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Friday, December 31, 2004
My friend Josiah recently posted on the problem that he believes lies within Reformed congregations that are largely populated by people of Dutch origin. You can read this article here. This is my response to it.
I believe as well that there is a large problem in existence in many Reformed congregations concerning the effort that is put into evangelical endeavours. Maybe it is because we are too comfortable in our surroundings, and the close-knit community that has developed around us has become a security blanket of sorts. It is much easier for us to surround ourselves with people that have similar views and beliefs. When we are exposed to people that have slightly (or even radically) different views and beliefs than us, that security blanket is stripped away and we are forced to face these issues head on. Are we not called to do this though? To strive for unity within the Church? I know that this issue is something that I have struggled with through much of my life. I was raised in Christian schools, all the way through (elementary, secondary, and post-secondary). I was a part of the CRC church for the first 7 years of my life, and a part of the URC church since then. The reformed communities that I have been a part of are too content to focus on themselves, and often get far too caught up on infighting, and squabbles between denominations. Would it not be much more God-glorifying to look past our own irreconcilable differences and to reach out the untouched masses that are longing to be exposed to God's Truth? The Reformed Dutch tradition has been blessed with God's grace, but they are not the New Testament Israel--Christ has obtained salvation for people from all nations, and he commanded His followers to "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations" (Matthew 28:19, NKJV). We would do well to remember that in every aspect of our lives, and not just expect others to take care of it.
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I believe as well that there is a large problem in existence in many Reformed congregations concerning the effort that is put into evangelical endeavours. Maybe it is because we are too comfortable in our surroundings, and the close-knit community that has developed around us has become a security blanket of sorts. It is much easier for us to surround ourselves with people that have similar views and beliefs. When we are exposed to people that have slightly (or even radically) different views and beliefs than us, that security blanket is stripped away and we are forced to face these issues head on. Are we not called to do this though? To strive for unity within the Church? I know that this issue is something that I have struggled with through much of my life. I was raised in Christian schools, all the way through (elementary, secondary, and post-secondary). I was a part of the CRC church for the first 7 years of my life, and a part of the URC church since then. The reformed communities that I have been a part of are too content to focus on themselves, and often get far too caught up on infighting, and squabbles between denominations. Would it not be much more God-glorifying to look past our own irreconcilable differences and to reach out the untouched masses that are longing to be exposed to God's Truth? The Reformed Dutch tradition has been blessed with God's grace, but they are not the New Testament Israel--Christ has obtained salvation for people from all nations, and he commanded His followers to "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations" (Matthew 28:19, NKJV). We would do well to remember that in every aspect of our lives, and not just expect others to take care of it.
