The Belgic Confession Article 36 amended by the Christian Reformed Church

That the American Presbyterians changed the Westminster Confession articles on the power of the civil magistrate is well known. Less week known is how Americans have altered the Belgic Confession. Here it is.

Article 36: The Civil Government

We believe that
because of the depravity of the human race,
our good God has ordained kings, princes, and civil officers.
God wants the world to be governed by laws and policies
so that human lawlessness may be restrained
and that everything may be conducted in good order
among human beings.

For that purpose God has placed the sword
in the hands of the government,
to punish evil people
and protect the good.

[RCA only*
And the government’s task is not limited
to caring for and watching over the public domain
but extends also to upholding the sacred ministry,

with a view to removing and destroying

all idolatry and false worship of the Antichrist;

to promoting the kingdom of Jesus Christ;
and to furthering the preaching of the gospel everywhere;
to the end that God may be honored and served by everyone,
as he requires in his Word.]

[CRC only**
And being called in this manner
to contribute to the advancement of a society
that is pleasing to God,
the civil rulers have the task,

subject to God’s law,

of removing every obstacle

to the preaching of the gospel
and to every aspect of divine worship.

They should do this
while completely refraining from every tendency

toward exercising absolute authority,

and while functioning in the sphere entrusted to them,

with the means belonging to them.

They should do it in order that

the Word of God may have free course;
the kingdom of Jesus Christ may make progress;
and every anti-Christian power may be resisted.]

Moreover everyone,
regardless of status, condition, or rank,
must be subject to the government,
and pay taxes,
and hold its representatives in honor and respect,
and obey them in all things that are not in conflict

with God’s Word,

praying for them

that the Lord may be willing to lead them

in all their ways

and that we may live a peaceful and quiet life

in all piety and decency.

[RCA only***
And on this matter we reject the Anabaptists, anarchists,
and in general all those who want
to reject the authorities and civil officers
and to subvert justice

by introducing common ownership of goods
and corrupting the moral order

that God has established among human beings.]

* The Reformed Church in America retains the original full text, choosing to recognize that the confession was written within a historical context which may not accurately describe the situation that pertains today.
**Synod 1958 of the Christian Reformed Church replaced the aforementioned paragraph with the following three paragraphs (in brackets).
***The RCA retains this final paragraph of the original Article 36, choosing to recognize that the confession was written within a historical context which may not accurately describe the situation that pertains today. Synod 1985 of the CRC directed that this paragraph be taken from the body of the text and placed in a footnote.