The times in which we as a Christian Reformed Church live and work and love are times of wars and rumors of wars; times of affluence and poverty; times of success and of frustration; times of stress and of quiet; times of loyalty and of apostasy. We cannot really get a comprehensive picture of it in our minds. Who but God knows what’s really going on around the world?

Just now the Jews and Arabs are caught up in a war of self-destruction. Some of the big powers are supplying arms and ammunition to further their own interests. And fear grips the hearts of many lest the flames of war will get out of control and envelop the entire world.

Millions are dying from violence and famine. And very likely the Red Cross, the Salvation Army, and our own CRWRC are standing in the wings, ready to step forth to dress the wounds, bury the dead, feed the starving, and reestablish the homeless. And then, when the cycle completes itself, the same sequence of events will be repeated and repeated until finally the Lord steps in and puts a stop to all history.

Suggestion! In this violent, suffering and judgment-bound world where do we locate the CRC? Were it not for the fact that we are members of this church we might have some difficulty at this point. But here we are ~spread out all over this North American continent, and with outposts all over the world; with fine churches; Christian schools, colleges, and a theological seminary, plus strong religious, social, and medical ministries, as well as a globe-encircling radio program. Yes, we are an integral part of this present world of mankind.

But we have a special asset; we are children of the Protestant Reformation. We are Reformed. And that means that in the Bible and in our Confessional Writings (Creeds) which set forth our interpretations of that precious Book, we have a beautiful temple of truth. Of this we also speak when we use the expression, “the Reformed Faith,” or “the Faith of the Fathers.” This temple of truth and our adherence to it has made us strong.

But something is happening to us. And we ask, “What is it?” We are moving to be sure, but in what direction? Almost everybody has an opinion about this. Please allow me to speak my mind on this subject.

In a way the present era in which the CRC finds itself today, had its beginning in a declaration or statement made about fifteen years ago. The substance of it was to this effect: “The passing generation of CRC leaders are either dead or muted in retirement. Therefore let us proceed. Our time has come.”

The question that must now be asked and, if possible, answered is this, “What has happened since this declaration or resolution was first put to work? What has been done, and what is being done to strengthen and stabilize the Church in her faith and life? Can we now sing, ‘We are not divided, all one body we; One in hope and doctrine, One in charity.’” Yes, we do sing that, but is it true to fact? It may appear to be that way to the casual observer, but deep down it is not that way. Let the record speak for itself.

a) Out of our Seminary came a denial of the Infallibility of the Word of God. And when the then editor of The Banner cried out against it, the publicity given the matter was deplored. You see, that was “scholarship” at work.

b) Again, out of the Seminary there arose a discussion concerning certain aspects of the Canons of Dordt. It centered on the subject of the “love of God.” The whole discussion was characterized by confusion.

c) One of our Synods appointed a committee of theologians and scientists to study the subject of “Creation and Evolution” and perhaps their fusing in “Theistic Evolution.” It is true that the committee was later discontinued, but the very appointment of it indicated a certain wrong trend of thinking. Creation is one of the great works of God—a great miracle. And not even a Synodical Committee can begin to explain it. It must be accepted by faith.

d) At one of the conferences of the CR Ministers Institute in Grand Rapids, the featured speaker was a well-known liberal theologian from the Free University. Many of our ministers were in attendance. Far be it from me to assert that our CR ministers are “pushovers” for smooth and convincing speakers, but there’s always the danger of being infected with the bugs of doubt and unbelief. Out apart from that a specific warning against that practice of “hearing out” liberals may be found in II John 10, 11 – “If anyone cometh unto you, and bringeth not this teaching, receive him not into your house, and give him no greeting; for he that giveth him greeting partaketh in his evil works.”

e) Report 44 on “The Nature and Extent of Biblical Authority” completes the story as to the direction in which the CRC is moving. From one point of view that direction is spelled out very clearly; the church will continue in the direction it has been traveling, a direction that will lead it to the camp of liberal theology. From another point of view the Report appears to be a monument to confusion. A thorough study of it was made by Toronto II but the last Synod told this hard-working consistory and disturbed church that they had missed the thrust of it. In certain penetrating editorials the editor of The Banner also pointed out its weakness but these observations were unheeded. Apparently this Report will now become the Magna Charta under which we as a church move on, unless by some miracle the Lord will open our eyes.

What must we do now? An excellent service has been rendered by the Reformed Fellowship through its publication THE OUTLOOK. The same can be said of the Association of CR Laymen in alerting the church to the dangers that beset her path. And do not speak of these men as troublemakers. That’s what Ahab said to Elijah too, but we know who the troublemakers were. However these efforts are only a beginning. I’m certain that all of us await the further suggestion to be made by our esteemed Editor, the Rev. Vander Ploeg.

But what can we do? First of all we must practice those things that are basic to our Christian Faith. We must preach and pray and work and sacrifice as we’ve never done before. Don’t say, “That’s old stuff” and tum away. We’ve had enough, have we not, of frills and fads and innovations, and sensationalism and novelties?

Secondly we need each other. In our day we hear of conventions, of conferences, of assemblies, of retreats. Maybe we could have one at some central location—open to all who could come. At that gathering we could adopt a platform and hammer out a program and show that as far as we are concerned the Protestant Era has not come to a close.

Nicholas De Vries is a retired Christian Reformed minister living in Ripon, California.