EVANGELICAL REVIEW OF THEOLOGY
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
The World Evangelical Alliance’s Journal
of Theology and Contemporary Application
Special Print from the
EVANGELICAL
REVIEW OF
THEOLOGY
ERT is going electronic!
See page 99 for important information on gaining free access to
the new ERT and about current subscriptions.
Volume 44 No. 2 April 2020ABSTRACTS/INDEXING
This journal is abstracted in Religious and Theological Abstracts, 121 South College Street
(P.O. Box 215), Myerstown, PA 17067, USA, and in the Christian Periodical Index, P.O. Box 4,
Cedarville, OH 45314, USA.
It is also indexed in the ATLA Religion Database, published by the American Theological Library
Association, 300 S. Wacker Dr., Suite 2100, Chicago, IL 60606 USA, E-mail: atla@atla.com, Web:
www.atla.com/
MICROFORM
This journal is available on Microform from UMI, 300 North Zeeb Road, P.O. Box 1346, Ann Arbor,
MI 48106-1346, USA. Phone: (313)761-4700
Photocopying Licensing
No part of the material in this journal may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or
transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, record-
ing or otherwise without the prior permission of Paternoster Periodicals, except where a
licence is held to make photocopies.
Applications for such licences should be made to the Copyright Licensing Agency Ltd, 90
Tottenham Court Road, London W1P 9HE.
It is illegal to take multiple copies of copyright material.ERT (2020) 44:2, 101-114
The Founding of the European
Evangelical Alliance as a
Counter-Movement to the World
Evangelical Fellowship
Frank Hinkelmann
On 19 September 1952, representa- since the British EA’s beginnings in
tives of several national Evangelical 1846, and the DEA can be taken as
Alliances (EAs) from Europe met in representative of those EAs on the
Hamburg, Germany. They came at the European continent that decided not
invitation of the German Evangelical to join the WEF and instead founded
Alliance (DEA) to officially constitute the EEA.1
the European Evangelical Alliance Most research on the history of the
(EEA). Why was the EEA founded? evangelical alliances has focused on
Why did these national EAs not join either the nineteenth century or in-
the World Evangelical Fellowship dividual countries.2 In addition, there
(WEF), which had been founded at a
conference in the Netherlands in Au-
gust 1951? 1 An additional reason for choosing Germa-
This article traces the motives and ny is that many original sources on the DEA
reasoning of several national EAs in have been preserved on both sides of the
Atlantic—in the DEA archives in Bad Blank-
Europe in establishing the EEA, which
enburg, and on the WEF at the Billy Graham
were predominantly theologically Center (hereafter BGC) archives, Wheaton,
and partially culturally driven. I also IL.
consider how the theological differ- 2 On the nineteenth century, see Gerhard
ences unfolded in the following years. Lindemann, Für Frömmigkeit in Freiheit: die
Special attention is given to three Geschichte der Evangelischen Allianz im Zeit-
EAs: the National Association of Evan- alter des Liberalismus (1846–1879) (Munster,
gelicals (NAE) in the USA, the British Zurich and Vienna: LIT-Verlag, 2011); Hans
EA and the DEA. As we will see, the Hauzenberger, Einheit auf evangelischer
NAE would become the driving force Grundlage: vom Werden und Wesen der Evan-
for forming a new international body gelischen Allianz (Giessen and Zürich: Brun-
nen/Gotthelf, 1986). On the EA in Great Brit-
representing evangelicals. The British
ain, see Ian Randall and Davis Hilborn, One
EA had been the coordinating body of Body in Christ: The History and Significance
the World Evangelical Alliance (WEA) of the Evangelical Alliance (Carlisle: Pater-
Frank Hinkelmann (PhD, Free University Amsterdam) is president of Martin Bucer Seminary, Bonn,
Germany, and serves as president of the European Evangelical Alliance as well as vice-chair of the
World Evangelical Alliance’s International Council. He has published several books on the history of the
Evangelical Alliance and evangelicalism, focusing on the German-speaking world.102 Frank Hinkelmann
have been some studies on specific I. The Beginnings
themes3 and some more popular Fest- In the closing chapter of a book com-
schriften.4 However, to this date no missioned by the WEA on its hun-
research has been done on the origin dredth anniversary in 1946, author
John Ewing, then the WEA’s vice pres-
and history of the EEA. The present ident, wondered about the future:
article fills this gap by evaluating and Now the questions arise, can the
analysing primary sources from the Alliance continue its usefulness?
founding period of both the WEF and And is it likely to be needed un-
EEA. der the changed conditions of this
new time? That the conditions are
changed admits no doubt. A hun-
noster, 2004); J. B. A. Kessler, A Study of the dred years ago the Alliance stood
Evangelical Alliance in Great Britain (Goes: alone as a uniting Christian fellow-
Oosterbaan & Le Cointre, 1968). On Ger- ship. Since that time many other
many: Erich Beyreuther, Der Weg der Evan- uniting movements have sprung
gelischen Allianz in Deutschland (Wuppertal:
Brockhaus, 1969) and Werner Beyer, (ed.),
up.5
Einheit in Vielfalt: aus 150 Jahren Evangelis- Ewing expressed the view that the
cher Allianz (Wuppertal: Brockhaus, 1995). WEA still had a promising future.6
On Austria: Frank Hinkelmann, Geschichte However, only a few years later re-
der Evangelischen Allianz in Österreich: von ality showed a different picture. In a
ihren Anfängen im 19. Jahrhundert bis in die
document described as ‘Recordings
Gegenwart, rev. and enlarged edition (Bonn:
VKW, 2012). of the talks between the German com-
3 J. Cochlovius, ‘Das Selbstverständnis der mittee of the Evangelical Alliance and
Evangelischen Allianz in der Gründerzeit representatives of the Evangelical Al-
und heute: die Hauptbeschlüsse der Lon- liances of Great Britain, Denmark,
doner Gründungsversammlung 1846 im Ver- Norway, Sweden, Switzerland and
gleich mit der Glaubensbasis der Evangelis- Austria during the spring meeting of
chen Allianz von 1972’, Freikirchenforschung the German branch of the Evangelical
10 (2000): 157–66; Karl Heinz Voigt, Die
Alliance at the Patmos Retreat Centre
Evangelische Allianz als ökumenische Bewe-
gung: freikirchliche Erfahrungen im 19. Jahr-
in Geisweid in Westfalen close to Sie-
hundert (Stuttgart: Christliches Verlagshaus, gen from 3 to 5 May 1952’,7 General
1990); and Karl Heinz Voigt and Thomas Sir Arthur Smith of the British EA was
Schirrmacher (eds.), Menschenrechte für
Minderheiten in Deutschland und Europa:
vom Einsatz für Religionsfreiheit durch die 5 Ewing, Goodly Fellowship, 146.
Evangelische Allianz und die Freikirchen im 6 Ewing, Goodly Fellowship, 150.
19. Jahrhundert (Bonn: Verlag für Kultur und 7 German original: Niederschrift über das
Wissenschaft, 2004). Gespräch zwischen dem Deutschen Komitee
4 John W. Ewing, Goodly Fellowship: A Cen- der Evangelischen Allianz in England, Däne-
tenary Tribute to the Life and Work of the mark, Norwegen, Schweden, Schweiz und
World’s Evangelical Alliance 1846–1946 Österreich anläßlich der Frühjahrssitzung
(London and Edinburgh: Marshall, Morgan & des Deutschen Zweiges der Evangelischen Al-
Scott, 1946); W. Harold Fuller, People of the lianz im Erholungsheim Patmos in Geisweid
Mandate: The Story of the World Evangeli- in Westfalen b. Siegen vom 3.–5.3.1952, DEA
cal Fellowship (Carlisle: WEF/Paternoster, archives. All translations from German into
1996). English are by the author.The Founding of the European Evangelical Alliance 103
quoted: ‘In recent years, in the UK the These comments highlight the
Alliance only had the week of prayer. problems that the WEA was facing in
We were only active on paper—that the years after World War II. Since the
was all. When the Americans came EA’s beginnings in 1846, the British
and looked for a World Alliance, they EA had always been the driving force
didn’t find any.’8 F. R. Cattell, General of the WEA; in many ways the British
Secretary of the British EA, added, EA was the WEA, especially since the
‘The British Alliance did little if noth- EA added the attribute ‘World’ when
ing except the week of prayer. The it became legally registered in 1912.12
NAE led us to a new drive.’9 Evangelical Christendom, the WEA’s
The minutes of those meetings magazine (itself published by the
concluded with this statement: ‘1. British EA), addressed this matter in
The British acknowledge that the a special edition in fall 1949:
British Alliance hasn’t been in recent It has been revealed that there is
years what they ought to be. 2. A long- a feeling that the Alliance is too
ing can be observed to shape the old much centred upon Britain and
British Alliance in a more lively way.’10 that the words ‘British Organisa-
Before this, in 1950, J. Elwin tion’, which appear on everything
Wright, general director of the NAE, printed here, are misunderstood
reported a similarly dissatisfied in some countries as meaning that
perspective on the British EA to the the World Evangelical Alliance is a
NAE’s board of administration: ‘British Organisation’. This tends
It was very evident at Clarens [a to hold some back from closer co-
conference in Switzerland] in 1948 operation with the parent body,
that it [the British EA] was not, as and in some cases led to a national
then constituted, at all adequate. organisation being formed with
While it was 103 years old it did the same aims and objects as the
not have the confidence and re- Evangelical Alliance but adopting
spect of the leading evangelicals, another name in order to keep its
either in Europe or on the Conti- national identity. In actual fact the
nent. The principal reasons were words should be interpreted as
(1) an executive secretary who had meaning the ‘British Section’ of the
served 45 years and was in his dot- World Evangelical Alliance.13
age; (2) his ignorance of the issues
between modernism and evangeli-
in his centenary tribute to the WEA. See Ew-
calism of the present day; (3) the
ing, Goodly Fellowship, 133.
lack of any constructive program
12 Ewing, Goodly Fellowship, 129.
which would challenge evangelical
13 Evangelical Christendom, special issue,
interest.11 The New Alliance (October-December 1949),
BGC archives collection 338, II. Secretaries/
Directors, A. J. Elwin Wright, Box 12, Folder
8 Niederschrift, 3–4. 13, Switzerland, 1948–1958. See also Rich-
9 Niederschrift, 4. tlinien des gegenwaertigen Standes Evange-
10 Niederschrift, 4. lischer Zusammenarbeit und der Platz der
11 Wright was referring to Henry Martyn Evangelischen Welt-Allianz in der zukuenfti-
Gooch, who became secretary of the British gen Entwicklung (n.d., DEA archives), 2. This
EA in 1904. Ewing continued to praise Gooch document was most likely written for the104 Frank Hinkelmann
In a ‘Memorandum on the Present thus emerged as a key player in the
Position of Evangelical Co-Operation further development and renewal of
and of the Place of the World’s Evan- the evangelical movement.16 The NAE
gelical Alliance in Possible Future held to the classic evangelical beliefs
Development’, German leaders ex- and to the authority of Scripture but
pressed similar concern about the rejected the polemical and separatist
WEA’s lack of international effective- approach of fundamentalism. The so-
ness: called ‘new evangelicals’ driving this
It should be clearly understood effort included such key figures as
that at the present time the WEA Harold John Ockenga and Billy Gra-
is not an internationally controlled ham.17
organization, and there is no coun-
cil or committee which has repre-
(eds.), Return to Sender: American Evangeli-
sentatives of the different overseas
cal Missions to Europe in the 20th Century
movements serving on it. The last (Munster: LIT-Verlag, 2019), 9–16.
international conference was held 16 Joel Carpenter, Revive Us Again: The
in 1907. The organization in Great Reawakening of American Fundamentalism
Britain is only responsible for the (New York: Oxford University Press, 1997),
work carried on in this country [i.e. 141ff., describes the founding of the NAE,
the UK], with a friendly link, but no showing why it did not represent simply
authority, over any of the overseas a continuation of the EA of the nineteenth
organizations.14 century. See also Robert L. Kennedy, Turning
Westward: Anglo-American Evangelicals and
The document further noted that German Pietist Interactions through 1954
the WEA’s articles of association had (PhD dissertation, University of Aberdeen,
been drawn up in 1912 and were sub- 1988), 338ff.
stantially outdated. 17 George M. Marsden, Reforming Fun-
It is clear that the British EA was no damentalism: Fuller Seminary and the New
longer in a position to be an interna- Evangelicalism (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans,
tional driving force. Instead, the NAE 1995); Derek J. Tidball, Who Are the Evan-
in the United States, which had been gelicals? Tracing the Roots of Today’s Move-
ment (London: Marshall Pickering, 1994),
constituted in 1942, took the lead.
69–72; Garth M. Rosell, The Surprising Work
of God: Harold Ockenga, Billy Graham, and
the Rebirth of Evangelicalism (Grand Rap-
II. Growing North American ids, Baker, 2008). On the NAE, see Denton
Interest in Europe Lotz, ‘The Evangelization of the World in this
Following the war, North American Generation’: The Resurgence of a Missionary
Idea among Conservative Evangelicals (PhD
Christians became increasingly inter-
dissertation, Hamburg University, 1970);
ested in cooperation with Christians Mark Ellingsen, The Evangelical Movement:
in Europe15 and beyond. The NAE Growth, Impact, Controversy (Minneapolis:
Augsburg Publishing House, 1988), 98–102.
Ockenga coined the term ‘new evangelicals’;
World Alliance gathering at Hildenborough see David M. Howard, The Dream That Would
Hall, England in March 1950. Not Die: The Birth and Growth of the World
14 Richtlinien, 2. Evangelical Fellowship 1846–1986 (Exeter:
15 Hans Krabbendam, ‘Introduction: Amer- Paternoster Press, 1986), 4. On Graham’s
ican Evangelical Missions in Postwar Europe’ involvement in Europe, see Uta Andrea Bal-
in John Corrigan and Frank Hinkelmann bier, Billy Graham in West Germany: GermanThe Founding of the European Evangelical Alliance 105
Besides the NAE, the International pecially in view of that organization’s
Council of Christian Churches (ICCC), strong attacks on both the WCC and
a group remaining in the fundamen- NAE. As a result, the NAE became the
talist camp, reached out to Europe, main interlocutor between US and
sending Francis Schaeffer as a mis- European evangelicals, but fears of its
sionary.18 These entities were in effect purportedly fundamentalist position
in competition with the WEA and the remained.
more ecumenical World Council of
Churches, formed in 1948, as interde-
nominational organizations.19 III. The NAE Initiates the WEF
As both the ICCC and NAE had A report in Evangelisches Allianzblatt,
their roots in North American funda- the DEA’s magazine, in 1951 shed fur-
mentalism, they initially encountered ther light on the NAE’s growing influ-
reticence in Europe. In an April 1948 ence and some recent developments:
letter to the chair of the German EA Already during the war the NAE be-
in April 1948, British EA secretary gin to act far beyond the American
Henry Martyn Gooch warned about continent as they got in touch with
‘American fundamentalists’ who had evangelical Christians in Central
created ‘a lot of harm with their legal- and South America as well as with
istic zeal’ and their literal interpreta- brothers and sisters in faith on the
tion of Scripture.20 He also stated that mission fields of the Far East, in In-
no American group was connected to donesia, in India and Ceylon, in Af-
the WEA. rica, and other places. … After the
This fear of American fundamen- war was over, the NAE movement
talism being exported to Europe re- also crossed over to Europe. …
peatedly impacted relations between Automatically, the question
North American and European evan- arises, whether or not it would
gelicals throughout the period. It be appropriate and serving the
helped to keep the ICCC isolated, es- purposes of God in the world in a
much better way, when those two
alliance movements, the Evangeli-
Protestantism between Americanization and cal Alliance of 1846 and the NAE,
Rechristianization, 1954–70 (2010), www. join forces. The brothers in lead-
zeithistorische-forschungen.de/16126041- ership in the British Evangelical
Balbier-3-2010. Alliance took the initiative in this
18 Markku Ruotsila, ‘Francis Schaeffer in regard.21
Europe: The Early Missionary Years’, in John
Corrigan and Frank Hinkelmann (eds.), Re- In August 1948, the NAE leader-
turn to Sender: American Evangelical Mis- ship invited key international leaders
sions to Europe in the 20th Century (Münster: to Clarens, Switzerland for a confer-
LIT-Verlag, 2019), 17–31. ence under the heading, ‘In essentials,
19 All four groups are listed in Gesch. Vorst.
Protokoll 18.+21.9.1948 in Weidenau (DEA
archives) as having invited participation 21 ‘Weltweite evangelische Bruderschaft’,
by the German EA. The minutes specifically Evangelisches Allianzblatt 54 (1951): 152–
mention Schaeffer as an ICCC representative. 53. The last sentence reflects the greater
20 H. R. Leusser on behalf of Gooch to W. British openness to the NAE after Gooch re-
Zilz, 30 April 1948, DEA archives. tired, as discussed below.106 Frank Hinkelmann
unity; in non-essentials, liberty; in all the NAE wrote to Zils in August 1949,
things, clarity.’22 Among the promi- ‘You will be pleased to hear … that the
nent participants were Gooch, Martyn new Secretary General of the World
Lloyd-Jones and J. Edwin Orr from the Evangelical Alliance in Great Britain,
UK; René Pache and Gertrude Was- Mr Roy Cattell, is very different from
serzug from Switzerland; and Billy Mr Gooch in his attitude.’25
Graham, Torrey Johnson, Bob Jones, General agreement was also
Harold J. Ockenga and J. Elwin Wright reached at Clarens on adopting the
from the US. Others, including the NAE’s statement of faith for possi-
head of the DEA, received the invita- ble future cooperation. A follow-up
tion too late and could not obtain per- conference was planned for 1949 in
mission from the Allied forces in time Zurich but, after a postponement,
to travel to Switzerland. took place on 7–10 March 1950 at
The goal of the conference, with Hildenborough, England, with eigh-
sixty participants from fourteen teen delegates from Austria, Belgium,
countries, was to discuss how to Denmark, Germany, Great Britain,
strengthen cooperation among evan- Greece, Holland, Italy, Norway, Por-
gelicals.23 In his report on the confer- tugal, Sweden, Switzerland and the
ence, Wright stated, ‘In general, the United States.26 This time the WEA
delegates were in accord on all impor- (British EA) was the inviting party.
tant issues which were considered’.24 Following the conference, the Austri-
The only strong opposition came an delegate reported, ‘The conference
from Gooch, who saw no need for
decided on a co-operation between
a new form of cooperation besides
the Evangelical Alliance and the Na-
the WEA. Gooch wrote to DEA chair
tional Association of Evangelicals, as
Wilhelm Zils in December 1948, ‘I
it was recognised with satisfaction
note from your letter that you raise
that the statement of this association
the question of the NAE Conference
(proposed) in Zurich next year. Please corresponds with the Alliance state-
understand the British Organisation ment of faith’.27
is not taking part in such a Confer- The following recommendation
ence.’ But a few months later, Gooch (amongst others) was agreed on at
was forced to give up his position as
WEA general secretary after forty-five 25 Gooch to Wilhelm Zils, 6 December
years, and in his absence the British 1948; Wright to Zils, 2 August 1949, both in
EA began to take a more positive at- the DEA archives.
titude towards the NAE. Wright of 26 Report of the World Evangelical Alliance
Conference held at Hildenborough, England,
7th to 10th March 1950, DEA archives. The
22 Welcome letter to the Clarens confer- joint secretaries of the British EA, H. W. Hall
ence, DEA archives. and Cattell, were also present, but not as del-
23 J. Elwin Wright to all invited delegates, egates.
n.d. See also Wright’s report on the confer- 27 Gertrud Hoffmann, Bericht von der Kon-
ence, BGC archives collection 338, II. Secre- ferenz der Evangel. Weltallianz in Hildenbor-
taries/Directors, G. Clyde Willis Taylor, Box ough vom 7.–11. März 1950, gegeben in Wien
27, Folder 5. a, 11. April 1950 in der Allianzgemeinschaft,
24 Wright’s report on the conference, BGC I. Bartensteingasse 14, Austrian EA archives
archives, 2. in Pöchlarn.The Founding of the European Evangelical Alliance 107
the end of the conference: ing months were to be used to work
The Conference agrees that there through open questions while the
is a great need for Evangelical British EA agreed to manage admin-
work and witness. This need is istration for the time being. The min-
threefold: Personal, National, In- utes of the Interim Executive Commit-
ternational. tee meeting of January 1951 showed
Personal, because we believe that a constitutional conference had
that the old evangelical message already been scheduled for August
alone as given in the Holy Scripture of that year. Even the possible name
can fully meet man’s deepest need. for a new future evangelical body was
National, because while the discussed:
voices of modernism and sacer- Some considerable discussion
dotalism are constantly heard, we took place over this very impor-
believe that evangelical truth is the tant question of the name. Drs Tay-
most important factor on the for- lor and Wright, as a result of their
mation of sound national character visit to many countries, had come
and outlook, and should be given clearly to the conclusion that the
fullest expression. name ‘Fellowship’ was what was
International, because unity is really required, and would indi-
strength, and it is essential that cate the type of organization which
evangelical convictions be made was contemplated more clearly
known in International matters. … than any other word. This would at
This International Committee once remove considerable preju-
will be formed of representatives dice and fears that many countries
of the National Branches of the had of another super organization.
World’s [sic] Evangelical Alliance, … This would thus make possible a
of the National Association of name that was neither approach-
Evangelicals, and of other Evan- ing ‘World Evangelical Alliance’
gelical groups. Each member will nor ‘The National Association of
undertake to agree either with the Evangelicals’. Possibly‚ ‘Interna-
1846 Basis of Belief of the W.E.A. tional Fellowship of Evangelicals’
or to the Statement of Faith of the would be as good a title as any.29
N.A.E. The Committee will function
until the ultimate objective of a ful- At the same time, a growing oppo-
ly constituted International Body sition to such plans arose on the Eu-
can be brought into being, but it is ropean continent. The DEA not only
clearly stated that this Committee stressed the independence of each
is of advisory character, and will national EA branch, but also raised
have no authority or control over issues with regard to the statement
the action of any country, all of of faith. The Germans proposed to
which remain autonomous.28
Also, a larger follow-up conference 29 World Evangelical Alliance, Report of the
was planned for 1952. The follow- Meeting of an Interim Executive Committee at
Woudschoten, Holland, January 1951, 2. BGC
archives collection 338, II. Secretaries/Direc-
28 Report of the World Evangelical Alliance tors, J. Elwin Wright, Box 8, Folder 3, Cattell,
Conference, 2. F. Roy, 1951–1955.108 Frank Hinkelmann
keep the EA’s 1846 statement of faith, On Tuesday, a motion was passed to
whereas the British delegation was constitute the WEF.33 ‘It became clear
much more open to agreeing to the that the Scandinavian branches of the
NAE’s statement.30 World’s Evangelical Alliance, for rea-
Interestingly, no further details are sons of their own internal organiza-
recorded about the exact theological tions, were not in favour of such a fel-
concerns of the Germans and other lowship, but wished the Evangelical
European EAs concerning the pro- Alliance to continue as in the past.’34
posed NAE statement, beyond their However, delegates from fourteen
reservations about the use of the term countries35 agreed to constitute the
‘infallible’ (discussed below). This WEF, while the national EAs were as-
lack of specificity hints that underly- sured that they will keep their inde-
ing cultural issues and fears about pendence and national identity. This
some kind of American takeover con- decision was to be brought for rati-
tributed to the division. Also, the EAs fication to each national member. A
of Denmark, Sweden, Norway and statement of faith was unanimously
Switzerland expressed their concern accepted: ‘We believe in the Holy
about a new evangelical body that Scripture, as originally given by God,
would no longer just gather individu- divinely inspired, infallible, entirely
al evangelicals together (as the WEA trustworthy; and the supreme au-
had understood itself) but would also thority in all matters of faith’.36
accept denominations, congregations A ‘continuing committee’ of eight
and agencies into membership (as the
NAE had done). All these national EAs
remained in good standing with the tors, J. Elwin Wright, Box 8, Folder 3, Cattell,
WCC and wanted to maintain that sta- F. Roy, 1951–1955. There are contradicting
tus; moreover, they were not in favour dates given on the date of the conference.
of any competition.31 While some sources say August 5-11, others
say August 4-10 or August 4-11. The minutes
On 5–11 August 1951, the planned
say that the meeting started on Saturday
conference took place in Woudscho- night, 4 August and ended on Friday, 11 Au-
ten, the Netherlands, with about one gust 1951.
hundred participants from twenty- 33 See The Motions Passed at the Interna-
one countries, of whom eighteen tional Conference Held at Woudschoten, Hol-
were counted as voting members.32 land, August 4-11, 1951, BGC archives collec-
tion 338, II. Secretaries/Directors, J. Elwin
Wright, Box 2, Folder 3, General Council Min-
30 World Evangelical Alliance, Report of utes; 1950-1967.
Conference at Hamburg on Tuesday, 27th Feb- 34 Summary of the International Conference
ruary and Wednesday, 28th February 1951, at Woudschoten, Holland, Aug. 4–10, 1951, 1.
DEA archives. 35 The motion was passed by majority
31 See 'Extracts from Letters from W.E.A. vote, 14 to 4. Those opposed were Denmark,
Branches on the Continent’ (n.d.), BGC ar- France, Norway and Sweden. See The Mo-
chives collection 338, I. Historical Files, Box tions Passed at the International Conference
1, Folder 20, Woudschoten 1951. Held at Woudschoten, 1.
32 For the list of participants, see ‘Inter- 36 World Evangelical Fellowship Constitu-
national Conference of Evangelicals. Woud- tion, 1–2, BGC archives collection 338, His-
schoten, Holland—August 5–11, 1951’, BGC torical Files, Box 1, Folder 20, Woudschoten
archives collection 338, II. Secretaries/Direc- 1951.The Founding of the European Evangelical Alliance 109
members was elected, and partici- DEA’s position.
pants left Woudschoten with the ex- The remaining time at the confer-
pectation that things would move ence was full of controversial discus-
forward as agreed upon. The reports sions regarding the NAE’s influence
in Christian media on the conference over the WEF. Whereas the British
were positive too.37 delegation was positive that they
However, behind the scenes broad- could influence the NAE to a more
er discomfort was percolating. The moderate position, Rev. Petersen of
controversy centred on two issues: the Danish EA concluded otherwise:
the use of the term ‘infallible’ to de- The NAE is predominantly made
scribe Scripture in the statement of up of people who have detached
faith, and a perceived anti-ecumenical themselves from other ecclesiasti-
stance by the WEF. cal institutions and gone their own
A meeting of European EAs was way. We are afraid of this fiercely
scheduled for Siegen, Germany on independent spirit of the NAE. The
3–5 March 1952. Five EAs were rep- British will also have no power to
resented: the UK, Germany, Denmark, control the NAE, even when they
Sweden and Switzerland. During this join them to do so, because they
conference, the board of the DEA held see their missionaries and their
a separate meeting and reached the work as more evangelical than
following conclusion: ours. The NAE might be good in
The foundation for a ‘World Fel- the USA, but we don’t need them
lowship’, as proposed in the consti- on the continent.39
tution of Woudschoten, doesn’t ap- In a memorandum published immedi-
pear viable to us, because it is too ately after this conference, the British
narrow and too legalistic. In addi- delegation tried to refute some of the
tion, this can be gained only by the arguments against the NAE and to de-
loss of those brethren who over fend the use of the word ‘infallible’:40
many decades have stood together
with us in the World Alliance [i.e. The British hold strongly the view
the Scandinavians].38 that the intention of the 1846 Basis
and 1951 Statement of Faith were
This decision was communicated to
the delegates of the other countries,
and those from Sweden, Denmark 39 Niederschrift vom 3.–5.3.1952, 5.
and Switzerland agreed with the 40 World Evangelical Alliance, Memoran-
dum Prepared by the British Delegation Who
Attended the German Conference Held at
37 See ‘Weltweite Evangelische Bruder- Patmos, 3rd–6th March 1952, DEA archives.
schaft’, 151–56. (Patmos was the name of the retreat centre
38 Niederschrift über das Gespräch zwischen in Siegen that hosted the conference. Other
dem Deutschen Komitee der Evangelischen Al- sources give the conference dates as 3–5
lianz und den Vertretern der Evangelischen March.) The British EA felt that those present
Allianz in England, Dänemark, Norwegen, were not willing to distinguish between the
Schweden, Schweiz und Österreich anläßlich NAE and the ICCC and their different position
der Frühjahrssitzung des Deutschen Zweiges towards the WCC. Following the conference
der Evangelischen Allianz im Erholungsheim in Germany, much correspondence went
Patmos in Geisweid in Westfalen b. Siegen vom back and forth between the DEA and repre-
3.–5.3.1952, DEA archives. sentatives of the WEF.110 Frank Hinkelmann
essentially the same. In the words IV. The Idea of a European
of our Articles of Association, the Evangelical Alliance
defence and advancement of what
is commonly known as Evangeli- The pendulum was swinging. At the
cal Truth according to the text and Siegen conference, the idea of an EEA
teachings of the Holy Scriptures was mentioned for the first time.42 Af-
was (we believe) safeguarded in ter the four national delegations oth-
1846 by that Basis which was suffi- er than the British arrived at agree-
ment on their position, they jointly
cient for that date, and is now safe-
informed the British ‘that the Ger-
guarded by the 1951 Statement of
man, Scandinavian and Swiss breth-
Faith.
ren have no joyfulness to affiliate with
While we respect those who
the World Evangelical Fellowship. We
may think there is some basic dif-
want to remain in fellowship with the
ference between 1846 and 1951,
British brethren.’ At the completion of
we are not able to agree.
the three-day conference a decision
We believe the intention of 1846
was taken to form a ‘European Com-
was to safeguard what we in Great
mittee of the Evangelical Alliance’.
Britain know as the ‘Conservative This committee was asked to act as
Evangelical’ position. The Evangel- the interim leadership of the EA in
ical Alliance of Great Britain must Europe. Several names of possible
humbly confess that a tendency to committee members were suggest-
depart from this position in recent ed.43
years largely led to ineffectiveness. In a letter of 31 July 1952, Zils as
Para. I. There is no intention in chair of the DEA invited fellow EAs
this paragraph of requiring belief across Europe to a founding assembly
in ‘a mechanical verbal inspiration’. of the EEA on 19 September 1952 in
In the British view the word ‘infal- Hamburg. Official delegates from the
lible’ is redundant and therefore EAs of Denmark, Norway, Sweden,
unnecessary. But it was accepted Germany, Switzerland and Austria
at Woudschoten by a majority vote, constituted the EEA. The British EA
and we therefore accept it.41 was invited but decided to send only
Other participants from continental an observer, agreeing to join the EEA
Europe used catchwords like ‘narrow some weeks later.44 The official con-
and legalistic’, ‘fundamentalism’, ‘ver-
bal inspiration’, ‘Judaistic eschatology’
and ‘wrong theory of inspiration’ to 42 Niederschrift vom 3.–5.3.1952, 7.
describe the WEF’s view of Scripture. 43 Niederschrift vom 3.–5.3.1952, 10, 12. In-
They further objected to the WEF’s terestingly, Friedrich Heitmüller of Hamburg
and René Pache of Switzerland remained
expectation that members would sign involved with the WEF and were even part
the statement of faith annually. of its International Council for some time.
Heitmüller was strongly disappointed with
some of the positions on Scripture held by
other German EA members, as illustrated in
a letter to Zils of 25 August 1952, contained
in the DEA archives.
41 World Evangelical Alliance, Memoran- 44 See Bericht über die Unterredung zwis-
dum Prepared by the British Delegation. chen Pastor Zils, Berleburg, und Pastor Dol-The Founding of the European Evangelical Alliance 111
stitution of the EEA and a statement foundation. A leaflet published and
of faith were agreed on, and a board distributed by the DEA (probably in
was elected. There was great unity on 1952) stated:
the way forward as no major discus- The European Evangelical Alliance
sions were recorded. In spring 1953, acknowledges as a foundation of
European EAs from France, the Neth- fellowship and for its work those
erlands, Portugal, Spain, Italy, Finland nine points which were agreed
and Yugoslavia were invited to join on at the founding session of the
the EEA and to attend a conference Evangelical Alliance in London,
planned for September 1953 in Sie- 1846. It appropriates the three
gen, Germany.45 declarations which were added by
Meanwhile, the WEF also attracted the fathers of the Evangelical Alli-
some followers in Europe. At a WEF ance to these nine points, in order
General Committee meeting at Clar- to specify and mark the rights and
ens, Switzerland on 28–30 July 1953, the boundaries of brotherhood in
European participants came from the Alliance.47
Belgium, Cyprus, France, Germany The first of those nine points referred
(Friedrich Heitmüller), Greece, Great to the ‘divine inspiration, authority,
Britain, the Netherlands and Switzer- and sufficiency’—not the infallibil-
land.46 ity—of Scripture.
No further theological discussions
were recorded within the EEA ranks,
V. Theological Accentuations except for a letter of protest from the
The newly approved constitution British EA, threatening to leave the
of the EEA stated very clearly in its EEA, due to an article published in
first paragraph that it was taking the the DEA’s magazine in spring 1953.
original 1846 WEA basis of faith as its The British described the article as
‘unsatisfactory in regard to the di-
vine inspiration of Holy Scripture
man, Cambridge, in Berleburg am 7. August
and [references to] theological lib-
1952, DEA archives. The British EA also
indicated that the difference between the eralism amongst certain theologians
continental EAs and the British EA on their on the Continent and in Scandinavia,
view of Scripture were more substantial than although references to such were all
previously noted. However, a month later the outside of the ranks of the Evang.
British EA agreed to send two delegates to Alliance’.48 This incident and some
the committee meeting of the EEA.
45 Letter from the EEA Secretary (B. Pe-
tersen, Denmark) to ‘our Evangelical Alliance 47 From a leaflet published and distributed
brethren in France, Holland, Portugal, Spain, by the German EA (contained in the DEA ar-
Italy, Finland and Yugoslavia’, 6 April 1953, chives) without any further bibliographical
DEA archives. information, probably published soon after
46 See Minutes of the First Meeting of the the Patmos conference of 1952 to which it
General Council Committee of the World refers.
Evangelical Fellowship Held at Clarens—28th 48 Protocol from the Meeting of the General
to 30th July, 1953, 1, BGC archive collection Council of the European Evangelical Alliance
338, Secretaries/Directors, G. Clyde Willis in Connection with the first European Confer-
Taylor, Box 25, Folder 9, Executive Meetings ence of the European Evangelical Alliance, in
1951–1955. the Vereinshaus ‘Hammerhütte’, Siegen, West-112 Frank Hinkelmann
talks given at a subsequent EA con- is not countenanced by our Presi-
ference led to extensive correspond- dent, pastor Zils. …
ence between evangelical leaders in We also think that there are
Germany and Great Britain, but the some brethren in the Evangelical
British EA remained a member of the Alliance of Europe who dislike the
EEA. World Evangelical Fellowship Ba-
sis of Belief. We sincerely hope this
is not true, for the British Evan-
VI. Moving On gelical Alliance would indeed have
In view of the major dispute between difficulty understanding anyone
the WEF and EEA in the early 1950s who without mental reservation
on the appropriate view of Scripture, accepts the Basis of Belief of 1846
which contributed to the establish- in the language of the day, and yet
ment of two separate evangelical bod- who is unable to subscribe to the
ies, it seems surprising that during modern version as drawn up by the
the following years only a few further World Evangelical Fellowship.50
discussions on the view of Scripture The EEA representatives raised
were recorded. Even at the EEA’s an- questions at this 1957 meeting about
nual general assemblies, the subject the WEF’s attitude towards the WCC
was scarcely ever mentioned. Only and the NAE’s influence on the WEF.
at the EEA General Assembly in Co- The most important question about
penhagen, Denmark in 1957 did the Scripture was ‘Does not the WEF Ba-
relationship between the WEF and sis lay down belief in ‘verbal inspira-
EEA become a point of discussion, tion?’ The answer was as follows:
probably in light of the WEF’s desire These words do not appear in
to hold an international conference the Basis. The word INFALLIBLE
in Europe, which the EEA opposed.49 causes difficulty to some because it
No copy of the minutes seems to have is liable to be wrongly interpreted
been preserved, but only a response as signifying ‘mechanical’ view of
to questions raised at the assembly, inspiration. In actual fact the Brit-
which the British EA addressed in de- ish delegation were NOT in favour
tail. The British EA further stated: of adding this word to the Basis
We also sense a danger of an un- because they considered it redun-
dant and therefore unnecessary.
due liberal influence sometimes
We also thought it misleading.
intruding in European Evangeli-
However, by majority vote it was
cal Alliance outlook—a liberal and
included. In all matters of doctrine
modern tendency which we know
there must be some latitude in in-
terpretation of details, but there
ph., Germany, September 10th, 1953, 2, DEA can be no compromise regarding
archives. See also Entwurf einer Erklärung the principle of belief that the Bible
der englischen Vertreter bei der europäischen is (and does not merely contain)
Konferenz in Siegen (n.d.), DEA archives. the Word of God and as such is en-
49 This is hinted at in a September 1957
Memorandum for the European Evangelical
Alliance, signed by Arthur Smith and Gilbert 50 Memorandum for the European Evangeli-
Kirby and preserved in the DEA archives. cal Alliance.The Founding of the European Evangelical Alliance 113
tirely reliable and sufficient. out of the question.52 However, the
We do indeed believe, consist- EEA board did not follow this course
ently with the Bible’s own claims, and continued talks with the WEF,
that the Holy Spirit spoke through especially as the General Secretary of
human authors so directly that the British EA, Gilbert Kirby, assumed
their words were in a very real the role of WEF Secretary General in
sense His words, but we do not 1962. The EEA board met with Kirby
imagine that the process was a me- in September 1962, but positions had
chanical one. not changed in any way by this point.
The word INFALLIBLE does The first change of attitude on the
mean that we believe God ensured EEA side could be observed in 1964:
that no mistakes appeared in the The brethren present here are
Holy Scriptures as originally given of the opinion that under certain
and that the Bible conveys with conditions a closer collaboration
accuracy God’s message to man, would be possible; that is, both
whether given in literal or symbol- sides should not stop at the dif-
ic form or by way of parable.51 ferent formulations of their ba-
At the EEA’s October 1960 Gen- sis. We trust each other that both
eral Assembly, held in England, the sides, both the WEF and the EEA,
EEA–WEF relationship was again dis- will have basically the same un-
cussed. Special attention was given broken position on Scripture. On
to the NAE’s relationship with the this basis, it is conceivable that the
ICCC. Because ICCC representatives EEA will join the worldwide WEF
(such as René Pache from Switzer- and represent the WEF’s concerns,
land) had been present at the 1951 which it recognizes as its own, in
Woudschoten meeting, the NAE was Europe.53
accused of cooperating with the ICCC.
What led to this change of attitude
EEA leaders seemed unwilling to be-
is unclear. Perhaps the EEA was reas-
lieve the WEF’s statement that it had
sessing its understanding of Scripture
broken off fellowship with the ICCC,
in response to the growth of liberal
even though leading ICCC figure Carl
theology on the European continent.
McIntire had been attacking the NAE
since the late 1940s, accusing it of Several speeches given at EEA gen-
having become too ecumenical. eral assemblies in the mid-1960s on
Through the British EA, the WEF the authority of Scripture hint at this
reached out regularly to EEA mem- explanation.54 In 1965, the EEA board
bers, inviting them to join the WEF as
well. This invitation was consistently 52 See Europäischer Rat der Evangelischen
rejected, and in 1962 a representa- Allianz: Sitzung des Präsidiums vom 10.–11.
tive of the Swedish EA emphatically Juli 1962 im Bapt. Theol. Seminary in Rüscch-
demanded that the WEF be told de- likon bei Zürich, DEA archives.
finitively that a link with the EEA was 53 Rat der Europäischen Evangelischen Alli-
anz: Sitzung des Präsidiums vom 17.–18. März
1964 im Bibel- und Erholungsheim in Männe-
51 Appendix B to Memorandum for the Eu- dorf/Zürich, 1, DEA archives.
ropean Evangelical Alliance, October 1957, 1 54 In 1965, Otto Rodenberg spoke on ‘Con-
(emphasis in original), DEA archives. cerning the Truth of Holy Scripture’ and114 Frank Hinkelmann
published a more detailed state- 1967, Germany and Denmark applied
ment on its view of Scripture. Here for WEF membership, followed by
are some relevant excerpts from that Switzerland in early 1968.57 The min-
statement: utes of the WEF Council’s 1968 busi-
We note with deep concern certain ness meeting in Lausanne stated the
trends in modern theology which following:
gain increasing acceptance. Essen- Since some of these [national Eu-
tial Biblical truths are questioned, ropean EAs] have recently reaf-
and the nature of the Gospel is firmed their faith in the historic
misrepresented through irrelevant creeds, and the original statement
Bible-criticism. … of faith of the World Evangelical Al-
We accept the whole of Holy liance, and in addition have drawn
Scripture as the divine revelation up a fresh and detailed statement
inspired by the Holy Spirit, the of their position on the authority
Word of God with absolute author- of scripture, … we have concluded
ity determining the doctrine and that these are equivalent to our
the conduct of the believer. constitutional statement of faith
Therefore we must reject any for purposes of membership.
view which regards the Bible We recommend therefore the
merely as another historico-reli- ratification of this action in the
gious document, seeing in it only case of those European Alliances
the testimonies of gifted men but which were members of the World
without binding or continuing im- Evangelical Alliance and not to be
portance.55 taken as a precedent for others.
At the EEA’s 1967 General As- Motion prevailed that state-
sembly in Vienna, M. Derham from ment be ratified.58
London represented the WEF and In this way, an intra-evangelical con-
explained conditions for a possible flict that had persisted for nearly
merger of the WEF and EEA.56 In late twenty years was finally resolved.
Samuel Külling spoke on ‘Are We to Defend That Would Not Die, 36 and especially note
“Fundamentalism”?’ 2, is mistaken in stating that Germany and
55 European Evangelical Alliance, Our Posi- Switzerland were accepted as WEF members
tion in Relation to the Holy Scriptures, revised in 1953. This mistake is probably because
draft of 1963, DEA archives. I have been Heitmüller (Germany) and Pache (Switzer-
unable to locate a final copy in English, but land) were giving reports at the conference.
the text quoted by Howard, The Dream That 57 Europäische Evangelische Allianz: Rat-
Would Not Die, 88 is the same. stagung vom 17.–20. September 1968 in Lon-
56 Rat der Europäischen Evangelische Alli- don: Bericht des Präsidenten, DEA archives.
anz: Ratstagung in Wien vom 19.–21. Septem- 58 Quoted from Howard, The Dream That
ber 1967, 2, DEA archives. Howard, A Dream Would Not Die, 88.Return to Sender:
American Evangelical Mission to Europe
in the 20th Century Descriptive text/blurb
This collection of studies by American and that brokered their mission, the social and
European scholars explores the various ways political settings that framed their activities,
in which American evangelicals found their and the mixed results of their efforts, these
way to postwar Europe, what they did there, studies provide a much-needed overview
and how they were received. With attention how an important twentieth-century style of
to the American and European organizations Christianity “returned” to Europe.
Return to Sender. John Corrigan, Frank Hinkel-
mann (Eds.). Zuerich/Wien/Muenster: LIT Verlag.
Paperback 164 pp. 29.90 €.About the editors John Corrigan is the Lucius Moody Bristol Frank Hinkelmann is President of Martin Distinguished Professor of Religion, Profes- Bucer Seminary International (Bonn, Ger- sor of History, and Distinguished Research many) and lecturer of church history and Professor at Florida State University. He the history of missions. His main area of re- is the author of many books on religion in search is the history of evangelicalism and America, religious intolerance, religion and the history of the Evangelical Alliance in emotion, and space/place. Europe. Content Chapter 6. Revolutionists for Christ. Ope- Foreword by the editors ration Mobilization as a North American Introduction: American Evangelical Missi- Evangelical Expression of the 1950s/60s ons and Postwar Europe (Hans Krabbendam) Student Revolution and Its Reception in Eu- Chapter 1. Francis Schaeffer in Europe: The rope (Frank Hinkelmann) Early Missionary Years (Markku Ruotsila) Chapter 7. A Friendly Space. Popular Music Chapter 2. Empty Pews: American Evangeli- in North American Evangelical Missions to cals in Europe (John Corrigan) Germany from the 1950s to the 1990s (Frie- Chapter 3. American Evangelical Missiona- demann Walldorf) ries and the Acceptance of Evangelicals in Chapter 8. Billy Graham in Poland, 1978: Po- Austria (Frank Hinkelmann) lish Hopes Pinned to the Pulpit (Małgorzata Chapter 4. An American Invasion in Belgi- Gajda-Łaszeska) um (1919-1940) (Aaldert Prins) Afterword: Europe as a Mission Field (Uta Chapter 5. Framing a Mission Field (John Balbier) Boy) About the Authors
The World Evangelical Alliance’s Journal
of Theology and Contemporary Application
EVANGELICAL REVIEW OF THEOLOGY
Table of Contents
Introducing the New, Free, On Becoming a Fellow Traveller in Mission
Electronic ERT Hans Christoph Baer
page 99 page 141
Editor’s Introduction A Foundation for African Theology That Bypasses
page 100 the West: The Writings of René Girard
Jim Harries
The Founding of the European Evangelical
page 149
Alliance as a Counter-Movement to the
World Evangelical Fellowship The Ethics of Dietrich Bonhoeffer and the
Frank Hinkelmann Problem of Corruption in Malawi
page 101 Godwins Lwinga
page 164
A Renaissance of Character and Virtue
Marvin Oxenham The Trinity and Mission: Missio Dei in
page 115 St. Augustine’s De Trinitate
P. V. Joseph
Don’t Give Up Hope: Continuing in
page 175
Friendship with God amidst Acedia
Volume 44, No.2, April 2020
Chloe Lynch Book Reviews
page 126 page 190You can also read
