Vol 62 Issue 04

Robert D. Decker is professor of New Testament and Practical Theology in the Protestant Reformed Seminary. A Seminar Junkie Of the conducting of religious seminars on a wide variety of subjects by the churches these days there seems to be no end. In reaction to this Eutychus ofChristianity Today (Oct. 4, 1985) makes a point well taken: It came as no small shock to me to discover recently that a highly respected member of our church is undergoing treatment for spiritual rehabilitation. This man is a church officer, Sunday school teacher, and tither. But he revealed, at last Sunday evening’s service,...

David Harbach is a teacher at Adams St. Prot. Ref. Christian School, Grand Rapids, Michigan. The Reformation Day lectures were in abundance again this time of the year, an evidence of the love for the Reformation that God has put into our hearts. Many of us enjoyed the lecture given by Rev. J. Kortering on “Psalm Singing: A Reformed Heritage.” This lecture is available on tape from the Lecture Committee of the churches in the Grand Rapids, Michigan area. Perhaps someone would even consider putting this lecture into a booklet form. Rev. R. Hanko gave a lecture in New Jersey...

DUTCH CALVINISM IN MODERN AMERICA: A HISTORY OF A CONSERVATIVE SUBCULTURE, by James D. Bratt; Wm. B. Eerdmans Publ. Co., Grand Rapids, MI, ISBN 0-8028-0009-2, 329 pp., paper, $13.95. (Reviewed by Prof. H.C. Hoeksema) This book is a study of the Dutch, specifically the Dutch and Reformed, in America from the late 19th century to the present. In the very nature of the case, this study of an ethnic subculture, as it is called is at the same time and in large measure a study of the group’s religious history as well.

Thomas C. Miersma is pastor of the First Protestant Reformed Church, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.

Gise J. Van Baren is pastor of the Protestant Reformed Church of Hudsonville, Michigan.

George C. Lubbers is a minister emeritus in the Protestant Reformed Churches. Chapter XXIII The Mystery of the Seventy Weeks in Daniel 9 Full and complete redemption in the Messiah (Dan. 9:24) 

John A. Heys is a minister emeritus in the Protestant Reformed Churches. Although the hymn was not yet written, and Jonah could not at that time sing one line of it for that reason, we can be sure that he agreed fully with the truths expressed in it; and that at specific moments in his life he realized these truths. I have reference particularly to these lines in the hymn: God moves in a mysterious way His wonders to perform; He plants His footsteps in the sea, And rides upon the storm. Blind unbelief is sure to err, And scan...

Herman C. Hanko is professor of Church History and New Testament in the Protestant Reformed Seminary. My first experience with big-time gambling came as a bit of a shock. I and three friends were on a trip through the West; our journey brought us to the vicinity of Las Vegas on the Fourth of July. Curiosity prompted us to visit the casinos in the city to see for ourselves what went on there. While much of what we witnessed has disappeared from my memory, various impressions linger to this day. I recall that our efforts to enter one casino were...

“Get to Know Arminius” is the title of an editorial inThe Banner (Oct. 14, 1985, pp. 6, 7). One could not very well disagree with the admonition of Editor Kuyvenhoven in this title. Not only is it true in general that one should be acquainted with church history and with significant characters in church history; but one should be acquainted specifically with Reformed church history and its chief characters; and even more specifically, one should be acquainted with heretics and their heresies—in order, of course, to be able to discern and to defend the truth. 

James D. Slopsema is pastor of the Protestant Reformed Church of Randolph, Wisconsin. O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.  Psalm 136:1 Very soon now our readers in the U.S. will be celebrating a national day of Thanksgiving. Our readers in Canada have already celebrated this holiday. As we contemplate the giving of thanks to God we must be concerned especially with two things. First, we must make it our concern to be truly thankful to God for what He has done for us and given to us. Often the more...