(OUTLOOK editorials reprinted from ten years ago)

April, 1978

AN ONGOING CHALLENGE

As these lines were being written, a well-informed and deeply concerned former elder in a large local RCA congregation said to me: “do you know what our greatest enemy is? Apathy!” And that’s exactly it! The present CRC apathy to the increasing erosion of our former staunch and vigorous commitment to the Reformed faith, together with open and ever bolder attacks upon it are nothing less than appalling. He who is “a liar and the father thereof” (John 8:44) is having a field day, while even our “watchmen on the walls of Zion” refuse to be disturbed.

But isn’t the whole thing hopeless?

Some answer “yes.” But they are listening to the voice of frustration and fear instead of faith. Or they argue “Why keep on beating a dead horse or trying to breathe life into a corpse?” These are the quitters who never win, not the winners who never quit. Ezekiel’s vision of dry bones may have something to say to them.

Repeatedly it must have seemed to Paul that his Lord’s cause was altogether hopeless. But the great apostle marched to a different drummer and he listened to a higher voice. He wanted to know nothing of the quitter either in himself or in others.

To the Galatians Paul wrote: “And let us not be weary in well-doing; for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not” (6:9).

And to the Thessalonians: “But ye, brethren, be not weary in well-doing” (II Thess. 3:13).

Hope thrives only when, like Peter, James and John, we see no man save Jesus only as the One Who builds His church. And if it be His will, already on this side of glory, to effect and bring forth a union of those united in the Reformed faith, He surely can and will bring it to pass.

Pity those who are always vocal among the critics of the church but are never found among the builders.

To be united and zealous only as critics of one’s church will surely prove to be frustrating and counterproductive. Only those are entitled to criticize who at the same time are joined with our Lord as He goes on building His church to make it what He would have it to be.

To pray for, to pursue, and to propagate the realization of the “United Reformed Church” should be the aim which we still cherish as a part of our Lord’s building program and regard as our ongoing challenge.

Finally, a few observations about our ongoing challenge:

1. As a first priority toward any real rapprochement there must be a mutual recognition and realization that the pursuit of union of all those who are honestly and unambiguously committed to the Reformed faith is a continuing duty. What belongs together should be together. To cherish, to pursue, and also to implement the ideal of union whenever and wherever such appears to be warranted and timely, according to Scripture is not merely an option but a divine mandate. Let no man put asunder what God hath joined together in a common commitment to the Reformed faith.

Do I now see the way to achieve such togetherness today, tomorrow, or the next day? Unfortunately, I do not. However, can and dare we be comfortable if we will not even move a muscle or lift a finger to bridge the unwarranted gaps that divide Reformed Christians? Our Lord’s prayer “that they may all be one” (John 17:21) and Paul’s inspired exhortation about “giving diligence to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (Eph. 4:3) are a mandate for God’s people of our day as well as for those of long ago. The Ecumenism prescribed in Scripture is not to be repudiated merely because so many of today’s ecumenical churchmen disregard the sound doctrine and the godly walk demanded by the Scripture. Their pursuing a kind of union which God’s Word forbids should not deter us from pursuing the kind of union His Word commands.

2. Let it also be clearly understood then that there are precious convictions that are non-negotiable, and that the surrender of them is too great a price to pay for union. Before we proceed to organize or unite we must prepare, agree upon and proclaim a “Reformed Manifesto,” a clear and unambiguous statement of basic Reformed convictions founded on the Word-convictions that are never to be compromised, curtailed or submerged. 3. Allow me to suggest also that those who may come together to consider the possibility of a United Reformed Church should begin by exploring the convictions they do have in common without demanding that the first order of business must be a reconsideration and a resolving of controversies of a bygone day. Even though considering old controversies may later be unavoidable or necessary as we move down the road together, to make settling them a prerequisite for any common action could result in our being hopelessly stalled before we begin. To avoid insisting or making initial meetings a clearing house for conflicting views, or for airing our hurts and injuries of the past, will probably demand a self-denial which can be made possible only by grace that will be given to all who earnestly seek it. Meanwhile any who, after sincere soul-searching, may find themselves to be conscience-bound to have no part in this should be regarded with Christian esteem by others who do feel free to act together, in the hope that those who remain aloof will reciprocate by showing Christian esteem toward any and all who feel free to proceed without them. 4. The ongoing challenge for those who are truly Reformed to close ranks and to present a united front should be sharpened by the realization that there is no hope for today’s largely apostate Christendom apart from what the Reformed faith bas to offer. If we are unwilling to bestir ourselves for this cause, our Lord may well say to us what Mordecai once said to Queen Esther: “For if thou altogether boldest thy peace at this time, then will relief and deliverances arise . . . from another place” (Esther 4:14).

Together with William Carey who, before he became a renowned missionary, had a map of the world tacked over his cobbler’s bench, we too, when confronted by apparently overwhelming obstacles, should say: “Expect great things from God, attempt great things for God.”

June 1978

Recently at church, a good friend drew me aside and said, “The URC (United Reformed Church) is an old man’s movement.” Then he added that he himself was going on eighty-five and that he had no more fight left in him. A bit doggedly I countered by stating my conviction that the URC is God’s movement. Besides this we may well be reminded that it was precisely when he “forsook the counsel of the old men” that Rehoboam met disaster and his kingdom went to pieces. Wisdom as the fruit of experience is found more often with the old than with the young. The flattering quip about the senior citizens being the “keen-agers” may even have a bit of truth to it.

But, be all that as it may, how sorely the vision and the vigor ofyouth are also needed if, under God, the church is to fare well. It is gratifying therefore to be able to share with the reader a communication from a young CRC minister.

He writes:

“I have followed with interest Rev. Vander Ploeg’s ‘desideratum’ regarding a United Reformed Church. I hope he will continue to write about this, and to keep this before our people. It seems to me that, barring some unforseen, almost miraculous intervention, a split in the CRC is inevitable—it’s only a matter of time and timing.

“I don’t know exactly which event or decision of Synod might precipitate this split, but we ought to be ready for this split, while yet working to change the CRC while we are yet in it. As a student of church history, I am sure you are aware of the problem small splinter groups face after they leave an apostate denomination. There are many adjustments to be made, and as a result of having to deal with these adjustments, the fledgling denomination is often hampered in its work for several years.

“It is my conviction that when the split comes, we ought to affiliate with another solid, conservative Reformed group, such as the Orthodox Presbyterians or the Presbyterian Church in America. This would provide stability for the group that leaves, while giving added strength to the group(s) we affiliate with . . . .

“Along the lines suggested by Rev. Vander Ploeg, I am pursuing the following concrete steps, and suggesting them to those I know are committed to the historic Reformed faith.

“1) Get to know other conservative Reformed denominations that we might consider affiliating with. This may be done by subscribing to their periodicals, visiting the church, procuring a copy of their hymnal and · creedal statements, church polity, etc.

“2) Once some of the above steps have been taken, study the materials prayerfully in the light of the Bible. Evaluate different positions, practices, etc., and compare them with our own. Thus you will be in a position to offer constructive criticism and advice when talk gets around to union with such a denomination.

“3) When you find a part of church polity, etc., that is better than our own, don’t hesitate to suggest to the appropriate bodies that the CRC adopt this.

“Along this line, it seems to me our synod has entirely too much power. The RCA with all its other faults, has a good idea in requiring that major changes be approved by 2/3 of the classes before they are adopted. If the CRC had been following that policy, perhaps we wouldn’t be where we are today.”