All Articles For Hanko Ronald H

It seems sad that the church, at least in its institute form, should be so universally despised, as it is today, even by those who are members of it. For us as members, that is very much like biting the hand that feeds us. Nevertheless, the blame for such an attitude must not be laid completely to the charge of those who act and speak so disdainfully toward the church or churches of which they are members. There certainly is, in that respect, an overriding need for instruction regarding the church and membership in it.

There is an essay by a well-known British author of this century entitled “Creed or Chaos?”² In the essay the author defends the use of creeds in the church, and the title of the essay very aptly describes the urgency of maintaining and defending our creeds. The only alternative is ecclesiastical chaos. History has proved that, especially in the last century.

Scripture clearly teaches the truth of total depravity, that is, that all men as they are born into the world are incapable of doing or willing that which is pleasing to God; they are all without exception turned aside into darkness and evil (cf. Gen. 6:5, Ps. 14:2, 3, Jer.

In discussing some of the different ways in which our creeds can be used we have attempted to show how the creeds can and must be the living confession of the church as she draws her life out of the Word of God. In pointing out these various uses of the creeds we have made no claim to be exhaustive, but have simply tried to distinguish some of the more important ways in which we maintain our Reformed heritage as it is given us in the creeds. Cur purpose in doing this has been to encourage the use of the...

We are all aware that the real issue behind so many questions and problems in the church world is the doctrine of Scripture. There have always been those who, in one way or another, denied the inspiration and infallibility of the Bible. But in these last days the churches of the Reformation do not even give unanimous assent to this truth, in spite of the fact that the Reformation of the sixteenth century claimed to be a return to the truth concerning the Bible.

“Most powerful . . . most delightful, astonishing, mysterious, and ineffable.” With these words the Canons of Dordt celebrate the wonderful work of God’s grace in regeneration (Canons III, IV, 12). In Canons III, IV the truth of Irresistible Grace is taught in close connection with the truth of Total Depravity. Regeneration is not the only work of grace mentioned there, but it receives the emphasis because it holds first place among all the other works of God’s grace in the heart of the sinner. 

In the first part of this article we saw how both the truth of inspiration in general and the specific principle of organic inspiration can be applied in our study of the Word of God. In this second part we turn to another aspect of the doctrine of Scripture, the principle ofverbal inspiration. This principle also can and must be applied and will help in its own way to give both purpose and direction to and searching of the Scriptures.

The word “adoption” is a word which is used only five times in Scripture and all five times in the New Testament. Nevertheless, the concept is found throughout the Old and New Testaments and is a very important and comforting part of the gospel of God’s grace. Adam himself is called the son of God in Luke 3:38, and though perhaps his sonship differs in some respects from ours, it is still a sonship by virtue of adoption. So too, one of the most common names given to the saints in Scripture, and which implies the truth of adoption, is the...

In studying the biblical truth of adoption we have seen that election is the eternal source of our adoption as the children of God. The wonder of “the adoption of sons” is first revealed in the fact that it is “predestinated,” and the close relationship between election and adoption reveals the sovereignty of God’s predestinating purpose. Even the earthly picture of adoption reflects the fact that it has its source in a sovereign choice.