Lux mundi_2006_02_combi.indd, Spread 1 van 2 - Pagina’s (2, 1) 31-05-2006 23.30 LuxMundi 25 No 4 December 2006 Published quarterly by the Committee on Relations with Churches Abroad of the Reformed Churches in The Netherlands LuxMundi 25 No 4 December 2006 Editorial Published quarterly by the Committee By R. ter Beek, p. 79 on Relations with churches Abroad of the Reformed Churches in Walkers in the sun The Netherlands By P.H.R. van Houwelingen, p. 81 Volume 25 - No. 4 December 2006 A Silver ‘Lux Mundi’, I.C.R.C.’s Child Editors: Rev. J.M. Batteau By G. van Rongen, p. 82 Rev. R. ter Beek Mr. P.G.B. de Vries 25 years of Lux Mundi Rev. P.P.H. Waterval By K. Wezeman, p. 84 Mrs. S. Wierenga-Tucker Reformed North America Design: BVGO - Age Jan van Veelen By F. G. Oosterhoff, p. 86 www.bvgo.nl My impressions By R.S. Ward, p. 88 Reformed churches in The Netherlands By R.C. Janssen, p. 89 A short impression By Duke Shin, p. 95 Where do we stand now? By DKE and CCS, p. 96 Address for editorial and administrative matters (subscriptions, change of address): Chosen church of God Lux Mundi / office BBK By B. Luiten, p. 99 P.O. Box 499 8000 AL ZWOLLE Advocate of the Liturgy The Netherlands Phone: ++31(0)38 4270470 of God’s Covenant E-mail: [email protected] By J. Smelik, p. 102 http://www.bbk.gkv.nl Bank account 1084.32.556 News update Adm. Lux Mundi European Conference of Reformed Churches 2007, p. 80 Subscriptions in The Netherlands: Forty years after the ‘Open Brief’ p. 98 € 17,50 for one year Contents LuxMundi December 2006 R. ter Beek Editorial In this issue we take time to celebrate the 25th Anniversary of this Since then, it has become clear that the differences magazine. The first issue appeared in March 1982. The magazine began involve more than the expression of the with two issues of twelve pages per year. At the start of the fifth year confessions. Across many generations, the various (1986) four issues appeared, of twelve pages long. At the present, we have churches with reformed roots have developed approximately 100 pages per year, spread over four issues. The first chief in their own way. And that will always continue. editor was Prof. Ohmann (1982-1990). Thereafter, Rev J. Klamer fulfilled this The reformed conviction often makes some sort function (1990-2000). Since 2001, this fine work has been my task. of supernatural connection with the culture in which it finds itself. Historical choices. Origins hat has happened in those 25 years? The in emigration. Periods of isolation. Discussions. intention was to have a magazine in the Church splits. These are factors which fix certain service of reformed ecumenicalism; a characteristics into the identity of a group of Wmagazine wherein reformed churches all over the reformed churches. world, should meet each other, to strengthen the What we are seeing now, is a patchwork quilt of mutual bonds. In the course of the years, various diverse reformed cultures. In The Netherlands, churches were introduced to the readers, or they we noticed this, for example, when the Reformed introduced themselves. There was also attention Churches and the Christian Reformed Churches paid to the International Conference of Reformed started talks with each other. Near neighbours Churches throughout the years and sometimes for as far as church is concerned, but within a few its Mission Conferences. generations, there were noticeable differences in When you take a look at the contents, you see climate already in existence. Elsewhere we notice more headlines. The first is information about the the same phenomenon. Think of the view of singing Reformed Churches (liberated) in The Netherlands, hymns which do not have direct origins in the Bible. about history and about church life, about the synods, Or, think of the practice surrounding the Lord’s the discussions, and in the course of time, also about Table. Or of the attitude in regard to the culture. talks with the Christian Reformed Churches (CGK) We could compare the various reformed churches and the Netherlands Reformed Churches (NGK). in the world with polders. They each have their own Alongside this, we see the theological exchange climate, their own water level, and have developed about ethical subjects, about the Scriptures, about their own preferences and specialities within their the ministry, etc.; also by way of book reviews. dykes. You discover this having wandered for a time One of the editors from the beginning, Rev. G. within the reformed ecumenism. van Rongen, hoped that this question would be discussed within the ICRC: what do we, as differing What could happen in the next 25 years? churches, have in common as far as our respective This diversity is not something bad. But it is not yet confessional standards are concerned, and at which straightforward enough to know how to deal with points are there differences? Furthermore, what it well. Desire for more closeness, for more mutual can we do to reach full confessional agreement, agreement, does not mean, that you must work and thus promote unity. His ideal was a ‘harmony’ away the differences. of the Westminster Confessions and the Belgic A strong, mutually carried conviction is Confession, the Heidelberg Catechism and the important. Even though it is not necessary to Photo: P.G.B. de Vries Canons of Dort. force the confessions into one, it is necessary that we determine to have unity in the reformed conviction. Do you want to learn to trust each other in spite of the differences? Can we cope with a different practice or a different emphasis without immediately looking for dilution or radicalism? Are you prepared to believe that another expression of reformed life than your own can also be legitimate? It remains worth it to struggle for greater unity, especially through open discussion about real issues. That is a fine medicine against the fear of loss of identity. Real harmony stimulates you to seek a way of defending your own singularity in a LuxMundi December 2006 79 European Conference of down to earth way, recognising the right of doing, saying, or thinking something different. Reformed Churches 2007 It is also important that we are prepared to learn. In our present reality of exile and dispersion, settled he first European Conference of Reformed churches must still find a new balance between TChurches will be held from Tuesday 6th tradition and adjustment, between form and content. March until Friday 9th March 2007 in Soest Young churches will have to develop forms for new (The Netherlands). The Conference will be situations. Cultural boundaries are being crossed called together by a committee consisting of not only in travelling from one side of the world to representatives from the Free Church of Scotland, another but also if you step forward into the future. the Evangelical Presbyterian Church of England In the mean time, we can agree not to export and Wales, the Christian Reformed Churches our singularity. If two or more churches send and the Reformed Churches (liberated) in The people to a land to proclaim the gospel and to set Netherlands. up a church, you could put two things first. (1) We first see if other reformed churches are working During the conference, the seven member churches there, and if that is the case, we join with them. of the ICRC in Europe will come together: (2) From the very start, we shall have to be looking • Christian Reformed Churches in the to establish one sister church; we give the local Netherlands believers all the room they need to decide how they • Evangelical Presbyterian Church in England furnish their own church life, what they do or do not and Wales want to take over from the establishing churches. • Evangelical Presbyterian Church (Ireland) Reformed Churches across the world can not • Free Church of Scotland avoid to miss each other. What the one misses, the • The Reformed Churches in the Netherlands other can provide. Then it will not only be about liberated money, also about people, services and knowledge. • Iglesias Reformadas de España We have everything over, as in 2 Corinthians 8 and • Reformed Presbyterian Church of Ireland. 9, to take each other to the harvest of gratefulness These churches will introduce other churches which God expects from the whole world. in Europe with whom they have a serious relationship to the conference. Lux Mundi has had but a small place in the last Above all, this first conference will be meant 25 years, in the discussion between churches. But for getting better acquainted with each other, the desire of the editors is that this discussion encouragement of each other and making plans for becomes broader and deeper. We see a task for the future. the press in this. The church magazines could pay more attention to foreign churches. Maybe an It is the intention that the visiting churches also international paper informing the members from inform each other about the evangelism projects various churches of the life and times of other that they have set up in Europe. The field workers reformed churches, could be of significance. But are most welcome, as are missionary workers in this can not only be on paper. There is already much European posts, sent out by reformed churches co-operation in the proclamation of the gospel and or organisations outside of Europe. Thursday 8th in the giving of aid. There is certainly more possible. March shall be dedicated completely to mission I see here a task for the theological schools as well.