All Articles For Dykstra, Russell J.

former editor of the Standard Bearer, professor emeritus in the Protestant Reformed Theological Seminary, and pastor of Byron Center PRC in Byron Center, Michigan From its inception, and for a century thereafter, the Standard Bearer has manifested keen interest in, and support for, Christian schools. That hearty support is grounded on the key distinguishing doctrine of the Protestant Reformed Churches (PRC). That distinguishing doctrine is the doctrine of God’s everlasting covenant of grace in complete harmony with sovereign particular grace. Herman Hoeksema expressed this conviction in 1950: If you ask me what is the most peculiar treasure of the Protestant...

The Christian Reformed Church (CRC) in the 1920s was divided over common grace and its implications. The doctrine of common grace had been developed by Abraham Kuyper and Herman Bavinck in the Netherlands. It came to the CRC through their writings as well as by immigration of ministers and members. Ralph Janssen used it to support his erroneous teaching on Scripture and miracles. And various sectors of the churches were developing the doctrine toward more openness to the culture of America, which at that time was promoting new and higher levels of immorality (the “Roaring Twenties”). Prior to 1924, the...

Previous article in this series: April 1, 2023, p. 298. The Janssen controversy in the Christian Reformed Church (1920-22) concerned the erroneous teaching of a professor in the theological school. Dr. Ralph Janssen’s higher critical view of Scripture and his naturalist explanation of miracles were condemned by the CRC Synod of 1922. So serious were his errors that synod removed him as professor. However, his justification for these teachings, namely, common grace, was not addressed either by the special study committee that investigated his teaching or by the Synod of 1922. Even during the controversy, the Revs. H. Danhof and...

Previous article in this series: March 1, 2023, p. 260. As noted in the last article, in 1924 Herman Hoeksema was the pastor of the largest Christian Reformed Church in that day with over 500 families and 1300 members. He was a regular contributor to The Banner, and a member of the Curatorium of the Seminary. He was unquestionably one the most capable theologians and preachers in the CRC in that day. But in 1925, Herman Hoeksema was deposed by a Classis of the CRC, as were Revs. Henry Danhof and George M. Ophoff as well as the respective consistories...

In harmony with the gracious, eternal plan of God, the Protestant Reformed Churches in America approach the one century mark of existence as a denomination. This is amazing, and a reality that can only be ascribed to the grace of God. From every human point of view, these churches should not have continued to this point. Troubles and hardship have been a part of her experience all through her history. These churches were born in controversy over the doctrine of sovereign, particular grace, resulting in three ministers and their congregations being cast out of the Christian Reformed Church. The subsequent...

When the Lord determined to establish a Reformed church in Singapore, He chose the men and women who would be members in that church. And in His wisdom, He determined wise and gifted men to lead and guide the church. None have been more instrumental in God’s work in the Covenant Evangelical Reformed Church than Leong Fai Chong. The First Evangelical Reformed Church of Singapore was organized in 1982. In 1987, a daughter congregation was organized and adopted the name Covenant Evangelical Reformed Church. One of the first men elected to the office of elder was Leong Fai Chong, who...

Doctrine and life The serious-minded Christian lives out of his or her beliefs. Ideally, what one believes should determine how one thinks and lives. Reformed theology, therefore, should shape the thinking, attitudes, lifestyle, and choices of a Reformed Christian. This is especially true when a Christian experiences adversity. When he encounters deep sorrow, pain, loss, hardship, disappointment or discouragement, his faith carries him through. This faith stands on the Rock which is Christ. This faith relies on God’s strength. This faith believes something or rather, believes in Someone. And what the Christian believes will shape his response to the adversity....

Prof. Russell Dykstra, pastor of Byron Center Protestant Reformed Church in Byron Center, Michigan The horror of sexual abuse starts with the sinner known as the perpetrator or the abuser. Every human being is a sinner with a depraved nature. Every sinner has particular sinful tendencies and depravities to which he or she is prone. The particular depravity of an abuser combines two evils. It is a delight in improper control of others with the added desire to exploit others for his or her sexual gratification. The specific sexual activity will vary from one abuser to the next, but manipulation...

The Diet of Worms was an imperial assembly of the  Holy Roman Empire convoked by Emperor Charles V.  It was held in the city of Worms located not far from  Heidelberg. An imperial ‘diet’ was a deliberative  assembly of the whole empire. This diet was conducted  from January 28 to May 25 of 1521, with Emperor  Charles V presiding. Other imperial diets took place at  Worms in different years (829, 926, 1076, 1122, 1495,  and 1545), but the diet in 1521 is the best known. In that day, the city of Worms had a population of  about 7,000. It is...

Please note that, although Prof. Dykstra resigned as editor, he agreed to help in a limited way to the end of the volume year. This is the last of his editorials. Then Samuel took a stone, and set it between Mizpeh and Shen, and called the name of it Ebenezer, saying, Hitherto hath the Lord helped us. I Samuel 7:12 The church of Jesus Christ is a miracle. Her very existence is a wonder of grace. The church is part of the believer’s confession of faith: “I believe an holy, catholic church.” The Heidelberg Catechism explains that article of faith...