Vol 76 Issue 20

Sacrificing Christ In an article entitled “Berengar and Transubstantiation” (May 1, 2000 Standard Bearer), Prof. Hanko states that when a Roman Catholic priest “changes the bread and wine into Christ’s body and blood,” in doing this the priest “performs the sacrifice which Christ offered for sin on the cross. Golgotha is reenacted. Calvary takes place every mass….” I don’t doubt that this is the case, but would you please ask Prof. Hanko to elaborate, for I don’t understand how the “changing the bread and wine into a real body and blood” is, in the Roman Catholic church, performing the sacrifice...

In the April 2000 issue, the Calvin Theological Journal (CTJ)commemorated the 75th anniversary of the Christian Reformed Church’s adoption of its doctrine of common grace. In so doing, the journal of the seminary of the Christian Reformed Church (CRC) was calling to mind the 75th anniversary of the existence of the Protestant Reformed Churches (PRC). For the PRC came into existence as the direct result of the adoption of the three points of common grace by the CRC in 1924. Two articles in the CTJ reflect on the common grace controversy that came to a head at the 1924 synod...

Mr. Wigger is an elder in the Protestant Reformed Church of Hudsonville, Michigan. Evangelism Activities This summer the members of the Covenant PRC in Wyckoff, NJ have been keeping themselves busy with various evangelism outreaches. First, back on June 24, they were able to distribute many pamphlets and Standard Bearers at an event known as “Big Splash,” in Ocean Grove, NJ. This event, sponsored by a local Christian radio station, gave Covenant the opportunity also to speak to many individuals about their particular beliefs. This was followed on July 29 with a similar event in Harlem, NY. Here again many...

A Critical and Expository Commentary on the Book of Judges, by Andrew R. Fausset. Edinburgh: Banner of Truth Trust, 1999. Pp. viii-340. $19.99 (cloth). [Reviewed by Prof. Robert Decker.] Here is a fine commentary of the book and era of the Judges. The work is detailed and complete. The exposition is correct for the most part. Ministers and lay persons alike who are looking for good, solid exposition of this book of the Bible will find it in this commentary. The Rev. A. R. Fausset correctly views this period as one during which the Lord chastised His people for their...

Rev. Laning is pastor of Hope Protestant Reformed Church in Walker, Michigan. With this article we begin a study of the creation, examining what the Bible says is illustrated by the works God’s hands have made. In the second article of the Belgic Confession we confess that the creation is a beautiful book, a book that sets forth for us the glory of our God. We know our God by two means, the first of which is: … the creation, preservation, and government of the universe; which is before our eyes as a most elegant book, wherein all creatures, great...

Rev. Kuiper is pastor of Southeast Protestant Reformed Church in Grand Rapids, Michigan. In both the Hebrew and the Greek, the word translated “lot” has the original meaning of a small stone, a bit of wood, or a piece of cord. These small stones, with certain markings on them, were cast down in order to determine a certain person or a certain course of action or a certain piece of ground. The ceremony of casting lots was not gambling or trusting in chance, but was the God-approved way of determining a matter. “The lot is cast into the lap; but...

Rev. Cammenga is pastor of Southwest Protestant Reformed Church in Grandville, Michigan. In case any one errs in doctrine or offends in conduct, as long as the sin is of a private character, not giving public offense, the rule clearly prescribed by Christ in Matthew 18 shall be followed.  Church Order, Article 72. Background Articles 72 and 73 concern private sins.* Article 72 prescribes how private sins are to be handled. Article 73 forbids the members of the church informing the consistory about private sins. Our Church Order and Reformed church polity makes an important distinction between private and public...

Mrs. Looyenga is a member of South Holland Protestant Reformed Church. She wrote this poem for the 75th anniversary and read it at the Pre-Convention Singspiration. When energy burst forth from God’s creating mind, His Spirit, by the power of His spoken Word, gave form, And there was light. What creature saw it when it shined, Illuminating, radiating warm Upon the universe of matter waiting there? When firmament was for the heavens placed, And waters gathered from the land still bare, Hills skipped and vales rejoiced as waters raced. A universal chorus started thus— “Not unto us, O Lord, not...

Rev. VanBaren is a minister emeritus in the Protestant Reformed Churches. Religion and Politics Cal Thomas, syndicated columnist for the Los Angeles Times, often writes on the subject of politics and religion. In the Grand Rapids Press, April 19, 2000, he addresses the question under the heading, “Falwell should keep pulpit out of politics.” He makes some interesting and true remarks. At a news conference last week in Washington and on his “People of Faith 2000” Web page, Falwell announced a drive to register 10 million new voters in order to impose a moral code through government which most citizens,...

Rev. Mahtani is the eastern home missionary of the PRC. This article is the text of his dedication speech at the opening of the PR Mission Office in Pittsburgh on June 10, 2000. Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.  I Peter 2:5 The church’s one foundation is Jesus Christ, her Lord. That church is made up of the elect of God, described in Scripture as sheep that the Father has given to the Great Shepherd of the sheep, Jesus Christ. There...