Vol 27 Issue 02

Denying the Heritage of the Fathers. This was our reaction when reading some time ago the glaring headlines and the article which followed in the ‘’Catholic Messenger”. The title of this article was: “Dutch Reformed Pastors re-examine their position in the light of church tradition.” And then, “Ask the questions which may put them closer to Rome than Geneva.” A portion of the article follows: “Amsterdam, Netherlands.—In the wake of the recent Holy Office instructions permitting, but limiting, discussions of religious reunion, a group of 30 prominent members of the Dutch Reformed (Calvinist) church, (Hervormde Kerk—J.H.) has issued a pamphlet...

Dear Mr. Editor: A grim contrast presented itself in our Standard Bearer between the report of Classis West and the letter of Hamilton’s Consistory in the issue of September 15. It is a contrast which might possibly leave the impression that our churches are working at odds, at different ends,—an impression which should not be left uncontradicted. And an impression it certainly leaves which ought to be cleared up at once and in a proper manner by the common party involved. I refer, of course, to the contrast between the Rev. Hettinga’s dealings in the vicinity of bur Hamilton congregation...

Some time ago a request was sent to our people to help financially three ministers and their families who came to us from another denomination, and who are now located in Grand Rapids attending our seminary. This article must serve as a report on the progress of this drive for funds. Our hearts are overjoyed by the liberal response our people have given which, it appears to us, is an evidence of the Lord’s blessing on the entire venture. We have not really begun to hear as yet from our Western Churches which we believe could not be as enthusiastic...

The important question that is before us, as we have seen, is: what does it mean that I am guided by the fear of the Lord, both as objective standard and as subjective principle, in my church affiliation? That question is not an easy one to answer for many reasons, chief of which is the undeniable fact that we are surrounded in our day by a multitude of churches, so that the believer is forced to answer the question: where is the church? Time was, of course, when in an outward sense, at least, the believer did not have to...

In this article we see ourselves confronted with the task of beginning to give our explanation of the terms in the verses 19 and 20. We read in these verses the following: “Having, therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, which He hath dedicated, a new and living way through the veil, that is, His flesh, and having a High Priest over the house of God.” We notice, first of all, that the evident intention of the writer in this quoted passage is to state the reason, the ground as well as the incentive...

Esteemed Editor of The Standard Bearer: Having read the Open Letter from Hamilton, many questions arose in my mind. In the first place, what have we really in common with the so-called Liberated Churches or De Gereformeerde Kerken, onderhoudende Art. 31? What binds us together, except that we both were thrown out, unjustly, out of our mother churches? Is there any more unity between us now then when we first came in contact with some of the leaders of this movement? Do they understand our doctrine better now, after all the literature sent to them, and did they come our...

“And when the wife of Uriah heard that Uriah her husband was dead, she made lamentation for her husband. And when the mourning was past, David sent and fetched her to his house and she became his wife and bear him a son. But the thing that David had done displeased the Lord.” (the Hebrew text has it: “was evil in the sight of the Lord). 2 Sam. 11:26-27 David was telling himself that he had no sin. The text reveals the reasoning by which he strove to overturn the accusations of his conscience. “The sword devoureth one as well...

We now confront the question whether the body and blood of Jesus Christ is present at the celebration of the Lord’s Supper, and if so, in what sense. In other words the question is: what is the connection between the signs of the Lord’s Supper and the thing signified? This question is not a simple one, and it is not easy to answer. The theory of transubstantiation and also that of consubstantiation are rejected by the Reformed churches. Those theories concerning the Lord’s Supper really identify the signs with the thing signified. Christ is corporeally present n the Eucharist, and...