From: Darrell128@aol.com Date: Fri, 21 Feb 1997 12:54:32 -0500 (EST) Subject: NR 97022: Calvin College Issues Statement of Support for Bouma NR #1997-022: For Immediate Release Calvin College Issues Statement of Support for Bouma In a prepared statement, Calvin College has issued a response to the pending overtures before Classis Wisconsin and Classis of the Heartland. The following is the complete text of the prepared statement by Phil de Haan, Calvin College director of media relations, without any form of editorial comment. by Phil de Haan Director of Media Relations, Calvin College Distributed by United Reformed News Service GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (February 19, 1997) URNS -- Calvin College affirms the decision of Synod 1996 that Dr. Hessel Bouma is responsibly working within the bounds provided in Church Order Article 29 as he examines the complex range of issues related to the lives of the unborn. In addition the 31-member Calvin College Board of Trustees -- which includes 29 CRC members, ministers, and business people, men and women, young and old -- has examined both the book Christian Faith, Health, and Medical Practice and Professor Bouma's teaching and concluded that the positions and conclusions taken in and reached in the book by the five authors do not violate the confessions or Scripture, standards to which all Calvin faculty members are held, and that Professor Bouma's classroom performance exhibits a healthy respect for the decisions of Synod and a deep love for Scripture and the Christian faith which serves as a foundation for all that he does. An academic setting such as Calvin College must allow its professors room to examine various dynamics related to important issues of the day. Academic freedom is at the heart of what we do at Calvin -- always cradled in the confines of Scripture and our common confessions. Cross-References to Related Articles: #1996-073: Synod Rejects Wisconsin Overture: Calvin Prof Dr. Hessel Bouma III Remains Free to Teach His Views on Abortion #1997-003: Allegan Christian Reformed Church Asks Synod to Equate Abortion with Nazi War Crimes #1997-009: Classis Zeeland Overtures Christian Reformed Synod to Reaffirm Opposition to Abortion and Send Letter to Congress; Classis Rejects Abortion-Nazi War Crimes Comparison by 18-13 Vote #1997-021: Calvin College Professor's Views on Abortion Prompt More Complaints in Classis Wisconsin and Classis of the Heartland Contact List: Dr. Hessel Bouma III, Professor of Biology, Calvin College Science Building 233, 3201 Burton St. SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546 O: (616) 957-6401 Mr. Phil de Haan, Director of Media Relations, Calvin College 3201 Burton St. SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546 O: (616) 957-6475 * H: (616) 241-4061 * F: (616) 957-8551 * Pager: (616) 680-1958 * E-Mail: DEHP@Calvin.edu ---------------------------------------------------------- file: /pub/resources/text/reformed/archive97: nr97-022.txt .