Synod Turns Down Request to Study Creation Account

Synod 2014 turned down a request for a study committee to examine recent theologies that deny the historicity of the Genesis account of creation.

A synodical study committee is not needed, delegates decided, since biblical scholars at colleges related to the Christian Reformed Church are already doing the work.

“The ongoing work of [CRC-affiliated colleges] doesn’t warrant us putting resources and money into [a study committee] for six years,” said Rev. Chris DeVos, reporter for the advisory committee to synod.

The overture requesting the study referred extensively to two former religion professors at Calvin College whose 2009 papers questioned the historicity of Adam and Eve and the historicity of the Genesis accounts of creation and fall.

Calvin College president Michael LeRoy said the college’s confessional guidelines for faculty are succeeding in their purpose. He said other faculty members are working hard to help church members who struggle with how the science of origins fits with their faith.

“For the last 25 years, science has been moving so quickly, and Christians are left with simplistic options that aren’t very helpful,” said LeRoy.

“This is the kind of work that biblical scholars are only beginning now to articulate. It’s wise to not yet convene a study community, but rather trust the process… We hope to assemble sufficient resources to clarify core questions.”

Some delegates expressed confidence in this process while others were not so sure.

“’I’m so happy that the college is really looking into it -- it’s important that we do something,” said John Venema, an elder delegate from Classis Eastern Canada. “If we older folks think that this isn’t a discussion that’s isn’t happening with young people, we’re wrong.”

“I don’t want to wait until -- no offense, professors -- ‘til you tell me what to think,” said Rev. Joshua Van Til, Classis Columbia. “Don’t wait for someone to tell you what to think about this subject. Get some resources and find out for yourself.”

In response to the overture’s request for pastoral guidance, Synod instructed the Board of Trustees to have Calvin College, Calvin Theological Seminary, and other denominational colleges “make available to a future synod a list of resources on the relationship of science and theology, especially as they relate to the doctrines of creation, fall, original sin, and the atonement, and to organize one or more conferences or open conversations on these same topics.”

For continuous coverage of Synod 2014 including the live webcast, news, video recordings, photos, liveblog, social media links, and more visit www.crcna.org/synod.