Calvin Seminary Blog
The Belhar Speaks Today
Introduction During one of the worst periods of apartheid rule in South Africa, some courageous South African Christians gave birth to the Belhar Confession, a balanced, biblically rich witness to…
Context and Confusion: What Does the Belhar Confess?
Synod 2012 will decide whether to adopt the Belhar Confession as a doctrinal standard of the CRCNA. There are powerful denominational and ecumenical pressures to do so. The Uniting Reformed…
Necessary Testimony — Flawed Confession?
God does not grade our sins on a curve; before his holy face, big or little, a sin is a sin. However, not all sins bear the same consequences, and…
Adopting the Belhar: Confession or Testimony?
The Christian Reformed Church is on the verge of doing something it has never done before: adopt another confession. Our other three confessions—the Belgic Confession, Heidelberg Catechism, and Canons of…
Making Shalom: The Belhar Confession
For years the CRCNA has made efforts to become a multi-ethnic church and to promote racial justice. The adoption of the Belhar Confession will help the CRC move closer to…
Reflections on the Belhar Confession
Confession of Belhar September 1986 We believe in the triune God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, who gathers, protects and cares for the church through Word and Spirit. This, God…
From the President
Dear Brothers and Sisters, From biblical times till the present, Christians have united the church, fought heresy, testified to outsiders, defied persecution, taught newcomers, and worshiped God—all by the use…
Formation for Ministry
Drawing Near to God in Community: Pastoral Identity Retreat 2010 We got off the “farm,” and it was rich. Fifty-eight students gathered toothbrushes, Bibles, and our seminarian hearts and traveled…
Growing Through Grief: An Interview with Robert C. DeVries and Susan J. Zonnebelt-Smeenge
Beginning with the publication of their first book, Getting to the Other Side of Grief: Overcoming the Loss of a Spouse, in 1998, Robert C. DeVries, Professor Emeritus of Church…
The Fear of Facing Death
We all know that someday, unless our Lord returns, our earthly “tents” will cave in; we are all going to die. But I know it differently. My “tent” was nearly…
A Hard Waiting for the Lord
Henry was dying of throat cancer. He knew it; his wife, Joan, knew it; their two grown children knew it; and the doctors knew it. But he wasn’t dying quickly,…
“As in Adam …” A Sermon on 1 Corinthians 15
The health care debate that dominated the news in 2009 raised many ethical issues surrounding the end of life. Politicians accused each other of “killing grandma” with their health care…
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