All Articles For Hoeksema, Herman

Recently I attended a meeting of the local R.F.P.A. convening in the basement of the First Protestant Reformed Church of Grand Rapids, Mich. What impressed me most deeply at that meeting was the apparent lack of zeal and interest, both locally and generally in all our churches, in the cause for which The Standard Bearer was originally called into existence and for which it still stands. It was not the meeting itself nor the men that were present there that caused this impression, but rather the absence of the men that should have been present, and the reports concerning the...

Ye are the salt of the earth. . . . Matthew 5:13. How apparently contrary to fact! Ye are the salt of the earth! Would not reality appear to relegate this statement to the category of vain boast? Ye! No, the Lord is not addressing the elite of His day, the wise and influential men of His day, the doctors of philosophy, the scholarly theologians, the Pharisees and Sadducees and Scribes, the famously religious men of the nation, the men that always cautiously demanded a sign. . . . Ye! His audience to whom He is directing this appraisal does...

From the Ladies Aid Society of the Sioux Center Church we received a question about the punishment meted out to Gehazi and his seed for the former’s sin of covetousness and lying. The problem the society faced and could not solve satisfactorily was, how it is possible, seeing that the Bible teaches that the children shall not be punished for the sins of their fathers, that not only Gehazi but also his seed is punished. We all know the history. Naaman, the Syrian, was cleansed of his leprosy through the instrumentality of following up the word of Elisha, the Prophet,...

Conscription in peace time is something new in our country. We are, of course, acquainted with conscription from the time of the World War, when for a time voluntary enlistment was replaced by the draft. But as a regular and permanent institution conscription was not known in America until recently. It is true that even now conscription was resorted to as something special, as a defense measure. We are told that the present war in Europe also threatens our shores, and that, if the Nazis should be victorious in their war with England, it is not impossible that they conceive...

And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy. . . . Luke 2:10. The Word of joy! Good tidings of great joy! Do you hear this Word, and does the joy of it fill your heart? Thus, indeed, is the meaning, and this is the purpose of this brief but wonderful sermon preached by the angel to the shepherds in that Night of nights. A “thing” has happened, a “word” has come to pass. No, it is not a word of man that is realized,—how could it be the cause...

At nine-thirty P.M., Sunday, Dee. 29 last our President broadcasted his views on the European conflict, the interests of our own country in that conflict, and the proper course for our government to pursue with relation to that conflict. The speech had been anxiously expected by millions in our own country and abroad, especially because it was expected that President Roosevelt would issue a frank statement as to his own intentions with respect to the limit of our aid to Great Britain. And in this respect no one could possibly complain of being disappointed. Clearly the chief executive outlined what...

Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken against. . . . that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed. Luke 2:34, 35 A sign which shall be spoken against! Such is the Christ in this world; in fact He is the Sign par excellence, and of all signs this central Wonder is most contradicted. Signs are always contradicted in this world. Just because they are signs, they cause the “multitude” to be divided: some will declare themselves to be in favor, others will...

We complain that two papers are too many for our small group of churches. Defiantly our young people published a third: Beacon Lights! We heartily congratulate our young people with their defiant spirit, and with its product in this new “Periodical of the Protestant Reformed Young People’s Federation.” The outward appearance of the first issue is attractive and neat. A look at the names of the members of the editorial staff and the list of contributors kindles the hope that the paper will deliver good stuff and sound doctrine. A perusal of the contents of this first issue corroborates that...

The consistory of the First Protestant Reformed Church of Grand Rapids resolved to distribute the following “Testimony” among the members of their congregation: Beloved in the Lord Jesus Christ! In view of the present trend of development in the industrial world it is to be feared that also in our community it will become increasingly difficult to secure or retain a position or job unless one join one of the worldly unions. Hence, many of us may probably be tempted to become member of such a union rather than lose his job. The Consistory, therefore, considered it necessary and expedient...

The Word of God is very severe in its condemnation of false teachers. And this condemnation does not only concern their false doctrine, but also their motives and methods. Many Christians often are inclined to assume a sympathetic attitude to the preachers of false doctrines, even though they do not agree with their tenets. We speak of having respect for the opinions of others, and forget that the doctrine of the Word of God is not a matter of opinion. Or we take the charitable view that a man may honestly err, and that, therefore, you cannot ascribe the teaching...