Friday, January 29, 2010

Yes, Virgina, I Spoke at Classis

Tuesday night we had Classis meeting, and one of the issues before us was to vote on the proposed amendments to the Constitution. One of those amendments is the inclusion of the Belhar Confession as a Standard of the Reformed Church in America. I am opposed to its inclusion, and I said:

"I ask that we vote against the reception of the Belhar Confession as a Standard of the RCA for two reasons:

"1. It adds does not add anything to our current Standards. To wit: (a) Our Standards make it abundantly clear that every mere human being is utterly equal before the Face of God in-and-of him or herself. (b) Our Standards make it abundantly clear that we are to love all people -- meaning that were are to do everything in our power to do good for them and to prevent evil from befalling them.

"2. To add it as a Standard makes us necessarily obliged to adopt any and all confessions that confess non-bias towards any person."

Rebuttal was make to the effect that if we do not include it as a Standard, the South Africans will not know that we support the end of apartheid.

By a 3 to 2 margin, our Classis gave approval to its inclusion.

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