Booklet Outlines CRC’s Positions

The Christian Reformed Church in North America has published a new booklet explaining the church’s positions on a range of contemporary issues including abortion, the authority of the Bible, gambling and homosexuality.

The material in the booklet is gleaned from several decades of discussions, debates and decisions by the CRC synod.

"The contents of the Doctrinal and Ethical Positions booklet are brief summaries of the CRC's position on various topics and issues that have come before synod for discussion and/or decision," says Paul Faber, an editor with Faith Alive Christian Resources, which published the booklet.   Faith Alive is the CRC’s publishing ministry.

"More detailed summaries of all these positions are available on the CRC website.  The web entries include a history of each position and list the Acts of Synod in which each is discussed."

CRC Executive Director Rev. Jerry Dykstra cautions that the statements in the booklet, "are the church's response to a variety of ethical and doctrinal issues over the years, but do not contain the complete teachings of the Christian Reformed Church."

As a confessional church in the Calvinist and Reformed tradition, the CRC subscribes to the historic creeds and confessions of the church, including the Apostle’s, Athanasian and Nicene creeds and the Belgic Confession, Canons of Dort and Heidelberg Catechism. Delegates to synods use these creeds and documents in making decisions.

"We present this collection of the church's decisions with the expectation that they will be instructive for our members and provide a helpful guide for those who want to know more about the CRC," says Dykstra in his foreword to the booklet.

Church members are called to reflect, discuss and pray about the church's response to various issues.

For instance, the booklet states clearly that "the church affirms that an induced abortion is an allowable option only when the life of the mother-to-be is genuinely threatened by the continuation of the pregnancy." But members are also asked "to show Christian compassion and to offer support to those going through unwanted pregnancies as well as to those who have undergone abortions."

On gambling, the booklet says pastors and church councils are obliged to "caution against the impact of materialism, take decisive action to combat the evil of gambling, and minister compassionately to persons addicted to or victimized by lotteries."

Since 1975, the CRC has issued statements of its stances on ethical and doctrinal issues in various formats. In 2000, Rev. Kathy Smith, now director of continuing education at Calvin Theological Seminary, updated a previous booklet.

Faber updated the booklet, taking into consideration some of the more recent decisions by synod, says Dee Recker, director of Synodical Services for the CRC.

Here is a look at some of the church's positions, as outlined in the booklet:

• Birth control is a private matter to be discussed between husband and wife. But the church also "urges married couples to consider the size of their families prayerfully and encourages them to be motivated by a desire to glorify God and further his kingdom in their family planning."
• Dancing is allowable as long as it is a "valid expression of God's image displayed through the artistic sensitivity and sociability if his creatures."
• Homosexuality is "a condition of disordered sexuality that reflects the brokenness of our sinful world." However, persons of same-sex attraction "should not be denied community acceptance solely because of their sexual orientation and should be wholeheartedly received by the church and given loving support and encouragement."
• The Lord's Day is a day set aside by God for rest and worship. "The CRC believes that Sunday must be so consecrated to worship that on that day we rest from all work except that which charity and necessity require and that we refrain from recreation that interferes with worship."

Other topics that the new booklet addresses include: Lodge and Church Membership, Labor Unions, Language for God; Lord's Supper, and Race Relations.

 -Chris Meehan, CRC Communications