DMLJ 05 Runia on Reformation Today

Reformation Today
Klaas Runia

Foreword

It is with pleasure that I write this foreword to Professor Klaas Runia’s book on the most urgent problem confronting the Christian church today. Ever since I read his book on the Creeds I believe in God ... (IVP), I have always read everything by him with the greatest interest. His articles in Trowel and Sword, of which he is the editor, are always stimulating and thought-provoking, and he has already established himself as one of the leading Reformed theologians in the world.
In this volume he brings his theological learning, with its Dutch overtones, and his acute mind to bear upon the vexed problem of the relationship of evangelical people in all the denominations to the ecumenical movement. In order to do so he gives a masterly description and evaluation of the various theological trends and fashions that have gained such popularity in this present century and shows their utter inadequacy as compared with the true gospel.
An outstanding characteristic of Professor Runia's writing is his scrupulous fairness to those with whom he disagrees and has to criticise. Some of us might feel at times that he carries this too far but at any rate it absolves him entirely of any charge of prejudice or ignorance.
He states the case of the ecumenical movement and then subjects it to the most fair biblical, theological and historical examination.
No-one can read this book without being compelled to face the evidence and to think again at a deep level about these vital matters.
It is my prayer that it might be used to bring all evangelical people to see the tragedy, and indeed the sin, of their present divisions and fragmentation and to heed his appeal for true and visible unity among them.
I urge all who are concerned about the lamentable state of the church and the urgent need of the presentation of our glorious evangelical message to the masses throughout the world to read this scholarly, incisive and most readable book.
D M Lloyd-Jones
October, 1968