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. 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