fbpx
George Hitchcock, Tulip Culture (1889)

The Reformed Dutch Influence upon American Presbyterianism

Rev. Dr. Daniel Ragusa, pastor of Messiah’s Reformed Fellowship in New York City joins Camden Bucey for this thoughtful episode of Christ the Center. Together, they explore the profound impact of Dutch Reformed theology on American Presbyterianism, focusing on key historical moments and figures, including Cornelius Van Til and Gerhardus Vos. Ragusa shares insights from his recent work translating and editing Van Til’s “Dutch Letters” and discusses the lasting influence of Dutch Reformed thought on the formation of the Orthodox Presbyterian Church (OPC).

This conversation examines the connections between the nineteenth-century Dutch secession movements, particularly the Afscheiding of 1834, and their influence on the theological and ecclesiastical landscape in America. With a focus on confessional integrity and the challenges posed by modernity, Ragusa highlights the ongoing relevance of these historical developments for Reformed theology today.

Listeners will also hear about exciting new publications from Reformed Forum, including Ragusa’s forthcoming book, The Joyful Fellowship, which traces the theme of “God with us” throughout Scripture. This episode provides a rich, historical, and theological exploration of the Dutch Reformed legacy in American Presbyterianism.

Watch on YouTube or Vimeo.

Chapters

  • 00:00:07 Introduction
  • 00:04:16 The Joyful Fellowship
  • 00:13:08 Van Til’s Dutch Letters
  • 00:21:43 First Impressions of the Letters
  • 00:29:09 The Afscheiding of 1834
  • 00:47:42 The Doleantie
  • 00:50:10 Holland-Mania
  • 00:54:51 Vos as a Connecting Figure
  • 01:06:30 American Presbyterian Influence on the Dutch Reformed
  • 01:11:57 A Struggle for Faithfulness to Confessional Identity
  • 01:21:12 Teaching at MARS
  • 01:23:24 Conclusion

Participants: ,

Christ the Center focuses on Reformed Christian theology. In each episode a group of informed panelists discusses important issues in order to encourage critical thinking and a better understanding of Reformed doctrine with a view toward godly living. Browse more episodes from this program or subscribe to the podcast feed.

Share:

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Email
Podcasts & Essays

Related Resources

Listener Questions

Join Camden Bucey and Jim Cassidy in this special live-streamed episode of Christ the Center. From discussing the “first annual” Reformed Forum Christmas Extravaganza to regional meetups and exciting book

Read More »

The Early Machen

Danny Olinger, John Muether, Darryl Hart, and Camden Bucey explore the life and legacy of J. Gresham Machen, discussing Richard E. Burnett’s provocative book, Machen’s Hope: The Transformation of a

Read More »