Church History in the Netherlands

In 1816 the Reformed Church was deteriorating on a large scale. The so-called "Enlightenment" - the belief and boundless trust in human reasoning as the source of knowledge began to take its toll on the church. King William I imposed the "Universal Regulation of the Government of the Reformed State Church" . With this ruling the Church Order approved by the Synod of Dort 1618, was abandoned. The King appointed a administration similar to a Synod to rule over the assemblies the church. A hierarchy was established. The church name was changed from "Reformed Church" to "The Reformed State Church". The administration formed a subscription form so ambiguously that there was very little adherence to Gods Word and freedom of doctrine appeared.

In 1834 at Ulrum another reformation began, this was to be known as "The Secession". Rev. Hendrick de Cock and his congregation separated from the "Reformed State Church" and returned to the true ecclesiastical assembly of the church. Namely that Consistories have the authority over the congregation and not a general assembly as appointed by King William I.

In 1886 the reformation continued and was known as "The Doleantie". Key people such as Abraham Kuyper, complained to the civil government about the maintenance of an unlawful church government and the denial of the churches lawful properties. It was around this time that those involved in the Secession and Doleantie returned to the use of the Church Order approved at the Synod of Dort.

In 1892, both separatist groups from the Secession and Doleantie united and became known as "Reformed Churches in the Netherlands". This union was not without problems.

In 1905 a Synod was called by the church to discuss differences related to the issue of baptism and the covenant. A "Pacification Act" was declared which partly rejected Kuyper's theories and emphasised the biblical truth. However Abraham Kuyper's work was very influential and was based on Scripture. His covenant views on regeneration become increasingly popular. Professor Greijdanus and Dr K. Schilder opposed his views and continued to compare them with Scripture. They found that Kuper's teachings were being regarded as Church Doctrine and as such should not be held in this regard.

In 1939, the Synod of Sneek-Utrecht accused Prof. Schilder of deviating from Scripture. In 1942, the Synod closed the case on the so-called "theoretical differences" by referring to a passage from the "Pacification Act 1905". However the Synod also published the "Elucidation" which explained that Kuyper's view was the only Scriptural view. This caused unrest.

In 1944, the Church of Bergschenhoek liberated itself from Kuyper's view and the Synod decision. This became known as "The Liberation". The churches who became liberated were still known as "Reformed Churches in the Netherlands" while those that accepted the Synod decision were called "Synodicals". The liberation showed that the Synod was being heirachical and did not leave the authority with the consistories.

Last modified: August 05, 1999