Vol 49 Issue 05

It’s evident from information found in church bulletins received during the past couple of weeks, that many of our churches were actively involved in the commemoration of Reformation Day. We find the following, for example, in the October 29 bulletin of Southwest: “Rev. Veldman has received the consent of the Consistory to administer the Word to the Congregation at Pella today. He will deliver a Reformation Day speech Tuesday evening in the Pella area.” 

CHAPTER 1:58 The question to be answered is, “What is this wisdom which, according to the text, we lack?” Wisdom is not to be confused with intellectual knowledge. One may be brilliant and have a head full of knowledge and still be a fool. One may even have a thorough knowledge of the Scriptures and be a fool. James is speaking of the wisdom of God. We must ask for wisdom of God because “the Lord giveth wisdom” (Prov. 2:6). There is no other source of true wisdom than the Lord.

In our preceding article we quoted Article IV of the Rejection of Errors of Head II of the Canons of Dordt which treats the atoning suffering and death of our Lord Jesus Christ. And we noted the fact that, in this article, the Remonstrants present what they consider the condition upon which God will bestow life and salvation. In the preceding articles of this Rejection of Errors the Arminians declare that Christ by His death upon the cross merited for the Father the authority and will to deal again with the sinner, to prescribe new conditions for that sinner unto...

Many are very interested in the progress of our drive for funds for a new seminary building, and the development of plans for its erection in the near future. We expect, by reports such as these, to keep you well informed. 

(Editor’s note: For an explanation of the publishing of this large installment of Rev. Harbach’s department, see Editor’s Notes.) 

The war for various forms of government aid to private and parochial schools goes on. Some battles have been lost because the courts have ruled some programs as violations of the First Amendment of the Constitution. But, evidently, those who are interested in such government aid continue to devise new programs which, they hope, will not be struck down by the courts. 

In the previous issue we began to answer a question concerning the elder son in the parable of the prodigal son. We had just begun to explain from a positive point of view the significance of this elder son. That discussion we now continue.  What, we may ask, are the characteristics of this elder son (Pharisee)? 

Dr. James Daane, undoubtedly following the bad example of Dr. G. C. Berkouwer, seems to think so.  I mean this, of course, figuratively. The “dog” in this case is the Canons of Dordrecht, and the “tail” is the Conclusion of the Canons.  And thereby hangs a tale. 

TO OUR CONSTERNATION we discovered that a horrible mistake was made in Rev. Harbach’s department, Studies In Election. What happened? Rev. Harbach is a department editor who gets his copy in to the editor far in advance. To help our typesetting service we send in Rev. Harbach’s copy in advance also; this gives the typesetter a running start on preparation of the Standard Bearer. Since these articles are all numbered, we expect our typesetting service to place them in the Standard Bearer in proper succession.

“And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.  For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.”  Luke 2:10, 11