Australia admonishes the GKv

Editors een in waarheid

04-05-13

The Synod Armadale of The Free Reformed Churches of Australia (FRCA) sent an admonition to the coming Synod of the Gereformeerde Kerken vrijgemaakt of the Netherlands (GKv). The Synod Armadale convened in July 2012 and having considered the deputies’ reports and the decisions of the Synod Harderwijk 2011 of the GKv resolved to write an official letter of admonition, stating the weighty concerns that FRCA have with respect to the GKv. The letter was endorsed and signed at the reconvening of Synod Armadale in April 2013.

The letter is published below.

In Appendix 1 also the related Acta Article 141 of the Synod Armadale  is presented.

(zie voor een Nederlandse vertaling Australia vermaant de GKv in deze rubriek)

Letter of Admonition
to

Gereformeerde Kerken Vrijgemaakt

(Reformed Churches of the Netherlands)

To: Generale Synode Ede 2014

22 April 2013

Esteemed brothers:

Synod Armadale 2012 of the Free Reformed Churches of Australia greets our brothers of de Generale Synode Ede 2014.

Preamble

Synod Armadale convened in July 2012 and having considered the deputies’ reports and the decisions of Synod Harderwijk 2011, resolved to write an official admonition directly to your  Synod, stating the weighty concerns that we have with respect to the Reformed Churches of the Netherlands (RCN). This letter was endorsed and signed at the reconvening of Synod Armadale in April 2013. We address this directly to your General Synod, because Synod Harderwijk decided that your “deputies correctly refused to hold an official meeting with various sister-churches” to respond to the concerns raised by our churches, on the grounds that if “a sister-church has objections against a Synod decision regarding doctrine, church government, discipline or liturgy, then it must direct these straight to the General Synod.”[1]

Sister Churches

This letter is written in accordance with our rules for sister church relations, namely, that such relations “shall be used to mutually assist, encourage and exhort one another as well as care for each other ... not to depart from the reformed faith in doctrine, church polity and liturgy.”  We therefore write out of deep love for the churches from which we have originated from the 1950’s onward, whose ministers we have received in our churches, and with whom we still have many personal contacts.  We have received so very much from you over the years, and we recognize and gratefully acknowledge this.

We also praise God for the many positive aspects to congregational life in the churches of the RCN.  We understand something of the challenges faced by your churches as they live and worship in a culture that is rapidly becoming secularized and post-modern, a society in which the principles and norms of God’s Word are increasingly marginalized and even directly opposed.  We too are churches in a country that demonstrates rising secularism, and grapple with similar issues.  In such a hostile context, we are compelled to rely all the more on God’s grace in preserving His church, and to be reaffirmed in our conviction to live godly and holy lives that glorify our Saviour.

We recognize that in the face of this growing ungodliness, there is also an urgent need to make the good confession of faith with one voice together with our brothers and sisters across the world, and to be united in a faithful witness of the good news of the gospel.  At the same time, such unity requires a mutual commitment to the complete truth of Scripture as summarized in our confessions, and to the rich heritage that we share, as Scripture itself exhorts us, “Therefore, brethren, stand fast and hold the traditions which you were taught, whether by word or our epistle” (2 Thess. 2:15).  Because we face similar struggles, and because we recognize that we are a very small bond of churches, we hold dear the rich blessing of being united with churches who share with us our conviction to hold fast to the truth of God’s Word as we confess it.  It is our sincere prayer that the FRCA and the RCN may stand alongside each other in resolutely and faithfully holding fast to the traditions based on God’s Word and the Reformed confessions without compromise, and that we can assist and encourage each other to be beacons of the Reformed faith in an increasingly apostate world.

Exhortation of Synod Legana 2009

Over the past years, meetings have been held and letters exchanged between the deputies of our respective churches regarding our serious concerns with the direction that we see the RCN moving as federation of churches, concerns that have been documented in deputy reports and correspondence with you.  We find it sad that these concerns do not seem to be recognized by your churches.  It is becoming evident to us that this direction is leading you into conflict with God’s Word as it is confessed in the Three Forms of Unity and maintained in faithful Reformed churches.  This direction is causing strain and tension in our relationship with you.  In view of these concerns, Synod Legana 2009 decided to “exhort the RCN with love and care to be faithful in their approach to hermeneutics.”[2] 

In response to this exhortation, your Synod Harderwijk 2011 observed that “the RCN does not recognize themselves in the image described in the Acts of Synod Legana 2009.”[3]  By way of the following  admonitions, Synod Armadale 2012 now seeks to give further explanation and reason for the exhortations of Synod Legana 2009. The footnotes will provide references to correspondence, reports, and decisions, where the concerns expressed here are further elaborated on.

Main Concern

When reflecting on what we notice happening among you, and taking our concerns together as a whole, it is our observation that there is evidence of a liberal way of interpreting Scripture. Striving to find better ways to serve and praise God, and providing Biblical responses to the contemporary issues we face are activities that are unquestionably necessary and beneficial for the church.  However, such seeking of change should not mean that you relinquish what you have fought for and have learned from the Bible in the past.  The questioning that we hear in the RCN opens the door to a toleration of a hermeneutic that does not do justice to God’s full revelation, and it is our belief that this way of using Scripture underlies many of the concerns that we state in the material which follows.

We hear you ask: “How do we interpret God’s Word in today’s context?”[4]  Indeed the answer is important, but the answer must lie only in the truth of God’s Word. Whilst the times may change, the command to remain obedient to Scripture does not change.  And it is here that we have serious concerns, in relation to matters that were decided on by your Synods, as well in relation to matters about which your Synods failed to affirm the clear teaching of Scripture.  In the following sections we seek to explain our serious concerns.

CONCERNS REGARDING DOCTRINE

Statement of Concern #1

The RCN tolerates an approach to hermeneutics that does not uphold the authority and plain meaning of Scripture for exegesis.[5]  This seriously questions the ability and willingness of the RCN to fully uphold the truth of Scripture.[6]

Elaboration

1. Writings from past and present teaching staff of the Theological University in Kampen have called into question the plain meaning of Scripture.
   
   
1. In his dissertation From Conquest to Coexistence: Ideology and Antiquarian Intent in the Historiography of Israel’s Settlement in Canaan, completed and defended in March 2010, Dr. K. van Bekkum, brings Scriptural history into question in view of the premise he defends regarding archaeological findings.[7]  This dissertation was received “with honour”, and in spite of various warnings about its contents, Synod Harderwijk 2011 appointed Dr. van Bekkum as a lecturer at the Theological University.
   
   
2. In his dissertation Creation and Judgement: Creation Texts in Some Eighth Century Prophets,[8] Dr. S. Paas, a lecturer appointed at the Theological University in Kampen, takes a religion-historical approach which includes the assertion that “Israel’s creation belief has a Canaanite background and was possibly influenced by Egyptian notions”. He considers “creation to be a myth, along with much of Genesis 1 – 11”.[9] 
   
   
3. In his article “Taal en teken van trouw over Vorm en Functie van Genesis 1,” published in 2002 in Woord op schrift: Theologische reflecties over het gezag van de bijbel,[10] Rev. J.J.T. Doedens leaves room to interpret Genesis 1 in the context of Israelite history in such a way that from this passage we need not necessarily believe that God created heaven and earth in six days.[11]
   
   
4. In his article “Hermeneutiek en metaforie,” published in the same book, Dr. A.L.Th. de Bruijne argues that there are more passages in Scripture that can or should be understood in a metaphorical way, making reference to Genesis 1.[12]
   
   
2. In 2008 a number of statements by Dr. G. Harinck appeared in the press, which included controversial comments about his approach to Scripture regarding homosexuality.  Subsequent clarifications have not been satisfactory, and it remains a concern that his public comments have not been retracted, although his position at the Theological University in Kampen continues.[13]
   
   
1. Various appeals to Synod Zwolle-Zuid 2008 raising objections to the above-mentioned writing of Dr. A.L.Th. De Bruijne, as well as to above-mentioned controversial public statements made by Dr. G. Harinck, were denied because the matter had already been dealt with by the Directors of Oversight (College van Toezicht) of the Theological University, and because the submission was considered too late, and so Synods did not deal with the objections to these teachings.[14]
   
   
2. Synod Zwolle-Zuid 2008 declared as “ungrounded” an appeal arguing that objections raised to the above-mentioned writings of Dr. A.L.Th. de Bruijne and addressed in the usual church orderly way to the local church where he is emeritus minister (Rotterdam-City) were indeed a matter for that local consistory to deal with.[15] 
   
   
3. Although many serious objections were raised to the dissertation and appointment of Dr. S. Paas, as well as to the dissertation and appointment of Prof. K. van Bekkum, due to regulations and timing these objections have never been dealt with by a Synod.[16]
   
   
4. Synod Zwolle-Zuid 2008 also considered that it is not possible for members to submit on the basis of Article 31 of the Church Order objections to questionable teachings of ministers/docents of other congregations.[17]
   
   
5. Although members within the bond of the RCN have raised serious hermeneutical concerns about the manner in which Scripture is interpreted in these writings, RCN General Synods have failed to deal adequately and faithfully with concerns about the integrity and doctrine of the teaching staff at the Theological University in Kampen.

Statement of Concern #2

The RCN tolerates an approach to hermeneutics that does not uphold the sufficiency of Scripture for ethics. This approach conflicts with what we confess in Belgic Confession Art. 7 concerning the sufficiency of Holy Scripture.[18]

Elaboration

1. The RCN Report of Deputies for Church Unity that was jointly prepared with NGK deputies gives room for recognising the Holy Spirit’s teachings outside of God’s Word and without specific Biblical precepts. By making a distinction between “using the gifts they have received” and “listening to God’s Word” as valid means of understanding God’s will, the way is opened to make ethical conclusions (e.g. about grounds for divorce) that are based entirely on the leading of the Spirit, despite being contrary to Scripture.[19]
   
   
2. An example of this approach is evident in the way in which the RCN synods have dealt with the matter of marriage and divorce (see Statement of Concern #3). [20]

Statement of Concern #3

Decisions of the RCN about marriage and divorce leave room for a subjective approach in understanding and applying the Biblical norms. It remains our concern that such an approach has not been explicitly excluded by your synods.

Elaboration

1. Synod Amersfoort-Centrum 2005 (Art. 57) endorsed the main lines of the report “Marriage and Divorce” that was prepared by deputies mandated by Synod Zuidhorn 2002.  While this strongly affirmed the Scriptural teaching that divorce and subsequent remarriage are a serious evil and must be so dealt with by consistories, regrettably it gave no explicit guidance to exclude the approval of divorce for reasons beyond the Scriptural reasons of adultery and wilful desertion sanctioned by Matthew 19 and 1 Corinthians 7.[21]
   
2. The report suggests that in new situations not mentioned in the Bible, a congregation guided by the Holy Spirit may establish reasons for divorce which are not based directly on explicit Scriptural grounds or analogies.  Underlining this approach is a new framework in which “the style of the kingdom” is considered determinative, and ethical questions are answered with “congregational ethics”, a spiritual manner in which the congregation is guided by the Holy Spirit (“gemeente-ethiek”).  This new way of doing ethics in connection with marriage and divorce was defended by Dr. A.L.Th. De Bruijne at the conference on hermeneutics at the Theological University in Kampen on 30 March 2011. [22]
3. This leaves room for a subjective approach in which the church in its contemporary context adds permissible reasons for divorce to the Bible, instead of applying what is revealed in the Bible, and so tends towards a subjective hermeneutical approach where ethical decisions are not sufficiently founded on the explication and application of clearly revealed Biblical norms. [23]
   
   
4. While the Holy Spirit does give the church guidance in applying the norms of Scripture in ethics (eg. Heb 3: 7; Eph 6: 17; 1Thes 1: 5.6)), He always does this in accordance with what has been revealed in Scripture (eg. Heb 4: 12; Heb 12: 25; 1Pet 1: 23-25; Acts 7: 51; 16: 14.15; 2Cor 3:8)  the starting point of ethics must always be the Word of God, and the church must not come to subjective conclusions that are beyond or contrary to what is revealed in Scripture.  It is only by listening carefully to the objective, revealed Word of God that the Holy Spirit guides us to draw the right conclusions about God’s will (eg. 1Cor 2: 12; Eph 1: 17.18).

Statement of Concern #4

The study into whether Scripture allows for women to fill the offices of deacon, elder and minister fails to affirm the clear teaching of Scripture that the special offices within the Christian church are reserved for men.

Elaboration

1. Synod Harderwijk 2011 appointed deputies with a mandate to answer the question of whether it is permitted, on the basis of Scripture, to appoint (in addition to men) women to the office of deacon, elder and minister. [24]
   
   
2. Belgic Confession Art. 30 teaches that the true church must be governed according to the spiritual order which our Lord has taught us in His Word.  It provides that the special offices of minister, elder and deacon are to be filled by faithful men who are chosen in agreement with the rule that the apostle Paul gave to Timothy. (2 Timothy 2:2)
   
   
3. Scripture further teaches that a woman is not permitted to teach or to have authority over a man, but to be in silence (1 Timothy 2:11-14; 1 Corinthians 14:33-35). 
   
   
4. A proper study of this topic with a mandate to defend the Biblical prohibition of women in office would help the church meet the challenges of feminism.  However, by questioning whether women may fill the special offices within the church and mandating a study into this, rather than affirming the clear testimony of Scripture on this point, Synod Harderwijk has left the matter of women taking up the special offices as an open question,..

CONCERNS REGARDING ECCLESIOLOGY & CHURCH POLITY

Statement of Concern #5

The adoption of regulations that allow for the amalgamation of local RCN congregations with those of the NGK promotes a false ecumenism.

Elaboration

1. Synod Amersfoort-Centrum 2005 adopted regulations for local contact and cooperation by RCN congregations with those from non-sister federations.[25]
   
   
2. Synod Zwolle-Zuid 2008 extended this by adopting additional regulations where such contact resulted in a desire to form a unified congregation (samenwerkings-gemeente).[26]
   
   
3. Subsequently, various RCN congregations have amalgamated with those of the NGK (eg. Deventer and Zaandam) to form one unified congregation.[27]  This involves worshipping together as one congregation (see www.3gk-deventer.nl and www.zaankerk.nl).
   
   
4. The NGK has since 2004 allowed women to be ordained to the office of minister, elder and deacon (LV Lelystad 2004[28], LV Zwolle 2007[29]).  The NGK has mandated a study into whether practising homosexuals may fill the office of elder and deacon (LV Houten 2010[30]).  The NGK practices tolerance with respect to the confessional binding of its members and office bearers, for example allowing office bearers who are against infant baptism.[31]
   
   
5. Because the local NGK congregations (Deventer and Zaandam) that have amalgamated with RCN congregations remain within a federation of churches that compromises the teaching of Scripture (cf. point 4 above), full unity with such NGK congregations also involves compromising Scripture.  Thus by allowing for the amalgamation of local RCN and NGK congregations, a unity is achieved that is not based solely upon God's Word as summarised in the confessions.

Statement of Concern #6

The past and continuing participation in the National Synod/Protestant Forum promotes a false ecumenism.

Elaboration

1. In December 2010, the RCN deputies for church unity participated in the National Synod held in Dordrecht. The National Synod is founded upon a "Credo Statement" as an expression of the unity of faith between participants.[32]
   
   
2. Synod Harderwijk 2011 approved deputies' participation and further mandated deputies to follow developments regarding the National Synod/Protestant Forum and to participate therein with a delegation.[33]
   
   
3. Of the 52 church federations that attended the 2010 National Synod, many do not hold to the Reformed faith.  Examples include those from whom the steering committee was drawn, being the Protestant Church in the Netherlands, Evangelical-Lutheran church, Remonstrants, and United Pentecostal and Evangelical Churches.[34]
   
   
4. Such unity of faith as expressed within the National Synod is not a unity that is based upon Scripture as summarised in the confessions.

CONCERNS REGARDING LITURGY

Statement of Concern #7

The RCN has accepted a proliferation of hymns many of which are not unambiguously Biblical and Reformed.

Elaboration

1. The proliferation of hundreds of new hymns (Synod Harderwijk 2011 alone approved over 150 hymns in first and second reading) detracts from the Psalms, the Book of Praise in the Bible, and from other songs that are based directly on Scripture.[35]   
   
   
2. Many hymns in the “Liedboek voor de kerken” are not unambiguously Biblical and Reformed.[36] Many of the issues and concerns raised in correspondence with the RCN[37] remain in some of the hymns adopted by Synod Harderwijk 2011 or which are in the process of adoption.[38]

CONCLUSION

Brothers, we earnestly urge you to give the matters we have addressed in this letter of admonition careful consideration.  We acknowledge that some of these matters may not have been dealt with or be fully concluded at your General Synods. However, when errors become evident and are left unchecked without an ecclesiastical assembly addressing them, they become like leaven that lives among you, and so in love for you we would be remiss not to raise them.  The church of the living God is “the pillar and ground of the truth” (1 Tim. 3:15), and so we sincerely and humbly urge your synod to stand firm in confessing that truth boldly and clearly, by sounding the clear clarion call of God’s Word to your churches and to this world, faithfully echoing God’s revelation.

We recognize that some of the things we have written may sound harsh and judgemental, and perhaps not always clearly articulated.  We trust that even though this letter may have its shortcomings, that you hear in it our earnest appeal for you to be faithful to our God and His Word, and that you also see behind it the sincere love that we have for you as our sister church, and are fully assured of our brotherly affection and concern that underlies and motivates this serious admonition.

Be assured that we also write this letter with great humility, knowing well our own weakness in our struggle to hold fast the faith in a secular and postmodern culture, and recognizing our own need for the blood of Christ and the ongoing renewal of His Spirit. We also covet your prayers for us.

Finally, we also write this letter prayerfully, seeking the Lord for you to return to and hold fast the truth of His will as revealed in His Word. In ourselves we are no better than you or anyone else, and both you and we must rely on the grace of God, and be led and governed by His Word and Spirit rather than our own insights.  As such it is our longing and prayer for you that you will fully embrace, faithfully confess, and heartily defend the full riches of God’s revelation and the gospel of salvation which reflects the glory of our Great God and King. Revelation 3:11 “Behold, I am coming quickly! Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown.”

We look forward to your well considered response.

With Christian greetings, on behalf of General Synod Armadale 2012,

Chairman                                                      Second Clerk

[38] e.g. Hymn 200 “Heerlijk verschenen is de dag”; cf Report to Synod West Kelmscott 2006, p. 280; and Acts of Synod Harderwijk 2011, Decision 2 of Besluiten deputaten kerkmuziek 13 mei 2011.

Appendix 1 – Acta FRCA art. 141

Article 141 – Reformed Churches of the Netherlands (Refer Articles 29, 40, 43, 57, 76, 94, 114, 116)

I.       Final Decision:

1. To present to the RCN an official admonition stating our concerns.        
   
   This admonition will be a statement of weighty objections with respect to the doctrine and practice of the RCN in line with the rules for sister church relations.
   
   
1. Deputies to arrange for a clear and accurate Dutch translation of the letter of admonition to the RCN to accompany the official English letter of admonition.
   
   
2. To include with the letter of admonition to the RCN all the material referred to in the footnotes, either in hard copy or soft copy.
    
2. To express our deep sadness at the lack of progress to resolve our concerns to date so that our relationship is strained.
   
   
3. To advise the consistories of the Free Reformed Churches of Australia to exercise due care with respect to their responsibilities towards those coming from and going to the RCN.
   
   
4. To call on the FRCA to frequently remember the RCN in their prayers, in view of the continuing struggle for the truth within these churches.

AFTERNOON SESSION

Article 141 - Continued

After singing Ps 131:1,2 & 3 synod continues its work.

5. To continue sister church relations with the RCN according to the established rules.
   
   
6. To discharge deputies, to thank them for their work and to appoint new deputies with the mandate:
   
   
1. to interact with the deputies BBK
   
   
2. to report to the next synod
   
   
3. to discuss with the deputies BBK the matters contained in the Letter of Admonition as well as
   
   
1. concerns regarding independentism
   
   
2. the formulation of the new church order
   
   
4. to send two delegates to the next synod of the RCN.
   
   
5. to instruct deputies, or two people delegated by them, to attend the conference on hermeneutics to be held in Hamilton Canada 2014.
   
   
7. The overtures from FRC Armadale, FRC Mt Nasura, FRC West Albany and FRC Darling Downs have been answered by these decisions.

II.     Grounds:

1. While there are many brothers and sisters in the RCN who remain faithful to God’s Word and the Confessions, there is also evidence that the RCN does not reject all errors contrary to the Word of God. The seriousness of these concerns requires an official admonition.
   
   
2. Because of the grave concerns we have for our sister in The Netherlands, the churches should bring this matter regularly in prayer before the LORD.
   
   
3. The RCN response has been such that the Deputies expressed their great disappointment of little progress in their reports to our synods.  This has resulted in a strained relationship between our churches.
   
   
4. Our rules for sister church relations require mutual assistance, encouragement, exhortation, and care. Although the deputies report as well as previous synod decisions and reports to synod have substantiated many of our concerns it is important to go the extra mile to ensure that our concerns are accurately and properly formulated and understood, particularly when our Dutch sister churches are requesting this.
   
   
5. The RCN have clearly communicated to us that they would like communication of official concerns to be addressed directly to their synod, as is the intent for the official admonition.
   
   
6. To deal with the concerns we have in the most effective way, it is important to also be represented at the next synod of the RCN.
   
   
7. The relations with other churches are governed by General Synod.   Within the relationship, there is the practice of issuing and accepting attestations, as well as being able to preach on each other’s pulpit.  The synod is not able to affirm in all things that the RCN is faithful to the word of God and the confessions.  For this reason, the synod has determined that an urgent appeal be made to the RCN.  In this situation, synod also has to make clear to the FRCA that because of the concerns expressed in the letter of admonition to the RCN, due care is needed with respect to their responsibilities towards those coming from and going to the RCN.
   
   
8. a. The points raised in the overture of FRC Armadale have all been addressed in this decision.
   
   b. Synod cannot decide now to terminate the sister church relationship with the RCN since we first need to know what the response of the RCN will be. This answers the submissions of FRC West Albany, FRC Darling Downs and FRC Mt Nasura.
   
   c. Synod cannot address all the individual churches in the bond of the RCN by letter as proposed by FRC Darling Downs because their synod is considering our admonition.