Vol 68 Issue 06

Mr. Wigger is a member of the Protestant Reformed Church of Hudsonville, Michigan. School Activities We begin this latest installment of the “News” with an item of interest from the South Holland, IL PR Christian School. When school started this fall, both the 5th and 6th graders began saving their own money for the purpose of collecting $50 for people in Russia who do not have Bibles in their homes. It took about a month before enough money was saved and sent on to the Trinitarian Bible Society. After six weeks the students received a letter from the TBS thanking...

Satan, His Motives and Methods, by Lewis Sperry Chafer, Kregel Publications, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1990, 143 pp., $7.95, (paper). [Reviewed by Pastor Arie denHartog.] This book is a reprint. It was originally published in 1919. The author of the book, Lewis Sperry Chafer, was an American Presbyterian clergyman (1871-1952). He was the founder of what today is Dallas Theological Seminary. He was president of Dallas and professor of systematic theology there until his death. This is a well-written book on a subject that is certainly in need of study. Though it was written a number of years ago it is...

Prof. Decker is professor of Practical Theology in the Protestant Reformed Seminary. As always, so again this year, there is all kinds of talk at Christmas time of world peace. The citizens of this land will be urged to follow the example of Jesus and work for peace on earth. Many preachers, the vast majority in fact, will be telling their congregations that Jesus, the great Prince of Peace, is the only hope for peace on earth. These preachers will be exhorting their congregations to pray for world peace. What these preachers and their followers ignore, or perhaps we should...

Rev. VanOverloop is pastor of Bethel Protestant Reformed Church in Elk Grove Village, Illinois. “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.” So heard the shepherds the tidings of great joy on that night, a night they remembered unto their deaths. Peace is! The angels put no qualifiers on their declaration. Their song made a statement of fact. They announced the presence of peace in the birth of the Prince of peace in a manger in Bethlehem. Can there be a more wonderful pronouncement? Peace is most precious to the church. Anyone who is...

Rev. Hanko is a minister emeritus in the Protestant Reformed Churches. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ, the Lord. Night had cast its long shadow over the fields of Judea where shepherds watched over their sheep. This was but a reminder of that long, weary night of sin and death that had rested on mankind ever since we became enemies of God through our fall in paradise. That night would have been hopelessly dark were it not for the fact that, like the heavenly luminaries, the promise of the...

Mrs. DeBoer is a member of the Protestant Reformed Church of Hull, Iowa. Christmas is coming! Does that make you happy and excited? Yes, most children are excited about Christmas. You, as God’s covenant children, have special reason to be excited about Christmas. Maybe you are excited about the presents that come at Christmas time. Well, the real Christmas story is about a Gift too – the Greatest Gift of All. The Christmas story is not a make-believe story; this truly happened along, long time ago. We know that because God tells us so in His Word, the Bible. So,...

Rev. Koole is pastor of Faith Protestant Reformed Church in Jenison, Michigan. The topic assigned me is for a special issue on Christmas. It strikes me that it is made to order for the rubric “When Thou Sittest In Thine House. . .” which deals with the Christian family and home. If there is one notion that we associate with Christmas it is that of family get-togethers. And if there is one fear we have, it is, I should think, the adverse effect that the world’s celebration can have on our children (some might even say, the adverse effect the...

Rev. Cammenga is pastor of the Protestant Reformed Church of Loveland, Colorado. It is that time of year again when we celebrate Christmas. Radio stations air Christmas music. Storefronts and circulars advertise Christmas wares. Homes and shops are decorated for the holiday season. Christmas is observed the world over, in the United States and Europe, by Protestants and Roman Catholics alike. Even if we wanted to forget Christmas, the world would not let us. What really is the origin of the day? What is the meaning and purpose of Christmas? What historically has been the attitude of the church towards...

Prof. Engelsma is professor of Dogmatics and Old Testament in the Protestant Reformed Seminary. The Issue The genealogy of Jesus concerns His descent as a real man from His ancestors. It is His “family tree.” This is a proper object of study because the Bible both reveals Jesus’ line of descent and points out that this line of descent is important. Scripture gives Jesus’ genealogy in Matthew 1 and in Luke 3:23-38. The importance of His “family tree” is to be found in Gods promise that the Messiah would be born from certain Old Testament persons and families. Jesus must fulfill these promises....

More on “Experimental Religion” After reading your exhortation to active participation and the question and answer given in the letters section (Standard Bearer, Nov. 15, 1991) I felt moved to respond. I agree wholeheartedly with your answer. Our experiences must always be examined and interpreted by the spotlight of Scripture rather than interpreting Scripture by experience, as many do today. I would say that in many cases where the term “Experimental Religion” is used it is referring to the practical application of Scripture in the believer’s life. Such was the case with A.W. Pink as well as those mentioned by...