GS 1986 ARTICLE 159

Letter from br. L. VanZandwyk (Re “only-begotten” and “Christian”)

Committee 1 presents:

A.    MATERIAL

  • – Agenda, VIII, C, 7 Letters from br. L. VanZandwyk dated Feb. 11/86 and April 8/86
  • – Appeal and request to this 1986 General Synod to “restore the words ‘only-begotten’ and ‘Christian’ to their rightful place in both creeds and con­fessions.”

B.    OBSERVATIONS

  • 1.     Br. L. VanZandwyk observes that the 1983 General Synod of Cloverdale decided “lo restore the expression ‘only-begotten Son’ to its rightful place in both creeds and confessions , but that ‘only-begotten Son’ is still not restored in Art. 18 of the Belgic Confession (p. 452, Book of Praise) in the prayers of thanksgiving in the Forms of Adult and Infant Baptism (p. 587 & 592, Book of Praise), in the Canons of Dort, Chapter I, Art. 2 (p. 532), and in the Canons of Dort, II, 4 (p. 545 & 546).”
  • 2.     Br. L. VanZandwyk  observes that the expression “Christian church”  has not been restored to its rightful place in the title of  Art. 27 of the  Belgic  Confession (p . 461), which used to read, “The Catholic, Christian Church” (p. 377, old Book of Praise).

C.    CONSIDERATIONS

  • 1.     Since the 1983 General Synod of Cloverdale decided against the deletion of the words “only-begotten” in the above-mentioned places, it would constitute an inconsistency not to restore the words “only-begotten Son.”
  • 2.    With respect to the second request re “Christian” in the title of Art. 27, B.C., it should be noted that  a similar  proposal  was defeated at the  General  Synod of 1983. Br. L. VanZandwyk gives no (new) grounds why this should now be changed.

D.   RECOMMENDATIONS

Synod decide:

  • 1.     To accede to br. L. VanZandwyk’s request regarding the word “only-begotten,” but not regarding the title of Art. 27, Belgic Confession.
  • 2.     To pass on this decision to the Standing Committee for the Book of Praise.

The recommendations are ADOPTED.