The committee reviewed the work of the department of theology, using as its basis the report of the theological secretary of the Alliance (To Ottawa 1982 and Onwards. pp.63-99). The committee also discussed other theological work in the Alliance, and it proposes in this report a list of tasks for the future, with indication of the priorities it attaches to them.

The mandate

The guidelines for the department as set out in the constitution and as summarised by previous general councils continue to be relevant. We found however that the statement of the 1964 Frankfurt general council (pp.66 f.) is in need of updating, and we therefore propose the following for adoption by this general council:

Recommendation 1 The purpose of the department of theology is

a) to promote continuing reflection and publication on the understanding of the word of God and on the meaning of the Reformed tradition in the contemporary world situation;
b) to help sensitize the theological conscience of the Reformed family in full awareness of the diverse theological approaches which exist among the member churches;
c) to assist member churches in their involvement in the renewal of the whole church catholic.
to collect and disseminate information about theological work underway in member churches, in dialogues and union negotiations, in ecumenical bodies and in other churches.
to initiate and participate in dialogue with other churches and families of churches, cooperating where appropriate with the World Council of Churches, the Lutheran World Federation and the member churches of the Alliance.
a) to advise and assist churches engaged in union negotiations and dialogues, when requested to do so;
b) to help promote dialogue with religions and ideologies in appropriate regions.
to establish and maintain contact with churches and theological colleges, seminaries and other similar institutions of the Reformed family in all parts of the world, giving particular attention to the needs of isolated institutions and institutions in a minority situation or in need of special assistance.

Theological work in "areas"

The Alliance has two "areas" and we place on record our appreciation of the cooperation given by both the Caribbean and North American area and the European area. It was suggested to us that three language areas be established in Africa. In other regions, eg Indonesia, present ecumenical structures seem adequate.

Having in mind the importance of regular theological liaison among the member churches, the committee recommends:

Recommendation 2 That subject to financial resources, increased secretarial assistance be given in the department of theology.

Interconfessional dialogues

The committee commends the department and the Alliance for the commitment to ecumenical engagement shown since the last general council. The committee recommends that the theological statement on motivation, approved by the centennial consultation in 1977, be affirmed in substance by the 1982 general council as a guide-line for continued work.

Recommendation 3 "We have to face the question freshly of why WARC is engaged in the ecumenical movement at all. The short answer is that this is the will and command of Jesus Christ our Lord. A longer answer is that, faced by a plurality of churches throughout the world, we have a choice "between" claiming to the one true church to which all others ought eventually to come "and", on the other hand, seeking the fulness of Christ's church by entering into dialogue and fellowship with those other churches which share with us the gospel. If we may not claim a monopoly of the gospel there is for us no alternative to involvement in the ecumenical movement. Further, the church 's existence in its plurality of visible churches is inseparable from its mission to the whole world; and the mission which is expressed in a conflict or competition of voices is no true mission. This is not just the psychological point that the world is not likely to be impressed by divided witness. It is the theological point that the witness and those engaged in it have lost their integrity if they are content with such a divided witness. The commissioning of the church includes, not only the command to proclaim the gospel, but the promise of Christ's presence in all generations; and we may not seek to obey his command without seeking the fulness of his presence."

"This applies also in particular to the fundamental reason for engaging in... interconfessional dialogues. The motivation for them is, ultimately, God's reconciling initiative in Jesus Christ. Though we must confess that we have repeatedly betrayed the vision of Christian unity and continue to do so, Christians in the Reformed tradition have always claimed to be part of the one holy, catholic and apostolic church, and have prayed and worked for its purity and unity. These interconfessional dialogues are part of the unitive pressure inherent in the Reformed tradition. But the motivation to persist in these dialogues and others is surely not a zeal for corporate merger in general nor a sense of loyalty to the ecumenical vision of our predecessors. We must remain in dialogue for the simple reason that we have been freed by Christ for this joyful, painstaking, arduous activity. As members of his reconciled and reconciling people, we are compelled by his word and Spirit to bring to greater manifestation the glory of God in Jesus Christ and in the common life of those he has joined to himself. Conversely, we are freed to work to overcome more barriers to Christian unity which obscure God's glory. These barriers pose a false scandal for a world which finds ecclesiastical divisiveness an almost insuperable obstacle to believe in the church's proclamation. That is why the prayer and thoughtful struggle for greater visible Christian unity is inseparable from our social witness, mission and evangelism: all these activities are inevitable outworkings of Christ's freeing, correcting and renewing presence in and over his church."

"The growth in mutual understanding represented in these dialogues is not minimal... We therefore urge the study of these reports by members of the churches of the Alliance, and we encourage and most heartily welcome response to them from all levels. Such study and shared responses are indispensable for the continued task of dialogue which Christ wills of his people."

(a) Reformed/Roman Catholic

The committee welcomes the report of the first phase of the Reformed/Roman Catholic dialogue published under the title The Presence of Christ in Church and World, and notes the process of evaluation already undertaken, leading to the decision in 1980 that a new phase of dialogue be undertaken. The committee has examined the report of the joint Reformed/Roman Catholic planning group (September 27-30 1981) (see Appendix 1) and warmly recommends:

Recommendation 4 That the proposed subject for continued Reformed/Roman Catholic dialogue - "Towards the unity of the church in the contemporary world" - be approved, along with the suggested methodology, time-span and membership of the joint commission; and that the president and the moderator of the department of theology nominate the five Reformed members of the joint commission.

(b) Lutheran/Reformed/Roman Catholic

The committee welcomes the initiative which led to the setting up of a joint Lutheran/Reformed commission which worked with the secretariat for promoting Christian unity of the Vatican on The Theology of Marriage and the Problems of Mixed Marriages (1971-77). While noting much that is positive in the final report and its evaluation, the committee suggests that at this point the Alliance and the member churches continue to pursue the difficult task of achieving mutual recognition of churches and ministries, so that the remaining problems affecting Reformed/Roman Catholic intermarriage may be more rapidly resolved.

(c) Reformed/Baptist

The committee discussed the implications of the significant Reformed/Baptist dialogue, the report of which was published in 1977. While noting that the process of evaluation is continuing and that a joint evaluation session is scheduled for December 6-10 1982, the committee expresses the hope that dialogue may continue in order that fuller communion may be achieved.

(d) Anglican/Reformed

On receiving the report of the on-going Anglican/Reformed dialogue, the committee has noted the relevance of this conversation to our member churches which are engaged in church-to-church negotiations with a view to intercommunion and/or union. In particular the committee welcomes the emphasis on the gospel and the kingdom as prior to issues of church order, an emphasis which deals with the relationship of the church to the kingdom of God and the Mission of the church under the gospel in the world. The final report Is expected in 1984.

The committee notes with regret the retirement of Rev Dr John Huxtable as co-chair of the dialogue, due to ill-health, and thanks him for his valuable services. It requests the Reformed members to elect a new co-chair.

(e) Reformed/Orthodox

The committee has observed with great interest the developing relations with the Orthodox churches. Aware of the long centuries of separation and misunderstanding, it is a source of satisfaction that conversations are taking place with both the Moscow Patriarchate and the Ecumenical Patriarchate (Istanbul). The committee recommends:

Recommendation 5

The general council records its gratitude:

for the initiative of Bishop Tibor Bartha and the Reformed Church in Hungary, along with the president of the Alliance, in establishing a series of consultations involving the Moscow Patriarchate, other Orthodox churches and representatives of Reformed churches, particularly in eastern Europe;
that in July 1979 the president of the Alliance led a delegation of theologians on a historic visit, the first since the Reformation, to His All Holiness Dimitrios I, the Ecumenical Patriarch;
that exploratory theological conversations have been held with a view to setting up a world-level theological dialogue between the Alliance and the Ecumenical Patriarchate.

The committee hopes that the department of theology will continue to pursue opportunities of developing understanding between Reformed and Orthodox, not only in Europe but elsewhere. It was suggested in the committee that interim reports of these world-level conversations be sent to member churches of the Alliance for their guidance in national and regional contacts with Orthodox Christians.

Interconfessional relations in general

The committee has discussed reports dealing with the great variety of interconfessional dialogues taking place in countries and regions. The very pluralism of these conversations is to be welcomed as a reminder that the people of God are called to confess the Faith in specific historical and cultural contexts. We welcome the ready response of member churches to enter into ecumenical relationships as a means toward the unity of the one church of Jesus Christ. Thus we recommend:

Recommendation 6 That the Alliance call on member churches to ensure that agreement on the substance of the apostolic Faith is kept at the centre of all interchurch conversations.

The committee was told that relationships in some countries are deteriorating while in others there is encouraging progress. It suggested to the department that dialogues be "indigenized" in regions, eg in regions of Africa and Asia. It also suggested that, where possible, the membership of world-level dialogue groups be further internationalised.

Lutheran/Reformed relations

The committee considered the report dealing with the work of the Lutheran/Reformed Joint committee 1970-79 and subsequent developments. In addition, three members of the Alliance executive committee formulated a report for the 1981 executive meeting which seeks action by the general council. Accordingly, we recommend (see Ottawa 1982... pp.80-83):

Recommendation 7 That the general council request the department of theology to make an official approach to the Lutheran World Federation with a view to reactivating the Lutheran/Reformed Joint committee, through the action of the respective executive committees, after consultation on terms of reference; and that the new Lutheran/Reformed Joint committee review the proposals contained in the 1981 ad hoc report of the Alliance and advise on their implementation.

The committee makes the above recommendations in the conviction that, faithful to the Reformation, both communities will seek to advance the unity of Christ's church under the gospel, and the committee notes with approval the proposal that wherever possible future dialogues with other communions be carried on by L WF and WARC jointly.

The church and Israel

The committee has been made aware of a growing concern among several member churches as to the oldest of ecumenical questions: relations between church and synagogue; and also contemporary Christian/Jewish relations. Major study documents on these themes have been produced in Holland, Germany, Switzerland, the USA and elsewhere; and in 1981 the general assembly of the Church of Scotland took action "urging WARC to prosecute Christian/Jewish dialogue at world level." Some reasons for such dialogue are: the traditional Reformed understanding of the unity of Holy Scripture and therefore the inner relationship binding the Old and New Testament together; the unity of the one covenant of grace and therefore the relationship of Israel and the church within the covenanted purposes of God. Accordingly the committee recommends:

Recommendation 8 That the department of theology enter into consultation with the international Jewish committee on interreligious consultations (Geneva) with a view to official conversations, and that a report with recommendations be presented to the executive committee of the Alliance, if possible in 1983.

Church union

The committee has noted with appreciation the involvement of many of our Reformed churches in church union negotiations and recommends:

Recommendation 9 That the general council reaffirms its conviction that the movement toward the visible unity of the one church of Jesus Christ is an obligation laid upon us by the gospel.

The committee is thankful that several member churches are now united churches and are seeking a still wider expression of the unity of the church.

Given the historical development of ecumenism. we affirm that the witness of united and uniting churches as full members in the Alliance is of great importance to the family of Reformed churches. enriching the life of the people of God at local, national and international levels.

Recognizing the problems stemming from differing understandings of baptism. eucharist and the ministry. the committee recommends:

Recommendation 10 That the general council request the member churches to give careful attention to the recent publication Baptism. Eucharist and Ministry, authorised by the Faith & Order commission of the World Council of Churches, which is now before the churches for study and response.

Relations between WARC and the WCC

Aware of the wider context in which the theological work of the Alliance is carried on, the committee discussed relations between the Alliance and the WCC. In particular the committee noted with appreciation the action of the executive committee in 1979, affirming: "The executive committee affirms its belief that the particular emphases of the Christian Communions and the WCC must be seen as complementary and as an integrated whole within the one common witness to the unity of the one people of God... The executive committee urges that this question of structure be given careful theological examination and kept open." (executive minutes, 1979). The executive later reiterated its concern that "the theological questions of structured relations between the Christian World Communions and the WCC still awaits examination." (executive minutes, 1981). Accordingly the committee recommends:

Recommendation 11 That following the 1982 general council the new executive committee and the department of theology continue to pursue the issue of relations with the World Council of Churches, through a process of joint study and consultation with the WCC; and that a report be presented in due time to the executive committee.

Study programme

The committee paid tribute to the outstanding work accomplished since 1970 on the theological basis of human rights and on the biblical concept of covenant. The committee received many suggestions for study in the forthcoming period. After detailed work by a subcommittee and further sifting by the whole committee, we recommend:

Recommendation 12 That topics for study in the coming years be the following:

The Reformed faith as it is received and expressed in varying cultural and religious contexts, with special reference to the relation between grace and law.
The essence of Reformed faith with its emphasis on christology.
The church and Israel, in the context of the faith-family of Abraham.
The church and Islam.
The implications of the doxological perspective for Christian concern for issues of justice and peace.

Comment: As to topic 1, the intention is that the study be pursued in local areas, examining how the Reformed tradition has been expressed in various contexts; and that regional consultations be organised following the initial period of study.

As to topic 2, faith in Jesus Christ, truly God and truly man, is at the root of other issues in the Reformed tradition. The study should relate christology to sola fide, sola gratia and sola scriptura.

The background to Topic 3 is indicated earlier in this report. As to Topic 5, this follows on from the main theme studied at this general council and also from the human rights study.

Publications

The committee recommends: Recommendation 13 that the Bulletin of Theology published quarterly in French and German be continued, and that a study be undertaken of the possibility of a Spanish edition. Mindful of the fact that the English version of the Bulletin of Theology was conflated with Reformed World in 1970, the theological responsibility of Reformed World should not be overlooked in the working out of editorial policy.

The committee sees a theological problem regarding the unity of the church in the limited availability of material in some languages. However it recognises the great financial problems involved.

Scholarships

The committee received expressions of appreciation of the current programme in which the department acts as a clearing-house for applications from theological students for study overseas. The committee places on record its gratitude to those institutions which have made scholarships available. The following suggestions were noted: (1) that in future some students take up scholarships in third-world countries, eg Indonesia; (2) that the programme be enlarged to provide for students at various levels and not only the graduate level; (3) that assistance be given where possible to theological teachers to take sabbatical leave in theological schools where the culture differs from their own.

Finance and staff

The committee laboured under some difficulty due to the fact that finance and staffing of the Alliance are being dealt with in various groups during this general council. However it seemed obvious to us that the work already described in this report cannot properly be undertaken by a single executive staff member with secretarial assistance. The committee accordingly recommends:

Recomendation 14 as finally amended and approved is: "That a second executive staff member be appointed to the department of theology; that as soon as the financial position of the Alliance permits, that staff appointment be made only after due consideration of the needs of both the department of theology and the department of cooperation and witness; that the department of theology prepare a job description for the second staff member for submission to the executive committee; and that preference be given to the candidature of a theologian from the third world."

Resolution of appreciation

The theological secretary has indicated his firm resolve to retire from his present position during 1983. The committee therefore recommends the following:

Recomendation 15 In view of the retirement of Rev Richmond Smith from the staff of the Alliance in 1983, this general council expresses its profound gratitude to him for his 18 years of exceptionally faithful service to the Alliance and its member churches.

Appreciation from the chair

Jan M Lochman, let me express my deep personal gratitude and that of the entire Reformed family for the distinguished leadership which you have given to the department of theology since you were first elected to that position by the general council at its meeting in Nairobi, Kenya, in 1970. I know of the hours that you have spent in conferences, planning, and writing in behalf of the Alliance. With all of your responsibilities as Professor of theology in a great university, and now with the added responsibility of being its Rector, you have always been available when called on to receive visitors in Basel, to come down to Geneva for meetings, and to represent the Alliance as its theological ambassador in various parts of the world. You have always kept before the Alliance its purpose and appropriate priorities, as you did so eloquently in your opening address here in Ottawa. Please accept the heartfelt thanks of all of us for twelve years of dedicated and creative theological leadership.

James I McCord