Position

All of life, including scientific endeavor, must be lived in obedience to God and in subjection to his Word. Therefore, Christian scholarship that integrates faith and learning is to be encouraged. The church does not impose an authorized interpretation of specific passages in Scripture; nor does it canonize certain scientific hypotheses. Instead, it insists that all theological interpretations and all scientific theories be subject to Scripture and the confessions.

Humanity is created in the image of God; all theorizing that minimizes this fact and all theories of evolution which deny the creative activity of God are rejected. The clear teaching of Scripture and the confessions rules out holding views that support the reality of evolutionary forebears of the human race. But further investigation or discussion regarding the origin of humanity should not be limited.

History

The CRC first dealt with this issue in relation to statements made by the Reformed Ecumenical Synod (RES) in 1949. After the CRC objected to some of these statements in 1953, the RES restudied the issue and amended its statements in 1958. In 1966 synod received overtures to study the issues of creation and evolution and appointed a committee to suggest the membership and mandate of such a study commission. Synods 1967 decided the study was not necessary and left further research into the matter to the faith community.

That research led to some difficult times at Calvin College and Seminary. In 1983 the seminary reported on discussions held with one professor regarding his views on the topic. In 1988 the Calvin College Board of Trustees reported to synod on its dealings with three professors whose positions on this matter had been criticized in the church and in the media. Synod also received thirty-two overtures about the issue. Synod 1988 affirmed the college board's decision and appointed a study committee on creation and science. The committee reported in 1991, when a large number of overtures were also brought to synod objecting to the report.

Synod 1991 adopted the six declarations regarding creation and science that constitute the position of the CRC as summarized above. It intensively debated the matter of evolutionary forebears of human beings. Synod declared that the espousal of theories that posit the reality of evolutionary forebears of the human race is ruled out by Scripture and the Reformed confessions, but it also added a note that this declaration is not meant to limit further investigation and discussion on the topic. Subsequent synods have not acceded to overtures objecting to the 1991 decisions.

References

Acts of Synod 1951, pp. 45, 101
Acts of Synod 1953, pp. 123-24, 181-82
Acts of Synod 1954, p. 82
Acts of Synod 1959, pp. 81, 251-56
Acts of Synod 1966, pp. 75-78, 95, 103-04, 546-50, 552
Acts of Synod 1967, pp. 76-77, 335-38
Acts of Synod 1983, pp. 521-23, 644-46
Acts of Synod 1988, pp. 385-87, 436-64, 591-99, 637-38
Agenda for Synod 1989, pp. 35, 320-44, 347-48
Acts of Synod 1989, pp. 391, 399, 519-20
Agenda for Synod 1990, pp. 27-28, 456-57
Acts of Synod 1990, pp. 622, 717
Agenda for Synod 1991, pp. 362-433, 482-96, 502-07
Acts of Synod 1991, pp. 636-44, 762-68, 773-77, 815
Agenda for Synod 1992, pp. 486-88
Acts of Synod 1992, pp. 638-39
Agenda for Synod 1994, pp. 276-79
Acts of Synod 1994, pp. 451, 522, 524