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- Author: P. van Gurp
- Magazine Vol. 17
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Big words ? small faith
The General Synod at Ede, dealing with the place of the women in the church is not only being intensely followed by the Reformed Churches (lib.), the GKv, but, as may be expected, also by us. Especially as it does not only concern a canon law, but the question is whether there will still be a return to a life from the only comfort of the Scriptures, or whether these churches continue on the path of undermining Scripture.
Both the Reformatorisch Dagblad and the Nederlands Dagblad up to now are paying a lot of attention to the developments at the synod. This includes an hour to hour report of what is being said at the synod via a so-called live-blog, but also what has, among other things, been written as recommendation to the synod by a number of the professors from Kampen.
Objections from the sister-churches rejected
Before the discussion on the so-called man/woman issue was started, the synod had made an extremely important decision.
That had to do with the objections that were presented by the sister-churches abroad against the course of the GKv. That was not just a difference of opinion, but was directed as an admonition to the GKv. It had to do with various matters that are closely related to the matter now at stake: the so- called new hermeneutics.
That is the back-ground of various developments in the churches and in studies and the education in Kampen, where there is talk of criticism of Scripture. They point this out in the reports on female office- bearers and in marriage and forms of cohabitation; also in the giving room for the Holy Spirit’s speaking outside the Word of God, the ‘new ethics’ in which the ‘style of the kingdom’ is directive in the assessment of the situations concerning divorce and re-marriage; the report on female office bearers in combination with the new hermeneutics; the positive approach towards working together with the Nederlands Gereformeerde Kerken, the NGK (Netherlands Reformed Churches); the participation in the National Synod; the introduction of new hymns and the deleting of Article 31 from the old Church Order.
This was already discussed in a closed sitting of the synod with the delegates of the sister churches, and also now, at the beginning of the discussion, the delegates were again given the opportunity to voice their opinion on the recommendations of the deputies, to see as command of God that also sisters can be office-bearers.
These brothers contested the deputies’ arguments as that they could not actually imagine what secularization means for the churches of the Netherlands. They stated clearly that also in their own surroundings abroad, the secularization had gained great influence, even much earlier than was the case in the Netherlands!
But all that didn’t help. A discussion barely developed, merely 3 or 4 deputies asked a question.
The synod then decided to reject the objections! And that happened UNANIMOUSLY.
Also those brothers who criticized the attitude of the deputies and of the professors from Kampen in the following discussion all voted positively for that far-reaching decision. That was, so to speak, the starting point.
That then also casts doubts on the sometimes highly charged words. Sometimes so highly charged that the chairman felt he had to insist on moderation!
In actual fact, the course has now already been set for the coming years, where all these important matters are concerned. Then, inevitably, the issue of church members maintaining a homosexual relationship will also be dealt with later on.
A clear dismissive message
On behalf of the CGK (Christian Reformed Church)-deputies for church unity, Rev. W. van ’t Spijker was the first to speak. In no uncertain terms he voiced his criticism on the report of female office-bearers, the vision on Scripture that comes from that and the hermeneutical approach that the deputies choose.
He spoke as minister of the CGK and is therefore bound to the decisions of the CGK, that said no to female office bearers in 1998, and concluded that even though it is difficult we must not seek affiliation with society via the hermeneutical short cut. This synod therefore pronounced that Scripture has lasting norms, values and commandments that remain in force in every cultural context, and that what is written about the place of the women in the congregation belongs to this category.
And that from the whole of the Holy Scripture no other conclusion can be taken than that in the congregation of Christ women cannot hold an official position.
In short, it is against the Holy Scripture to open the special offices for the sisters of the congregation.
That was so clearly and decisively pronounced by the synod of the CGK in 1998.
The report that is based on this statement also speaks about hermeneutics, in the Scriptural Reformed spirit.
Deep down it concerns the explanation of Scripture and the authority of Scripture. And not only in this matter.
Deputies say that the authority of the Bible is not a point of discussion for them, according to Rev. van ‘t Spijker. But he quotes a few sections from the report from which he deduces the opposite. He even says: It is not difficult to imagine that one moves very close to or just over the border of Scripture criticism.
He concludes that, when the GKv-synod makes a decision that is in line with the deputy’s report, that you will certainly have something to explain, not only within our churches.
These were and are big words. Because it concerns big, important matters.
It was particularly remarkable that neither the deputies nor any of the delegates responded to this!
A serious advice – a call to return
At the request of the synod the emeritus New Testament scholar, Prof. J. van Bruggen also gave his advice. He did that in a detailed, well-documented argument, in which he pointed the way that is in accordance with God’s Word and that culminates in an urgent appeal to return.
I will give a single citation:
It is tempting to state, as the deputies wish, that:
The report mentions the advantage of such a statement that the churches in this way meet the feelings of many, that problems in the contacts with the NGK are taken away and in assessing the acceptability of some missionary projects - the current stumbling block concerning the position of women in the church is thus removed.
Here we see what I put in the title: a small faith in the work of the Holy Spirit.
And thus also a denial of what our apostle (that is what Prof. van Bruggen continues to call the apostle Paul)
In short: What the deputies assert simply means; it is just an opinion of Paul.
In Canada, Prof. van Houwelingen said it this way: that opinion of Paul (Adam was created first etc.) does not convince me.
It is understandable that Rev. van ’t Spijker characterizes this as a going very close to or just over the border of Scripture criticism. For it is not only that Paul spoke with apostolic authority, but especially that it was the Lord Himself Who said this through His servant Paul.
Prof. van Bruggen goes into that quotation from 1 Timothy 2 very extensively. And he concludes that section as follows:
It is fortunate that the Lord puts us on the ongoing path of His own history and that His purpose is to express this in His congregation. It will, with that, share in the criticism that the gospel undergoes in the world: a folly for the Greek! Fortunately, we as Christians, on the basis of the specific marks of the congregation, can speak of the reality of Adam and Eve, of creation and the fall into sin, of love and grace.
Moreover, whilst writing this, I ask myself with some bewilderment whether I am writing this for a synod of Reformed Churches.
The history of Genesis is, so many centuries later, still normative for the congregations of the New Testament because it is
When the (synodical) Reformed Churches opened all offices for the women
Something that is much more difficult than making a decision, is a return to teaching the congregation about the importance of the history of creation and salvation in general and about these facts of Scripture in particular. The feeling for these realities has been worn away by the appreciation of our surroundings.
The decision on the report is taking place in an ecclesial reality that is adrift.
Therefore I pray for wisdom and courage for you all. You will not be able to make a decision that will change reality. You can however make a decision that is responsible. The LORD can, in His time and manner, make this a blessing for church and gospel, for man and woman.
Deputy, br. Slump
Br. Slump, one of the deputies, was the only one who presented a minority report. In his address he indicated very clearly that in the whole discussion it is all about the authority of the Scripture.
A call is increasingly made for the guidance of the Holy Spirit for our times. In other words: for an ongoing, additional revelation after Pentecost, separate from Scripture, even against the instructions which, among other things, are being passed on by Paul.
But Paul’s letters are the fruits of the promises of Christ to His disciples/apostles, that the Spirit shall guide them in all truth (John 16:13).
That means: God still reveals Himself through His Spirit, but He does it in His Word.
Slump refers to Prof. Trimp who pointed out that this guidance in truth is fulfilled in the letters of the apostles and in the Revelation to John. God still reveals Himself through His Spirit, but He does that in His Word.
He also refers to Prof. van Houwelingen himself, who in his commentary on the gospel of John wrote:
It is not about additional revelation after Pentecost, but about the remembering and understanding by the disciples of what their Master had said earlier. For He had revealed His Father completely. The Spirit has nothing new to say.
(Dr. P.H.R. van Houwelingen, Johannes. Het Evangelie van het Woord, CNT, Kampen 1997, blz. 322: 323).
Mind you: it is only 17 years ago that Dr. van Houwelingen, the successor of van Prof. van Bruggen, wrote this. He also, like many ministers, has been taken along in the turnabout from Scriptural interpretation to the practice of adjusting to the culture.
They then also speak big words: the guidance of the Holy Spirit! But that comes forth from a small faith. As if the Father of the spirits, with Whom a thousand years are as one day, did not know that the attempts of the devil to mislead God’s children would become increasingly intensive, and that the devil increasingly secularizes the culture of our time and encourages the apostasy further and further.
Yet He gave His servant Paul, also our apostle, the words in his mouth and in his pen - for all times!
And with all good intentions to be missionary active, for the salvation of the people, one says farewell to the clear Word of God, that is eternally sure!
That is the tragic development in the once Christian Netherlands, in the churches, that have been liberated and blessed by the Lord.
Finally
It is still impossible to foresee what will happen.
The deputies want a principled pronouncement, namely that, within the scope of Scripture and confession in the church, it is legitimate to declare that women may serve in all offices.
Others seek a way out of the difficulties by starting a study about the offices. Deputies say of this : that’s only putting it off. But, according to one of them: it will come nonetheless! That is certain!
In fact the GKv is caught between two fires: the NGK which has already opened all offices for women, and the CGK, which has clearly expressed that this is against Scripture. And also: how does one now go further with the cooperation in the theological training in Kampen and Apeldoorn?
But again: the decision has already been made, by rejecting the objections from the sister churches abroad.