All Articles For Vol 78 Issue 19 8/1/2002

Mr. Wigger is an elder in the Protestant Reformed Church of Hudsonville, Michigan. Minister Activities   The members of the Covenant PRC in Wyckoff, NJ met in late June and extended a call to Rev. Daniel Kleyn, presently serving as pastor of the Edgerton, MN PRC, to serve as their next undershepherd. Seminarian Bill Langerak will soon begin his internship in the Southeast PRC in Grand Rapids, MI under Rev. Dale Kuiper; and Seminarian Paul Goh will begin his internship in Bethel PRC in Roselle, IL under Rev. Carl Haak. The synodical stated clerk was directed by synod “to inform...

Christ the Lord: The Reformation and Lordship Salvation, Michael Horton, ed. Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1992. 240pp. (Paper) (Reviewed by Prof. H. Hanko.) Seven different authors have cooperated, under the editorship of Michael Horton, to write a book that deals with an extremely pressing problem in our day. The problem is defined in the subtitle as the question of “Lordship salvation.” At first glance this seemingly innocuous title refers to nothing else than the fact that Christ is the sovereign Lord of the life of believers. It would seem that all people of God would readily agree with that...

Rev. Dick is pastor of Grace Protestant Reformed Church in Standale, Michigan. If modern American dating is so bad, as yours truly has contended, what then is the alternative? How, just how, ought our covenant men and maids go about getting married? In the June issue of the Standard Bearer I mentioned that we must think theologically (and therefore biblically) in our approach to this. And, I suggested, when we do that, think theologically that is, we will be thinking along the lines of what could be called “the Family principle” when it comes to the marrying of the covenant...

Rev. Smit is pastor of the Protestant Reformed Church in Doon, Iowa. Who can fathom the words, “He suffered”? These words concerning our suffering Savior are briefly explained in Lord’s Day 15 of the Heidelberg Catechism on the basis of the Scriptures. Having read and studied this exposition of the Heidelberg Catechism, can you understand that the Son of God, who possesses all glory and power, and who is the righteous and holy One, suffered in the flesh? The God of all comfort, the Resurrection and the Life, the Light, suffered as though He were the unrighteous one under the...

Prof. Dykstra is professor of Church History and New Testament in the Protestant Reformed Seminary. *Seminary Commencement Address, June 17, 2002, Southwest Protestant Reformed Church, Grandville, Michigan. The minister is called to preach. This is his stated work. Writes Paul, “We preach not ourselves.” The word translated “preach,” is literally “to herald,” that is, to proclaim as an official messenger or as a herald of a king. A herald is one chosen by the king to proclaim the king’s word. He is officially set in office. He is given a specific announcement and commanded to proclaim the king’s message to...

Mr. Kalsbeek is a teacher in Covenant Christian High School and a member of Hope Protestant Reformed Church, Walker, Michigan. “And of the children of Issachar, which were men that had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do; the heads of them were two hundred; and all their brethren were at their commandment.” I Chronicles 12:32 Death is dead! Well, at least almost dead! If you question the veracity of that statement because scripture and experience have conditioned you to think otherwise, be enlightened by secular humanist S. Matthew D’Agostino: I believe that death is neither...

Rev. Laning is pastor of Hope Protestant Reformed Church in Walker, Michigan. Part II: Faith: God’s Gift from Beginning to End Those who hold to the well-meant offer, as it was set forth in my previous article (Standard Bearer, May 1, 2002), have a wrong view of what it means that faith is a gift of God. That faith is, in fact, a gift of God many are willing to admit, since Scripture explicitly teaches this. Philippians 1:29, for example, says that “unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him….” But many have...

“Restoration” Promises to National Israel I have just read your series defending amillennialism (Standard Bearer, Jan. 1, 1995-Dec. 15, 1996) and have benefited very much. However, I have a few questions. Can we not hold amillen-nialism and still look for certain “restoration” promises to national Israel to be fulfilled? The Puritans themselves were partially responsible for opening the door for Israel to come back to their land, because they understood that God would restore the nation according to Romans 11. By restoration, I do not mean by any other way than through the means of the gospel. While there is sure...

The second reason why Dr. Richard Mouw embraces common grace is his own “empathy” with the ungodly. (For the first reason, see the editorial in the Standard Bearer, May 15, 2002.) “Empathy” is one’s entering into the feelings of another so as to share those feelings. Dr. Mouw rejoices with the wicked in their prosperity. He sorrows with unbelievers in their suffering. This proves the common grace of God, Dr. Mouw argues, since God must feel toward the wicked as Dr. Mouw feels. If Dr. Mouw shares the joy of an unbelieving husband and wife who reconcile after separation, God...

Rev. VanOverloop is pastor of Georgetown Protestant Reformed Church in Hudsonville, Michigan. “For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.” Isaiah 57:15God with man! God dwelling with man. The infinite, Almighty, Holy One dwelling with finite, weak, sinners. So amazing! So wonderful! Yet so often taken for granted! Let us constantly strive to be in awe at the...