Vol 80 Issue 04

Prof. Hanko is professor emeritus of Church History and New Testament in the Protestant Reformed Seminary. Introduction Shortly after Dordt a heresy arose which cast a long shadow over subsequent history of doctrine. It originated and was found primarily in France, but it spread to England, where it had great influence. It is a heresy with which much of the church is burdened even today. It is the heresy of Amyraldianism, with its special emphasis on a universal grace found in the preaching of the gospel, in which God expresses His desire to save all who hear the gospel. It...

Rev. Laning is pastor of Hope Protestant Reformed Church in Walker, Michigan. The subject of good works is often considered under the heading of sanctification. Article 24 of the Belgic Confession, for example, is entitled “Of Man’s Sanctification and Good Works.” When God sanctifies us, He causes us willingly to perform good works. In fact, if God did not sanctify us, we would be completely unable to do good works. It is only by the sanctifying grace of God that we are able to begin to perform the works that are pleasing to our God. This truth concerning the inseparable...

Members of the Protestant Reformed Churches (PRC) have a lively interest in developments of the Reformed churches in the Netherlands. From these churches the grandparents or great grandparents of many of us came when they emigrated to the United States. Some of us have close relatives in these churches. More importantly, the PRC have the truth of the Reformed faith through the work of the Holy Spirit in the Dutch Reformed churches in the past. The present is a time of fearful, almost unrelieved apostasy in the Reformed churches in the Netherlands. Twenty years ago, I could meet in the...

Seminary Activities Thursday morning, October 2, eleven catechism students (8th – 11th grade, 8 young men and 3 young ladies) of Trinity PRC in Hudsonville, MI, along with their pastor, Rev. R. Kleyn, visited our seminary. These students had the day off from school because of the annual teachers’ convention. The students and Rev. Kleyn got to the seminary around 9 a.m. Rev. Kleyn began the visit by giving them a tour of the seminary building and premises, followed by a visit to a couple of professors in their offices. Then at 9:45 they joined the professors and students for...

Rev. Kleyn is pastor of First Protestant Reformed Church in Edgerton, Minnesota. (Preceding article in series: September 1, 2003, p. 475.) Having considered in our previous article the calling to love the church, we now consider some of the possible strengths of the church, strengths God has given her and that serve to motivate us in our love for her. The strengths of the church are not earthly things. At times we are inclined to think they are. For example, we are tempted to view the costliness and grandeur of our church building as a strength. In contrast to that,...

Mr. Langerak is a member of Hope Protestant Reformed Church in Walker, Michigan and retired secretary of the RFPA. Friends and Members of the Association, tonight marks the completion of the 79th year of producing the Standard Bearer and the 36th year of book publishing for the Reformed Free Publishing Association. We report to you the organization’s principal activities that have occurred throughout this year. Eight years ago this association merged the permanent book publishing arm (PCPPRL) with the RFPA, creating one organization and one board publishing both the Standard Bearer and books. Today the work of the board and...

Prof. Decker is professor of Practical Theology in the Protestant Reformed Seminary. Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 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 2:1, 2 This text speaks of the task both of the professors and of the students. What the apostle says here to Timothy he says to the professors in the seminary. What you have “heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to...

Hard Stands Thank you for your useful work Common Grace Revisited, originally a series of editorials in the Standard Bearer (March 15, 2002 — December 1, 2002). I am a member of the Orthodox Presbyterian Church and have struggled with the doctrine of common grace ever since I read A.W. Pink’s book The Attributes of God. I am especially grateful for your work in light of the desire of many within the church to blur the line between the church and the world. I am especially impressed with (or depressed by) the quotations of Mouw and Smedes at the end,...

Rev. Miersma is pastor of Immanuel Protestant Reformed Church in Lacombe, Alberta, Canada. Offer the sacrifices of righteousness, and put your trust in the Lord. There be many that say, Who will shew us any good? Lord, lift thou up the light of thy countenance upon us. Thou hast put gladness in my heart, more than in the time that their corn and their wine increased. Psalm 4:5-7 In but a little while, on the fourth Thursday of November, the citizens of the United States will celebrate Thanksgiving Day. Most will not experience the true joy of gratitude, because this...