Response to Letter to the Editor

Response to Dr. De Jong

Rev. Steve Swets

Regarding the letter from Dr. Norman De Jong responding to the article “What Does It Mean to Be Reformed: Education”: I am thankful for Dr. De Jong’s thoughtful interaction with my article. Even though he said he sent his response with trepidation, it is an important subject to discuss. Dr. De Jong has certainly read, written, and experienced more than I have regarding the history of Christian education in North America. Nevertheless, permit me to limit my response to three points. First, my focus is on parent-run Christian day schools. Parents are called to train their children, and to use a school as one of three legs of the three-legged stool of home, church, and school is certainly a fruit of Kuyperian influence. When it comes to university education, where the students are now adults and can be challenged in greater ways, I will leave that debate with Dr. De Jong. He clearly has a history in mind I have not studied.

Second, sphere sovereignty is a helpful principle when it is applied properly. Properly understood, sphere sovereignty teaches that Christ is lord over all. He is the sovereign. Under his lordship, each realm or sphere operates for the Christian under the authority of the Word of God. It is when this Word is undermined that problems will inevitably arise. Sovereignty does not need to be divided, but it ought to be distinguished. For instance, the elders of a local church have authority over my doctrine and life, and this includes my parenting. Nevertheless, they cannot demand that I give a particular amount of money to the church. They would be overreaching their authority and undermining my liberty as the head of a home. At the same time, the Christian home and the work of the consistory must always function under the ultimate authority of God’s Word. Third, the Afscheiding (1834) and the Doleantie (1886) as reforming movements out of the Dutch state church are not mutually exclusive of each other. These two groups merged into one church in 1892 (Gereformeerde Kerken in Nederlanden). Many of the immigrants who came after that church merger had no trouble assimilating the emphasis of each when it came to education. Those who were already living in the United States especially adopted a number of Kuyperian principles. This is part of the reason we see Christian day schools established where Christian Reformed churches were located. I am a product of such a history in my own family. I am open to reading more on the subject and I would like to thank The Outlook for the opportunity to respond. I hope it clarifies my position on this important subject.

Brotherly greetings in Christ, Rev. Steve Swets

Rev. Steve Swets

is the pastor of Rehoboth United Reformed Church in Hamilton, ON, and the co-editor of Faithful and Fruitful: Essays for Elders and Deacons (now available at reformedfellowship.net).