History
Synod 1939
The CRC’s foundational position statement on war was adopted by Synod 1939 in response to the looming threat of World War II and the controversy surrounding pacifism. Stemming out of the Just War tradition, the statement rules out pacifism but allows for selective conscientious objection to military service when a serviceman is convinced that the given war to which he is summoned is unjust. The 1939 Synod did not deem it necessary to articulate what is meant by just-war, because the Reformed confessions contain basic teachings on government in matters on war (e.g. Heidelberg Catechism Q&A 105 and Belgic Confession, Art 36).
Synods of the ‘70s and ‘80s
The statement adopted by Synod 1939 was affirmed, supplemented, and nuanced in later decades to speak to new concerns about conscientious objection, amnesty, and nuclear disarmament that arose in response to the conflict in Vietnam and the Cold War.
The first major elaboration of the 1939 statement occurred at Synod 1977. The committee report “Ethical Decisions about War” expanded on several basic components of just-war theory such as “the law of love and the sixth commandment,” “War,” “ the Christian’s dilemma,” “the state,” “ the conscience,” and “the church.” Drawing on this discussion, the report proposed fifteen guidelines for ethical decisions about war and conscientious objection.
Synod 1982 further developed the CRC position on war by adopting “Guidelines for Justifiable Warfare,” which expressed the concerns about the use of nuclear weapons within the context of a more comprehensive discussion of the denomination’s views on warfare. In brief, the principle of proportionality--meaning a war should not do more harm than good--leads the CRC to conclude that the widespread use of nuclear weapons in a war would make it unjust. These guidelines were meant to assist CRC members and institutions in evaluating the ongoing public discussion concerning nuclear weapons, and they were also sent to the Canadian Prime Minister and the U.S. President in the hope that they would influence our governments.
In 1985, Synod responded to an appeal that the CRC support tax resistance as a form of conscientious objection. Individual members of the CRC refused to pay the percentage of their income tax that funded the US military budget, because they believed the US government was engaged in “idolatrous militarism.”
Synod decided to response with another set of guidelines, this time on the topic of “Conscientious Objection and Tax Resistance.” These instruct individuals to object to government policies that are incompatible with biblical teaching, but to first exhaust exhaust legal means before turning to civil disobedience as a last resort. It is not the role of the denomination to join individual members in civil disobedience, but to support them through prophetic proclamation, pastoral care, and diaconal support.
The CRC Today
In 2006, Synod adopted a comprehensive War and Peace report, strongly calling for the CRC to “speak a word of peace” and to be an agent of shalom in a war-torn world. Synod set out steps by which Christians should approach the task of peace-building in a series of recommendations that include:
- encouraging congregations and members to speak out on issues such as arms production and alternatives to war;
- calling on the church to speak prophetically to the governments of the United States and Canada on moral issues related to preventive and preemptive military actions and weapons of mass destruction;
- making resources available to churches to assist them in ministering to members who are contemplating entering the military or who are veterans of military service;
- calling on agencies and members of the church to promote and actively engage in international initiatives for building peace with justice.
Selective Conscientious Objection
Synod 2006 also urged the CRC to advocate for policies that enable selective conscientious objection. U.S. laws on conscientious objection only recognize members of pacifist churches that object to participation in any conflict. There is currently no means by which Christians serving in the military from the just-war tradition can be recognized as conscientious objectors to a specific war that they believe is unjust.
The CRC is thus engaged in ongoing advocacy to achieve the addition of government procedures that enable those who object to selective conflicts on the basis of just-war criteria to be honorably discharged from the armed services. Chaplain (COL) Herman Keizer of the U.S. Army and retired CRC Director of Chaplains, has outlined several points on selective conscientious objection.
Further References
A more detailed overview of the CRCNA'S statements and guidelines regarding war from the 1930s through the 1980s (previously presented at conference in London, Ontario).
Synod 2006
Synod 2004
- A letter was distributed to churches from Synod 2004, calling for them to designate a special Week of Prayer for Peace (see section above titled Peace & War: Pray).
Other Synods
- Acts of Synod 1985, pp. 463-473. These pages include a report on Conscientious Objection and Tax Resistance.
- Acts of Synod 1982, pp. 104-5. This statement explores the criteria for Justifiable Warfare and includes an exhortation in paragraphs 12 and 13 for all members to work toward peace.
- Acts of Synod 1977, pp. 44-48, 550-74.
- Acts of Synod 1939, pp. 240-249.
