All Articles For Gritters, Barry

Rev. Gritters is pastor of the Protestant Reformed Church of Hudsonville, Michigan. The Protestant Reformed Churches have never been accused of being innovative in their worship practices. They have never had the reputation for modernizing their liturgy. They refuse to follow the latest trendy practices. The reason for this is not that we want to be stuffy traditionalists. Simply put: the PRC desire to be obedient to Jesus Christ. They are opposed to the modern forms of worship because they believe them to be disobedient to Jesus Christ. If worship were a matter of personal preference, no critique of modern...

* A paper given originally for the officebearers’ conference of Classis West of the PRC on March 2, 1999 in Redlands, CA. Rev. Gritters is pastor of the Hudsonville PRC in Hudsonville, MI. What are the dangers of hyper-Calvinism regarding the truth of reprobation? There are errors that can be made with regard to reprobation, errors which must be classified as hyper-Calvinistic perversions of the gospel. They are just as deadly as Arminianism. Of them we must be warned. Pastors and elders may not allow their membership to promote or believe such sentiments. The Protestant Reformed Churches hold to no...

In the matter of judging seminary applicants, there are at least three parties—not two— who have responsibility. There is the student himself. There is the denomination. And there are also the elders—who may not always realize the full responsibility that is theirs. The prospective student must judge himself. He must have an inclination, a strong inclination, that leads him to seek admission. He loves the Lord and the Lord’s church. In his heart he senses a call. Certain gifts are his from the Lord. He has the ability and will to read, study, reason. And the Lord does not give...

* A paper given originally for the officebearers’ conference of Classis West of the PRC on March 2, 1999 in Redlands, CA. Rev. Gritters is pastor of the Hudsonville PRC in Hudsonville, Michigan. Introduction Reacting against one evil always opens up the believer to the danger of falling headlong into another. One who sees and hates the abuse of government power against the common citizen must be warned against the equally virulent evil of the militia mentality. Responding to Roman Catholicism must not incline one to Anabaptism. There are always errors, not just on one side, but on both sides...

To the King who enriches His subjects with great wealth, the people bring gifts. Celebrating the birth of the King, whose birth itself brings richest gifts for the people under His reign, is appropriate. To celebrate the birth byworshiping the King (with gifts) is obligatory. Our brethren of Presbyterian background in Northern Ireland, Australia, and elsewhere, do not celebrate Jesus’ birth on December 25. They commemorate His birth, but not with a special worship service on a special day. The history of Presbyterianism excludes worship on special days. These brethren will not think ill of us if we take time to...

I have been a long-time supporter of the Protestant Reformed Churches in general, and of the Standard Bearer in particular. Through the PRC I grew in the truth of sovereign particular grace. I have greatly benefited from their careful study of theology and from the multitude of solid, Reformed titles that godly PRC men have penned. Most recently, I have been intrigued by the brief series of articles in the Standard Bearer concerning the churches’ need for preachers. One does not have to look very far to find a congregation that is waiting for the Lord to provide a pastor, or has suffered from...

This article is the text of the address given for the graduation exercises of the PRC seminary for Seminarians Dennis Lee and John Marcus on June 20, 2005 in Byron Center PRC. The speech was based on Revelation 4, and is given here much as it was actually delivered, thus retaining the spoken style. (In the first part of this speech [Standard Bearer, August 2005, p. 436], I explained the truth that the worship of God results from the redeemed church seeing God; and that they see God only when the preacher preaches God. The calling of the minister is...

Previous article in this series: September 1, 2008, p. 460. “Thus saith the Lord, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein.  Jeremiah 6:16 We gratefully acknowledge that, for almost 85 years, the Protestant Reformed Churches have asked for the old path of catechism: the church instructing her youth. God be praised for preserving the PRC on that path, giving rest to our (and our children’s!) souls. Catechism was God’s way...

* This article is the text of the address given for the graduation exercises of the PRC seminary for Seminarians Dennis Lee and John Marcus on June 20, 2005 in Byron Center PRC. The speech was based on Revelation 4, and is given here much as it was actually delivered, thus retaining the spoken style. The graduation tonight brings the PRC to the conclusion (and a celebration of that conclusion!) of the training of Mr. Dennis Lee and Mr. John Marcus—two men who feel deeply that they are called to preach. The Protestant Reformed seminary (the churches, really) is interested...

September 1, 2008 The new school year was scheduled to begin on Monday, August 25, with an opening “orientation” and chapel speech by the rector. This is normal for the day before regular classes. The students receive assignments and reading lists, purchase the required books at the seminary bookstore, and receive their “practice preaching” text assignments. The rector makes important announcements, reminds the students what to expect, and opens with a devotional exposition of Scripture and prayer. The new students feel their way around. The older students take a deep breath. Ten students will grace our halls in the year...