The winds of change are blowing. Also in the CRC. Because in the CRC also one innovation follows upon another. By this time even the most dyed-in-the-wool conservative must have become at least somewhat shockproof. Because finally one becomes at least a bit numbed by repeated efforts to update and to restructure the church, to […]
On pages 583-584 of the Agenda for Synod 1973 one finds Overture 2 from Classis Zeeland requesting Synod to change the Unified Church School decision of 1970. Mrs. Laurie Vanden Heuvel, writer of this article on the matter, is a graduate of Calvin College and the wife of Rev. Thomas C. Vanden Heuvel, pastor of […]
Rev. Peter De Jong, pastor of the Christian Reformed Church of Dutton, Michigan, evaluates items on Synod’s Agenda dealing with the relations between the Christian Reformed Church and the Reformed Church in America. These items are found on pages 187–188, 585, 593, and 600 in Agenda for Synod 1973. The History – One hundred and […]
Dear Mr. Editor, Allow me a few paragraphs in response to the recent article, “God’s Book is our Light” (April ’73, pp. 12–13) by my dear friend, colleague and namesake [Rev. Peter De Jong]. With much of the thrust of brother De Jong’s article I find myself in hearty agreement. Always there is danger that […]
Rev. Richard J. Venema, pastor of the First Christian Reformed Church of Pella, Iowa, writes: “Last year [1971] a member of our congregation donated $1,000 to Dordt College to sponsor an essay contest. This contest was open to all young people of the CRC with the awards to be used as scholarships at Dordt College […]
Bert Witvoet, a free lance writer, has come up with a discovery in a recent issue of an AACS periodical, the Vanguard (December, 1972). The discovery is actually as old as the hills. Bert Witvoet was toppled over with excitement to see his friend John Boer, missionary to Africa. Bert had just become parent to […]
On page 590 of the Agenda for Synod 1973 Overture 11 states: “Classis Lake Erie overtures Synod to provide a clear biblical-theological understanding on the matter of war in a manner that will provide the church’s membership with an ethical framework for decision-making about war and peace.” Rev. Clarence C. Werkema who addresses himself to […]
In an 80-page report, a study committee gives its advice to Synod on the matter of “Women in Ecclesiastical Office.” The majority of the committee asks Synod to adopt the following: “The practice of excluding women from ecclesiastical office cannot conclusively be defended on biblical grounds. Rev. Peter M. Jonker does not agree with the […]
The Consistory of the Christian Reformed Church of Ann Arbor, Michigan is overturing Synod 1973 to “urge the President of the United States and Congress to grant, at the earliest opportunity, amnesty for those who by reason of their Christian conscientious objection to the Second Indochina War are in exile, at large, incarcerated, or deprived […]