The Protestant Reformed Churches in America was formed in 1926 by churches that had split from the Christian Reformed Church in America over a doctrinal controversy over common grace, a belief that had recently been adopted by the CRC.
Three clergymen from the Christian Reformed Church (Herman Hoeksema, Henry Danhof, and George Ophoff) were deposed because they were unwilling to accept what they believed to be the Arminian doctrine that was being taught in their churches, holding to the Calvinistic view that grace was solely for the elect. They, and their followers, were forced out of the Christian Reformed Church, and formed a new denomination in 1926, originally known as the Protesting Christian Reformed Churches, but was later renamed the Protestant Reformed Churches in America.
Beginning with three congregations, the denomination grew rapidly during its early years but experienced its own difficulties with doctrinal controversies during the 1950s over the same topic, its unyielding positions in defense of the unconditionality of the covenant of grace.
An influx of Dutch immigrants brought new members into the church who had been part of the Reformed Churches in the Netherlands (Liberated), who held to positions of conditional theology. Hubert DeWolf, the pastor of the First Protestant Reformed Church in Grand Rapids, viewed a relaxation of the church's positions to be a way to bring new members into the church and began promoting conditional theology in his sermons. Insisting that salvation is only for the elect and that even the baptized children of believers, who were not elect, could not receive salvation, Hoeksema viewed DeWolf's teachings as heresy. As a consequence, DeWolf and his followers, who made up 60% of the membership of the denomination, were suspended in 1953. The DeWolf group formed the Orthodox Protestant Reformed Church (OPRC), while the remaining 40% continued as the Protestant Reformed Church. In the 1960s, the OPRC united with the Christian Reformed Church, dissolving the OPRC.
Since the 1953 schism, the PRC has grown to surpass its membership numbers at the time of the schism but it remains relatively small, consisting of approximately thirty congregations.
The polity of the Protestant Reformed Churches in America is presbyterian, and a provision is made for an annual synod. Church government is organized into two classes, Classis East and Classis West, with the eastern Illinois border being the boundary between the two. The two classes meet two or three times a year, as well as in the annual synod. The PRC considers a denomination to be a federation of churches rather than a church, with each of these churches being self-governing through a board of elders who are chosen out of the congregation. Only male members who have made a public confession of faith, and are in good standing, may vote for church officers or be ordained.
PRC doctrine affirms the Reformed confessions, including the Belgic Confession of Faith, the Heidelberg Catechism, and the Canons of the Synod of Dort, as well as the Five Points of Calvinism, as summed up in TULIP (Total depravity, Unconditional election, Limited atonement, Irresistible grace, Perseverance of the saints). Although the PRC approves most of the Westminster Confession of Faith, it does not endorse it, largely due to having a different understanding of marriage, divorce, and the covenant of works.
In its public worship services, the PRC mostly sings the Psalms with organ accompaniment, although it does permit the singing of certain hymns. Outside of the official church service, members are permitted to sing hymns and carols. Although the PRC does not endorse the King James Only Movement, the church does use the King James Version of the Bible, although members are free to use other versions.
The PRC holds to a literal interpretation of the Bible, including an understanding of the first chapter of Genesis to be a factual and literal account of the creation. Although microevolution is acknowledged, macroevolution is viewed as contrary to the teachings of Scripture.
The PRC advocates for the maintenance of good Christian schools for the education of children, and Protestant Reformed parents operate twelve primary schools and three high schools, enrolling about 1,500 children. Homeschooling is discouraged with a Protestant Reformed school is available, particularly for the children of members holding office within the denomination. The denomination supports the Protestant Reformed Theological School in Grandville, Michigan.
The focus of this category is on the denomination known as the Protestant Reformed Churches in America. Websites representing the denomination or whose emphasis is on the PRC are appropriate for this category, although the websites of individual churches should be submitted to the appropriate Local & Global category that corresponds to their physical location.
Recommended Resources
The first issue of Beacon Lights was published in 1941 through a mandate of the publication committee of the Protestant Reformed Young People’s Federation and has been distributed to unite Protestant Reformed Young People’s Societies, to seek the mutual edification of its members, and to promote the welfare of Protestant Reformed Churches. Its publications are features and may be subscribed to through the site, and archives are available.
https://beaconlights.org/
This is an archive of Reformed audio sermons, including those of Cornelius Hanko, John Heys, Herman Hoeksema, Homer Hoeksema, George M. Ophoff, Marinus Schipper, Gerrit Vos, and other lectures, speeches, and studies, including audio from the Reformed Witness Hour, featuring George Ophoff, Herman Hoeksema, and John Heys. Quotes from early Protestant Reformed leaders are included, new uploads are highlighted, and a contact form is available.
https://oldpathsrecordings.com/
Protestant Reformed Churches in America
The PRCA’s distinctive doctrines and practices are highlighted here, including the denomination’s official standards, creeds, liturgical forms, and church order, as well as the history of the denomination and the Reformed movement, archives, and records. The PRCA Synod, Classis East, Classis West, and a directory of member churches, ministers, and its seminary program are included, along with its domestic and foreign mission stations, and sister churches.
http://www.prca.org/
Protestant Reformed Theological Seminary
Established in 1924, the current PRCA seminary building was constructed in 1973, with an addition in 1994, renovations in 2012, and another addition in 2019. Situated in Wyoming, Michigan, the institution serves as the seminary for the Protestant Reformed Churches in America denomination. Its faculty and support staff are introduced, and its admissions policies, course catalog, a school calendar, and a calendar of events. A contact form is included.
https://www.prcts.org/
Reformed Free Publishing Association
Founded in 1924, the RFPA is an independent, non-profit organization, although closely associated with the Protestant Reformed Churches in America, publishing the works of PRC professors, ministers, and educators, including commentaries, Bible study guides, devotionals, theology, children’s books, and other materials, carrying a selection of print, audio, and downloadable products. Its retail bookstore is in Jenison, Michigan, but products may also be purchased online.
https://rfpa.org/
Originating in 1941 as a project of the Young Men’s Society of the First Protestant Reformed Church, the Witness Hour was broadcast over WLAV-AM for a few years, then moved to WFUR-AM. Since 1945, the broadcast has been sponsored and supported by the entire Protestant Reformed denomination. Its history, purpose, and radio pastors are highlighted, and an audio archive of broadcast sermons going back to 1941 may be downloaded for free.
https://reformedwitnesshour.org/
Formed in 2015 by the Young People’s Federation Board, the Young Calvinists is designed to connect young people from different Protestant Reformed congregations for the purpose of fostering spiritual growth and fellowship. The organization holds a number of events for young people throughout the year, including a regularly scheduled song service and an interactive lecture. its site includes a calendar of events, book reviews, speeches, and a blog.
https://youngcalvinists.org/
