeks not its own, but Christ’s, let us REMAIN members of the Christian Reformed Church. But let us confront the forces of relativism with every spiritual, tactical and procedural weapon at our disposal. There are plenty of corrupt denominations in America and Canada already. Let us invite and persuade the relativists to leave us and join them!
Yes, we all hear the trumpet sounding. We all know its a call to action. But I suggest the action we are being called to is an aggressive, wise prudent and sustained advance, NOT A RETREAT.
Steve M. Schlissel of 1841-83rd St. Brooklyn, NY 11214, is pastor of Messiahs Congregation and an elder in the Jamaica, NY Queens CRC, and an elder delegate to the 1986 Synod.