Christian Reformed Churches of Australia
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The Christian Reformed Churches of Australia have their roots in the European Reformation of the 15th and 16th centuries, affirming the beliefs that God grants salvation by grace alone, in Christ alone and through faith alone. They are part of the worldwide family of reformed churches which came into being at the time of the Reformation, and declared themselves reformed from the teachings and practices of the Roman Catholic church at that time. Whereas Martin Luther was the champion of the Reformation in Germany, John Calvin was the champion of the Reformation in Switzerland, Holland and northern Europe. It is John Calvin's understanding of the Bible, as spelled out in his Institutes of the Christian Religion, that forms the doctrinal basis of the various reformed churches.
This doctrinal basis is further summarised in the three Confessions to which the continental reformed churches adhere:
- the Belgic Confession
- the Heidelberg Catechism
- the Canons of Dordt
The Christian Reformed Churches of Australia were established by Dutch migrants in 1951. The original small group has grown to an active membership of just under ten thousand people in some forty-five churches spread throughout Australia. From exclusively Dutch beginnings, the Christian Reformed Churches are now a culturally diverse group, reflecting the rich multi-cultural character of Australian society, and seeking to proclaim the Christian message in a contemporary and relevant way.
The Christian Reformed Churches have been instrumental in the establishment of many parent-controlled Christian schools. They have established their own theological college, the Reformed Theological College at Geelong, Victoria. They are actively engaged in Christian missions both within Australia and beyond.
