Vol 63 Issue 15

Robert C. Harbach is a minister emeritus in the Protestant Reformed Churches. In the Gospel according to John 18:8-9, we read, “Jesus answered, ‘I have told you that I am (He). If, therefore, ye seek Me, let these go their way;’ that the saying might be fulfilled, which He spake, ‘Of them which Thou gavest Me, have I lost none.'” This 18th chapter begins a new section in John’s Gospel. Chapter 1 is introductory in character; 2-12 record Christ’s ministry; 13 shows our only high priest approaching the laver where he washes the disciples’ feet; 14-16 show our high priest passing...

Ben Wigger is an elder in the Protestant Reformed Church of Hudsonville, Michigan. Now that Rev. Rodney Miersma has accented the call extended to him from our sister congregation in Wellington, New Zealand, it seems like a good time to continue the profiles of our churches with a profile of our Holland Church, Rev. Miersma’s present charge. On July 3, 1929 the First Protestant Reformed Church of Holland, Michigan was born. Those who met there that night had been led to believe that as many as seventy-five families would be joining with them. But, as so often, in our history...

THEIRS IS THE KINGDOM, Lowell Hagan, Jack Westerhof (Illustrations by Paul Stoub); Wm. B. Eerdmans Publ. Co., Grand Rapids, Mich.; 326 pp., $16.95 (cloth). (Reviewed by Prof. H.C. Hoeksema) From a technical point of view this is a beautiful book. The format is lovely. From cover to cover the book is tastefully done. It is characterized by easy readability, gives evidence of much planning and hard work, and its language is geared to children of almost any age. Yet I cannot recommend this work. My reasons are as follows: 1) The authors have taken very much liberty to add details...

Ronald L. Cammenga is pastor of the Protestant Reformed Church of Loveland, Colorado. Last time we began our discussion of the second question asked of those who make ‘public confession of faith: “Have you resolved by the grace of God to adhere to this doctrine; to reject all heresies repugnant thereto and to lead a new, godly life?” We considered the antithetical nature of confession of faith, that confession of faith is not only acknowledging positively the truth of God’s Word, but also “rejecting all heresies repugnant thereto.” We also considered the “new, godly life” to which those who make...

Jason L. Kortering is pastor of the Protestant Reformed Church of Grandville, Michigan. We continue with our outline of the first main part of the book of Numbers, the preparation for Israel to depart from Mt. Sinai (Numbers 1:1-10:10). 5. The law of the Nazarite is given (Num. 6:1-27). Details of the vow are enumerated: man or woman should separate from strong drink, eat nothing of the vine, have no razor come upon his head, nor touch a dead body (Num. 6:1-8). In the event that the Nazarite is defiled, certain ways are prescribed to make atonement for such sin: e.g.,...

Arie den Hartog is pastor of the Protestant Reformed Church of Randolph, Wisconsin. There is a great danger of worldliness in the midst of our own churches. We want to consider several areas which pose the greatest threat. We need constantly to be warned against the great danger of materialism. The world in which we live is a dreadfully materialistic world. We must be careful that we do not become worldly in that we follow this materialism. We become worldly when we are spiritually conformed to this world, in its goals and purposes, in its conversation and life style. As...

Gise J. Van Baren is pastor of the Protestant Reformed Church of Hudsonville, Michigan. More on “The Fourth Day”: The book, The Fourth Day by Dr. H. Van Till, continues to draw attention and strong condemnation from the “conservatives” in the Christian Reformed Church. Anyone reading the book can understand why. A recent issue of Christian Renewal, March 9, 1987, contained several articles again on the issues raised in the book. Editor John Hultink presents a strong condemnation, stating among other things: Calvin College professor Howard Van Till does not think there is anything unbiblical about believing that the world and life came...

David J. Engelsma is pastor of the Protestant Reformed Church of South Holland, Illinois. In an earlier article, in the March 15, 1897 issue of The Standard Bearer, I showed that the teaching (and practice) of a “well-meant offer of the Gospel” to all who hear the preaching is a lively issue in Reformed, Presbyterian, and Calvinistic circles to day, both in our country and abroad, and that adoption of this explanation of the Divine calling vitally affects fundamental doctrines of the historic Reformed Faith. In the course of their defense of the offer, some are now referring to the denial...

Ronald H. Hanko is pastor of Trinity Protestant Reformed Church, Houston, Texas. The ninth commandment is the second of the ten that deals with sins of the tongue. In distinction from the third commandment which forbids all evil-speaking against God,, especially in the misuse of His Name, the ninth commandment censures all evil-speaking among men and in the every-day relationships of life. Nevertheless, the fact’ that there are two such closely related commandments shows clearly what a great power either for good or evil the tongue can be. “Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men,...

Chapter 4 of Dr. Howard Van Till’s The Fourth Day is entitled “The Form and Content of Scriptural Talk about Creation.” Incidentally, unless otherwise indicated, when he speaks of Scripture and quotes from Scripture, he is referring to the Jerusalem Bible. I have not mentioned this previously; neither do I intend to discuss this. I only want to say that’ the use of the Jerusalem Bible ought to be repugnant to any right-thinking, Reformed Christian. But if one analyzes Van Till’s book carefully, he will discover that there are reasons for his using this version. Its language suits his purpose. If I...