[1][2][3][4] In the early 20th century, disagreements arose within the Reformed Churches in the Netherlands over the Covenant Theology view of Abraham Kuyper, so that several pastors disagreed with it.

This dispute came to a head during World War II, when the General Synod ruled in favor of Kuyper's view which essentially questioned the inclusion of the children of believers in the Covenant.

Protesters also alleged that the General Synod was abusing its functional authority, staying longer than the three years allowed by Church Order legislation.

In the same year, these members constituted the Netherlands Reformed Churches (Nederlands Gereformeerde Kerken, NGK).

In the following decades, however, the GKV changed its position, starting to recognize the existence of other truly Christian churches in the Netherlands.