Thread: CRC Synod adopts Belhar Confession

Here is Rev. Bret McAtee's grim assessment:

Iron Ink - Christian Reformed Church Synod -- #4 Report

It hasn't been adopted. The vote was to propose its adoption at the 2012 Synod.

The RCA is the one that adopted it...and we all know that the CRC is always a few steps behind them.

I'm all verklempt...talk amongst yourselves...here's a topic for ya...the Belhar Confession as a fourth Reformed Confession is neither Reformed nor a Confession...discuss.

Originally Posted by raekwon

It hasn't been adopted. The vote was to propose its adoption at the 2012 Synod.

It has been adopted-- by this Synod. Hence the thread title.

This is a two step process.

Step 1: Adoption by Synod.{where the real battle takes place--here there was no real battle}.

Step 2. Ratified by subsequent Synod{which is a foregone conclusion, imo}.

But, yes, to be clear, the CRC has not yet reached final adoption of the Belhar.

The Cults and World Religions Forum?

Seriously!?! Is that where you meant to put this?

Originally Posted by Seb

The Cults and World Religions Forum?

Seriously!?! Is that where you meant to put this?

Yes, I seriously did. Given that the social gospel/liberation theology found in the Belhar is a false gospel, it seemed the most appropriate forum. The linked article from a CRC minister in my first post argued even more pointedly that Belhar is an "anti-Christ" confession-- right in line with the Schaeffer quote in your signature. But if a mod thinks otherwise and wants to move it elsewhere, I'm fine with that too.

Having read through the Bel har, I can see trouble brewing down the line. My understanding is that there are already some issues brewing in some African churches over this being used to call for the acceptance of Homosexuality.

Originally Posted by MrMerlin777

Having read through the Bel har, I can see trouble brewing down the line. My understanding is that there are already some issues brewing in some African churches over this being used to call for the acceptance of Homosexuality.

As opposed to the trouble that has already been brewed for quite some time now?

Originally Posted by mvdm

Originally Posted by Seb

The Cults and World Religions Forum?

Seriously!?! Is that where you meant to put this?

Yes, I seriously did. Given that the social gospel/liberation theology found in the Belhar is a false gospel, it seemed the most appropriate forum. The linked article from a CRC minister in my first post argued even more pointedly that Belhar is an "anti-Christ" confession-- right in line with the Schaeffer quote in your signature. But if a mod thinks otherwise and wants to move it elsewhere, I'm fine with that too.

Okay I can now see that, I too have big problems with the BC going to the next level in the CRC.

I took it to mean you were classifying the CRC as a Cult or World Religion since it was the only "religion" referenced in your OP.

I'll be the first to admit that CRC has a lot a problems and bad theology that they need to repent from, but I don't think they've reached the level of RCC, JW, Mormonism, etc. At least not yet.

My bad.

-----Added 6/18/2009 at 06:37:28 EST-----

Originally Posted by jetbrane

Originally Posted by MrMerlin777

Having read through the Bel har, I can see trouble brewing down the line. My understanding is that there are already some issues brewing in some African churches over this being used to call for the acceptance of Homosexuality.

As opposed to the trouble that has already been brewed for quite some time now?

Man, it seems like we in the CRC have got trouble every time Synod meets and most days ending in "Y".

Originally Posted by jetbrane

Originally Posted by MrMerlin777

Having read through the Bel har, I can see trouble brewing down the line. My understanding is that there are already some issues brewing in some African churches over this being used to call for the acceptance of Homosexuality.

As opposed to the trouble that has already been brewed for quite some time now?

No, on top of the trouble that has been brewing.

For those who aren't familiar with the confession (from Wiki):

Brief summary
Essentially, the Belhar Confession is a collection of statements about unity, reconciliation, and justice among Christians. The confession is glossed with supporting references from the Bible.


[edit] Comprehensive summary
The Belhar Confession claims the following:

1. That the Body of Christ [1] necessarily consists of members from all cultures around the world.

2. That fellowship, [2] and specifically fellowship by individuals who are reconciled with each other, is evidence of reconciliation between God and humankind.

3. That unity [3] is both a gift from God and a command by God.

4. That segregation necessarily leads to enmity and hatred.

5. That individual, racial and social segregation is sin.

6. That since segregation is sinful, segregation should not be permitted within the Body of Christ.

7. That love for one another, and practicing and promoting fellowship should be evidence of such unity.

8. That being of service to one another could directly result in individual salvation. [4]

9. That all Christians have the same belief, have the same purpose in life, rally to the same cause and share the same hope.

10. That groups of Christians should not independently of each other attempt to learn about Christ and attempt to become more mature in their beliefs.

11. That groups of Christians should not offer emotional, physical, social and financial support only to members of their own group.

12. That all Christians should suffer the same consequences of any type of injustice.

13. That all Christians should pray [5] for the same things.

14. That all Christians should use the same methods to combat disruption of the unity within the Body of Christ.

15. That unity can only be accomplished if the members of the unity are free to choose unity and not forced to accept unity or disunity.

16. That the only reason why the diversity of spiritual gifts [6], opportunities, social backgrounds, opinions (sic), languages and cultural elements may provide opportunities for giving aid to other Christians or becoming more mature in our beliefs, is because Christ effected reconciliation between God and humankind.

17. That faith in Jesus Christ is the only requirement for membership to the Body of Christ and should also be the only requirement for membership to any organisation, institution, club or society of Christians.

18. That the practice of applying recognition of specific differences between individuals to all humankind regardless of relevance or scientific reality has or will have an adverse effect on unity within the church.

19. That Christians who hold the similar beliefs should never be segregated, whether by force or voluntarily, regardless of whether such segregation is the result of enmity and hatred between Christians or the result of attempts to acknowledge, maintain or promote the unique linguistic, cultural or social characteristics of those Christians.

20. That forced or voluntary segregation should never be maintained for the sake of ensuring peaceful relations between individuals who have enmity or hatred towards others.

21. That it is sinful to hold the opinion that unity in the Body of Christ should not necessarily be treasured.

22. That neither ancestry nor any cultural or social factors may be used to determine or surmise whether any person might qualify for membership to the Body of Christ.

23. That the Body of Christ must actively promote itself, its religion and its deity.

24. That the effectiveness of the Good News [7] was diluted by the actions of the South African government which claimed to be inherently Christian and yet promoted estrangement, hatred and enmity through enforced racial segregation.

25. That any doctrine attempting to justify forced segregation using the Gospel, [8] is heresy.

26. That ideology is bad (sic).

27. That claims that racial segregation is the will of God or the promotion of racial segregation on behalf of God interferes with the usefulness of the reconciliation between God and humankind.

28. That God claims to be the bringer of justice and peace among humankind.

29. That God is on the side of those who suffer physically, those who are poor and those who have had injustice done to them.

30. That God commands all Christians to be similarly on the side of those who suffer physically, those who are poor and those who have had injustice done to them.

31-38. That God ensures justice to people who have been oppressed. That God provides food for those who are hungry. That God frees prisoners. That God restores the sight of blind people. That God consoles sad people. That God protects aliens. That God provides aid to orphans and widows. That God makes life difficult for people who are godless.

39. That visits to orphans and widows who are suffering oppression is the purest form of our religion.

40. That God wants Christians to do good deeds and to determine what justice is.

41. That all Christians should offer verbal support to the cause of people who suffer physically and economically.

42. That all Christians should actively oppose any forms of injustice, and that such active opposition to injustice will result in lasting and recurring justice.

43. That since the body of all Christians is owned by God, all Christians should do as God would, i.e. oppose injustice and be on the side of those to whom injustice is done.

44. That since all Christians adhere to the teachings of Jesus Christ, they should witness to [9] all people who on the one hand have political power, have franchise and enjoy a luxurious lifestyle but on the other hand are greedy, and seek to benefit themselves because of greed, and because of greed determine the fate of others and deprive them.

45. That any ideology which legitimises acts which denies justice, is heresy, and that any school of thought in which proponents are unwilling to use arguments from the Gospel to reject and oppose such an ideology, is also heresy.

46. That all Christians are expected to believe all the above-mentioned things and do all the above-mentioned things, and that since Jesus Christ has the final say in cases of dispute within the body of all Christians, those who fail to do so, are being disobedient to Jesus Christ; and that all Christians should believe and do these things even if the government is opposed to it or if laws exist which prohibit it, regardless of whether punishment or physical suffering may be the result of such non-compliance or disobedience.

47. That anything written in the Belhar Confession is subject to ruling by Jesus Christ.

48. That our God is one, and that God is a Father, a Son and a Holy Spirit, and that God should be commended and glorified for ever.

Looks to me like its a race to Gomorrah and they're wanting to play catch up.

Originally Posted by Seb

The Cults and World Religions Forum?

Seriously!?! Is that where you meant to put this?

I didn't notice that. Thanks for pointing it out.