Vol 81 Issue 07

Mr. Wigger is an elder in the Protestant Reformed Church of Hudsonville, Michigan. Young People’s Activities The young people of First PRC in Edmonton, AB, Canada were invited to the home of one of their members for a bonfire on Saturday, December 4. Soft drinks, hot dogs, and fixings were provided. Here in western Michigan, summer may still seem an eternity away, but come it will, and with it will come another young people’s convention, the Lord willing. If you as a parent, or someone else in your family, is interested, we can report that the 2005 Young People’s Convention...

George Ophoff was Professor of Old Testament Studies in the Protestant Reformed Seminary in its early days. Reprinted here, in edited form, are articles which Ophoff wrote at that time for the Standard Bearer. Previous article in this series: December 15, 2004, p. 128. We are engaged in examining typical events and transactions in sacred history for the purpose of ascertaining the principles of interpretation that these typical materials exhibit. There remain two rules, to which we now desire to call attention. Fourth principle of interpretation The first of these may be stated thus: The meaning of the type should...

Mr. VanEngen, a member of the Protestant Reformed Church in Hull, Iowa, is a practicing attorney. The cultural war around us continues to rage, especially on the issue of homosexual rights. We have just witnessed a national election in which these issues were brought to the forefront. Eleven states had measures on the ballot to define marriage as being between one man and one woman. Many political pundits commented on the “values voters” who turned out at the polls in large numbers due to concern over moral issues. An overview of recent developments and trends in the United States demonstrates...

Rev. Kortering is a minister emeritus in the Protestant Reformed Churches. Previous article in this series: November 15, p. 92. Our emphasis in this series of articles on evangelism in the established church is upon the role of every member. We made a distinction between the preaching of the gospel in evangelism and the personal witnessing of every believer. These two are clearly taught in the Bible and are important in evangelism. We are now concentrating on the personal witness of every believer and its role in evangelism in the established church. We thereby do not overlook or minimize the importance...

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. Man in his calling To hide behind dark figures in the background, or, without being called, to stand bravely and heroically in the foreground, are the two elements between which our natural impulse continuously moves back and forth. On one side timid fear so much as to hear one’s name mentioned, and on the other side even ardent desire, where it concerns a noble cause, to have a place among “the men which...

Rev. Kuiper is pastor of the Protestant Reformed Church in Randolph, Wisconsin. Previous article in this series: December 15, p. 135. Within their own congregation, deacons must manifest Christ’s mercy by doing their utmost to care for the poor. This means they must collect alms, determine the need of those who seek benevolent help, distribute the alms as the need of the poor requires, and visit and comfort the poor with God’s Word. This work involves more than that the deacons are willing and ready to help any who ask—it requires also that they be alert for signs that some...

Rev. VanBaren is a minister emeritus in the Protestant Reformed Churches. But: Is It Genetic?? In last November’s election, doubtlessly the question of homosexuality and homosexual “marriage” played a sizable role. Whether the election would have turned out differently if this had not been an issue is questionable. The Christian recognizes that all of this is under the control of a sovereign God. Because of the agitation for homosexual “marriages,” eleven states had on their ballots, and the electorate approved, the proposal that the state’s constitution be amended to include the definition of marriage to be that exclusively between a...

Rev. Key is pastor of the Protestant Reformed Church of Hull, Iowa. One of the most common problems the church faces today is an ignorance concerning the importance and calling of church membership. Many have separated themselves entirely from the instituted church, from the oversight of elders, and from the faithful preaching of the gospel. Some have done so because they insist that membership in God’s church does not necessarily mean membership in a church institute. One can belong to the body of Christ, they say, regardless of whether or not he has anything to do with a local congregation....

Previous article in this series: December 15, p. 124. It is our contention that drama, as such, is wrong. In support of that contention, the standpoint taken was that the actor is wrong to take on the personality of another. It may be that the reader is not immediately convinced by that judgment. I can readily understand that. For many years, when the same argument was presented to me, I was not entirely convinced of it. I am now. However, that is only one element in our contention that drama per se is wrong. Several other significant objections against drama...

Rev. VanderWal is pastor of Hope Protestant Reformed Church in Redlands, California. “And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come.” Luke 19:13 Servants of the Nobleman! A blessed name, for it signifies your place. You belong to your Nobleman, your Lord. He has purchased you with His precious blood, making you His own property. He has given you a position in His blessed kingdom. He has made you His servants by His grace. But your Lord, your Nobleman, has gone away into a far country. He has gone there...