All Articles For Vol 81 Issue 03 11/1/2004

Rev. Eriks is pastor of the Protestant Reformed Church of Loveland, Colorado. During the course of our lives each one of us must make many important, agonizing decisions. We have important decisions to make every day. Parents must decide how to rear their covenant children. They decide where to send their children to school. Parents form rules for their home, decide how to enforce those rules, and determine the consequences for disobedience. A husband and wife make daily decisions about how they will treat each other. The man on the job makes daily decisions about how he will do his...

Rev. VanBaren is a minister emeritus in the Protestant Reformed Churches.   The Lutheran Church, Missouri Synod   In 1976 there was a large exodus from the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod (LCMS). About 300 congregations and 110,000 people left the LCMS. At the time, the claim was made that here was one instance where a denomination reformed by disciplining leaders who had adopted a liberal position contrary to the confessional stand of the LCMS. Those who left formed a new and more liberal denomination called the Evangelical Lutheran Church (ELC). Those interested can read more of the history on its Web...

Rev. Kuiper is pastor of the Protestant Reformed Church in Randolph, Wisconsin. (Preceding article in this series: July 2004, p. 421.) The fundamental work of the deacons is spiritual in nature. One might not immediately come to this conclusion when he sees the deacons passing the collection plates, counting the money, and arranging for the payment of the church’s bills. Nevertheless, the fundamental work of the deacons is the work of caring for the poor of the church. This care of the poor involves giving material gifts for the relief of their poverty. But this care is not simply external...

Reprinted from When Thou Sittest In Thine House, by Abraham Kuyper, Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., Grand Rapids, Michigan. 1929. Used by permission of Eerdmans Publishing Co.   Autumn   In some parts of England autumn is still called “fall.” The common word used overseas for the waning part of the year is the familiar word “autumn,” an expression derived from the French. But however widely this French word gained the field, the original word is by no means passed away, and in ordinary conversation one still uses the descriptive, significant word of “fall,” precisely the same word that is...

Prof. Gritters is professor of Practical Theology in the Protestant Reformed Seminary. “Let your joy in God be stronger than your sadness in sin.” (Luther, on Philippians 4) “The highest and best part of a happy life consists in this, that God forgives a man’s guilt, and receives him graciously into his favour.” “The Holy Spirit has exhorted the faithful to continue clapping their hands for joy, until the advent of the promised Redeemer.” (Calvin, on the Psalms) Come unfaithful sons of the Reformation (preachers) have removed the ancient landmarks, so that their flocks wander about, doubtful of what is their...

The October 1 issue of the SB carried the first part of an interview with Prof. David J. Engelsma, the magazine’s retiring editor. We conclude, below, the transcription of that recorded interview, confident that our readers will find it as profitable as did the newly appointed editors. Prof. Dykstra: Are there any doctrines in particular that you consciously tried to develop in your editorials? If so, why those? DJE: To my mind, in keeping with the purpose of the magazine as set up in the beginning (maintenance, development, defense, and promotion of the Reformed faith as known and confessed by...

There is value in bringing to light the history of a religious periodical such as the Standard Bearer. A study of its origins will reveal its purpose as intended by the founders. The history demonstrates the character that the magazine has striven to maintain. Familiarity with its origin and character will serve the readers well. On the one hand, they will not be surprised by the content of the magazine that appears in their mailbox twice a month, so long as the content is in harmony with the history of the magazine. On the other hand, if the magazine strays...

Rev. Slopsema is pastor of First Protestant Reformed Church in Grand Rapids, Michigan. And Moses lifted up his hand, and with his rod he smote the rock twice: and the water came out abundantly, and the congregation drank, and their beasts also. And the Lord spake unto Moses and Aaron, Because ye believed me not, to sanctify me in the eyes of the children of Israel, therefore ye shall not bring this congregation into the land which I have given them. This is the water of Meribah; because the children of Israel strove with the Lord, and he was sanctified...

Mr. Wigger is an elder in the Protestant Reformed Church of Hudsonville, Michigan. Minister Activities   At a congregational meeting on Sunday, October 3, the members of Faith PRC in Jenison, MI extended a call to Rev. R. Cammenga to become their next pastor. From a trio of the Revs. A. Brummel, J. Mahtani, and J. Slopsema, the congregation of First PRC of Edmonton, Alberta, CN extended a call to Rev. A. Brummel to serve as their next pastor.   Evangelism Activities   The Evangelism Committee of Faith PRC in Jenison, MI sponsored a lecture on September 30. Rev. W....