At our recent CI gathering we discussed the RCA’s process for “discerning” a new ten-year goal. I asked the rather rude question: why goal? There were instructive and helpful responses. Among other things, it shapes where the General Synod places its resources. I am less sanguine in thinking that it can be the “goal” for local congregations.
Read more…
This summer I’ve been reading 19th century Dutch ethical theology (J.H. Gunning, Jr, and Chantipie de la Saussaye, Sr.). Yesterday Ch de S remarked how the principles of their theology appeared to have few to no takers and their influence would soon die out. I don’t have the time — and perhaps not the expertise — to explicate all of what they were about. My point is different. Their perspectives didn’t die out, but found their way into the 20th century with people like O. Noordmans and A. A. van Ruler. These were enormously influential in Dutch 20th century theology. And more. Their influence is not waning but waxing even into the 21st century.
I find this of interest because we so often get discouraged in pushing a point of view. When CI got started a few years back Dan Meeter, I think, cited his favorite theologian, Donald Rumsfield, in saying this would be a “long slog.” Indeed, fashionable causes take the front burner. And we may think our reflections soon to be left behind. But ideas have a certain persistence to them.
More — our point is not to be right. It isn’t even for a “point of view.” It is to be faithful to what we think God is calling us to be about. Then, if it is so, it will persist. If not, then, properly, we will disappear, likely not even to show up in a footnote anywhere. But if I get my Reformed theology right, it’s not about us, but about the glory of God and the coming of God’s kingdom.
Recent conversations and observations across the RCA suggest that an alternate church order is at work. Read more…
I am sad to report that Astrid Zabriski, the wife of Everett (Rett), entered the nearer presence of God yesterday. Read more…
Perhaps you read the recent announcement of a new Coordinator of Multi-Racial Initiatives and Social Justice. This appointment was announced by the Director of Congregational Mission. I haven’t mentioned names because the persons aren’t directly involved in my comment. I expect that Earl James is a terrific person and Ken Eriks is a faithful servant. At issue is a profound shift in Reformed practice. Read more…
The minutes of the 2007 meeting of the General Synod use the term “missional” as a self-evident description of what the church is about. It is as though the official ecclesiological understanding of the church is “missional.” This must be challenged. Not because advocates of a “missional” understanding of the church do not have an honorable point of view, but because it is a point of view and one that is still contested. It certainly isn’t the official position of the RCA. Read more…
Following our Van Ruler conference last week, I found myself reading Herman Bavink. He comes from the other side of the Dutch lineage. He was the “brainy” Kuyper, if you will. There I found this short description of the movement from the Lutheran Reformation to the Reformed:
The question for the Lutherans was “how is one saved?” For the Reformed that was valid, but not sufficient. The Reformed asked: “How is God honored?” Read more…
Readers of this blog might be interested in a conference being held at New Brunswick Theological Seminary: Making All Things New: Explorations in the Trinitarian Theology of A. A. van Ruler. The date is October 5, 2007. Speakers include Cliff Anderson of Princeton, John Bolt of Calvin, Paul Fries of New Brunswick, Dirk van Keulen of the Protestant Theological University of the Netherlands, and myself.
To register, contact Joanne Noel at New Brunswick (732-247-52441 ext 122 or email at jnoel@nbts.edu).
I suggest this conference not only because of my own interest (although there is that), but because Chicago Invitation hones in on the question of the nature of the church. Van Ruler was part of an intense conversation on the nature of the church and indeed was a major contributor to that conversation. He articulates a Reformed understanding that has had deep echoes in the RCA, but has been lost in the current buzz around “Our Call.” For instance, Van Ruler’s emphasis on the kingdom has him claim that God’s intention is not to get everyone under the roof of the church, but sets the church in service of the kingdom. At the same time, the church is not simply functional to the kingdom, but is a gestalt of that kingdom.
Al Janssen
In a letter “To Dutch Christians” dated August, 1942, K. Barth had this to say about groups not unlike Chicago Invitation. The Sitz em Leben is different of course. And one can certainly argue with Barth’s ecclesiology. But he wrote this: Read more…
Yesterday the General Synod ended. The final morning spent most of its energies on the Church Herald and the assessments (assessments are the only way the synod gets to the budget). The debate was spirited. The result was to cease denominational financial support of the every member reception of the Herald. Where then does that money go? The synod accepted the proposal from the GSC that would have some go to reduce assessments, and the rest to fund “Our Call.” Read more…