Date: Wed, 18 Jun 1997 11:04:03 -0400 (EDT) From: Darrell128@aol.com Subject: NR 97072: Abortion Debate Occupies Christian Reformed Synod NR #1997-072: Abortion Debate Occupies Christian Reformed Synod Meeting June 17 at Calvin College, the Christian Reformed synod approved an overture from Classis Zeeland to have the denomination send official correspondence to the President and Congress of the United States "lamenting the presidential veto of the ban on partial birth abortions and calling upon the government to enact legislation which would protect 'the unique value of all human life' and prohibit 'the wanton or arbitrary destruction of any human being at any stage in its development.'" However, synod resoundingly defeated efforts by Classis of the Heartland to call Calvin College biology professor Dr. Hessel Bouma to account for his views on abortion and rejected an overture from Classis Wisconsin to appoint a study committee to produce biblical grounds for the synodical position that abortion is unacceptable except to save the life of the mother. Bouma's position is that "abortion is not the moral equivalent of murder," that "under exceptional circumstances, abortion occasionally may be recommended, cooperated with, or tolerated," and that the Synod 1976 decision supporting the Human Life Amendment to the US Constitution is "an emotional response to the dramatic increase in abortions in the wake of Roe v. Wade, based on minimal Scripture exegesis." NR #1997-072: For Immediate Release Abortion Debate Occupies Christian Reformed Synod by Darrell Todd Maurina, Press Officer United Reformed News Service GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (June 17, 1997) -- Meeting June 17 at Calvin College, the Christian Reformed synod approved an overture from Classis Zeeland to have the denomination send official correspondence to the President and Congress of the United States "lamenting the presidential veto of the ban on partial birth abortions and calling upon the government to enact legislation which would protect 'the unique value of all human life' and prohibit 'the wanton or arbitrary destruction of any human being at any stage in its development.'" However, synod resoundingly defeated efforts by Classis of the Heartland to call Calvin College biology professor Dr. Hessel Bouma to account for his views on abortion and rejected an overture from Classis Wisconsin to appoint a study committee to produce biblical grounds for the synodical position that abortion is unacceptable except to save the life of the mother. Bouma's position is that "abortion is not the moral equivalent of murder," that "under exceptional circumstances, abortion occasionally may be recommended, cooperated with, or tolerated," and that the Synod 1976 decision supporting the Human Life Amendment to the US Constitution is "an emotional response to the dramatic increase in abortions in the wake of Roe v. Wade, based on minimal Scripture exegesis." Much of the synodical debate on Bouma focused on a church order requirement that those asking for reconsideration of a previous decision demonstrate "sufficient and new grounds" why synod should consider the matter a second time. Synod 1996 declined a request by Classis Wisconsin to instruct Bouma to "bring his position on abortion into compliance with the position of the Christian Reformed Church," arguing that professors at the denominational college have the right to disagree with synodical decisions as long as they are not explicitly based on the church's doctrinal standards or Scripture. After extended procedural debate, this year's synod voted by a 107 to 58 margin to accept the recommendation of its advisory committee not to require Bouma to bring his position into compliance with that of synod. An overture from Classis Wisconsin didn't fare much better. By a 71 to 96 vote, synod adopted the recommendation of its advisory committee not to appoint a study committee to provide biblical grounds for the synodical position on abortion. Elder Keith Vander Pol of Escondido CRC in California strongly urged synod to appoint the study committee. "This is an issue that is affecting every community, every creed, every culture," said Vander Pol. "Certainly we have the resources to give clear biblical direction and guidance."\ Those views didn't carry the day. "It was the Pharisees in the time of Jesus who knew Scripture very well, who used Scripture to condemn other people," said Rev. Clayton Libolt, chairman of the advisory committee. "We must not be appointing study committees saying that because some professor is saying things we don't like and then appoint a committee to have more ammunition to bring against the professor. It's not the right thing, it's not the moral thing." After the vote, Rev. Ronald Meyer of Drenthe CRC moved that synod declare that "this is not a vote by synod on abortion but a vote on the need for a committee to study abortion," on the grounds that the vote could be "misunderstood by the media." Meyer's motion carried by voice vote. Bouma has asked not to be contacted by United Reformed News Service for comment on the abortion issue. In an official statement issued this spring by the Calvin College media relations office, college director of media relations Phil de Haan said the college was pleased by the synodical decision. "Calvin College is pleased with the decision of Synod 1997 regarding the overture concerning the work of professor Hessel Bouma III," said de Haan in a prepared statement. "We believe that Professor Bouma is a sincere and committed Christian teacher and scholar and a valuable partner in our mission as a college to be both distinctively Christian and academically excellent." "Professor Bouma is known for his ability to get students to think carefully about the impact of their faith on all areas of their lives, including their careers. He is heavily involved in sanctity of life issues, including work as chair of the board of Hospice of Greater Grand Rapids, an organization devoted to caring for the dying while affirming life and neither hastening nor prolonging death," continued de Haan. "In connection with that volunteer work, he has done widespread writing, speaking and lecturing on the wrongness of physician assisted suicide." In other business, Synod also rejected a proposal to appoint a committee to study euthanasia or assisted suicide on the grounds that a Canadian committee is already studying that subject and should be allowed to complete its work. Cross-References to Related Articles: #1996-073: Synod Rejects Wisconsin Overture: Calvin Prof Dr. Hessel Bouma III Remains Free to Teach His Views on Abortion #1997-003: Allegan Christian Reformed Church Asks Synod to Equate Abortion with Nazi War Crimes #1997-009: Classis Zeeland Overtures Christian Reformed Synod to Reaffirm Opposition to Abortion and Send Letter to Congress; Classis Rejects Abortion-Nazi War Crimes Comparison by 18-13 Vote #1997-021: Calvin College Professor's Views on Abortion Prompt More Complaints in Classis Wisconsin and Classis of the Heartland #1997-022: Calvin College Issues Statement of Support for Bouma #1997-038: Two CRC Classes Ask Synod 1997 to Review Abortion Issue #1997-071: Christian Reformed Synod Scheduled to Debate Abortion Issue Tuesday Morning; Committee Recommends Rejection of Iowa Overture to Require Calvin College Professor to Comply with Synodical Opposition to Abortion; Synod Pays Tribute to Six-Time Synod President; What's Coming Up at Synod Contact List: TO REACH DELEGATES DURING SYNOD 1997 (June 14-21, 1997): Synod News Office, Fine Arts Center, Calvin College, 3201 Burton St. SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546 Prerecorded Synod News Message: (616) 224-0841 or (888) 277-9663 Synod Office: (616) 957-8650 News Office: (616) 957-8652 FAX: (616) 957-8659 TO REACH DELEGATES AFTER SYNOD 1997: Rev. Michael De Vries, President, Synod 1997 of the Christian Reformed Church 2190 Lakeridge Dr., Holland, MI 49424 O: (616) 392-8686 * H: (616) 399-4067 * FAX: (616) 392-8686 Rev. Wayne Brouwer, Vice-President, Synod 1997 of the Christian Reformed Church 1627 West Lakewood Blvd., Holland, MI 49424 O: (616) 399-9190 * H: (616) 399-4645 * FAX: (616) 399-8808 * E-Mail: Brouwer@Macatawa.org Dr. George Vandervelde, First Clerk, Synod 1997 of the Christian Reformed Church 3 Cathcart St., Willowdale, ON M2M 1N5 O: (416) 979-2331 * H: (416) 226-3975 * FAX: (416) 979-2332 Rev. Norman Meyer, Second Clerk, Synod 1997 of the Christian Reformed Church 1741 Radcliff SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49506 O: (616) 452-3191 * H: (616) 285-6089 Dr. David Engelhard, General Secretary, Christian Reformed Church in North America 1401 Lenox Rd. SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49506 O: (616) 224-0744 * H: (616) 243-2418 * FAX: (616) 224-5895 _____ Dr. Hessel Bouma III, Professor of Biology, Calvin College Science Building 233, 3201 Burton St. SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546 O: (616) 957-6401 Mr. Phil de Haan, Director of Media Relations, Calvin College 3201 Burton St. SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546 O: (616) 957-6475 * H: (616) 241-4061 * F: (616) 957-8551 * Pager: (616) 680-1958 * E-Mail: DEHP@Calvin.edu Rev. Adrian Dieleman, Stated Clerk, Classis Wisconsin 908 Visser Ave., Waupun, WI 53963 O/FAX: (414) 324-4962 * H: (414) 324-2669 * E-Mail: ADieleman@aol.com Rev. Jack Gray, Stated Clerk, Classis of the Heartland 708 - 5th St., Orange City, IA 51041-1804 O: (712) 737-2797 * H: (712) 737-2997 Rev. Les Kuiper, Pastor, First Christian Reformed Church [Convener, Classis Study Committee] 215 S. 8th St., Oostburg, WI 53070-0305 O: (414) 564-3238 * H: (414) 564-2725 Rev. John Vermeer, Pastor, First Christian Reformed Church [Overture author] 9th St. at 9th Ave., Sheldon, IA 51201 O: (712) 324-2374 ---------------------------------------------------------- file: /pub/resources/text/reformed/archive97: nr97-072.txt .