RCA and CRC: What’s the Difference?

This is an interesting post by CRC pastor Aaron Vriesman. Having attended an RCA seminary for part of his education and being good friends with his next-door-neighbor RCA pastor, Vriesman has insight into both denominations. His analysis is worth reading.

For example, he compares his time at Western Seminary (RCA) with his experience at Calvin Seminary (CRC).

The exposure and importance placed on the confessions is vastly different. While at Western Theological Seminary of the RCA, I remember studying the Heidelberg Catechism on two separate occasions over the three years I spent there. The Belgic Confession I remember consulting once, and the Canons of Dort not even once.

When I spent one quarter at Calvin Theological Seminary of the CRC to complete the CRC minister requirements, I had to look at all three confessions frequently. I was required to take an entire class on using the Heidelberg Catechism in preaching. This different emphasis on the confessions extends throughout both denominations.

Later he writes:

I remember attending Calvin Seminary (CRC) and noticing a distinctly different atmosphere than that of Western Seminary (RCA). Calvin’s teaching had a classical character that valued theological tradition. The theological hero at Calvin was generally John Calvin, whereas the hero at Western was easily Karl Barth. Western’s teaching had a neo-orthodox style that would often be linked to the oppression of women, minorities, and the poor.

Early on at Calvin I was sitting with a theology professor and asked, “Calvin or Barth?” I got a somewhat surprised look and a quick reply of, “Calvin.” At Calvin Seminary I could use the NIV Bible in papers without being penalized, and I could say the word “mankind” without getting dirty looks. Believing that the Bible reserves the office of elder and minister for men was considered a valid position at Calvin. The handful of times I revealed this view at Western felt like “coming out of the closet.” Usually laughter or wide-eyed looks would be the response, and the view was generally tolerated. But it also brought passing derogatory comments and even ended some friendships. These personal experiences reveal two denominations that are in different pools of influence.

Vriesman contends that the RCA and CRC, though they share a lot in common, have different roots, a different role for the confessions, different associations, and different priorities. In the end, Vriesman questions whether merging makes sense. Do we need to share the same institution in order to have the kind of unity Jesus prayed for? Vriesman says no, and I agree with him (though I wonder what sort of unity conservative RCA congregations and conservative CRC congregations truly have with the liberal wings of their denominations).

Read the whole thing.