Dear Brethren:
Finally, a Classis (British Columbia North-West) sends an overture to synod requesting that no further aid be given to CEPAD (the Evangelical Committee for Relief and Development) of Nicaragua. (The Banner, April 27, 1987). We have been told in The Banner that people like Oral Roberts are not financially responsible to any person; that we should demand financial statements; only give to causes financially responsible. Yet, not one Christian Reformed Church knows what happens with every one of the $150,000 that goes to Nicaragua each year!!
CEPAD is a socio-political movement. See The Banner, May 3, 1982. Having lived in Latin America for 15 years, I learned one thing about movements like CEPAD. They will publish or tell you what is wrong with the USA and any dictatorship on the right. Sec article in the above mentioned Banner, page 6, as an example. I have challenged some in those movements, twice Dr. Gustavo Parajon, chairman of the board of CEPAD, to make up a public statement or document stating what is wrong (from a Christian or Biblical point of view) with a government like they have in Russia, Cuba and other countries on the left, and governments like they have/had in Uruguay, Argentina, Chile and other countries on the right. I even challenged CRWRC and CRWM Central America to make up such a statement after they wrote, “Nicaragua Pastor doesn’t speak for them” (The Banner, Voices, Dec. 3, 1984) regarding “Pastor and Family Flee Homeland to Canada” The Banner, Oct. 29, 1984.
To this day none have taken up my challenge to speak equally regarding the left as they do regarding the right. What do you think is the reason for that? CRWRC and CRWM are informing us that giving has gone down. Do they ever wonder why? Too many dark horses perhaps? CEPAD certainly is one of them!
We are exhorted to be informed givers. I would suggest that every classis, or every Christian Reformed Church for that matter, demand CRWRC to inform us, the people (before we give one more cent) what happens to the $150,000 in Nicaragua each year!
Sincerely,
Jake Prins
Lorna Linda, CA
P.S. I heard former President Efrain Rios Monti of Guatemala say, “Never send any money to Latin America because it lands up in strange places.”
Dear Editor: Please place the following in the Outlook under “Letters to the Editor.”
In the Outlook of July/August, 1987, Laurie Vanden Heuvel reported that Dr. Richard Mouw declared in a speech that “women were created to rule and hold office” according to Gen. 1:28. That human interpretation is shattered by God’s verdict recorded in Gen. 3:16, “and thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee.”
That text also refutes Mouw’s charge that the Christian Reformed Church makes its daughters “eternally subordinate to male headship.” God almighty issued that verdict, and the Christian Reformed Church obediently applies God’s will.
Rev. 22:5, to which Mouw refers, reveals what will be in the life hereafter. That text provides no proof that women may rule and hold office in the Christian Reformed Church today.
It seems incredible that theologians holding a doctor’s title would mar their distinguished status by making such apparent erroneous interpretations, misleading others and possibly violating the warning of Rev. 22:18 (cf. Deut. 4:2, 12:32; Prov. 3:6) not to add to the word of God.
Sincerely,
Ben De Vries
Pella, Iowa
Dear Editor:
Hebrews 12:16 “See that no one . . . is godless like Esau, who for a single meal sold his inheritance rights as the oldest son. Afterward, as you know, when he wanted to inherit this blessing, he was rejected. He could bring about no change of mind, though he sought the blessing with tears.”
What an apt description of the modus operandi used by the Communists in Nicaragua and other depressed countries. Their bargain—we will fill your stomachs and otherwise make you feel good and in exchange we will indoctrinate your children in godlessness. Example: Sandinista Minister of Culture and Catholic Priest Ernesto Cardenal, speaking at a Christmas Mass for Sandinista troops, “You boys have got to understand that God does not exist, that Jesus Christ does not exist either, that God is the revolution, and Jesus Christ are you, all are the Sandinistas . . . .”
That the world, already godless, should regard this as a good bargain is understandable. But that influential people in my own church and some of its missionaries should also fall for this ruse is deeply disappointing. My fervent prayer is that they will wake up before the time for tears has come.
Matthew 10:28 “Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the one who can destroy both soul and body in hell.”
Sincerely,
Gerald Klaasen
New Era, Mich.
TIME TO SEPARATE
After having read the splendid article of the Rev. John Engbers entitled “The 1987 Synod a Sleeper” in Last month’s issue of the Outlook I feel compelled to give expression to the following: A Church denomination can no doubt aptly be compared with a basket of apples. Unless the rotten ones, that it gradually comes to contain, are removed, all the remaining ones will shortly be contaminated. Has the CRC actually become contaminated to such a degree that the removal of its heretics has well–nigh become an impossibility? And has the time therefore arrived when those who have not become contaminated as yet, must depart, or suffer the eternal consequences?
Make as much as you wish of the doctrine of the Perseverance of the Saints, but what about such Scriptural warnings as for example the following: “Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate saith the Lord” (2 Cor. 6:17). “Strive (clearly implied) to enter, for strait is the gate, and narrow is the waywhich leadeth to life, and few there be that find it” (Matt. 7:14). “He that shall endure to the end, the same shall be saved” (Mk. 13:13).
Rev. J. E. Brink
Portage, Mich.
THE YEAR IN REVIEW
The editor of The Banner is of the opinion that “The Year 1986 in Review,” written by emeritus Prof. Richard De Ridder for the 1987 Yearbook of the Chr. Ref. Church is itself worth the price of the entire Yearbook. I’m sorry I cannot share his enthusiasm. There are better analyses of what is really going on in the Chr. Ref. Church than what one can find here.
But that is not my problem. What I find irksome is the same kind of bias that was present in the previous Yearbook’s column by the same author. It’s not hard to see where the author’s sympathies lie. He writes about “small but vocal groups who disagree with certain synodical decisions,” and singles out Lynwood CRC as “the consistory which continues to give leadership in dissent to a small number of like-minded leaders and consistories.”
Not a word, however, about the small, vocal group on the other side of the fence which continues to agitate strongly for introducing practices which violate synodical decisions, and undermine scriptural integrity. No word about Eastern Avenue and other churches and classes which simply ignore what synod has said and do their own thing. No sir, not a peep about them. Only Lynwood and some like-minded consistories are singled out for rebuke.
So much for objectivity and fairness. So much for “the place of balance—the legitimate middle ground” of which the author speaks.
Sorry, I wouldn’t pay a penny for a Yearbook that contained only this review of 86. And let’s remember: What is sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander.
J. Tuininga
Lethbridge, Alta.
Under the heading, “The Year 1986 in Review,” Rev. Richard R. De Ridder reports in the 1987 CRC Denominational Yearbook (p. 441) on some trends in the churches: “Small but vocal groups who disagree with certain synodical decisions threaten to withdraw from the denomination.”
Why do we find ourselves in a defensive position? Our Bible is under attack with lies and distortions. Witness the evolution theory taught at our Calvin and Dordt Colleges, and the introduction
of women into church offices. Biblical foundations are being eroded. A small vocal group dares to enter the field, armed with the Truth, the Bible, following the example of our founding fathers. R.B. Kuiper, in his book, The Glorious Body of Christ, said, “You will always find, as goes the institution of learning, so goes the church.” Corrie Ten Boom in her book, Amazing Love, wrote, “Theology is the queen of the sciences as long as it remains in the hands of the Holy Spirit; but if it is used by man in order to raise barricades behind which he wishes to entrench himself, it becomes theology in the hands of Satan.” The evolutionists are committing a crime when they take the faith out of the hearts of men and women of today and lead them into a starless night.
Armed with the faith of our fathers, may we be more than conquerors through Christ.
Peter H. Yonker
Dutton, Mich.