Vol 69 Issue 21

Christ shall have dominion. This was the sure promise of Psalm 72. That promise has now been fulfilled in the kingdom established by the gospel. Christ reigns in the confession of every true church. Since the church is established among all nations, the kingdom of Christ is a world-kingdom. Within the church, Christ reigns in the heart and life of every believer personally. To this reign belongs Christ’s subduing of His enemies, defeated by His cross. Satan is overcome in the salvation of every elect. Sin is crucified in the holy life of every believer. The reprobate world is judged, hardened,...

Mr. Wigger is an elder in the Protestant Reformed Church of Hudsonville, Michigan. The readers of the “News” will have to forgive me if I become a little personal with regard to commenting about this year’s Young People’s Convention held on the campus of Dordt College and sponsored by the young people of the PR congregations of Doon and Hull, IA and the First PRC of Edgerton, MN. This year marked the first year that our sons were old enough to attend. So attend they did, and by all accounts they had a really worthwhile and memorable stay in Iowa....

Heaven on Earth?: The Social b Political Agendas of Dominion Theology, by Bruce Barron. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House, 1992. 238 pages, $12.99 (paper). [Reviewed by the Editor.] Pat Robertson’s try for the United States presidency in 1988 made many aware of a determination in American evangelicalism to Christianize this nation. In this fittingly titled book, the author examines several distinct movements that have this goal. In at least one instance, the purpose is to Christianize the entire world. These movements are “Christian Reconstruction,” associated with R. J. Rushdoony, Gary North, Greg Bahnsen, and others; the “Kingdom Now” movement...

Rev. Lubbers is a minister emeritus in the Protestant Reformed Churches. “This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work. A bishop then must be blameless….” A few introductory remarks are in order. We are considering now what the sacred Scriptures say concerning the office of a bishop. In the first place, we notice that this office, that of a bishop, is limited to men only. We need not repeat. See our former lessons: Christian women are excluded. See I Timothy 2:2-15. In the second place, we should notice that this...

Rev. Kuiper is pastor of Southeast Protestant Reformed Church in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Leaven is yeast, a substance made of one-celled, microscopic plants which multiply rapidly in the presence of heat and moisture. When yeast reacts with flour it produces a gas (CO2) which causes the dough to rise; when the dough is kneaded, the bubbles of gas are broken down so that the resulting bread is of uniform texture and lightness. Leaven, given time, works through the entire mass of dough so that no part is left untouched. “Leaven leaveneth the whole lump” (I Cor. 5:6). In Scripture, with...

Rev. Cammenga is pastor of the Protestant Reformed Church of Loveland, Colorado. The faithful church of Jesus Christ today is called to speak out on the subject of homosexuality. She is called to bring the light of the gospel to bear on this matter and be light in the darkness. We are tempted not to speak out. For one thing, this is an evil so shameful and so repulsive that we hesitate even to mention it. For another thing, to speak out against homosexuality is to invite being labeled as prejudiced and bigoted. There are consequences for those who oppose...

Is Acting Sin? I have really appreciated Barrett Gritters’ series on “Drama, Television, and Movies” (April 1, May 1, May 15, and August, 1993 issues of the Standard Bearer). I had much anticipation for the article on why drama in and of itself is not pleasing to God, and it finally appeared in the latest issue (Aug. 1993). I thank God that there are people who are taking a stand for purity, even in the face of opposition from professing Christians. Drama, television, and movies (and I would add novels) are prolific sources of wickedness. The following comments are regarding...

Rev. Heys is a minister emeritus in the Protestant Reformed Churches. “For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” Philippians 1:21 Although most of mankind cannot, and therefore by their actions do not, say with Paul that to live is Christ, some of them do believe and say that for them to die is gain. This they clearly manifest by committing suicide. And there are also those who break the sixth commandment by helping their friends commit suicide. They, and those whom they help, reveal that they believe that to die is gain, being convinced that death...