All Articles For Ecclesiastes

We conclude our discussion of the Form for the Ordination of Elders and Deacons by directing attention yet to the vows which the office-bearers are required to take and the subsequent charge that is given to them and also to the entire congregation. 

Reprinted from When Thou Sittest In Thine House, by Abraham Kuyper, Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., Grand Rapids, Michigan. 1929. Used by permission of Eerdmans Publishing Co. Home Happiness o thy way,” so says the Preacher (Eccl. 9:7), “eat thy bread with joy, and drink thy wine with a merry heart; for God now accepteth thy works.” And this he says not once, but every time comes back to it again. “For a man hath no better thing under the sun, than to eat and to drink, and to be merry; for that shall abide with him of his labor...

Mr. Minderhoud is a teacher in Covenant Christian High School and a member of Hope Protestant Reformed Church, Walker, Michigan. God has ordained that life on this earth requires many creatures or substances working together—multitudes of parts that must be in a balanced relationship one with the other. This harmony is necessary because of the organic interdependence of all living things. It is a harmony and beauty that bears the mark of its Creator—a Creator who is the one only simple Being, who is His attributes, full of harmony, beauty, and life within the triune Being. The interrelatedness of the...

Previous article in this series: December 15, 2010, p. 129. The opening words of the “Preacher” are in many respects very striking. His identity, which as we have seen is that of Solomon, is stated as “the son of David, king in Jerusalem.” But that identity is initially set in the background. He steps before us first of all as the “Preacher” and his “words.” His words are “vanity of vanities; all is vanity.” This truth we must hear from the outset. It is from this truth as it is developed that he will lead us to the whole duty...

Previous article in this series: November 1, 2010, p. 67. We considered last time the authorship of the book of Ecclesiastes. Before turning to an exposition of the book, we do well to consider its central theme. That theme is the vanity of man’s life in a fallen and sinful world. This theme, however, must be approached from a certain point of view. God is sovereign in the life of men. That sovereignty extends to the smallest details of life, so that not a hair falls from our head or a sparrow to the ground but by the will of...

On Wednesday evening, September 1, Rodney Miersma, then pastor-elect of the Hope Protestant Reformed Church of Isabel, South Dakota, was ordained as minister of the gospel. This took place in a worship service of the Isabel congregation that was wisely planned by the Isabel consistory to coincide with the meeting there of Classis West. All of the delegates to Classis could attend this impressive service. Several of the delegates participated in the ceremony. Rev. C. Hanko led the congregation in the congregational prayer. Rev. R.

It seems that Young People’s Societies throughout our denomination are busily engaged in various fundraising projects, with a view to their attending the eagerly-anticipated convention. The Federation Board of those societies, for example, sponsored a pancake breakfast at Hope School’s gymnasium last December 28. The young people of Hull, Iowa, held a soup supper, followed by sports’ activities in the gym of the community building, on February 22, The young people of the host societies (First Church) sponsored a Casserole Supper on the evening of January 30.

Are you wise?  Do you believe yourself to be wise?  If you are wise, does that mean you are smart or intelligent? Is to be smart the same as to be wise?  Do you know someone who is wise?  I am sure that you know someone who thinks or acts as if he or she is wise. It seems as if there is one of them in every crowd. We call them “smart alecks” or “wiseacres.” It is not a compliment to be called that. Although everyone of us would like it if we were said to be wise, no...

It’s that time of year again.  Schools beckon for occupancy. The hinges are oiled, the desks polished, the floors waxed. Yes, it all sounds only too familiar. The opening day of school even has its own smell.  Mental cobwebs have to be brushed away. Those brawny muscles toned by hard work can relax and now push a pencil, and that for some six hours a day. The fluorescent lights won’t be able to condition that beautiful tan; that too will fade.  Ah, yes, it’s back to school. And quite a change. 

Time certainly flies by. It seems only a few months ago that Faith Church was established in Jenison, Michigan. On February 22, however, Faith Church celebrated anniversary number three—but let Rev. Joostens tell it: “This Sunday is special, in that it was exactly three years ago that we became organized as Faith Protestant Reformed Church in Jenison. This is a good occasion to reflect and give thanks for the fact that the Lord has richly prospered us.