For many years there has been a relatively close relationship between the OPC (Orthodox Presbyterian Church) and the CRC (Christian Reformed Church). For thirteen years a special committee of the two denominations has even been laboring to achieve the goal of union between them. Since the last Christian Reformed Synod dismissed its committee for such closer relations it now seems evident that relations between the two bodies have reached a turning point. Although the Synod continued to speak of the “ultimate hope” of such union ( Acts 1972, pp. 36, 86, 360) and of correspondence and consultations on various matters this should not lead us to overlook the decisive character of the decision to drop the committee for merger discussions.
What Caused the Break? – Until 1967 the discussions in the committee working toward merger were concerned mainly with problems concerning the differences of church polity between the two denominations. As the Christian Reformed committee report informs us (Acts 1972, p. 360), these “appeared to be the principal roadblocks to eventual union.”
In 1967 the OPC General Assembly became apprehensive about and directed the concern of its committee toward what it saw as a “trend toward liberalism” in the CRC. Since that time committee discussions have centered in that area. Our committee report observes that “Perhaps the most critical issue concerns the infallibility and inspiration of the Scriptures.” The Orthodox Presbyterians’ continuing stress on these matters has led the Christian Reformed Synod to dismiss its committee after thirteen years of merger discussions.
An Orthodox Presbyterian V
iew – An indication of the way in which this action of our Synod is understood by Orthodox Presbyterians appears in the editorial comment of John J. Mitchell in the August-September Presbyterian Guardian (pp. 108, 109). Referring to the important CRC Synod decisions on “The Nature and Extent of Biblical Authority” Editor Mitchell finds them better than the Synod committee’s first or second reports but still not as clear as they ought to be. “Synod clearly affirmed that God himself spoke forth the Scriptures; it is not so clear whether it is now permissible to deny that a serpent once spoke audible words in Eden. The final result is quite disappointing.”
Then proceeding to report the Synod’s decisions on OPC relations he observes that “it is hard to avoid the conclusion that Synod, unhappy with talk about a ‘trend toward liberalism’ in its midst, has simply turned off its hearing aid. Despite declarations of continued interest in the goal of possible merger, Synod’s action has effectively squelched it . . . .”
Later, adding up the total of the Synod’s actions, Editor Mitchell brings us to this conclusion: “This Synod, whatever its intent or attitude, took decisions in various inter-church questions that set a pattern. It broke off conversations with the Orthodox Presbyterian Church and the Canadian Reformed Churches, both of which may be termed ‘conservative,’ both of which had expressed concern over ‘trends’ in the Christian Reformed Church. Synod refused to take any steps toward severing relations with the Gereformeerde Kerken (Reformed Churches) in the Netherlands despite toleration of error by that body, At the same time, the Synod approved a special meeting to be held with participants from the Reformed Church in America. It even approved an investigation into the desirability of membership in the World Alliance of Reformed Churches (containing the most liberal Presbyterian and Reformed groups). Whatever trend toward liberalism mayor may not exist within the Christian Reformed Church, that church seems clearly to feel more at home with the more liberal of its brother and sister churches.”
Orthodox Presbyterian – Reformed Presbyterian Union -In contrast with the disruption of merger discussions between Orthodox Presbyterians and Christian Reformed, a real merger seems to be approaching between Orthodox Presbyterians and the Reformed Presbyterians (Evangelical Synod). The latter churches must not be confused with the Reformed Presbyterian Church, North America (the “Covenanters,” which is a different body. The Re· formed Presbyterian Church, Evangelical Synod, includes the former Evangelical Presbyterian Church which was made up of churches who broke away from Dr. McIntire’s Bible Presbyterians some yea;s ago. They maintain Covenant Theological Seminary in St. Louis and Covenant College at Lookout Mountain, Tennessee.
The Road Toward Union – Merger talks between the two bodies (OPC and RPC) began in 1966. At first there were some formidable differences that appeared to stand in the way of union. One of them concerned the question whether churches should make judgments on various moral issues. Discussions of that matter finally led to the conclusion on the part of both bodies that it is the right and duty of the church to apply God’s Word to the sins of the day, but that no church body should declare any thing to be a sin except when it can be shown from Scripture itself to be a sin. (Presbyterian Guardian, April, 1972, p. 61.) While the Evangelical Reformed were more inclined to make such moral pronouncements, the Orthodox Presbyterians seemed to be more concerned about doctrinal precision. This “affirming the churches right to speak out on the sins of the day” was intended to meet the concern of especially the Reformed Presbyterians: “pointing to the limitations on such speaking” was intended to “reassure Orthodox Presbyterians that the right would not be abused.” In this way the churches as they draw closer together have been endeavoring to do justice to the Bible’s demands of both Christian liberty and holy living.
Regarding these developments over the years of discussion Editor Mitchell observed in a later Presbyterian Guardian editorial (June-July 1972, p. 92): “Orthodox Presbyterians have been tending to outgrow the opinion that they alone were truly Orthodox, Reformed and Presbyterian. Reformed Presbyterians have been coming to see more need for doctrinal precision in this day of apostasy. Both groups have been paining an appreciation for the other’s strengths and commitment to the truths of Scripture.”
With the apparent ironing out of the differences between the two bodies a “Proposed Basis of Union” has now been adopted by the OPC General Assembly and the RPC Synod and a definite “Plan to Union” is to be worked out for submission to next year’s meetings of both bodies.
A Step toward a National Presbyterian Church? – This apparently approaching merger has a possible significance that reaches far beyond the two participating bodies. Editor Mitchell in his April article pointed out that a new urgency has been given to the project by the large number of ministers and churches in the large United Presbyterian and Southern Presbyterian denominations who are approaching the point where they may break with their present affiliation, especially if a liberal merger takes place between those two, and who long for a national Presbyterian body that will be both truly biblical and Reformed. A merger between the OP and RP churches may be a real step toward the coming of such a national Presbyterian church, of which these other churches may also form a part.
What may be a significant development in the same direction took place at the annual meeting of the National Presbyterian and Reformed Fellowship at Lansing, Illinois, October 26 and 27. There this organization including men of some nine different Presbyterian and Reformed denominations, in which the Orthodox Presbyterians take an active interest and official part, had discussions and made plans for future meetings that also look forward to “a unified church fellowship that is truly Reformed in faith and Presbyterian in government.”
Developments of this kind around us force us as individuals and churches to make decisions. In the current changes and conclusion in the churches, as well as in the world, will we be found living and laboring in the unity of the genuine Christian faith and fellowship for which our Lord prayed on behalf of His people (John 17) or in the “unequal yoke with unbelievers” against which His Word warns us (II Cor. 6:14ff., Rev. 18:4)?
Peter De Jong is pastor of the Christian Reformed Church of Dutton, Michigan.
What Caused the Break? – Until 1967 the discussions in the committee working toward merger were concerned mainly with problems concerning the differences of church polity between the two denominations. As the Christian Reformed committee report informs us (Acts 1972, p. 360), these “appeared to be the principal roadblocks to eventual union.”
In 1967 the OPC General Assembly became apprehensive about and directed the concern of its committee toward what it saw as a “trend toward liberalism” in the CRC. Since that time committee discussions have centered in that area. Our committee report observes that “Perhaps the most critical issue concerns the infallibility and inspiration of the Scriptures.” The Orthodox Presbyterians’ continuing stress on these matters has led the Christian Reformed Synod to dismiss its committee after thirteen years of merger discussions.
An Orthodox Presbyterian V
iew – An indication of the way in which this action of our Synod is understood by Orthodox Presbyterians appears in the editorial comment of John J. Mitchell in the August-September Presbyterian Guardian (pp. 108, 109). Referring to the important CRC Synod decisions on “The Nature and Extent of Biblical Authority” Editor Mitchell finds them better than the Synod committee’s first or second reports but still not as clear as they ought to be. “Synod clearly affirmed that God himself spoke forth the Scriptures; it is not so clear whether it is now permissible to deny that a serpent once spoke audible words in Eden. The final result is quite disappointing.”
Then proceeding to report the Synod’s decisions on OPC relations he observes that “it is hard to avoid the conclusion that Synod, unhappy with talk about a ‘trend toward liberalism’ in its midst, has simply turned off its hearing aid. Despite declarations of continued interest in the goal of possible merger, Synod’s action has effectively squelched it . . . .”
Later, adding up the total of the Synod’s actions, Editor Mitchell brings us to this conclusion: “This Synod, whatever its intent or attitude, took decisions in various inter-church questions that set a pattern. It broke off conversations with the Orthodox Presbyterian Church and the Canadian Reformed Churches, both of which may be termed ‘conservative,’ both of which had expressed concern over ‘trends’ in the Christian Reformed Church. Synod refused to take any steps toward severing relations with the Gereformeerde Kerken (Reformed Churches) in the Netherlands despite toleration of error by that body, At the same time, the Synod approved a special meeting to be held with participants from the Reformed Church in America. It even approved an investigation into the desirability of membership in the World Alliance of Reformed Churches (containing the most liberal Presbyterian and Reformed groups). Whatever trend toward liberalism mayor may not exist within the Christian Reformed Church, that church seems clearly to feel more at home with the more liberal of its brother and sister churches.”
Orthodox Presbyterian – Reformed Presbyterian Union -In contrast with the disruption of merger discussions between Orthodox Presbyterians and Christian Reformed, a real merger seems to be approaching between Orthodox Presbyterians and the Reformed Presbyterians (Evangelical Synod). The latter churches must not be confused with the Reformed Presbyterian Church, North America (the “Covenanters,” which is a different body. The Re· formed Presbyterian Church, Evangelical Synod, includes the former Evangelical Presbyterian Church which was made up of churches who broke away from Dr. McIntire’s Bible Presbyterians some yea;s ago. They maintain Covenant Theological Seminary in St. Louis and Covenant College at Lookout Mountain, Tennessee.
The Road Toward Union – Merger talks between the two bodies (OPC and RPC) began in 1966. At first there were some formidable differences that appeared to stand in the way of union. One of them concerned the question whether churches should make judgments on various moral issues. Discussions of that matter finally led to the conclusion on the part of both bodies that it is the right and duty of the church to apply God’s Word to the sins of the day, but that no church body should declare any thing to be a sin except when it can be shown from Scripture itself to be a sin. (Presbyterian Guardian, April, 1972, p. 61.) While the Evangelical Reformed were more inclined to make such moral pronouncements, the Orthodox Presbyterians seemed to be more concerned about doctrinal precision. This “affirming the churches right to speak out on the sins of the day” was intended to meet the concern of especially the Reformed Presbyterians: “pointing to the limitations on such speaking” was intended to “reassure Orthodox Presbyterians that the right would not be abused.” In this way the churches as they draw closer together have been endeavoring to do justice to the Bible’s demands of both Christian liberty and holy living.
Regarding these developments over the years of discussion Editor Mitchell observed in a later Presbyterian Guardian editorial (June-July 1972, p. 92): “Orthodox Presbyterians have been tending to outgrow the opinion that they alone were truly Orthodox, Reformed and Presbyterian. Reformed Presbyterians have been coming to see more need for doctrinal precision in this day of apostasy. Both groups have been paining an appreciation for the other’s strengths and commitment to the truths of Scripture.”
With the apparent ironing out of the differences between the two bodies a “Proposed Basis of Union” has now been adopted by the OPC General Assembly and the RPC Synod and a definite “Plan to Union” is to be worked out for submission to next year’s meetings of both bodies.
A Step toward a National Presbyterian Church? – This apparently approaching merger has a possible significance that reaches far beyond the two participating bodies. Editor Mitchell in his April article pointed out that a new urgency has been given to the project by the large number of ministers and churches in the large United Presbyterian and Southern Presbyterian denominations who are approaching the point where they may break with their present affiliation, especially if a liberal merger takes place between those two, and who long for a national Presbyterian body that will be both truly biblical and Reformed. A merger between the OP and RP churches may be a real step toward the coming of such a national Presbyterian church, of which these other churches may also form a part.
What may be a significant development in the same direction took place at the annual meeting of the National Presbyterian and Reformed Fellowship at Lansing, Illinois, October 26 and 27. There this organization including men of some nine different Presbyterian and Reformed denominations, in which the Orthodox Presbyterians take an active interest and official part, had discussions and made plans for future meetings that also look forward to “a unified church fellowship that is truly Reformed in faith and Presbyterian in government.”
Developments of this kind around us force us as individuals and churches to make decisions. In the current changes and conclusion in the churches, as well as in the world, will we be found living and laboring in the unity of the genuine Christian faith and fellowship for which our Lord prayed on behalf of His people (John 17) or in the “unequal yoke with unbelievers” against which His Word warns us (II Cor. 6:14ff., Rev. 18:4)?
Peter De Jong is pastor of the Christian Reformed Church of Dutton, Michigan.