Pioneer Christian Monthly - September, 1981

The Dutchness Controversy
Cornelis Kors

There are rumblings of anarchy in the Reformed Church in Canada. The issue at stake is one that once was just as real and pressing for the churches of the R. C.A. in the United States not so many years ago. The issue being addressed is the loss of the Dutch language and becoming a community church right alongside the Presbyterian, Anglican and United memberships. Only the older members of Reformed Churches remember the intensity of the debate as it took place in the U.S.

The debate originates with a significant number of people in Canada who see the need for reaching out into the community with the gospel message. The point of controversy is the fact that they are willing to do this at the risk of losing the "Dutchness". Many of these individuals have supported this approach with the argument that our "Dutchness" has been the blockade that has hindered our efforts to try to reach non-Dutch persons who would otherwise be very receptive when the invitation to join a church is extended. The Reformed Church should not utilize its history and cultural heritage for the purpose of becoming an elitist clique to which membership rights are only extended if one is of Dutch extraction, or at least has an interest in maintaining the Dutch character in as many facets of church life as is possible.

The fact that makes the Canadian debate distinctly different from the one that preceeded it in the U. S., is the major philosophy of the different countries. Rather than espousing to the " melting pot" theory of the U.S., the Canadians have chosen a multicultural philosophy by which to live. It is the concept of multiculturalism that at least some of the staunch Dutch supporters point to when they are looking for ammunition in their fight to maintain both the Dutch language and heritage as a central part of the Reformed Churches in Canada. They feel that Canada's governmental policy dictates the maintenance of their ethnic heritage.

It is this author's purpose to point out that the Canadian government's multicultural program ultimately supports the integration of ethnic groups into the general populace with the purpose of creating unity. This would seem to be a worthwhile objective which, when shared by the Reformed Churches, would foster both growth and a harmonious existence for all involved.

Although the Canadian government's position on multiculturalism does prefer that the numerous cultural groups live side by side yet distinct from one another, the immigrants, "regardless of ethno-cultural origin or mother tongue, should choose to integrate with either of the two societies - English or French" (Book IV, Royal Commission's Report, October 1 96 9). This concept of integration is not synonymous with assimilation which implies total absorption into another linguistic and cultural group. What it does mandate is a request for unity and working together.

In October of 197 1, Prime Minister Trudeau suggested that the government provide various support services in order to actualize the true concept of multiculturalism. These services consisted of assisting members of all cultural groups to overcome cultural barriers to full participation in Canadian society. In order to achieve some of this he wished to promote all Canadian cultural groups in the interest of national unity and to continue to assist immigrants in acquiring at least one of Canada's official languages in order to become full participants in Canadian society.

It is not the purpose of this article to simplify the phenomenon that is occurring in the Canadian churches. What is being suggested here is that the Canadian concept of multiculturalism should not be interpreted by the Reformed Church as saying that they should hold on to their Dutch heritage at all costs, particularly the restriction of spreading the gospel to only one's own kind. As the generations pass, the loss of the Dutch language will become an inevitability and the sooner we recognize that, the more effective we will become as a Church. We should avoid at all costs being perceived as a miniature Dutch society which happens to meet in a church building.

Our first responsibility as Christians is to Christ and the spreading of the Word. It is this author's opinion that this is not possible if we choose to isolate ourselves according to our Dutch language. We should learn from the Canadian government's policy of full participation in the society which will in turn allow Canadian society to be involved and participate in our churches. Once the concept of multiculturalism is under stood in this manner by everyone in thdl Reformed Church, we can share its objective of unity.

Anarchy does not have to occur in our Canadian churches. If we set our priorities straight we will want to present the Canadian society with Jesus Christ and then welcome the Canadian, English-speaking people into our churches. By limiting any portion of our proclaimed message to Dutch we are also limiting the number of individuals with whom we could share the Good News. Our language should not be the one we have known the longest, but rather the one with which we can best communicate the gospel.

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