From: Darrell128@aol.com Date: Fri, 22 Nov 1996 11:47:18 -0500 (EST) Subject: NR 122: Calvin Theological Seminary Terminates Pro-Gay Prof To Reach United Reformed News Service Regional Office Staff: Darrell Todd Maurina, Press Officer [To end of this week only, until evening Friday Nov. 22] 1214 Fountain NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49503 H/O: (616) 451-4025 * E-Mail: Darrell128@aol.com [After November 22] PO Box 691, Lawrence, MI 49064-0691 O: (616) 674-8446 * FAX: (6160 674-8454 * E-Mail: Darrell128@aol.com Greg Rickmar, Circulation Manager PO Box 1717, Battle Creek, MI 49016 * H: (616) 966-3343 * E-Mail: GRickmar@msn.com World Wide Web Site: "http://www.iclnet.org/pub/resources/text/reformed/reformed-home.html" NR #1996-122: For Immediate Release Calvin Theological Seminary Terminates Pro-Gay Professor by Darrell Todd Maurina, Press Officer United Reformed News Service [English translation of Dutch articles courtesy Rev. Charles Krahe] GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (November 21, 1996) URNS - Dutch theologian Dr. Jan Veenhof arrived at Calvin Seminary this fall with widespread fanfare as the seminary's second-ever "distinguished visiting professor of theology." Less than three months later, he is leaving in a quite undistinguished manner, having been terminated by the seminary board of trustees for his pro-homosexual views. Veenhof brought highly respected credentials and an illustrious background to the position. Most recently a parish pastor in the Swiss Reformed Church at Basel where his congregation included the widow of neo-orthodox theologian Dr. Karl Barth, Veenhof had succeeded Dr. G.C. Berkouwer as professor of theology at the Free University of Amsterdam - one of the most prestigious positions in the Christian Reformed denomination's "mother church," the Gereformeerde Kerken in Nederland (GKN). While a professor in the GKN, Veenhof served several times as a fraternal delegate to the annual Christian Reformed synod in Grand Rapids, where he made the acquaintance of a number of CRC leaders. According to Calvin Seminary president Dr. James A. De Jong, that connection and Veenhof's academic credentials led to his appointment as distinguished visiting professor, assuming seminary courses previously taught by Dr. Neal Plantinga, newly-appointed dean of the chapel at Calvin College. Plantinga's new contract specified that Calvin Seminary must keep his former position open for three years in case he wishes to return to the seminary from the college. The Veenhof family name is well-known in Dutch Reformed circles. Veenhof's father, Dr. Cornelis Veenhof, assisted Dr. Klaas Schilder in leading a 1944 conservative secession known as the Vrijgemaakt ("Liberation") from the Gereformeerde Kerken in Nederland. Veenhof's father broke with Schilder in 1967 and formed a new denomination over the issue of the binding authority of synods; Jan Veenhof returned to the GKN and served as a leading figure in that denomination before moving to his current pastorate in Switzerland. His position at Calvin Seminary called for him to teach during the fall of 1996 and 1997 as well as give special lectures on theological topics, but was not a permanent position and did not carry with it voting rights at faculty meetings or a share in setting the policies of the seminary. "Veenhof, as we've pointed out in our newsletter, is an expert in the theology of Herman Bavinck, and that's an area of expertise that we wanted and needed in our program this year and next year, especially Dutch Reformed theology," said De Jong. "We've had several distinguished visiting professors and lecturers over the years; it refers to a person who has achieved a level of recognition and stature in their field and it's not just a person of ordinary credentials or experience but one who has distinguished himself for his teaching and his writing." De Jong said Calvin Seminary's only previous "Distinguished Visiting Professor" was internationally-recognized evangelical theologian Dr. Carl F.H. Henry, father of former Calvin College professor and US Congressman Rep. Paul Henry, although a similar position was held under a different title by John Calvin scholar Dr. Ford Lewis Battles. While Veenhof's academic writing led to significant acclaim in the academic realm, his other writings led to trouble in the United States. Some attention focused on a book, "From 'Liberation' to Freedom," which Veenhof co-authored with Alida Schilder, neice of Vrijgemaakt leader Dr. Klaas Schilder, describing their personal pilgrimages as children of very conservative parents who became broader in their theological views. However, the biggest problem centered on some of Veenhof's less-known work, particularly a chapter entitled "The Bible and Homosexuality" which Veenhof contributed to a larger book on homosexuality by GKN members entitled "Who Am I That I May Not Do This?" This book appeared ten years ago in the Dutch language and until last week Veenhof's chapter had never been translated into English. Veenhof's contribution followed his 1981 role as one of ten members of the GKN's Commission for Church and Theology, which submitted a report on the biblical data pertaining to homosexuality which was adopted by the GKN Synod of 1981 as a further explanation of its decision in 1979 to allow the ordination of practicing homosexuals to all offices of the church. This 1981 report and the earlier 1979 synodical decision led to a fire storm of criticism in the CRC and have led to sixteen years of demands by Christian Reformed conservatives that the CRC sever relationships with the Gereformeerde Kerken in Nederland. According to De Jong, Calvin Seminary was not aware of Veenhof's role in helping write the GKN report on homosexuality and had not seen Veenhof's chapter in the book until called to the seminary's attention by the conservative publication Christian Renewal. "It was not something we were aware of," said De Jong. "We probably should have been but we weren't." However, the seminary began to look into the matter shortly after the Dutch-language original was provided to Christian Renewal by the Vrijgemaakt daily newspaper in the Netherlands Nederlands Dagblad, and forwarded to De Jong for review. An October 15 article in another conservative Dutch daily newspaper, Reformatorisch Dagblad, noted that "rumors" were circulating in Grand Rapids about Veenhof's views on homosexuality. On November 11, Christian Renewal ran a full-page review of Veenhof's article. Four days later, the executive committee of the Calvin Seminary board of trustees unanimously voted to terminate Veenhof's teaching at the end of the fall quarter. "We did that with regret, he had done a wonderful job, the issue had never come up here, but when we became aware of the attention given to it in the Dutch press we felt we had to take this action," said De Jong. "Neither the Christian Reformed Church nor Calvin Seminary nor its faculty are in agreement that trothful homosexual relationships are biblically legitimate." "That's a rather fundamental point," said De Jong, noting that failure to deal with Veenhof's views would have called into question Calvin Seminary's earlier opposition to a report on homosexuality by a study committee of the CRC's Classis Grand Rapids East, the regional ecclesiastical body to which most Calvin Seminary professors belong, that also received widespread media attention. "We made that plain to Classis Grand Rapids East a year or so ago and it is right to be consistent with that." The unexpected termination puts Calvin Seminary into a difficult position. "We're using a combination of people from Calvin College, retired people, I'd have to get the roster out to see who we've got coming to teach," said De Jong. "It's basically the college Religion and Theology department and retirees, and some of the Ph.D. students are doing some teaching." Veenhof, who left the United States one day before his termination on November 15, could not be reached for comment. What Does Veenhof Believe? In his chapter on "The Bible and Homosexuality," Veenhof articulated a closely-reasoned and nuanced position which by GKN standards would be moderately conservative. Veenhof's position stops short of advocating gay marriages, but he doesn't oppose homosexual practice in committed monogamous relationships. Veenhof's chapter begins with a note that it is impossible to listen to the experiences of homosexuals "without also becoming in one way or another emotionally involved, and whoever is involved desires to react." To structure that reaction, especially with regard to homosexual ministers, Veenhof begins with an extended section on biblical authority, discussing the five biblical texts (Leviticus 18:22 and 20:13, Romans 1:22-27, I Corinthians 6:10, and I Timothy 1:9-10) which are most commonly cited to address homosexuality. Noting that his chapter can only summarize the relevant principles of biblical interpretation, Veenhof focused most closely on the texts in the Old Testament book of Leviticus and the Apostle Paul's New Testament letter to the Romans. "Sometimes we ourselves are trying to get out of the Bible texts what we beforehand would like to see come out," wrote Veenhof. "Good exegesis has to guard itself against this." Veenhof wrote that Leviticus not only prohibited homosexual relationships but also assumed that the purpose of all sexuality was the bearing of children, an assumption not shared by the surrounding cultures which would use sexuality in religious rituals of various sorts. To engage in homosexuality, which by definition cannot result in children, is to "change" God's plan for sexuality, according to both Leviticus and Romans. "The conclusion of all this cannot be in doubt," admitted Veenhof. "Just as Leviticus, Paul also rejects homosexual practice. Thus it is described what these texts in their original context want to say." However, the original context of the Scriptures isn't necessarily conclusive, wrote Veenhof. "Simplicity is not always the sign of truth, especially not this simplicity," wrote Veenhof. "Reality shows that this simplicity is not so convincing, not as 'simple' as it is often supposed. For in fact no one deals with these texts as it is here suggested." According to Veenhof, a "simple" reading of Scripture would force Christians to advocate the execution of practicing homosexuals (Leviticus 20:13). Surrounding Levitical passages in chapters 17-26, generally known as the "Law of Holiness," are not observed by Christians today, including the law of Jubilee, the sabbath year of rest for farmland, prohibitions on charging interest or rent to the poor, and eating of blood. These prohibitions are not all removed by the New Testament; Veenhof noted that the Jerusalem Council of Acts 15 prohibited eating of blood because of the offense it would give to ethnic Jewish believers in Christ and also raised further questions about the argument that homosexuality is "against nature" by the prohibition in I Corinthians 11:14 on men wearing long hair on the grounds that long hair for men is also "against nature." "If in one case we give no heed any more to Paul's conception (time bound as it is) concerning nature, then we shall have to give weighty grounds on which to do so in another case," wrote Veenhof. In Veenhof's estimation, such "weighty grounds" do not exist with regard to homosexuality. In a section entitled "We Know More," Veenhof argued that it was not inappropriate to say that modern Christians know more than the Apostle Paul knew about homosexuality. This may not be said flippantly or casually, wrote Veenhof, nor may we say "that we know everything without exception better than Paul." "It is rightly pointed out in this connection what Paul said about slavery. Paul reckoned it as obvious at the time that the slave should serve his master, but taught also by elements of the preaching of the same Paul, we think differently about it," wrote Veenhof. "In most churches they are convinced that we may also think otherwise than Paul about the place of women." Might this be true not only of slavery and the ordination of women but also of homosexuality? To answer that question, Veenhof argued that modern Christians should make use of Dutch theologian Dr. Herman Bavinck's distinction between "the central" and "the periphery" in the message of Scripture. "The Bible is not a scientific textbook of history, geology, or nature, nor even one of theology or ethics even though we may derive contributions to these activities from the Bible," wrote Veenhof. "According to its own nature and intention the Bible is the witness of God's love for human beings. That is what we must put first in all our use of the Bible as in our reflection on that use." In Veenhof's estimation, the recognition that "God's love for men in Jesus Christ" is the central message of Scripture will lead to a more positive view of homosexual practice than a simple reading of the specific texts of Scripture would indicate. "Within Reformed circles in recent years the thought has grown that this love includes the acceptance of one another as heterosexuals or homosexuals," wrote Veenhof. "It asks therefore of the heterosexual Christian that they receive homosexual fellow Christians in their being so and being different. This has to do not only with the inclination but also with the practice of it in relationships characterized by love and faithfulness." "The letter of the law murders many homosexuals but the Spirit makes alive as seen from (standpoint) of Jesus Christ, and according to his teaching as well (Mark 2:27) man was not made for the law but the law for man," wrote Veenhof. "So homosexual love can also be a matter of gift and purity sanctified in Christ." Scripture clearly prohibits "unbridled (off the track) sexuality which leads to amoral conduct," wrote Veenhof, but "the Bible does not speak directly about homosexual relationships in which the values of love and loyalty are upheld." "This can contribute to the true and hearty acceptance of homosexual fellow men," wrote Veenhof. "The acceptance of homosexual officebearers is, as it were, the proof in the end of the real acceptance of homosexual church members." "I am convinced that such acceptance also contributes to the welfare of the actual congregation," wrote Veenhof. "A minister who, as a homosexual, must contrary to his deepest inclination live as a celibate will in his work discover the negative consequences. The chance is great that he will overturn himself emotionally in certain respects. Over against this a minister who is homosexual who lives with a partner and accordingly experiences the joys and hardships of a relationship can put himself in the place of others in what happens in their partnership." Noting that unmarried ministerial candidates in the Netherlands were sometimes suspected of being homosexual, even when they were not married for some other reason, Veenhof wrote that "much would be gained if space were created wherein congregations could really get acquainted with candidates and their partners so that contact would not break off almost as soon as it is begun." "I have discovered repeatedly that when you become acquainted with two people who have a homosexual relationship in the way of personal contact, within the ordinary everyday things, the strangeness disappears," wrote Veenhof. "Such a chance candidates ought to have in the churches. We all have the task to respect one another whatever our lifestyle, to give space to one another, and to encourage the once-chosen relationship in a sphere of respect and openness by love and faithfulness, and to give it beauty and lasting quality." Responses to the Termination Conservative leaders in the Christian Reformed denomination who are often critical of Calvin Seminary said they were pleased by Calvin's prompt response. "We're happy that they are sticking by the synodical stand and that of course is what all the conservatives are anxious about," said Rev. Andrew Cammenga, chairman of the Interclassical Conference of CRC conservatives which met earlier this month in suburban Chicago to plan a response to liberalizing trends in the CRC, including the issue of CRC members who have called for a revision of the CRC's position that homosexual practice is contrary to Scripture. Cammenga, however, wasn't happy that it took media attention to alert Calvin Seminary to Veenhof's views. "They didn't do a very good investigation and interview, but we're happy with the outcome of it," said Cammenga. "I'm just a little bit surprised that the investigation of this man was rather sloppy and failed to discover some rather obvious positions. One would think that for such an important position they would have done more checking." On the other hand, gay Christian Reformed minister Rev. Jim Lucas expressed concern that the Veenhof termination would have a chilling effect on discussion of homosexuality in Christian Reformed circles. "Basically what I would be concerned about is the message that this action might potentially send out to gay people that they're not welcome in this denomination, that the church is not willing to provide a safe place for dialogue," said Lucas. "That's not making a judgment about whether they did the right or wrong thing, it's only how I think this decision will be perceived by gays in the Christian Reformed Church and outside the Christian Reformed Church. It will be one more thing that says the Christian Reformed Church is not a safe place for gays to raise their questions, concerns, and the cries of their hearts, and about that I grieve." Lucas, who serves as chaplain of the "As We Are" homosexual support group, is personally celibate but has consistently declined to state his position on whether gay marriages are permitted by Scripture, preferring to focus on pastoral care to hurting people rather than theological questions. "The first thing I'd like to see in the Christian Reformed Church is a genuine desire to listen to the cries of gay and lesbian members; I see very little willingness to listen," said Lucas. "We need to care enough to simply listen for a while. If we could do that we would be miles and miles ahead of where we are now. At this point in history I feel people are so afraid of the issue they are not willing to listen." Lucas said the CRC has been much more willing to apply its official synodical prohibition of homosexual practice than the emphasis on ministry to homosexuals which was also urged in the same synodical report. "I'm just asking the church to do what it said it would do in 1973," said Lucas. "Everyone agrees that the church has miserably failed in its ministry according to 1973. That's to the shame and discredit of the denomination and to the terrible pain of gays and lesbians and their families." Contacted for comment on Veenhof's classroom teaching over the last few months, Calvin Seminary students consistently gave Veenhof high marks for his teaching duties and concurred with the seminary president that Veenhof had never raised the issue of homosexuality in his classes. "I liked him as a person and I appreciated him at least for his historical knowledge, but to use a Berkouwerian term, there's very little correlation between what he taught in that article and what he taught us," said Calvin Seminary masters of theology student Claudette Grinnell, who is doing her Th.M. dissertation on Vrijgemaakt theology and its relationship to several North American theological traditions. "As far as what he taught us in class and what he said in this article, the two don't necessarily match," said Grinnell. "You have to wonder where is this is coming from and exactly what did he think? I am now very confused. He gave an appearance in class of being very orthodox. Now that the rumor about the article has been substantiated I am confused and I know my classmates are going to be confused, he will end up having confused a lot of us. That is sad." Grinnell said Veenhof's emphasis on relating to and understanding people was part of what students most appreciated about his teaching - and also could be part of the explanation for his support of homosexuals. "Even with the language barrier, it was very clear that he knew the material and presented it well," said Grinnell. "He was a very people-oriented person, in fact he told us that was part of the reason he left the Free University, he wanted to be back in touch with people and practical ministry, and he missed it." "Now that the whole issue of homosexuality has come out I wonder what he meant by meeting people where they are at," said Grinnell. "We all appreciated him a great deal and none of us expected that he was this far to the left, I don't think. As a man he is a wonderfully caring individual but a person who is a caring individual needs to care enough to take a clear theological stand and it is clear he didn't make it." Cross-References to Related Articles: #1994-031: Christian Reformed Synod: Members May Not "Practice or Advocate Homosexualism"; Dr. David Engelhard Approved as CRC's Next General Secretary; Synod Rejects Proposal to End Funding Endorsement for Westminster Seminary #1994-048: Jim Lucas Hired as Chaplain of "As We Are" Gay Ministry; Ministerial Credentials Extended to Permit Call to Position; Classis Grand Rapids East of the Christian Reformed Denomination Expects Homosexuality Study Committee to Report to January Classis Meeting #1995-043: Committee Divides on Whether Gay Ministries Must Declare Homosexual Activity is Sin; Classis Grand Rapids East Refers Both Reports to Churches for Study #1995-100: Grand Rapids East Attempts Compromise on Question of How to Minister to Christian Reformed Gays #1995-101: Text of Classis Grand Rapids East Study Committee Report on Ministry with Persons who are Homosexual #1995-113: Calvin Seminary Professors Urge Classis Grand Rapids East to Affirm CRC Synod's Ruling that Homosexual Practice is Sin #1995-114: Text of Calvin Seminary Faculty Letter on Homosexuality #1996-010: Classis Grand Rapids East Follows Calvin Seminary Faculty Urgings; Reaffirms 1973 CRC Position on Homosexuality #1996-081: Tempers Flare as Christian Reformed Synod Appoints Committee to Restudy Homosexuality #1996-117B: Separation Without Secession: Interclassical Conference Urges Christian Reformed Synod to Create New Conservative Classes Contact List: Rev. Andrew Cammenga, Pastor, Escondido Christian Reformed Church 1850 N. Broadway, Escondido, CA 92026 H/O/FAX: (619) 745-2324 * E-Mail: ACAMMENGA@aol.com Dr. James A. De Jong, President, Calvin Theological Seminary 3233 Burton St. SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546-4387 O: (616) 957-6086 * H: (616) 957-6087 * FAX: (616) 957-8621 * E-Mail: DEJJ@Calvin.edu Dr. David Engelhard, General Secretary, Christian Reformed Church in North America 2850 Kalamazoo Ave. SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49560 O: (616) 246-0744 * H: (616) 243-2418 * FAX: (616) 246-0834 * E-Mail: engelhad@crcnet.mhs.CompuServe.com Miss Claudette Grinnell, Student, Calvin Theological Seminary 3162 Wilson Ave. SW, Grand Rapids, MI 49418 H: (616) 249-3062 Rev. Jim Lucas, Chaplain, As We ARE PO Box 7824, Grand Rapids, MI 49510 O: (616) 456-6174 * E-Mail: JamesLucas@aol.com ------------------------------------------------ file: /pub/resources/text/reformed: nr96-122.txt .