J. P. De Vries in this article speaks from the unique point of view of one who is the editor-in-chief of a successful Christian daily newspaper. (A half century ago an effort was made in the Chicago area to begin such an enterprise, but it soon failed.) His observations about the motivation, problems, policies and opportunities for Christian journalism should interest many of our readers as well as those involved in producing THE OUTLOOK. Mr. De Vries visited and spoke in Canada with a view to encouraging the development of a Reformed news magazine among the (Liberated) Reformed people in Canada. The requirements and objectives suggested for such an enterprise in some ways remarkably parallel those of THE OUTLOOK. He suggests, for example, the need for at least 5000 subscribers-we have a little more than that. Only the financial requirement, ($150,000 required to begin) is several times our annual budget. The article is reprinted from Clarion, The Canadian Reformed Magazine, published at Winnipeg, Manitoba.

I notice that there is great interest in Canada in Reformed life in the Netherlands and particularly so in our Reformed newspaper: Nederlands Dagblad.

This close bond, prompts me to tell you something about reformed journalism as we practice it by means of Nederlands Dagblad. What is our intention with that paper?

In the fifties, when most of you emigrated from Holland to Canada, there was only a Gereformeerd Gezinsblad (Reformed Family paper), which appeared three times a week, consisted of four pages, and was written by three editors. At the present time we publish a daily paper with an average of ten pages and with an editorial staff of fourteen persons. Compared with other daily papers we are still small. However, we are now recognized by the Dutch press. In this we may experience the hand of God over us, Who still gives us this instrument to propagate the Reformed point of view on matters of church, state, and society, in order to be built up internally and to bear witness to outsiders.

Since 1968 we have done this under the name Nederlands Dagblad.

After we had become a daily newspaper, it proved to be necessary for technical reasons, especially because we were so small, to choose a name which would clearly show that “daily” character. The old name Gereformeerd Gezinsblad did not express this. On the other hand, we did not want to drop this name. It is still on the paper as a subtitle to indicate our character. For the new name of the paper wereferred back to Groen van Prinsterer, the father of Reformed journalism in the Netherlands. In the previous century Groen first published the magazine, Nederlandse Gedachten (Thoughts of the Netherlands), and later the daily newspaper, De Nederlander (The Netherlander). Both names express the same thing: the Dutch nation emerged as a result of the battle for reformation of the church. The Reformed doctrine, as summarized in the Belgic Confession, and expressed in the Dutch national ant hem, is the historical, spiritual mark of our country. Especially in a time in which we run the danger of losing that mark, we want to remind the Dutch nation of its origin and of the duties it imposes. At the same time we express with our name that we do not practice journalism for only a specific group, the Reformed people, but that we have a message for t he entire Dutch nation. We expressed Groen’s intention by calling our paper Nederlands Dagblad. And that Dutch heritage with its Christian-historical emphasis is also of value for Canada.

That we as Reformed people in the Netherlands, with less than 100,000 members, are allowed to have such a medium, may be seen as a miracle from God. A great deal of Reformed activities, from schools to politics, would have been virtually impossible without this means of communication which reaches 80 to 90 percent of the Reformed homes. The solitary task of the one and only GPVer (member of the Reformed political party) in Parliament is made considerably lighter by a newspaper that directs the political opinions in support of his political activity. Many other political parties in The Netherlands, often much larger than our own, tend to envy us, because they miss a newspaper that supports their work. Experts in the field of journalism say that, strictly speaking, it is impossible to do what we do. No daily newspaper, and certainly not a national one, can exist without at least 150,000 subscribers. And yet we do exist. The large Labour Party, with 53 seats in the house, does not have a national newspaper any longer. Some years ago a committee attempted to start such a paper, but it did not succeed. From this committee’s report it appeared that it had taken Nederlands Dabglad as a model for the set-up of such a paper.

   

With the growth of the paper, editorial interest broadened. In the fifties Gereformeerd Gezinsblad addressed itself almost exclusively to the Reformed (Liberated) readers. It covered the events in our churches extensively, but very little of what happened in other churches, except in the editorials in a critical sense. And church news was brought in such a way that a non–Liberated reader would get the feeling that it was not meant for him; he was an outsider.

This kind of journalism can be very meaningful for a community newspaper such as a church bulletin. But it is less fitting for a newspaper that has a message for the whole nation. Therefore we have altered our course somewhat on this point. Mind you, news from our Reformed Churches still has a prominent place on our church news page, but it is written more objectively. Moreover, attention is paid also to what happens elsewhere, nearby and far off, not only geographically but especially with regard to principles.

It is important to know what the World Council of Churches and the National Council of Churches are doing, because they influence the thinking of millions of people, and not least of all the thinking of those whose words carry a lot of weight. And it is exactly in those subjects that we notice the shortcomings of the general press bureaus as a source of news for the Reformed paper. He, who wants to test the development in the ecumenical movement with the Bible, has to start with selecting from a report or a meeting what he considers to be newsworthy. Therefore we consider it very important that a Reformed journalist attends such events personally, even when they occur on the other side of the globe. Fortunately, we have the financial means to do so. While other papers spend huge amounts to cover world championships and the Olympic Games, we use the money to watch the battle of the spirits.

It is, of course, understood that such a coverage forms the basis for a critical analysis based on the Bible and the Reformed Confession, although this is often unnecessary, since the report itself speaks clear language for the mature reader.

In addition we pay close attention to what happens in the orthodox Reformed world, both national and international. Also in this aspect the press bureaus are of little use to us, for they do not consider this news important enough. Consequently, also in this field we have to do the work ourselves. Although this news is not passed on without critical commentary either, we thankfully emphasize what is good, being aware of the norm that all those who are sincere Christians belong together. Toward that unity we also want to use the paper, in the first place, by getting better acquainted (after all, unknown is unloved), and, secondly, by searching out whether we are growing toward each other or drifting further apart. Are the past obstructions towards unity still there? Are they becoming larger or smaller?

With this information we have in mind, first of all, our Reformed readers. But we also hope that our extensive information of the ecclesiastical world will draw the attention of others to our paper as a good and responsible source of information. That is of importance for the paper, and for a better understanding of each other.

Thus in this respect the paper has clearly undergone a development. It now offers the reader more than before, but it also demands more from him. He has to use his own judgment more often. For it is simply impossible to accompany each news item with a critical comment; that has to be restricted to the main lines and to obvious examples. The same applies to fields other than that of the church, albeit less pronounced. We also want to inform our readers of what is thought and said outside our Reformed circle. We are called to live in this world, and we cannot withdraw from it.

However, one thing has remained the same throughout the years, and that is the Reformed basis of this paper. We try to observe the world around us with Reformed ears and eyes, and to pass judgment from a Reformed point of view. The Confession remains our guide, also in what it says about the church. The sad consequence is often that many who profess to adhere to the Bible become disappointed and turn away because the call to reformation in church and life sounds too harsh in their ears. To establish and to retain a Reformed paper and to reach with it as many people as possible, often seems like pursuing a square circle. But we may not do otherwise.

Nevertheless, one of the means of overcoming this is to make as good a paper as possible, a paper that gives the reader everything he may expect from a responsible daily newspaper: news, background, commentary, and also relaxation. I won’t go into that last point, but I would like to say more about the other three, because they, in particular, portray our specific position as a small, Reformed paper.

Regarding the news, we realize that our possibilities are limited, in space as well as in manpower. I pointed out already that ecclesiastical news receives special attention since the general press deserts us there. Also news from parliament enjoys our attention, for without our own reporters we would never know what Reformed politicians were doing there. However, for other news we have to rely almost completely on the press bureaus. Of course, selection is required here. The editors’ and correspondents’ job consists mainly of supplementing it. Wherever it concerns matters of principle, we go ourselves.

Real scoops, news items which other papers and the radio haven’t received, the N.D. hardly ever has. To hunt for such items requires a lot more personnel than we can afford. The news shows our character mainly in the selection. We consciously try to promote the norms of a Christian life-style, and do not pursue the taste of the general public. The weal and woe of people in show business or crime does not interest us, but what does interest us is how the government does or does not apply the norms of God’s law, how the politicians apply their principles in concrete situations, and what power is exercised by pressure groups. Such matters, as a rule, are not as exciting as the front pages of the sensational press, but only in this way is the time the reader spends on his paper well–spent with equipping him for his task as Christian in this world.

Perhaps you think, news is news, and that it doesn’t make any difference in which paper you read it. Nothing is farther from the truth. Every paper approaches the news from its own presupposition as to what is important and what is not. For us it means much attention for ecclesiastical matters, and, for example, no attention for the major sports, which, in our eyes, is more a matter of amusement that socially relevant. Also in other matters we are on the lookout for items which in the general news are underexposed, sometimes for political reasons (think of the position of the Christians in communistic countries). In those cases we try to fill the gap.

But no matter how hard we try to show the paper’s character in the news, we have to acknowledge that our possibilities are limited here. Our readers already know the most important news items from the radio, before the paper can relate it to them. Therefore we should not seek our strength there. But we can, however, serve our readers by giving them the background of the news. A Christian, who may not stand in this world with his eyes closed, but must have them wide open, must learn to see the connections between and recognize the roots of, the daily events. Here the printed medium has a task which radio and television are unable to perform. Here a Reformed paper has a specific task, for it must show the world events in the light of Scripture, which teaches us that Jesus Christ, seated at the right hand of His Heavenly Father, governs all things and makes them subservient to the gathering of His church. In what happens on earth we see, on the one hand, the attack of the dragon, thrown from heaven, against God’s people, and, on the other hand, the protecting hand of God, Who shields His people in the desert and for that purpose calls the earth to assist.

When we show the background of the news in this light, it cannot be completely separated from our third task: to give commentary. When we relate the background of an event we are to let the facts speak, be it in the light of God’s Word. In the commentary the purpose is to formulate an opinion about those facts. Such a commentary is never very short in the Nederlands Dagblad. As a matter of fact, we allow ample room for this commentary, more than other papers—not because we want to be long-winded, but to serve the readers. It is not of much use to the readers if they only read in a couple of sentences that something is right or wrong. They should also know why it is right or wrong. In order to explain that, it is often necessary that one first shows what the issue is all about. If you challenge the opinion of another, that opinion must first be carefully quoted. The ninth commandment is relevant also for journalists. A journalist has to oppose the opinions of those who think otherwise, but he has to do justice to that opinion and may not turn it into a caricature.

Further, the readers have a right to the arguments on which the opinions of the paper are based. Then they themselves can test these arguments and also use them. When they speak at work about a certain subject, it is not good enough to know that the paper disagreed with it. But, if the arguments against it have been given too, then they can work with them and try to convince others. Only in this way is it upbuilding.

A paper is to build up its readers, to strengthen and influence their conclusions and opinions, to teach them to discern what the issues are, as well as to discern true and false prophecy. This is the opinion-forming task of a newspaper. I wonder whether Reformed Holland has always realized the value and responsibility that comes with this work. That there is such a general agreement about many matters, be they ecclesiastical or political or social matters, is to a large extent due to the opinion-forming task of that one paper, which is read in nearly every family of the church, and in which capable editors give their commentaries. Without such a daily paper there would probably be no one in the Reformed Liberated community whose daily work task it would be to investigate international events. The danger would be great—if such a paper did not exist -that we would simply repeat what unbelievers say, without having tested the spirits.

But besides having a task to form opinions within the circle of its readers, the paper also has a task to explain matters to the world outside. Nederlands Dagblad is, as it were, the “sound-system” of the Liberated people in the Netherlands, and although we are small in number, one nevertheless takes notice of us. Articles from Nederlands Dagblad find their way into parliamentary and ministerial files on a variety of subjects. The effect of this work is seldom noticeable, but even if there is no effect, it still is significant. It means that persons in the highest places are regularly confronted with the message of God’s Word for concrete matters for which they carry the responsibility. In this way we accomplish an important task which God’s people have in this world. It is significant how often the Bible stresses that God’s Word has to be proclaimed especially to the magistrates. When Paul was baptized the Lord said: “. . . he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry My name before the gentiles and kings and sons of Israel.” One of the first persons to whom Paul speaks on his first missionary journey is the proconsul of Cyprus, Sergius Paul.

Nederlands Dagblad is no evangelism paper; the meditations take up very little space. But exactly by doing what every paper does—guided, however, by the light of Scripture—we show clearly that the Christian faith is not a matter for Sundays only, or for the inner room, but that this faith should penetrate and control every aspect of life. A newspaper is a unique means of expressing this in a concrete manner, and we in the Netherlands are thankful that it pleases the Lord to give this to us. You in Canada must fulfill your calling as Christians in this world without such an instrument.

It has, however, come to my attention that you definitely feel the need for Reformed guidance beyond your church life. Nederlands Dagblad can do only very little to fill this need: the high cost and the language form a barrier for many. But there might be other ways through which you in Canada can still profit from the work we do in the Netherlands. In response to a request from a few brethren out of your midst the director of Nederlands Dagblad and I have come to Canada to investigate whether or not it would be possible to start an internationally-oriented magazine in the English language, using not only translated material from the Reformed press in Holland, but also contributions from Canada—a magazine that would give information about the broad scene of life from a Reformed perspective. Possibly you could then do without Time magazine because you have something better to offer your children.

It will be a difficult undertaking, and Nederlands Dagblad itself could certainly not realize such a plan. We can help, but you have to do it. Much is needed: at least one capable man here in Canada who can concentrate on this work 100%; at least 5000 subscribers after about two years in order to keep the magazine going financially, which means: subscribers from outside the Canadian Reformed Churches as well, ideally from all over the Englishspeaking world. And finally, before starting this project, a sum of money will have to be brought together, in both North America and Holland, by all those who see the necessity of such a paper. I myself think we need about $150,000 to get it off the ground.

What I wish to ask you this evening is this: Are you prepared to set your shoulders under this endeavour?

For if with God’s help this venture would succeed, it could be of great significance for the continuation of Christ’s church-gathering work. We as board of Nederlands Dagblad would consider it a privilege if we could serve you with t he fruit of our labours. Although we know that there is an ocean between us, is it not true that there is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of us all, Who is above all and through all and in all. The Church of God is not confined, bound or limited to a certain place; therefore Reformed journalism isn’t either. Our purpose in life is to use the talents He has given us when and wherever we can so that the light He has granted us is not hidden under a bushel but is put on a stand to give light to all in the house; i.e., for everyone whom we hope to reach with our word.