Date: Thu, 19 Jun 1997 04:53:39 -0400 (EDT) From: Darrell128@aol.com Subject: NR 97075: Calling God "Mother," Theological Classes to Headline Thursday CRC Synod NR #1997-075: Calling God "Mother," Theological Classes to Headline Thursday's Christian Reformed Synod Thursday's sessions of the Christian Reformed synod will tackle the hottest issues synod has seen to date. Beginning at 8 am, synod will address a request by Classis California South to permit the formation of theological classes composed of churches which oppose the ordination of women. Synod's evening session at 7 pm will address the even more explosive topic of feminine language for God. Since November 1995, the concept of a classis composed of churches organized on the basis of theology rather than geographical proximity has been a key part of the stated strategy of conservative Christian Reformed leaders who want to remain members of the denomination despite its 1995 decision to allow the ordination of women. Endorsed by the 1995 Interclassical Conference of CRC conservatives meeting in South Holland, Illinois, the concept was endorsed again by the November 1996 Interclassical Conference as an alternative to secession and sent to synod by the January 15 meeting of Classis California South. Few issues have raised more heated emotional responses in recent years than efforts by some to call God "Mother." When a lead article in the summer 1990 Partnership newsletter of the Committee for Women in the CRC closed with the line "Trust in God; She will provide," conservatives upset that Synod 1990 voted to allow women's ordination exploded with criticism that women's ordination would lead to calling God "Mother." Concerns were not allayed in subsequent years as more examples cropped up. Even as synod delegates convened at Calvin College, the "Perspectives" magazine's June/July 1997 issue, made available to delegates, included an article by Rev. Margo Houts, a female Presbyterian Church (USA) minister serving as associate professor of systematic theology at Calvin College, included another example of the practice. NR #1997-075: For Immediate Release Calling God "Mother," Theological Classes to Headline Thursday's Christian Reformed Synod Calvin College Theology Professor Rev. Margo Houts: "If by this the faith community means One who is powerful, nurturing, caring, faithful, transcendant Source, who speaks with authority and creativity (via positiva) and beard each of these traits to an eminent degree, without shortcoming (via eminentiae); if we do not mean that God is sexual, has female genitalia or feminine gender, is enmeshed in and inextricably bound to creation, passive, dependent, or abusive (via negativa), then yes, God is also our Mother." by Darrell Todd Maurina, Press Officer United Reformed News Service GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (June 18, 1997) -- Thursday's sessions of the Christian Reformed synod will tackle the hottest issues synod has seen to date. Beginning at 8 am, synod will address a request by Classis California South to permit the formation of theological classes composed of churches which oppose the ordination of women. Synod's evening session at 7 pm will address the even more explosive topic of feminine language for God. Since November 1995, the concept of a classis composed of churches organized on the basis of theology rather than geographical proximity has been a key part of the stated strategy of conservative Christian Reformed leaders who want to remain members of the denomination despite its 1995 decision to allow the ordination of women. Endorsed by the 1995 Interclassical Conference of CRC conservatives meeting in South Holland, Illinois, the concept was endorsed again by the November 1996 Interclassical Conference as an alternative to secession and sent to synod by the January 15 meeting of Classis California South. Synod has already endorsed a modified version of the concept. Last year's synod voted to allow churches to transfer between classes so long as the transfer made some geographic sense, and Wednesday's session approved the transfer of Pine Creek CRC of Holland from Classis Holland to Classis Zeeland because of the church's opposition to women's ordination, as well as the transfer of Trinity CRC of Mt. Pleasant from Classis Northern Michigan to Classis Muskegon so it can ordain its female pastor, Mary-Lee Bouma. Several churches have already hinted that they want to transfer from Classis California South to Classis Greater Los Angeles because of California South's declaration last month that it is a theologically-identified conservative classis. Elder Keith Vander Pol of Escondido CRC, who also serves as vice-president for development of Westminster Theological Seminary in Escondido and has been charged by the Interclassical Conference with implementing the theological classis proposal, said at the time the overture was adopted by Classis California South that the classical vote reflected a recognition that something needed to be done to keep conservatives in the Christian Reformed denomination. "The positive vote at this point in my opinion merely points out that people are becoming sensitive to that fact that many churches would leave and/or split if they are not provided a haven of rest within the denomination," said Vander Pol. "I think that was definitely on the minds of many people at the time of the vote." The overture draws a close parallel between the proposed theological classes and the already-existing synodical decision allowing each of the CRC's 47 classes to declare itself in favor of women's ordination by declaring the relevant article of the CRC church order barring women's ordination to be inoperative. If the overture is adopted by synod this June, the CRC General Secretary will be directed to "maintain a list of theologically identified classes as well as those which have declared 'that the word male in Article 3-a of the Church Order is inoperative for their constituent churches and will publish that list annually, along with the presentation of candidates for the ministry, in The Banner.' (Acts of Synod 1996, p. 735, item 'e')." According to Vander Pol, the theological classes could take two forms. Just as any of the CRC's existing 47 classes can now declare itself to be in favor of women's ordination, the overture would allow existing classes to declare themselves opposed to the ordination of women and endorse a set of affirmations of faith drafted by the Interclassical Conference addressing current issues in the CRC. In addition, the overture provides for Synod 1997 to appoint a committee to implement the creation of new classes when necessary by September 1. If new classes are formed, they would "initially be geographically defined by and consist of those churches which have indicated their desire to join a theologically identified classis as noted in an addendum to be added to this overture prior to Synod 1997" and would "receive until January 1, 1998, without further need for classical or synodical action, any CRCNA church within its geographical boundaries agreeing with the above requirement and wishing to join." The affirmations of faith address a number of other issues in addition to women in office. "It sets forth the historical position of the Christian Reformed denomination on issues such as the foundation of our faith and practice, inerrancy of Scripture, the church and its worship, its unity, matters of evangelism, homosexuality, feminine language for God, and women in the offices of the church," said Vander Pol. Vander Pol said he hoped a number of existing conservative classes would follow Classis California South in adopting the affirmations of faith as a body and becoming a theological classis. "I would say that if people are to a point where their classis is in line with the goals of a theological classis, the classis as a whole could declare itself a theological classis," said Vander Pol. "Situations and circumstances do change and they can change quickly. By being declared a theological classis, they can ensure their theological convictions for years to come. Frankly I would plead with them as a fellow brother who is searching out solutions for all congregations in the CRC that they would be of great encouragement by declaring themselves a theological classis, or alternatively go on record saying they would support that for churches that need them." Interviewed last February, Calvin Seminary's professor of church polity said he couldn't concur with the California South overture. "What basing a classis on theological affinity would do is to draw the lines beyond the creeds to theological issues," said Dr. Henry De Moor. "If you do that, you can do that on both sides of the hot button issues, not just women in office but also homosexuality and probably other issues as well." De Moor warned that the effect of conservative churches joining theologically identified classes would be that the existing classes would lose theological accountability on the right and risk drifting into positions diametrically opposed to those of the conservatives. "What you're doing by having a classis of theological affinity is to defeat the very purpose of a classis. It is to be a governing body where the leading of the spirit is discerned in matters that are not clearly taught by Scripture or the creed," said De Moor. "We are saying it is a lovely airplane we have here, and we're going to take the left wing and separate it from the right wing, and we're going to make it fly. It can't fly that way. In the life of the church you need theological accountability." De Moor proposed the biblical model of the Jerusalem Council in Acts 15 as an example of how the church should settle disagreements. "I don't think it would have helped the cause of Christ for Antioch to say if Jerusalem insists on circumcision, let's just let them go their own way, we will be in our own classis and they will be in theirs," said De Moor. "To me it's a biblical model of mutual accountability and mutual deliberation we're dealing with." May Christian Reformed Members Call God "Mother?" Few issues have raised more heated emotional responses in recent years than efforts by some to call God "Mother." When a cover story in the summer 1990 Pa rtnership newsletter of the Committee for Women in the CRC closed with the line "Trust in God; She will provide," conservatives upset that Synod 1990 voted to allow women's ordination exploded with criticism that women's ordination would lead to calling God "Mother." Concerns were not allayed in subsequent years as more examples cropped up. Even as synod delegates convened at Calvin College, the Perspectives magazine's June/July 1997 issue, made available to synodical delegates along with a subscription invitation, included an article by Rev. Margo Houts, a female Presbyterian Church (USA) minister serving as associate professor of systematic theology at Calvin College, with another example of the practice. "Is God also our Mother?" asked Houts in the conclusion of her article. "If by this the faith community means One who is powerful, nurturing, caring, faithful, transcendant Source, who speaks with authority and creativity (via positiva) and beard each of these traits to an eminent degree, without shortcoming (via eminentiae); if we do not mean that God is sexual, has female genitalia or feminine gender, is enmeshed in and inextricably bound to creation, passive, dependent, or abusive (via negativa), then yes, God is also our Mother." Responding to conservative protests over such events, synod eventually appointed a study committee whose membership included Calvin Seminary professor Dr. John Cooper, a leading supporter of women's ordination but opponent of calling God "She," to produce a position paper on the subject. Cooper and six others have been studying the matter since 1994 and came to synod this year with the fruits of their work. The 107-page report produced by Cooper is the longest item in the Synod 1997 agenda. While allowing for some feminine imagery for God in line with Scriptural language, the report takes a clear position against inclusive language for God. "The most significant thing is we are asking synod to declare as incompatible with the confessions of the Christian Reformed Church what is thought of in mainline circles as inclusive language for God," said Cooper, who will represent the committee as its reporter at this evening's sessions. "I can't imagine synod not making that pronouncement." Cooper said he hoped the report would be useful not only in conservative denominations but also in denominations where inclusive language for God is a live issue. "It's very good for the church to formulate a position on this topic before it becomes a hot button issue," said Cooper. "I think that some other denominations that share our convictions would find it useful; I would hope that some people in the Reformed Church in America where this is a bit more common might listen, too." Not everyone in the CRC concurs. Classis Lake Erie argues that the report is "long, detailed, and closely argued" and that synod should take no action beyond referring it to the churches for study because it is "difficult to understand." The editor of the CRC's denominational magazine wrote a two-page editorial against the report, arguing that its guidelines "will serve only to divide us by raising to nearly confessional status conclusions that are potentially contentious." Despite the high-profile objections, Cooper said he didn't think the denomination wanted to open up another new fight by allowing feminine language for God after settling the question of women's ordination. "We may debate it, but we're not going to end up answering yes, that's for sure," said Cooper. "This is a really good test case," said Cooper. "Are we going to go mainline or are we staying with the tradition? I would say this says we are going with the tradition." Cross-References to Related Articles: #1994-034: CRC Synod Appoints Committee to Study Calling God "She"; Ratification of Church Order Changes by Classes Rejected #1995-070: Christian Reformed Classes Permitted to Declare Church Order Ban on Women's Ordination "Inoperative"; Synod Decision Given Immediate Effect without Two-Year Ratification Process #1996-076: CRC Synod Rejects 25 Overtures and Communications Calling for End to Classical Option on Ordination of Women #1996-077: Churches Allowed to Switch Classes for Theological Reasons #1996-117B: Separation Without Secession: Interclassical Conference Urges Christian Reformed Synod to Create New Conservative Classes #1997-008: Classis Zeeland Votes by 72% Margin to Receive Pine Creek Christian Reformed Church Pending Synodical Approval #1997-010: Classis Holland Acquiesces in Pine Creek Request to Transfer to Classis Zeeland Due to Opposition to Women in Office #1997-011: Classis California South Endorses Classes Grouped by Theological Affinity Instead of Geography; Organizers Hope a Tenth of CRC May Join New Conservative Classes #1997-029: Classis Muskegon Admits Trinity CRC of Mt. Pleasant; Vote Allows Ordination of Mary-Lee Bouma as Third Christian Reformed Woman Pastor #1997-047: Classis Zeeland Endorses Theological Classis Proposal #1997-059: Classis California South Adopts South Holland Affirmations #1997-063: Christian Reformed Synod 1997 Faces Crossroads Decision: Will Seceding Churches Keep their Property? #1997-065: Orthodox Presbyterian General Assembly Breaks Longstanding Christian Reformed Fraternal Relationship #1997-066: Presbyterian Church in America General Assembly Cuts Ties with Christian Reformed Church Over Women's Ordination #1997-068: Christian Reformed Synod Convenes Today in Grand Rapids; Major Issues to Include Feminine Language for God, Abortion, Interchurch Relations, Local Church Property Issues, Theologically-Defined Classes TO REACH DELEGATES DURING SYNOD 1997 (June 14-21, 1997): Synod News Office, Fine Arts Center, Calvin College, 3201 Burton St. SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546 Prerecorded Synod News Message: (616) 224-0841 or (888) 277-9663 Synod Office: (616) 957-8650 News Office: (616) 957-8652 FAX: (616) 957-8659 TO REACH DELEGATES AFTER SYNOD: Rev. Zachary (Zack) Anderson, Pastor, Pine Creek Christian Reformed Church 663 Riley St., Holland, MI 49424 O: (616) 399-1413 * H: (616) 399-2016 Miss Mary-Lee Bouma, Expounder, Trinity Christian Reformed Church 211 W. Broomfield, Mt. Pleasant, MI 48858 O: (517) 772-0664 * H: (517) 772-1029 Dr. John W. Cooper, Professor of Philosophical Theology, Calvin Theological Seminary 3233 Burton St. SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546-4387 O: (616) 957-6038 * H: (616) 454-6821 * FAX: (616) 957-8621 Dr. Henry De Moor, Professor of Church Polity, Calvin Theological Seminary 3233 Burton St. SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546-4387 O: (616) 957-7194 * H: (616) 940-0513 * FAX: (616) 957-8621 * E-Mail: DEMH@Calvin.edu Dr. David Engelhard, General Secretary, Christian Reformed Church in North America 2850 Kalamazoo Ave. SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49560 O: (616) 246-0744 * H: (616) 243-2418 * FAX: (616) 246-0834 * E-Mail: engelhad@crcna.org Rev. Margo Houts, Assistant Professor of Systematic Theology, Calvin College 3201 Burton St. SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546 O: (616) 957-6718 Rev. John Suk, Editor, The Banner 1510 Seminole Dr. SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49506 O: (616) 246-0791 * H: (616) 243-5695 * FAX: (616) 246-0834 * E-Mail: CRCBanner@aol.com Elder Keith Vander Pol, Theological Classis Committee Chairman, Interclassical Conference 1725 Bear Valley Parkway, Escondido, CA 92027 O: (619) 480-8474 * FAX: (619) 480-0252 Pastor George Vander Weit, Stated Clerk, Classis Lake Erie 2901 Waterloo Dr., Troy, MI 48084 O: (810) 645-1990 * H: (810) 649-5388 * E-Mail: gvanderweit@Juno.com ---------------------------------------------------------- file: /pub/resources/text/reformed/archive97: nr97-075.txt .