Vol 65 Issue 02

Mr. Wigger is an elder in the Protestant Reformed Church of Hudsonville, Michigan. Ministerial Calls Our Holland, Michigan congregation has called Rev. W. Bruinsma, from a trio which included also the Revs. S. Key and B. Gritters. Prof. Decker has declined the call extended to him from Faith Church in Jenison, Michigan. Mission Activities During the first week of September Rev. and Mrs. Bernard Woudenberg of Kalamazoo, Michigan, along with Dr. and Mrs. Dwight Monsma of Grand Rapids, Michigan traveled through the area of Maryland and Virginia on behalf of the Mission Committee, contacting a number of people who have...

The Loveland Protestant Reformed Church of Loveland, Colorado was host for the September 7, 1988 meeting of Classis West. Though Classis has met in Loveland numerous times before, this was the first time that Classis had the opportunity to meet in Loveland’s new sanctuary, and for many delegates this was the first time they had the opportunity to see this new facility. Twelve ministers and thirteen elders represented the thirteen churches of Classis at this meeting. In addition three delegates from Classis East were present, Revs. W. Bekkering, J. Kortering, and J. Slopsema. These three were given the privilege of...

Rev. Kortering is pastor of the Protestant Reformed Church of Grandville, Michigan. As we begin our study of the book of Judges, we should bear in mind that the events that are recorded in this book follow historically upon those that we examined in the book of Joshua. The Lord raised up Joshua as a leader who guided the people of Israel in their conquest of the land of Canaan and in their assuming their places given to each tribe by the casting of lots. The question arises: what happened to these people after Joshua died? The answer is given...

Rev. Van Baren is pastor of the Protestant Reformed Church of Hudsonville, Michigan. Movie attendance was, once, forbidden to church members. But after the advent of television, cable, and now, V.C.R.’s, there appears to be no restriction upon this activity anymore. In fact, even the most conservative of church papers frequently will carry movie reviews. Still, a concern about the kind of movies which entertain especially the young is being heard. In the Calvinist Contact, December 11, 1987, an article by Henry Knoop, teacher at Durham Christian High School in Bowmanville, Ontario, appears in the “Media Scan” rubric. He writes “Of...

Beloved people of God, A new school year has begun up on Seminary Hill, and the faculty and students greet you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Some changes have taken place in the Seminary. Perhaps the most important is that God has called Rev. D. Engelsma to our Seminary faculty this past summer. He was installed at a special worship service held in South Holland on August 31. Participating in the installation ceremony were the Revs. Lubbers, VanBaren, and VanOverloop, while Prof. Decker preached the sermon. A collection was taken at the service for the Library Fund...

Prof. Hoeksema is professor of Dogmatics and Old Testament in the Protestant Reformed Seminary. Dear Readers of The Standard Bearer: Although I am on leave of absence as a regular Staff writer during the current volume-year, before I left home I promised that I would write a few lines from Tasmania during our year’s sojourn here. In this letter I will try to furnish you a few early impressions. The other day my wife and I began listing things which are different here. And after we had each mentioned a few items, we ended by agreeing, “Everything is different!” First of...

Prof. Hanko is professor of Church History and New Testament in the Protestant Reformed Seminary. “For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.” Luke 12:48 Esteemed colleagues, students, members of the School Committee, and fellow saints: As I was pondering these words of our Lord in preparation for convocation, what Jesus says here began to frighten me. After all, we have received of the Lord so very much; and Jesus emphasizes that for that very reason much is also required. That is...

Prof. Decker is professor of Practical Theology in the Protestant Reformed Seminary. “And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.” II Timothy 2:2 God has done great things for us! He has given us another professor. Our new professor is a gifted man, a man committed with all his heart to the Reformed faith. This means that our seminary can not only continue, but also progress and grow. What a blessing this is. In these days when the foundations are being shaken...

Celebration at the end of this month of the 16th century Reformation of the church will be a dangerous activity for Protestants. The danger is that churches and their members seize upon the occasion of the anniversary of the onset of the Reformation to praise the Reformers profusely, while repudiating the truth of the gospel that the Reformers proclaimed. Men and women who in fact are hostile to the Reformation doctrines decorate the monuments of the Reformers, strewing the flowers of their praise upon the Reformers’ graves. Christ called this hypocrisy, and pronounced His woe over it. Referring specifically to...