All Articles For Boerkoel, A.C.

Dear Rev. Hoeksema, The undersigned would greatly appreciate to have you place this article in The Standard Bearer. A SUGGESTION It is rather inconceivable that there are among our people those who do not subscribe to nor read The Standard Bearer. And yet, from the various comments read in this paper of late, and from the verbal comments as I heard them, it is no doubt true that this condition is a horrible reality. And then to note the excuses offered. One of the most common ones is: “I cannot afford it.” Now it seems that this is an alibi,...

In treating this topic I wish to take the liberty in the introduction to call your attention to some fundamental notions which in my humble opinion are derogatory to the basic concept of Christian Discipline. The tendencies of new education is obviously purposed to subvert all traditional fundamental notions of educa­tion and discipline. Education, instead of centering about the reality that the child has to be trained and edu­cated by the teacher, has assumed the notion that the child instead of the teacher, is the paramount figure. In other words as Dr. H. Horne puts it, “All the new contemporary...

It is with great pleasure that we at this time desire to announce that by January 1, 1936 Deo Volente, a little paper will make its appearance into your homes. This little paper is of great significance for the future of our Denominational life. The enterprise, although its ap­pearance will be small, will be the culmination, the results, the fruit of arduous and difficult labor. This paper is for the Sunday Schools of our churches, although other Sunday Schools not of our denomination are invited to use this paper also. This paper will sub­stitute the Instructor which up to the...

This contention of the Editor of The Banner is certainly as unsound as it is unreformed. That the Church is the divinely custodian of the truth is not to be denied. If you only consider just what is meant by the term (truth). The truth here meant is Scriptural truth and that only. To say that the Church is the custodian of all truth is contrary to the truth of the matter itself. The Church certainly has no monopoly on the truth. She could not know all the truth, in as much as she has to concentrate on Scriptural truth...

All education which is void of the spirit of Chris­tianity is not presenting the truth, and therefore is a diabolical lie and as such it is not worthy of the name education. This is also in harmony with the conten­tion of Dr. Rutgers as already quoted. It is therefore aggravating to see so many of our parents sent their children to such institutions, where the truth is want­ing and where the positive spirit of Christianity can­not be found. Here, too, the antithesis is applicable, for the untruth has nothing in common with the truth. As has been noticed that the...

A Free Christian school is a sectarian institution in the good sense of the term. That is to say, the religious convictions propagated there are identical to the convictions of the parents, who support it. And again, these convictions are the expressed essence of the world and life view of these parents. But in this sense all associations or institutions are sectarian, for their very constitution is the very expression of the world and life view of its members. The Free Chris­tian schools, however, are not sectarian, if by the term is stigmatized “denominational.” Such a school is paro­chial as...

A mistaken notion it is to contend that our Chris­tian schools are sectarian and must therefore be pa­rochial as to its system. And again, it is an equally mistaken conception that because the Church gives the school financial support, that the schools are therefore under the supervision of the Church. We contend that neither the State nor the Church is in the final analysis responsible for the education of the child. That is the parental duty and privilege. The parent can create an institution as a school. That the State does provide schools is a necessary evil. When the parent...

There are many variant current conceptions in re­gard the Christian school and its relation to the Church, which indeed are sinister to the cause of Christian primary education. This becomes evident, when the various Church papers or religious periodicals are perused. Especially during the last year many articles were produced which certainly were very ques­tionable as to the reformed conception of the matter. It is regrettable indeed that as a people of Reformed persuasion there is no clear conception of even the ob­jective—the purpose—of the Christian school. It is true many are convinced that it is the duty of the...

Religion Who in our cultured (?) epoch stands in reverential awe and fear before the God of heaven and earth? Who trembles when he takes the name of God upon his very lips? Where is the man, who in this enlightened era considers himself totally depraved and worthy of God’s holy wrath? Who in this age admits that he can only be saved by the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ? The whole religious atmosphere is beclouded with Pela- genism. Man earns his salvation by his works. This is the conceited contention of even supposed Reformed leaders. Where do you...

Religion History repeats itself. This statement conveys un­doubtedly much truth; but it does not reveal the whole truth. Bare historical events which have occurred may re-occur, but the re-occurrence is not identical to the occurred event in every detail. If events re-oc­curred in the same identical manner as before, then you would have, as far as the events themselves are concerned, a practical mechanical repetition. Fact is, that a certain present-day movement be it religious, social, political or otherwise, may have all the appear­ances of a re-occurrence of some movement of several decades ago, they are nevertheless different in every...