Vol 31 Issue 17

Esteemed Editor:  In the Editorials of “Concordia”, April 7, W. Hofman extends a farewell word to the readers of Concordia. This baby was born, January 15, 1944, with the purpose to complete what is lacking in the public life of our Protestant Reformed Churches. That is what Hofman wrote in the last Concordia. However, it was a complete failure.  And now the forces of Concordia have been joined with those of the Reformed Guardian which took the place of Concordia. 

To Whom The Church Belongs 

The word “good has a wide variation of meaning depending upon how the term is used. It may mean perfection as, for example, when we say that God is good. He is Light and there is no darkness in Him. He is the sum total of all virtue and perfection. In this sense there is none that is good but one and that is God. 

The quotations made from the opinions of the very fathers who drew up the Canons serve to furnish us with information as to the background of Article 17. In the first place, it becomes evident that the basic question with which the fathers were occupied was not the narrow question of the salvation of children of believers who die in infancy, but the fact of the Arminian denial of either election or reprobation of children. And it is only in connection therewith that the Synod felt constrained to make some kind of statement also about the salvation of infant children...

In our preceding article we had begun to call attention to another phase of the doctrine of the Church during the second period, 300-750 A.D., namely the importance of membership in this true church. And we quoted Articles 27 and 28 of our Confession of Faith.

It was our original intention to use the columns of our department to treat the doctrinal and political issues in our recent struggle for the truth until the decision was rendered in the court case of the Superior Court of the city of Grand Rapids, Michigan. 

To attempt to set forth the “social principle or principles” of a particular portion of God’s Word, certainly presupposes that such “principle or principles” are to be found. But the question immediately arises, are there such principles? Does the Word of God purpose to set forth “social principles?” Furthermore, is not this term “social” a dangerous one? These, of course, are only a few of the many questions that can and, no doubt, do arise when considering a subject such as the one assigned. 

The rebuke bears fruit. The temple is built, Haggai 1:12-15.  12. And Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Joshua the son of Josedech, the high priest, with all the rest of the people, listened attentively to the voice of Jehovah their God, and the words of Haggai the prophet, as Jehovah their God had sent him, and the people did fear before Jehovah. 

LORD’S DAY 47 Q. 122.  Which is the first petition?  A. “Hallowed be thy name”; that is, grant us, first, rightly to know thee, and to sanctify, glorify, and praise thee; in all thy works, in which thy power, wisdom, goodness, justice, mercy and truth, are clearly displayed; and further also, that we may so order and direct our whole lives, our thoughts, words and actions, that thy name may never be blasphemed, but rather be honored and praised on our account. Chapter 1: God’s Holy Name 

Calvinism, by Ben A. Warburton. Published by Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, Grand Rapids, Michigan. Price $3.00.  The sub-title of this book is: “Its History, Basic Principles, Its Fruits and Its Future, and Its Practical Application and Life.” Personally, I am not acquainted with the author of this book, and it would have been a help if in the book itself he would have been briefly introduced to the American reader. All we learn to know about him is that he is “an English student of Calvinism, and editor of The Christian Pathway.”