"Rapture Theology," the Modern Nation-State of Israel And The Current Conflict

Full disclosure here: For decades, I have been convinced that "Rapture Theology" - proper term: Pre-Millenial-Rapture Dispensationalism - did not faithfully express the teaching of the Scriptures.  I don't care to fight much about it or make it central to my preaching - "Keep the main thing the main thing!" - but it is fair to say that I am not a fan for many, many reasons.

Tied in with that theological system is a view of the modern nation-state of Israel that I also think is defective and distracting, a problem that only confuses the current state of war between that Israel and Hamas.

To be clear (and succinct): I think Israel is a valued ally that deserves our support.  It is a representative and constitutional democracy in a difficult part of the world for those values and views.  Hamas is an evil player on the world stage committed to the destruction of both Israel and the Rotary Club (This was a surprise to me!  CLICK HERE).  The October 7 attack was a horrific act of war.  I have a real sympathy for the people displaced at the founding of Israel in 1948.  I weep to see children pulled from the rubble of Gaza.

Now back to our original programming:  I think "Rapture Theology" only confuses the already sad and confusing situation in the Middle East currently playing out.  Here is some helpful background on why I hold that conviction.  And as always, I'd be happy to talk more and more deeply on these topics.  Just contact me or the Harderwyk Ministries office and let's find a time to listen and talk.

Where Did Rapture Theology Come From? CLICK HERE - In this six-minute YouTube, Ben Witherington III, professor at Asbury Seminary, gives a helpful and clear history that I would spend 20 minutes or more on presenting.  This is worth seeing and he does better than I would myself!

NT Wright on Christian Zionism - 8 min - NT Wright is a believer, scholar and pastor of real stature that I find helpful here because he brings perspective from outside our American context.  He carefully, and rightly in my mind, explains the theology of dispensationalism which has led many in the Church, especially in the United States, to adopt a theology of "Christian Zionism."  And with that Oxford British accent he sounds so much more congenial than I do saying the same thing!  CLICK HERE

I could write more - and have! CLICK HERE for my response to the movie Left Behind  originally posted September 13, 2014  - but these two brief videos can start the discussion.  Make contact and let's find a way to do this on this important topic.

The Secret Capture of the Church: Why I Hope We Move On From Left Behind

Originally posted: September 13, 2023

For the record: I do believe that Jesus will return one day to planet Earth – publicly, gloriously, victoriously, and savingly – just as He promised.  Those who are alive at His returning will meet Him in the air.  He will judge the world – both those who are alive and those who have died - and He will establish His Kingdom with justice, peace and life as it was created to be.  All of this has been believed by believers across cultures and across centuries and is part of the “faith that was once for all delivered to the saints.” (Jude 3)

Here is what I don’t believe:  I do not believe that Jesus will return half-way and silently in order to secretly remove the church and the Holy Spirit from the planet for the seven year Great Tribulation and then “come again-again,” this time to judge and reign for 1,000 years.  These ideas are the product of a particular perspective called Dispensationalism that was unknown among Christians until late in the 19th century.

Why bring it up at all?  Because the peculiar idea of a “pre-trib rapture” followed by a 7-year period of Great Tribulation will be served up for a fourth time by Hollywood on October 3 in the movie Left Behind starring Nicolas Cage (!?!).  And like leftover food, microwaved and served for a fourth time, I recommend that you just throw it in the garbage once and for all.

Pray With Me For A New Believer - Ayaan Hirsi Ali Declares Her New Faith

It is an amazing story.  

Ayaan Hirsi Ali was born 1969 in Kenya to a Muslim family.  In high school she became a radical Islamist and joined the Muslim Brotherhood - the parent organization of Hamas.  Her family soon emigrated to the Netherlands where she would leave Islam, and later be elected to the Dutch Parliment.  After the September 11 attacks on the the US, she became an outspoken atheist.  In her mind, religion of all sorts was dangerous.

While working on a documentary decrying the treatment of women in Islam, her director Theo van Gogh was assassinated by a radical Islamist.  She then moved to the United States and has built a career as a public intellectual ctiticizing Islam, advocating for free speech and the "New Atheism" - think Richard Dawkins.

Until Monday, October 13, 2023 when she posted "Why I Am Now A Christian" on the UnHerd.com site.

WHAT?!?!?!?

I am certain, her journey is not over.  Ali clearly moves through life and ideas at a different clip than I do.  There is a long sad history of people stepping forward with a confession of faith, and then being marketed by church culture as the "next new thing" only to then move on to their own next new thing.  Still, this is an interesting story and she is the one who made it public.  I'm glad to share it AND to ask you to pray with me for her.  Here are some thoughts:

That she might be well discipled and not marketed

Ayaan Hirsi Ali is clear a swift and incisive thinker willing to consider thoughts and act decisively on her informed - and transforming convictions.  That makes her just the sort of "trophy convert" that the "evangelical-industrial alliance" would want to pick up as a "celebrity" for "our side."  I'm guessing that she may be too smart to put up with that for long.

But could we - the church - just stop doing that to new converts in the first place?  Ali should be welcomed, loved and then discipled, just like another decisive thinker who converted to the faith from another religion.  I'm referring to the Pharisee Saul who who met Jesus on the Road to Damascus (Acts 9) went for three years to the desert. (Galatians 1:17)  Even after that, he only went to Jerusalem to meet with Peter and James, not to take a position in the spotlight.  It would be years of serving in a local church before Paul and Barnabas would be called to cross-cultural ministry and Paul the Apostle would emerge. (Acts 13)  Give people who come to faith time to dig deep roots in the Gospel, cultivate live-giving spiritual practices and integrate their thinking (Romans 12:2) with the whole counselof God.

That her faith commitment would be to more than just the "Ideas of Christianity"

I am fascinated and thankful for her original post.  There is clearly something wonderful happening here.  But I noticed that I don't see the name Jesus anywhere.  I am praying that her conversion would be more than an affirmation of the "idea/s" of Christian Faith.  I am with her 100% on those as I read, but I also know that transforming Christian faith is more than a collection of ideas.  It is a response of faith to the grace offered by a Personal God.  Jesus, The Word Made Flesh who was murdered but is now alive and reigning, is the source and center of all the ideas that flow from Him.

Join me in praying for this new sister-in-Christ.  Let her bask in the warmth of God's love, rather than the spotlight of celebrity.  We are happy to have her join in the journey of being found in, formed by and following Jesus Christ.

Here are some further resources

One Of The World’s Most Famous Atheists Becomes A Christian - This is a good summary on Mercator.com  CLICK HERE

Why I Am Now a Christian - Her original post on UnHerd.com. CLICK HERE

Ayaan Hirsi Ali Answers Her Critics - a 23-minute video interview - CLICK HERE 

What We Can Learn from Ayaan Hirsi Ali’s Conversion - A helpful post from TheGospelCoalition.org - CLICK HERE

 

Who Are These People?!? Trying To Understand Hamas

A recent article in The Atlantic Monthly rocked my boat.  "Understanding Hamas’s Genocidal Ideology" by Bruce Hoffman - CLICK HERE - made the Hamas Covenant (1988) sound pretty outlandish to me.  So, a quick Google search and I could easily find an online copy of the full translated documented - with thanks (ironically!) to Yale Law School.  CLICK HERE    

All I know to say is that both the article and the Hamas Covenant are harrowing reading.  Hoffman seems correct to me when he says that the Covenant is reminiscent of Adolf Hitler's 1933 personal manifesto Mein Kampf.

Hoffman summarizes the 36 articles of the Hamas Covenant in this way:

• The complete destruction of Israel as an essential condition for the liberation of Palestine and the establishment of a theocratic state based on Islamic law (Sharia),
• The need for both unrestrained and unceasing holy war (jihad) to attain the above objective,
• The deliberate disdain for, and dismissal of, any negotiated resolution or political settlement of Jewish and Muslim claims to the Holy Land, and
• The reinforcement of historical anti-Semitic tropes and calumnies married to sinister conspiracy theories.

Reading the full text, I find 3 separate references to the Rotary Club (!!!!!) as part of the international Zionist conspiracy that must be resisted?  The Rotary Club?

After reading this I am no longer surprised that Hamas would build their command structure headquarters underneath a civilian hospital.

I am horrified to watch video of the carnage in Gaza right now - children buried in rubble, civilian deaths, the destruction of infrastructure.  But after reading Hamas' own words and Hoffman's analysis of them, those videos now remind me of the photographs taken after the Allied firebombing of Berlin and Dresden in World War II.  Horrifying?  Certainly.  Did they cross a line of justice?  Perhaps.  That is worth a hard discussion.  But Hamas sounds too much like the Nazis for me to find an easy resolution.  I'm not coming up with any slogans that fit on a sign or shout through a bull horn.

How does one separate Palestinian civilians from Hamas idealogues?  I'm not sure, but would love to figure that one out.  How does Israel wage war against Hamas in such a way that civilians are not injured, or just as disconcerting, radicalized to support Hamas? That is another sleepless night of prayer and pondering.

I'm not in a position to answer those questions, but I am in a position to raise them.  And I am using them as I pray.  My experience pastoring church members in the Washington, DC area who were involved in national security settings has lead me to pray in this way:

• For people I do not know
• Who are tasked with making decisions I am not faced with
• Involving facts that I do not have
• That have consequences we cannot completely project.

As always, if you would like to talk more, think I missing something, have more to offer or would like to hear more, call the Harderwyk office and let's arrange a way to get together.  But for now .  .  .

Please join me in praying.

Reflecting On Waging War With Help From 15 Centuries of Believers

 It's been hard for all of us to watch the ongoing carnage of suffering in Ukraine and now in the war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza.  It has been even harder to sort out what to think and pray as I watch.  In response, I've gone back to refresh my memory on what is called "Just War Theory."  I think of it as the thinking of smart Christians for nearly 15 centuries on the matter of war for believing Christians.

History generally looks to St Augustine as the first to speak directly to the questions.  The story goes that a soldier asked Augustine if it was permissible to be part of the military and be involved in the killing of war.  After all, Jesus had a number of well-known sayings: Turn the other cheek (Matthew 5:39), Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God (Matthew 5:9) among them.  Augustine pointed out that "peacefulness in the face of a grave wrong that could be stopped by only violence would be a sin."

From there, the thinking developed to clarify foundations for the "right going to war" (jus ad bellum) and the right conduct of war (jus in bello)."  These can be summarized as following:

jus ad bellum ("right to go to war")

Competent Authority

• Only "duly constituted public authorities" can initiate war.  Dictatorships, Anarchists, rioters are examples of authority structures that are ruled out.

Probability of Success

• The reason for going to war must be reasonably achievable.

Last Resort

• All other options - diplomacy and blockade for example have been exhausted

Just Cause

• The reason for going to war must be just in itself.  Revenge, economic gain are ruled out and the protection of innocent life in immanent danger are legitimate guidelines.

jus in bello ("right conduct in war") - how combatants are to act or should act:

Distinction

• There is a distinction between non-combatents and combatents as the war is conducted

Proportionality

• Damage resulting from waging war - paricularly colatteral damage to non-combatents - is not excessive compared to the security and military advantes gained

Military Necessity

• War is waged with a military objective to defeat an enemy.

Fair Treatment of Prisoners of War

• Captured enemy combatents are held as no longer being a threat.

No Means Used That Are Intrinsically Evil

• In accomplishing the military objective no "intrinsiclly unjust means" - think rape for example - are to be used.

CLICK HERE to link to a clear, 2-page summary of Just War Theory for students from the Guildford county, NC school system.  I'd encourage you to "print and ponder."

Are you the more the video-watching type?  CLICK HERE for a ten minute presentation from Grand Canyon University professor Dr. Paul Raabe.  Watch it with the student summary above in hand.

The Wikipedia Entry on Just War Theory is also pretty helpful and fair with more detail and history. Their devinition: "a tradition, of military ethics that aims to ensure that a war is morally justifiable through a series of criteria, all of which must be met for a war to be considered just." CLICK HERE 

As you can see, "Just War Theory" it no so much a formula  - plug in some data or opinions and out pops you justified answer - as it is a framework of helpful questions to ponder.  Could this make for helpful personal reflection?  Civil conversation around the table?

This War Shows the Weakness in Just War Theory is a thoughtful piece on the challenges and shortcomings of Just War Theory  when applied to the current Israel/Hamas war.  CLICK HERE

More Resources - Without Comment

BreakPoint Ministeries

• How Do We “Do Unto Others” When the Others Want Us Dead? - CLICK HERE
• Oppenheimer Reminds Us of Just War Theory - CLICK HERE
• Ten BreakPoint Broadcasts related to "Just War Theory" - CLICK HERE

Public Discourse Online Magazine

• Just War Theory Isn’t Obsolete - CLICK HERE
• Let’s Talk About Just War - CLICK HERE

Providence Magazine

• The Just War as Christian Tradition - CLICK HERE

University of Notre Dame Press

• Just War and Christian Traditions - CLICK HERE

Hymns Of Resurrection & Life - From Tim Keller's Memorial Service

I've posted some thoughts about the recent Memorial Service for Tim Keller - CLICK HERE.  One aspect of that service that really captured my mind and heart was the choice of hymns - made by Tim himself - for congeregational singing.  I was happy to discover that he included his reasons and reflections on each of the for the service in the service bulletin, which you can read in full by CLICK HERE.

Update on August 18:  It looks like I was not the only one taken by Tim Keller's chioce of hymns.  CLICK HERE for a post on ChristianityToday.com by Dr Francis Collins - former head of National Institutes of Health and personal friend of Tim - entitled: The 6 Hymns Tim Keller Picked For His Memorial Service.

Otherwise, I have pulled out those statements for you to read below.  I've included references to the hymns from the Lift Up Your Hearts hymnal that we use at Celebration-Harderwyk with the LUYH # reference and page references to the bulletin itself.

Ponder and be encouraged in the gospel.  All that follows is written by Timothy J Keller and taken from the service bulletin:

A Service of Praise to God 

In Gratitude for the Life and Service of Timothy J. Keller

August 15, 2023

Introduction to Music - p. 3

The hymns sung in today’s service were chosen by Tim Keller and he spoke about why he chose each one during a worship service held at the National Institutes of Health during his treatment in April. His words of introduction from that time of worship have been transcribed and added before each hymn in today’s program.

Hymn — Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise - p. 4 - LUYH # 579

I chose each hymn and there’s an order to them. So the first one: Immortal invisible God Only Wise is a tremendous depiction of who God is and his attributes. It’s really all about God. Who is he? And what’s really interesting is some of the lines in here summarizing the most important Christian ideas, I’ve never seen it summarized better. 

So for example. We’re here at a cancer hospital, and sometimes you want to say: God, what in the world, are you up to? What’s wrong with you? And the last line [in the hymn] is this—“Tis only the splendor of light hideth Thee.” There’s a tendency for us to think there’s a darkness in God and we’re smart instead of saying, well, wait a minute, no, He’s more light than we can handle. And the darkness is in us. ‘Tis only the splendor of light hideth thee.

Hymn — Amazing Love, How Can It Be? - p. 6 - LUYH # 695

How do you connect with God? Do you actually have a personal relationship with Him? This hymn is by Charles Wesley and this is the key to the Great Awakenings, and to personal awakening as well.

Hymn — How Firm a Foundation - p. 10 - LUYH # 427

The next three hymns are resources that God gives you. So you’ve met him (in the first two hymns). This next hymn, How Firm a Foundation, connects you to the first resource, which is God’s word. 

We learned to love this hymn because Elisabeth Elliott loved it. It was a favorite hymn of hers and you’ll see why. Betty was our teacher at the time of our wedding and she just said expect suffering. Since she had had two husbands die we took her seriously. 

By the way, this is also Isaiah 40. In fact you should read Isaiah 40 afterwards. We had it as the recessional in our wedding because we expected suffering. Because we expected to be helping people in suffering. It’s a paraphrase obviously, but basically it’s what God is saying to Israel. But I’ll tell you, Kathy and I memorized it and used it on each other over the years. We gave a vow to each other from Psalm 34, verses 1-3 and it is engraved inside our wedding rings.

It says: I will extol the Lord at all times; his praise will always be on my lips. I will glory in the Lord; let the afflicted hear and rejoice. Glorify the Lord with me: let us exalt his name together. So, we wanted to praise God in the way that afflicted people were helped.

Hymn — Jesus Lives and So Shall I - p. 14

This hymn gives us the hope for life after death. It should not be sung at too slow a pace, or it will sound like a dirge. So keep it brisk, and remember it’s describing our hope for the future. There’s nothing that can happen here that can’t make you better. It says at the beginning of the last verse: Jesus lives, and death is now but my entrance into glory. 

Hymn — For All the Saints, Who from their Labor Rest - p. 18 - LUYH # 254

This last one is talking about the saints, for all the saints. It’s really wonderful in talking about how we’re all going to be gathered together. Verse 5 is interesting because the idea is that, when you’re here, you’re in the middle of a battle. But the distant triumph song is at the end. We know that there’s a new heavens and new earth wherein dwelleth righteousness. And that there will be perfect justice. Are you in the middle of the battle? And it’s like, “when the fight is fierce, the warfare is long, steals on the ear, the distant triumph song; and hearts are braving and arms are strong.” That’s made for you.

Hymn - There is A Redeemer - p. 21 - LUYH # 883

Digging Deeper: Tim Keller's Memorial Service

Kathy, David, and Jonathan Keller
Courtesy of City to City livestream

I've made no secret of my appreciation for the life and ministry of Tim Keller.  Folks at Celebration-Hardewryk have heard me say that he is my "Gospel Yoda."  If you want to see what life would look like if you were deeply shaped by the Gospel of God's Grace, you would do better looking at him - read his books, listen to his sermons, scour YouTube, whatever - than at me.

So it would be no surprise that I watched with interest as much of his recent - Wed, August 15, 2023 - memorial service as I had time for.  It was moving certainly, but even more, it was insightful.  Like everything else I ever saw Dr Keller do, he modeled Gospel-Centered Living - even from the grave in this instance!   Turned out that he planned the entire service months in advance of his death.

It would be easy - even natural - to watch the recorded service and see a moving memorial in a fairly formal setting.  Friends, there was SOOOOOOO much more that we could learn from in this service.  In an effort to let others benefit from that "more," I have gathered some resources and comments in hopes of mining the riches of the Gospel from this final memorial.

A Worship Service of Praise To God: In Gratitude for the Life and Service of Tim Keller

CLICK HERE for a link to the recorded service.  But first, consider the name.  This is a service about God and His work through His servant Tim.  And because it is long, here are some timed reference points of particular highlights.

• The Prelude begins about 7:00 into the video.
• Wife Kathy speaks at 52:00
• Homily by Sam Allberry - 1:10:00
• CLICK HERE to peruse or download the 28 page service program.

A Catholic Cardinal’s Appreciation of Pastor Tim Keller - I didn't recognize it while I watched, but I learned later that the memorial service was held in St Patrick's Cathedral in New York City.  A conservative Presbyterian is memoralized in the Cathedral connected with one of the officials who will help choose the next pope?!?  Friends, that is something unique and worth looking into, hence the article by that name.  CLICK HERE

Sam Allberry - Preaching - Listen to the "homily" and you will hear a marvelous, witty, insightful and compelling reflection on the gospel with a British accent, no less.  As a friend of Tim and his family - and a seasoned and gifted preacher - Sam was a natural choice to serve at that point.  But Sam himself has a story and ministry that I have followed and benefited from for years now.  CLICK HERE for a three-minute video that will connect you to that.  It is a compelling testimony and reflection on the Gospel, Same-Sex attraction and marriage that includes 6 links to additional helpful resources.

All About Jesus: Tim Keller’s Memorial Service is a walk-thru by TheGospelCoalition.com - an organization that Tim co-founded - similar to this post that gives helpful background into the service as well.  CLICK HERE

Finally, A Sad Memory And Gracious Response

As I watched a service set at St Patrick's Cathedral that included the preaching of Sam Allberry I couldn't help be be drawn back to an incident in 2017 that Tim was drawn in to.  It took some time and the Gospel that Tim lived before I could move beyond my own self-righteousness and anger, but as I watched how Tim conducted himself in the midst of this real-lfe and real-time situation, I was inspired and transformed - at least a bit.

To summarize, Tim was awarded the annual Kuyper Prize for Excellence in Reformed Theology and Public Witness by Princeton Semariy's Kuyper Center for Public Theology.  There followed protests and resistance from seminary students, alumni and various others because the denomination Tim is a part of does not ordain women or LGBTQ+ persons.  In closed door conversations that Tim was a part of, Princeton eventually "compromised" by withdrawing the prize, but continueing with Tim's lecture that is a usual part of the award.  Tim rejected grievance, virtue signaling and simply served with an insightful presentation for those who would listen.

His response in the midst of the circumstances was the lesson for me in all that.  

For Further Information on the "Princeton Incident" and Tim's Response:

• What I Learned From Our Seminary's Conflict About Hosting Tim Keller by M. Craig Barnes the President of Princeton Seminary at this time. - CLICK HERE
• Princeton Theological Seminary Reverses Decision To Honor Redeemer’s Tim Keller - From the Religion New Service - CLICK HERE
• Princeton Seminary Reforms Its Views on Honoring Tim Keller by Christianity Today - CLICK HERE

Content & Delivery at CRCNA General Synod 2023

I am just an outsider*, but it appears to that this summer's General Synod of the CRC was marked by such ongoing tension that it may well have left the church with more confusion than clarity given the issues, the interaction and the things left unresolved.

I won't get into the details of the entire meeting and all the discussions and decisions in this post.  I think you can - and should! - get that from the CRC denomination news website TheBanner.org.  CLICK HERE for that.  

But when I read statements like .  .  .

"What grieves me is that we make decision here, and then we leave - and some decide to be ogres and jerks about it.  If you are going to vote for this majority report, please don't leave here and be a jerk about it.  .  .  Yes, I want to believe, if we're not jerks about it, we can find a place to converse."  

I'm seeing pretty significant tension, especially when the parties fail to reconcile or resolve.  CLICK HERE for the specifics. 

In this particular case,  I understand what the speaker is upset about, and have spoken to it myself, though I used different language.  CLICK HERE for the first and CLICK HERE for the second of two seperate blog posts.

It seems to me that when we speak as the church to our surrounding world, we need to be gospel-centered with BOTH our "content" AND our "delivery."  

There is in fact a "faith that was once for all entrusted to God's holy people" - Jude 3.  That is the "content" side of our message.  Though applied and communincated to each generation and setting, this "content" is not ours to be altered.  Neither the world nor the church can add to or subract from that content - though admittedly, we may all vary in what we include.

But there is also the "delivery" side of our responsibility.  I would say directly that it contradicts the gospel of God's grace when we communicate it with self-righteousness.  It is all too possible to say the "right" thing in the "wrong" way.  Sadly, I have experience in doing that and NO interest in repeating my mistake.  Even when we get the content correct - or as correct as humans can get God's truth - we can miscommunicate it because of our delivery.

Speaking only for myself-the-outsider* here: It looks to me like the CRC has gotten the content mostly correct with regard to the matter of human sexuality in our time; both with the full report and the modification made to QandA #108 of the catechism.  But I am also feeling a strong undercurrent of "missing it" on the delivery side of things.  The exhortation to "don't leave here and be a jerk about it" is a call to be just as concerned and Christ-like in our delivery as we must be with our content.  It's a BOTH/AND matter.

*Full Disclosure: I am not ordained in the Christian Reformed Church.  Instead, I have been a Teaching Elder in the Evangelical Presbyterian Church for over 35 years. (Learn more at EPC.org) I am currently serving in a congregation - Harderwyk Ministries - with over a century of connection to the CRC.  As a result, I have participated in Holland Classis meetings and observed General Synod meetings as something of an outsider, but one who wants to be respectful and appreciative of the CRC's history while also being supportive and involved in it's future.

Sorting Through CRCNA General Synod 2023

Pastor Bill, what is your read on the General Synod of the CRCNA this summer?

Even though I am ordained in a different denomination, I get asked that question because I am serving at Harderwyk Ministries, a congregation here in Holland, MI with over a century of connection with the CRC.  So I try to stay informed by observing with appreciation.  

My answer:

"Well, I don't think we (the CRC) slashed our throat, but it seems we shot ourselves in the foot."  Not very positive I know, but it seems to be descriptive of the situation.

Fair warning: I'm going to switch into some "Church Jargon" from here on that assumes the reader is at least somewhat conversant in the issues, discussions and decisions of General Synod of 2023.  If you are not, I'd suggest reading TheBanner.org reporting.  CLICK HERE

"Slashing our throat" would have been a serious turning from the historic faith of the church - the faith that was once for all entrusted to God’s holy people as Jude 3 puts it.  A turning from the authority of or clear message of the Bible with regard to the nature of humanity or marriage for example.  For me, at this Synod that would have looked like overturning the Human Sexuality Report altogether or sanctioning same-sex marriage or ordaining non-celibate, same-sex-attracted persons.  Nothing on that order was done that would put the CRC on a dramatic death spiral like other main-line denominations.

There were some things being considered that could have helped us stay true to the faith and communicate the gospel in our time though.  For example: I am inclined to alter Confessions and Catechisms as little as possible.  "Settled and Binding" status for the modifications of QandA # 108 rather than "Confessional Status" seemed reasonable to me.  Given the creativity of broken humans when it comes to new ways to sin, it seemed unwise to specifically list behaviors that comprise "unchastity."  We will proabably have some things to add in a few decades.  These and other things may not have really been crippling or fatal, but they were perhaps opportunities for good health missed.

"Shooting Ourselves In The Foot" - And then there were times it looks to me like the Synod "shot ourselves in the foot."  Not fatal.  At least not right now.  Still, there is real blood on the floor.  There is a need for surgery, physical therapy and probably a lifetime limp.  Pretty serious stuff, even if not immediately fatal.

Cutting important and difficult discussion short because of time?? Yikes!!  Reaching a healthy conclusion is simply worth the time.  CLICK HERE 

Tense discussions about Confessional Status for changes made last year to the Heidelberg Catechsim QandA #108 - CLICK HERE But where do those tensions get resolved?  CLICK HERE for more of my own reflections on this very matter.

Who in the world ever thought up this "gravamina process" for dealing with confessional difficulties?  I'm presbyterian and we've been willing to state exceptions and let them be considered as acceptable or not, but gravamina?? Huh?!?  And what is the status or options for office holders and professors who do not support the confessional standards as now stated?  

All these and others are conversations that will need to be had and decisions that have real outcomes will need to be made, not put off or swept under the rug.

I'm sure it was a hard week on nearly everyone and I don't want to come off snarky, unsympathetic or even unappreciative of the challenge they faced.  But we will need to be honest: there is still hard territory to cross ahead for the CRC.

Don't Miss This Example! - After posting this blog, I stumbled across a VERY interesting post by an ethnic Korean delegate at the CRC General Synod this summer that illustrates in real life a "prat of the body that has been wounded."  CLICK HERE for the post.  I understand that The Abide Project that gives him platform is an advocacy group on the matter of Human Sexuality in the CRC.  Still, they are giving voice to someone who felt ignored in this summer's deliberations.  In my estimation, the "progeressive side" of the human sexuality controversy has a good deal of access and voice in the debate even though their conviction is in the minority.  Apparently, they are not the "party" without a voice in this controversy and everyone should take that into account.

Sound of Freedom Resources and Blog

I've mentioned the film Sound of Freedom in conversation and even from the pulpit after seeing it recently.  While not new information, it certainly was a moving presentation of a real problem.

Since then, several people from my church - Harderwyk Ministries in Holland, MI - have approached me with an interest to learn more as well as to get involved in engaging it - especially locally.  We are taking some steps - praying, making phone calls, collecting information and the like.  I intend to gather what we learn beginning with this blog.

First, I'd say watch the film yourself.  Better, watch it with some trusted friedns, then sit down to talk some about it afterwards.  What do you think?  What did you learn?  What might a "next step" be?

Updated on Thursday, August 3

A trusted ministry colleague has pointed me towards an organization working with Human Trafficking called "Michigan Abolitionist Project."  Website:  www.michiganabolitionistproject.org    CLICK HERE  I found this 5-minute YouTube video an interesting first contact with their ministry.  CLICK HERE

About the Movie Sound of Freedom

Our local paper recently had a front page article about another controversy that mentioned in passing "the controversial film Sound of Freedom."  Controversial?!?  More on that later, but for now, after you have seen the film for  yourself, here are two articles that give very helpful context and perspective on the film itself.

Is ‘Sound of Freedom’ the Next ‘Uncle Tom’s Cabin’? from Christianity Today - CLICK HERE

What Anti-Trafficking Experts Think of the Hit Movie ‘Sound of Freedom’ from The Gospel Coalition - CLICK HERE

The Film Is Recent - The Problem Is Not

David Ruark is a friend and colleague going back to the '90's when I was in Mt Pleasant and he was with InterVarsity Christian Fellowship at Central Michigan University.  I eventually moved to Asheville and beyond.  He loft for New York City with IVCF and International Justice Mission.  I'm trying to reconnect again, but along the way I've found these two YouTube videos produced by him.  These also give good background, especially regarding the broader issue beyond international child sex trafficking of Sound of Freedom.  Notice: they are from 2013 and 2014 and talk about prostitution and economic slavery.  One is a sample talk David did on the University of Michigan campus.

It's fair to say that Sound of Freedom shines a light on a gripping portion of a larger problem that has been around for too long.

Price of Life NYC Final Report - A 2013 film recapping an effort in New York City.  - CLICK HERE  Good to see my friend Dave's smiling face at about 1:00 in video.

Price of Life - Project Rescue (Education Station) Sept 11, 2014 - This is a sample 16 minute talk used for the Price of Life: Project Rescue residence hall programs at the University of Michigan. - CLICK HERE

What Could BE "Controversial" About Educating and Opposing Human Trafficking?

I've seen this in more than my own local paper and frankly, was really surprised.  So I dug and tried to understand.

Simply put: to date I am not convinced.

Basically, some people raise concern that Sound of Freedom is "adjacent to" or a "dog whistle" for QANON conspiracy theories.  If you are not familiar with the conspiracy theories floating around under the ruberic of QANON, congratulations.  I think they have been discredited multiple times over and are long past discarded.  CLICK HERE for a brief background post done by Joe Carter on TheGospelCoalition.org.  

The connection seems to be Sound of Freedom is about international child sex trafficking and QANON had a thread about secret pedophiles in government, so they must be connected.  And one of the actors has sounded friendly to QANON people and ideas.

That is a pretty thin connection in my mind.  For me, QANON is discredited craziness and humman trafficking - including internation child sex trafficking - is real and has been around for a while.  I can hold both of those thoughts together.

Connecting them only serves to discredit and undermine any attention or energy put to resisting humman trafficking.  And who benefits from that??

I can't and won't do what Tim Ballard and Operation Underground Railroad has done.  But I'm thankful for the light Sound of Freedom has given to a dark reality in our world right now.  I want to learn more and prayerfully identify how I can join those who are already at work to disrupt and resist this horror.  Email me - CLICK HERE or Bill@Harderwyk.com - if you have information to share or questions to ask.  I'm happy to talk or meet.   I really want to move forward with this.

Some Baptism Reflections

We are preparing for several people to make Profession of Faith and be baptized this Sunday.   Because several have requested to be baptized by immersion, it seemed like a good time for me to gather some thoughts and history.

Typically in the Christian Reformed Church denomination, people are baptized as children by believing parents who stand in the covenant promise of Genesis 17:7 first given to Abraham. "I will be your God and your children's God," the LORD said to Abraham and his wife Sara; a promise to them regarding their houshold.

With the death and resurrection of Jesus, baptism became the sign of covenant relationship both for the new believers as well their households.  See Acts 16:15 as one of many examples.

That the covenant sign extended to children based on God's promise to their believing parents, was never meant to preclude or replace a child's own coming to a personal faith - "owning" those promises to their parents for themselves.  Hence, the practice of "Profession of Faith" in the CRC.

On Sunday, everyone will be doing both Baptism and Profession of Faith in the same step of faith.  Because they are adults and it is summer, it works well for us to do these baptisms at a nearby lake.

So it is good to remember that our deepest committment is to believing faith, not a form; the faith that we express with baptism, and not the form which the baptism may take.  With that in mind, here's three Scriptures follwed by two historic statements that shine light on our worship this Sunday.

Baptism as Covenant Sign – Colossians 2:11-12

In him you were also circumcised with a circumcision not performed by human hands. Your whole self ruled by the flesh was put off when you were circumcised by Christ, having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through your faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead. 

Baptism as Washing Away of Sin - Acts 22:16

And now what are you waiting for? Get up, be baptized and wash your sins away, calling on his name. 

Baptism as Death and Resurrection – Romans 6:3-4

Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4 We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.

John Calvin in his Institutes of the Christian Religion writes:

But whether the person being baptized should be wholly immersed, and whether thrice or once, whether he should only be sprinkled with poured water—these details are of no importance, but ought to be optional to churches according to the diversity of countries. Yet the word “baptize” means to immerse, and it is clear that the rite of immersion was observed in the ancient church.   IV, xv, 19

And a particular favorite of mine because of his passion, eloquence and surprise,

Martin Luther in his book The Babylonian Captivity of the Church, 3:23, written in 1520 writes:

Hence it is indeed correct to say that baptism washes sins away, but that expression is too weak and mild to bring out the full significance of baptism, which is rather a symbol of death and resurrection. For this reason I would have the candidates for baptism completely immersed in the water, as the word says and as the sacrament signifies. Not that I deem this necessary, but it would be well to give to so perfect and complete a thing a perfect and complete sign. Thus it was also doubtless instituted by Christ. The sinner does not so much need to be washed as he needs to die, in order to be wholly renewed and made another creature, and to be conformed to the death and resurrection of Christ, with Whom, through baptism, he dies and rises again. Although you may properly say that Christ was washed clean of mortality when He died and rose again, yet that is a weaker way of putting it than if you said He was completely changed and renewed. In the same way it is far more forceful to say that baptism signifies that we die completely and rising to eternal life, than to say that it signifies merely our being washed clean from sins.

John Calvin: The Human Heart Is A Factory of Idols - The Context

You have heard me mention that statement attributed to John Calvin.  It is important enough and I point to it often enough that I wanted to provide ore context.

It is a statement from Calvin's Institutes of the Christian Religion found in:

• BOOK ONE - The Knowledge of God the Creator 
• CHAPTER XI - It It Unlawful To Attribute a Visible Form To God, And Generally Whoever Sets Up Idols Revolts Against The True God 
• SECTION 8 -  The Origin of Images: Man’s Desire for a Tangible Deity

  and here is the statement with surrounding context:

   .  .  .  From this we may gather that man’s nature, so to speak, is a perpetual factory of idols. .  .  . 

.  .  .  Man’s mind, full as it is of pride and boldness, dares to imagine a god according to its own capacity; as it sluggishly plods, indeed is overwhelmed with the crassest ignorance, it conceives an unreality and an empty appearance as God.

To these evils a new wickedness joins itself, that man tries to express in his work the sort of God he has inwardly conceived. Therefore the mind begets an idol; the hand gives it birth. The example of the Israelites shows the origin of idolatry to be that men do not believe God is with them unless he shows himself physically present. .  .  .

.  .  .  Daily experience teaches that flesh is always uneasy until it has obtained some figment like itself in which it may fondly find solace as in an image of God. In almost every age since the beginning of the world, men, in order that they might obey this blind desire, have set up symbols in which they believed God appeared before their bodily eyes.

John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion & 2, ed. John T. McNeill, trans. Ford Lewis Battles, vol. 1, The Library of Christian Classics (Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox Press, 2011), 108–109.

Classic Christian Writers For FREE!

That is correct: Free in the Kindle digital format.  Don't have or use Kindle?  There is a free answer to that: The Kindle app is FREE for computer (Mac and Windows), iPad and tablets and smartphones of all sorts (Appled iPhone, Samsung with Android, Google phones and more).  Get the app and you can get the books free - and read them at no cost on your computer, tablet or phone.  One chapter a day of a classic Christian writer for FREE?!?  At that price, I got over my yearning to "have a physical book in my hand."  Try it.  CLICK HERE to learn more and download the Kindle app.

Of course, all the books I link below are also available in paperback, so there is that option as well.  It's just not free.

My Initial Suggestions

As a start, you will find below links to 5 different classics that I would recommend for personal growth from a favorite author of mine: Andrew Murray, the 19th century South African Dutch Reformed writer.  

Note: many older books are available in "new and updated versions" that I typically advise.  A case in point are my recommendations from Andrew Murray.  Murray has shaped my prayer life probably more than any other single writer.  I did my doctoral dissertatin on him in fact!  But he was educated in Scotland and the Netherlands.  Pastored in South Africa, preaching in their dialect of English, Dutch, Afrikaans and several tribal languages.  Frankly, my usual language is pretty different than his language - even his English.  The "new and updated" versions that I am recommend will alter vocabulary, syntax and a few phrases to make that bridge easier to cross.

CLICK each image for the Amazon Link.

The Prayer Life

With Christ in the School of Prayer

Humility

Divine Healing

Absolute Surrender

Just So You Know: Lakeshore Little People's Place Closing

What does Harderwyk have to do with the closing of the Lakeshore Little People's Place (LLPP) childcare center on our property?  Actually, not much.

I was away at the beach when I first heard about the sudden closing of the childcare center called Lakeshore Little People's Place. I pass by it every day as I come to my office.  It stands between Harderwyk's Red Brick Building where our offices are and the Anchor Gym across the parking lot.  Since hearing about the closure, I have followed the events as reported in The Holland Sentinel and been suprised to read the center consistently referred to as "Lakeshore Little People's Place Harderwyk" or "Harderwyk location."

So what does Harderwyk Ministries have to do with this unfortunate and disruptive series of events?  As I said, not much.

Lakeshore Little People's Place is an independent business with it's own governing board that leases building space from Harderwyk Ministries.  They had four - now only three - different locations in Holland and Hamilton, all of them using building space connected with churches.  Here is what I learned from their website:

How We Started

In 1993, a group of community members noticed a need for local Christian childcare. To ask for help, they contacted the Holland Deacons’ Conference, a coalition of Christian Reformed churches. After exploring many options, it was suggested that churches could partner to provide childcare for the community. In 1997, Lakeshore Little People’s Place opened its doors for the first time, serving twenty preschool children at Maplewood Reformed Church. Our program continued to grow and by August of 1997, we were able to open two additional centers. Today, we serve more than 400 children and families across four locations in the Holland and Hamilton areas. - CLICK HERE for link to site.

Some Observations

Two things stand out to me as I've followed this situation:

This Is Hard For Families of the Children

Wow!  I can only imagine the disruption for the parents of the children served - married couples, single parents, grand-parents helping out.  Less than 48 ours before starting work on Monday, you find out that your pre-school child/ren are without the care that they have been accustomed to!  Hard on parents and disrupting on the children themselves.

Staffing Continues To Be A Challenge For Local Businesses

Harderwyk Ministries has one liaison on the board of LLPP.  They explained to me how that unexpected and sudden resignations by multiple staff made it impossible to open and meet both the safe expectations of families and mandatory state staffing ratios.  While I can't know what led to that situation, I can see the consequences that we all have to deal with.  Ouch all around.

At present, we at Harderwyk have no plans regarding what might be next for the building that we leased to Lakeshore Little People's Place all these past years.  Things happened as unexpectedly for us as it did for the managers of LLPP and families of the children served.  We are gathering facts, generating options and researching costs.  We will see where the Lord leads in the months to come.

For now, our hearts go out to all affected by this sudden turn of events, most of all the children and their families and then the staff and leaders of LLPP. 

Holland Sentinel Articles

May 24 - Lakeshore Little People's Place closes Harderwyk location amid staffing struggles

• CLICK HERE for article.

June 2 - Parents: Sudden childcare center closure was ‘disappointing,’ ‘heartbreaking’

• CLICK HERE for article.

June 6 - Staff, families come together for student celebration after LLPP daycare closure

CLICK HERE for article.

2023 Harderwyk Council Election Information

 

2023 Council Slate: The following members have agreed to serve on the Council of Harderwyk Ministries. An electronic affirmation vote will take place from June 1 through June 4.

Peter de Vries  - Celebration Elder Peter lives on the south side with his wife of 50+ years, Barbara. Their clan includes four grown children, and grandchildren who are having children. Pete grew up in Grand Haven (2nd CRC) and GHCS); wandered off to attend the US Naval Academy and retired after 25 years as a carrier aviator and oceanographer. He pursued several additional mini-careers prior to coming home to West Michigan in 2019.  He has previously served God’s family in numerous leadership positions, including 15 years as ruling elder. He now feels called into service again and eagerly anticipates the opportunity to establish relationships that collectively glorify God and advance the Kingdom, while being found in, formed by, and following the Lord Jesus Christ.

Leanne Halma - Clerk Leanne lives on the south side of Holland with her husband, Wade, and their children, Ashton, Ella and Adelyn.  She is a graduate of Dordt University where she earned her BA in Communications with a minor in Psychology.  The Halma family lived in Sioux Center, Iowa; Pella, Iowa; and Cincinnati, Ohio before moving to Holland, Leanne’s hometown, in 2017.  They have been attending Harderwyk Fusion since then, and more recently became members. Leanne works as the Director of Advancement for Holland Christian Schools, and serves on the HC Foundation Board, Investment Committee, Stewardship Committee and Ditto Resale Store Board.  She notes that Harderwyk was the first church they visited when they moved to Michigan, and were continually drawn back due its gospel-rooted teaching, welcoming community and opportunity to connect with a small group. She feels called to serve on Harderwyk’s Council and is eager to more deeply engage in the church and greater community, as we extend the invitation to join in the journey of being found in, formed by and following Jesus.

Jessica Lynch - Deacon of Social Justice & Reconciliation Jessica lives in Holland. She is originally from the greater Chicago suburbs but has lived in the area since 2002 and considers Holland home. Jessica works at the Michigan West Coast Chamber of Commerce as the Director of Membership. She graduated from Holland Christian High School and went on to obtain a Bachelor’s degree in public and Nonprofit Administration from Grand Valley State University. Jessica’s first interaction with Harderwyk Ministries was as a middle schooler attending youth group. She has been volunteering/on staff with Harderwyk Student Ministries since 2008. Jessica has a passion for working with youth as they are the future leaders of the church. Through her job at the Chamber, she has the opportunity to engage with the community in a variety of capacities. Jessica currently serves on the Holland/Zeeland Young Professional Board, the Principal Shopping District Board, the Scholarship Committee for the Community Foundation of the Holland/Zeeland Area, the Ability Award Selection Committee for Disability Network Lakeshore, and the Honorary Campaign Cabinet for the Holland Community Ice Skating Park. Jessica cares deeply about Harderwyk Ministries and our community! She feels called and is eager to serve the Harderwyk community as the Deacon of Social Justice and Reconciliation.

Jill Vander Bent - Elder of Congregational Care, Prayer and Missions Jill Vander Bent lives in Holland with her husband, Phil and her children, Hadley and Hudson. Jill has a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology and a Master of Social Work degree, both from Grand Valley State University.  Jill has been a counselor and family therapist since 2003. She served and helped families and children at Bethany Christian Services since the beginning of her career until 2017 when she decided to open her own private practice where she continues to counsel children and families. Jill specializes in providing services to children, adolescents, individuals, couples, and families with a  wide range of needs. Those experiencing anxiety, depression, loss, trauma, abuse, sexual abuse, relationship issues, behavioral issues, family and parenting challenges.​ Because of her work at Bethany, Jill also has expertise working with individuals, families, and children who have experienced trauma, been adopted, are in the process of being adopted, and families with children who are or have been in foster care. Jill and her husband Phil have been attending Harderwyk Ministries since 2000. Jill has gone on Harderwyk mission trips to Ireland and Honduras. She has also been a part of the adoption team at Harderwyk, providing support and care to families and children have been adopted. Jill has enjoyed being a part of several small groups and Bible studies. The Vander Bents also support Neighbors Plus as Jill’s husband Phil currently serves as the treasurer and has been on the Neighbors Plus Board for several years.