“We’re no longer going to be united by the Form of Subscription binding us to the confessions. We’re only going to be united by subscription to The Banner.”
Heard from a Calvin Theological Seminary Professor
At the Christian Reformed 2008 Synod
I’m somewhat confident that this was said tongue in cheek. I am also somewhat confident that it was a case of half in jest all in earnest.
Personally, I think this is already true to a large extent. As doctrinal preaching continues to be in decline in all American Churches including the Christian Reformed Church that which binds the CRC denominational membership together is the one thing that they have in common and that one thing they have in common, denominationally speaking is The Banner.
I am fairly confident that one reason why the decision was made to send The Banner free to the home of all CRC members was that it might serve as a kind of touchstone for its membership. If The Banner is the one thing in the denomination that everyone reads then The Banner becomes a kind of literary glue holding the denomination together while serving at the same time as an ideological information guide on what to believe.
This is disconcerting. In the nearly 14 years I have been associated with the Christian Reformed Church The Banner has been a publication that reflects the mainline liberal influence in the denomination. A denomination, thus united by subscription to The Banner will be a denomination that is characterized by the pursuit of a politically correct multi-cultural agenda. Anybody who disagrees with The Banner will certainly be free to do so, but because The Banner is serving as that which glues the denomination together the person who disagrees with The Banner will automatically be seen as the one out of step with the denominational consensus.
Ever since I’ve pastored a CRC church people would tell me that I shouldn’t worry over what The Banner reports because, after all, that’s just The Banner. I thought they were wrong before and I think they are wrong now. The Banner is monumentally significant in the life of the CRC and the sooner everybody realizes that the sooner people might be more concerned about what does and doesn’t get printed in The Banner.
Your assessment is accurate, and this has been going on in Grand Rapids for at least 30-40 years. Since confessional doctrine is now essentially removed/marginalized in any denominational discussion, all that’s left is power, politics, and propaganda.
The Banner fills this vacuum quite nicely. If one doesn’t believe it, check out the cover of the latest edition. I suspect even a blind man could have seen that one coming from 100 miles away.
Mark,
I like that…
Since confessional doctrine is now essentially removed/marginalized in any denominational discussion, all that’s left is power, politics, and propaganda.
The bold print is why everybody should read Jacques Ellul’s book titled, “Propaganda.”
The Banner, like any other publication that is written and edited by people is a subjective magazine representing the opinions and beliefs of the authors and editors. Simple.
I personally do not believe that human beings are capable of being totally subjective. I know for a fact my own submissions never made it to print in the Banner (that is almost as important as the other book with the capital B, what was that one again?) and I also know that my opinions are by far the vast minority within the organization that publishes it.
No offense to the author of this blog – as I like it and am a regular reader – I doubt your submissions would ever be printed either! Just my thoughts, if I’m wrong, let me know, I would love to read the article!
Hey J. Frog…
Did you mean to say “objective” in the first line of the 2nd paragraph?
The other book with a Capital “B”?
Beloved
1987
by Toni Morrison
Morrison’s heart-breaking novel tells the story of a woman who escapes from slavery to freedom in Cincinnati but remains haunted by her daughter’s murder.
Best Short Stories
1945
by O. Henry
Short vignettes display irony and coincidence in everyday life. O. Henry’s forte is the surprise ending.
Brave New World
1932
by Aldous Huxley
Huxley brilliantly satirizes contemporary society’s dehumanization in this grim novel of the future.
I can’t think of any others right off hand.
I quite agree… my submissions would never be printed by The Banner which is why I don’t waste time submitting them.
Thanks for reading the Blog J. Frog.
I did mean objective … sry!