Vol 45 Issue 08

Now Absalom had commanded his servants, saying Mark ye now when Amnon’s heart is merry with wine, and when I say unto you Smite Amnon; then kill him, fear not: have not I commanded you? be courageous, and be valiant.  And the servants of Absalom did unto Amnon as Absalom had commanded. . . .  But Absalom fled and went to Talmai, the son of Ammihud, king of Geshur. And David mourned for his son every day. 

The winter’s grip on the nation was felt in Iowa Dec. 22 when all church services were cancelled and the evening Christmas program was postponed. This winter’s grippe was also in evidence in all our churches, leaving many seats vacant, and in one instance, Southeast Church, the pulpit had to be occupied by an elder on Sunday evening and Christmas morning when Rev. Schipper was laid low by its bug.

Invitational and anecdotal preaching today largely displaces textual and expositional preaching. The “invitation” used in connection with a sermon is a mere additive foreign to true preaching. What can the “invitation” furnish that true preaching does not? Where the latter is a reality, why would anyone want to append an opportunity to “take it or leave it”?—which is what an “invitation” is. Today, the “invitation” tacked on at the end of a “message” is usually one to come forward and accept Christ.

Prayer is the chief part of thankfulness. But singing is a chief part of praise, if not indeed the chief part of praise. 

ANNULMENT OF THE FOREGOING COMMANDMENT (continued) (Hebrews 7:18, 19)  It should be clearly understood that this commandment which was annulled by the Lord was not simply a commandment which was to be obeyed by man, obedience to which is righteousness, but an institution designed to effect the atonement for men’s sins.

Dear Editor, In Prof. H. Hanko’s article “Synod’s Authority and the Believer’s Conscience” he writes, “I agree with the basic thrust of the letter which De Jonge criticizes.” I would summarize his position as follows. If a child of God sees leaders in his Church take the denomination down roads of apostasy, he must do all he can to turn the Church back to the truth. However, he is limited to appeal, and any other action leads to dissension, anarchy, rebellion, and schism. Further, if he would attempt reformation of his Church, he must first leave his Church. As an...

Anything can become an object of dissent.  The reality of this is all too obvious to us. You name it and we’ve got it in this country: anti-segregation, anti-communism, anti-war, anti-bomb, anti-population explosion, anti-poverty, anti-illiteracy, anti-cruelty to animals, anti-Semitism, anti-crime, and so on.  I suppose covenant youth could compose their own list: anti-parental snooping, anti-Covenant Christian High, anti-30-week catechism season, anti-hypocrisy in the church, anti-opponents of drama and so on. 

REACTIONS TO LIBERALISM  The Standard Bearer has carried many articles in its columns which demonstrate the increasing liberalism in the Gereformeerde Kerken in the Netherlands. Men like Prof. Kuitert, Prof. Augustijn and Drs. Baarda lead the way in introducing in the Church the most liberal views. But there are those who raise their voice in protest. From the December 17 issue of the R.E.S. Newsletter we quote the following:

More On The Christ-Creation Relationship

“Behold, He Cometh!”