Vol 80 Issue 06

Rev. Kleyn is pastor of First Protestant Reformed Church in Edgerton, Minnesota. Rev. Audred Spriensma, his wife Alva, and their daughter Jessica have lived in the Philippines now for close to a year and a half. As a missionary of the Protestant Reformed Churches, Rev. Spriensma does his work under the supervision of Doon Protestant Reformed Church, the calling church for the mission field in the Philippines. As part of Doon’s and the Foreign Mission Committee’s supervision of the missionary and the field, a delegation visits the field at least once a year. Such a delegation visited recently, from October 20...

Mrs. Meyer is a wife and mother in Hope Protestant Reformed Church of Walker, Michigan. There is a truth about which we as parents must teach our children. It is a truth that must be well understood and preserved among us, for it is a truth that is under relentless and increasing attack. The kingdom of Antichrist seeks to manipulate and twist it into its own service and evil purposes. In these last days it is imperative that we see this truth clearly, increase in knowledge of it, and grow in love for it. It is crucial, as well, that...

Rev. Laning is pastor of Hope Protestant Reformed Church in Walker, Michigan. The truth that God rewards us according to our works does not contradict the truth that salvation is entirely of God’s grace. We must not be afraid to confess that God does indeed reward us for the good works that we perform. We simply must go on and state, as we do in Lord’s Day 24 of the Heidelberg Catechism, that “This reward is not of merit, but of grace.” God does reward us, but this reward is entirely of His sovereign and particular grace. Although this subject...

Prof. Hanko is professor emeritus of Church History and New Testament in the Protestant Reformed Seminary. Introduction Moïse Amyraut held to a position in France that was a serious and significant modification of Calvin’s teachings and a rejection of the strong pronouncements of the Synod of Dordt. His views were never consistently condemned by the French Reformed Churches, and Amyraut himself was never censured. The result was the demise of the Reformed Church in France as a truly Calvinistic church. Amyraut’s teachings had wide influence. We briefly turn to this matter in this article. John Cameron and Developments in Scotland...

Rev. VanBaren is a minister emeritus in the Protestant Reformed Churches. Remember the Sabbath Day to Keep It Holy One has become accustomed to businesses being open on Sunday. There was a time when this was not so. Only about 40 years ago most businesses were closed on the Sabbath. Even those who were not members of a church or professing Christians seemed to agree that it was best so. Almost inevitably this was true in small-town rural communities. All that has changed. Today it is a rare instance when a business is closed on Sunday. Many “Christians” have accommodated...

A recent book by Iain H. Murray on John Wesley, famed father of the Methodist Church and grandfather of the charismatic movement, is of extraordinary significance for Calvinistic Christians and churches today, especially in Great Britain. The book is Wesley and Men Who Followed (Edinburgh: The Banner of Truth, 2003). Although two of the four sections of Wesley and Men Who Followed are devoted to Wesley’s successors and to the further fortunes of Methodism, the book is a new study of the life, theology, and labors of John Wesley, on the 300th anniversary of Wesley’s birth. Foe of Grace In...

Mr. Wigger is an elder in the Protestant Reformed Church of Hudsonville, Michigan. School Activities The Student Council of Covenant Christian High School in Grand Rapids, MI sponsored a pop-can drive at their school from November 3 – 14. Students, parents, and supporters of Covenant were encouraged to bring empty pop cans or bottles to Covenant, so that the students could return them for a deposit refund. Money raised from the drive was going to help Covenant Christian School in Lynden, WA and Herrick Covenant School in Tasmania. Young People’s Activities The young people of Bethel PRC in Roselle, IL...

Roundtable: Evangelicals in Conversation with Hinduism, Buddhism, and Islam, by Timothy C. Tennent. Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2002. Pp. 270. No price given. (paper). [Reviewed by Prof. Robert Decker.] To his credit Dr. Tennent rejects the notion that, “The Christian gospel is … one among many different paths to God. Christianity is ranked side by side with religions such as Islam, Hinduism, and Buddhism…” (p. 9). The author believes that Christianity is the only true religion. He is an “Exclusivist.” Tennent does, however, believe that there must be honest, open dialogue with the adherents of the world’s religions. This honest,...

* The first installment of this article is found in the December 1 issue of the Standard Bearer. We must still answer the question: With whom is the covenant established? Is it established with Christ, or only with us? In close connection with this question, we ought to ask: Is the Christ the Head or only the Mediator and Surety of the covenant? The answers to this latter question vary as the conceptions of the covenant differ. Usually, if the covenant is considered as a way or a means to an end, i.e., to our salvation, the answer is: “God...

Rev. VanderWal is pastor of Hope Protestant Reformed Church in Redlands, California. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. Luke 2:7 The angels came from heaven with its brilliant glory to speak to shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flocks by night. They spoke of this child, Mary’s firstborn son. His very star appeared in the east, guiding the wise men from afar to behold this child. Of this one Moses and the prophets gave...