Pastor Aaron Vriesman’s July essay, “The Ongoing Reformation of the Christian Reformed Church,” celebrates a triumph of the Christian Reformed Church (CRC). After years of debate, the CRC demonstrated that confessional standards are living commitments worthy of our allegiance and defense, maintaining the age-old teaching of the church regarding human sexuality. The denomination reminded its members that faithfulness is measured by conformity to Christ, not conformity to the most progressive wings of the church.
As a result of this courageous stand, some congregations sadly abandoned the church, refusing to respect the authority of the confessions. Once they left, the reformation was seemingly complete, and faithful governance continued.
This “Ongoing Reformation” merits celebration. Yet every reformation raises an important question: will it endure?
As a recent graduate of Calvin University, the CRC’s flagship academic institution, I view this question with increasing…
