Dan Ragusa | The Dutch Reformed 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.

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

[johnwiers]

Camden, really appreciated this discussion. My family has strong connections to the Afscheiding. My great, great grandparents on my mom's side were members of DeCock's church in Ulrum in the Netherlands. They eventually emigrated to Chicago where my GG Grandfather was a charter member of 2 different CRC congregations. My dad's family settled in Munster-- my Great Grandfather Wiers was a step brother of Jacob Munster (original spelling Monster)--and eventually Highland where they were members of the CRC congregations that the vanTil's were members of. My grandpa on my Mom's side were members of the Munster CRC. Unfortunately my only connection with the van Tils was with Kees's brother's family who ran the local vegetable and fruit market. :)

[rooderoo]

Good review of History. I'm CRC in Grand Rapids Michigan. My mom was born in Utrecht.

[ClareBoyd-fc]

Anderson Joseph Miller Karen Garcia Laura

[jankragt]

Machen is terribly funny also as he reviews the modernists.... how hard they have to work to claim the ludicrous.