Vol 81 Issue 15

Mr. Wigger is a member of the Protestant Reformed Church of Hudsonville, Michigan.   School Activities   On Tuesday evening, March 22, the Wingham, Ontario PRC hosted a concert of sacred music presented by 51 members of the Covenant Christian High School Choir from Grand Rapids, MI. The concert was held at an old country church in Westfield, Ontario. There were many visitors from the area in addition to most of the Wingham congregation. The Wingham ladies provided supper for the students; and a time of fellowship, refreshments, and combined singing of visitors and choir members followed the concert. The...

Mr. Kalsbeek is a teacher in Covenant Christian High School and a member of Hope Protestant Reformed Church, Walker, Michigan. Previous article in series: March 1, 2005, p. 254. “And 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 As we have seen in our previous article, the imposition of the Shari’a in some Muslim countries has resulted in the state prescribing every aspect of both public and private behavior. It...

Mrs. Miersma is the wife of Rev. Thomas Miersma, missionary in Spokane, Washington. The children of God’s covenant, as we have seen, are not first of all our children, but the children of a Heavenly King, and as parents we serve as His stewards or agents. At the heart of their instruction as royal children pulses the almighty, efficacious love of God in Jesus Christ. To this love, the royal children of God’s covenant respond by faith, loving Him and living in godly fear, but because they are little children, and that by adoption, they must learn the proper way...

Rev. Laning is pastor of Hope Protestant Reformed Church in Walker, Michigan. We now begin a study of the government of the church. When a church or group of churches departs from the truth of Scripture, this departure is often manifested in three areas—her doctrine, her worship, and her church government. Christ has specifically taught us in His Word not only what we must believe and how we must worship Him, but also how His church must be governed on this earth. It is of utmost importance that we follow these principles, striving beautifully to reflect the perfections of Christ,...

Rev. Eriks is pastor of the Protestant Reformed Church of Loveland, Colorado. Previous article in this series: November 1, 2004, p. 68. In the first article on this subject, we distinguished between the two aspects of God’s one will: the will of God’s decree and the will of God’s precept. God sovereignly determines all things that happen in our lives. In all the events of this world and in our lives God sovereignly accomplishes His will. This is the will of God’s decree, which is a great comfort for us in life and in death. Yet, we have important decisions...

Rev. DeVries is pastor of the ProtestantReformed Church in Wingham, Ontario, Canada. Another Nail It would seem that the Liberal Party-controlled Federal Government of Canada is determined to pound another nail into the coffin of the institution of the family as we have always known it. As if same-sex marriage legislation is not enough, now they plan to spend billions on universal day care for children. In a timely article in the January 26, 2005 issue of Christian Renewal, entitled “The State as Mother—From the cradle to the grave,” Hermina Dykxhoorn writes: The Liberal Government has, for more than a...

Rev. Mahtani is eastern home missionary of the Protestant Reformed Churches. Previous article in this series: April 15, 2005, p. 331. Preachers can help a great deal to equip the saints by the preaching itself. Believing that the best way to equip our people for personal evangelism is by the lively preaching of the gospel, I wish to return to the subject of preaching and discuss some of its finer points as it relates to evangelism. I think we need to remember a few things about preaching. First of all, let us not forget that the lively preaching of the...

Keepers at Home Having followed the articles by Rev. Bruinsma in the rubric “When Thou Sittest in Thine House,” I was concerned with some things said in the last article on this in the February 1, 2005 issue. God, right after the fall, judged the man to earn his and his family’s bread in the sweat of his face. To the woman God said that in sorrow she shall bring forth children (Gen 3:16-19). It is this present world’s folly, especially of the women, that in addition to their own sorrow they want to take upon themselves the curse placed...

Previous article in this series: April 15, 2005, p. 316. Lack of preachers in the church world, felt also in the PRC, motivates God’s people to pray more fervently: “Lord of the harvest, thrust out (see previous editorial) laborers into the harvest…. Graciously move men to prepare for the gospel ministry…. Provide us pastors after Thine Own heart (Jer. 3:15)…. Ride forth, victorious White Horse of the gospel!!” Especially vacant churches feel this lack. Some feel it more keenly than others. Churches with regular preaching from retired ministers or the seminary do not experience the lack as a great hardship....

Rev. VanderWal is pastor of Hope Protestant Reformed Church in Redlands, California. The song had not been heard before. Heard before was only a question: Who is worthy? An important question indeed! At the center of the question is a book. Not just any book. This is the book that is held in the right hand of Him that sitteth upon the throne. It is the possession of the almighty God. He is its sole author. This book is comprehensive. It contains all the events of the universe. It is about the stars in the heavens above. It is about...