Vol 18 Issue 22

I suppose it is almost expected of anyone who writes on current events that he write about the war or matters relating to it. At the same time it must be apparent that it is extremely difficult to write about something that is subject to sudden change as is this present conflict. That is especially difficult when one must write weeks in advance. There is, however, one thing that we might comment on and that is the much-talked-about necessity of a second front. It seems as though the Russian army is in a worse condition than the general public has...

There comes a time in the life of every person when he or she must choose a vocation. For various reasons this is necessary. A living must be earned and a settled occupation is simply the accepted manner of doing this. Besides, definite and steady employment, whether in or outside the home, is essential to man’s happiness. Without the former the latter would be impossible for one who has been created an active creature. Therefore a prisoner invariably prefers to pound rocks day by day in the prison yard to being placed in solitary confinement, where he is deprived of...

The very subject of this article suggests that it deals with the means of grace, and more particularly with the most important means of grace,—the preaching of the Word. To be still more specific it treats not the preaching itself as to idea, requisites, methods, etc., but the method and manner in respect to the subject matter of the preaching. Series preaching. And the purpose of this article is to show the value of such preaching. This indicates that the first question is not how we like series preaching, but what is its value, its spiritual value. Only too often...

With Luther’s ideas in circulation throughout the empire and also rapidly taking root in the hearts of men—the mass of humans that, formed western Christendom—the edifice of the pope, with all that pertained thereto, was tottering on its foundation and seemed already doomed to extinction. The people’s attachment to the Romish superstitions was fast diminishing; and at the same time Luther’s reputation increased day by day. The people in great numbers turned to him as the defender of truth and liberty. The dominion of the priest and monks was being shaken by his word, for the influence of this word...

(continued from last week) The significance of dreams. Dreams do have significance. They bespeak the state of the soul and the trend of its thought during waking hours. Now if the trend of thought of a man during his waking hours is in the way of the Lord’s commands, then the trend of his thought will be in this way when he is asleep and in his dreams, too, he will have fellowship with God. On the other hand, if, during the waking hours a man’s thinking and willing are under the dominion of the law of sin, his dream-life...

In questions and answers 13 and 14 the Heidelberg Catechism demonstrates that, as far as we are concerned, our work, our efforts, our good intentions, the way is absolutely closed: through our own efforts we can never escape punishment and again be received into favor with God. This must become quite clear, before we can even begin to speak of a divinely wrought salvation through our mediator Jesus Christ. God will give His glory to no other. He does not step in to save man as long as there is any possibility that man can merit and bring about his...

Wherefore remember that ye being in times past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands; that at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. Eph. 2:11-18 Wherefore remember! Because ye are saved by pure grace …. Because it is not of works, lest any man...