All Articles For Vol 82 Issue 15 5/1/2006

Mr. Wigger is a member of the Protestant Reformed Church of Hudsonville, Michigan. Congregation Activities  April 3 marked the 50th anniversary of the worst tornado ever to hit the Hudsonville, MI area. To commemorate that event, the National Weather Service and the City of Hudsonville planned a commemoration ceremony at Hudsonville High School on April 3 for survivors and families of those who died. Sometime before that evening Rev. G. Eriks, pastor of the Hudsonville, MI PRC, was approached to be part of that evening because of the well-known sermon that Hudsonville’s former pastor, Rev. Gerrit Vos, preached on Psalm 46 the...

Mr. Randy Scott is a member of the Byron Center Protestant Reformed Church. Recently an entire issue of the Standard Bearer was devoted to the Seminary of the Protestant Reformed Churches (Jan. 15, 2006). This prompted Mr. Scott to write this contribution. It is not a response, as such, to any of the articles in that issue. However, that issue led him to contemplate the matter of the call to the ministry, and he took up his pen to discuss certain aspects of the call.—RJD Whenever a man aspires to the office of a minister, the question must be faced, has God...

Prof. Hanko is professor emeritus of Church History and New Testament in the Protestant Reformed Seminary.   Introduction  Although many reasons can be found why heresies arise in the church of Christ, one important reason for modern heresies is what has been called “higher criticism.” Higher criticism ostensibly inquires into the origin of the sacred Scriptures; that is, it asks the question: How did the Bible come into existence? Although many answers have been given to this question by higher critics, they all come down to one point: Scripture is not, partially or in its entirety, the Word of God....

Rev. Kleyn is pastor of First Protestant Reformed Church in Holland, Michigan. The formal worship of God on the Lord’s Day is the central as well as a most blessed part of our lives as believers. We consciously enter the presence of our heavenly Father. We humble ourselves before Him. We praise and adore Him. And as we do so, we experience fellowship with Him. That fellowship is enjoyed by means of a holy conversation that takes place between God and His people. It is a two-way conversation—not only does God speak to us, but we are given the opportunity...

Prof. Cammenga is professor of Dogmatics and Old Testament in the Protestant Reformed Seminary. Previous article in this series: March 1, 2006, p. 252.

Rev. DeVries is pastor of the Protestant Reformed Church in Wingham, Ontario, Canada.   “Global Warming” and a Green Gospel  A poll released in February 2006 shows that seventy percent of American evangelical Christians see global warming as a “serious threat” to the future of the planet. According to a report by World NetDaily.com, this survey, conducted by Ellison Research, indicates a majority of evangelicals agree with eighty-six Christian leaders who signed the Evangelical Climate Initiative (ECI): Climate Change a Call to Action, which was unveiled on February 8, 2006. The ECI calls for government action to deal with so-called global...

Rev. Laning is pastor of Hope Protestant Reformed Church in Walker, Michigan. There has been much debate among Protestant churches over the subject of baptism. The disagreement has had to do with some questions that are of fundamental importance. Is baptism really a means of grace? And, if so, is it a means of grace to everyone who receives it? In other words, does every baptized person receive a gracious promise from God? Should the infant children of believers be baptized? And, if so, what is the basis for baptizing all the children of believers, when we know that they...

Rev. Hanko is pastor of the Protestant Reformed Church of Lynden, Washington. Previous article in this series: April 15, 2006, p. 324.   The Second Disputation: Chapter 1:6-2:9 (continued)   2:4. And ye shall know that I have sent this commandment unto you, that my covenant might be with Levi, saith the LORD of hosts.  2:5. My covenant with him was of life and peace; and I gave them to him for the fear wherewith he feared me, and was afraid before my name.  2:6. The law of truth was in his mouth, and iniquity was not found in his...

Previous article in this series: April 15, 2006, p. 316. The mission labors of the Protestant Reformed Churches are worthy of heartiest support and earnest prayers. I showed this last time by emphasizing that missions stand at the heart of the church’s work. Thus, Jesus Christ is displeased with the church that is not busy in preaching the gospel outside of her own boundaries. But I pointed out that the support given to missions must be intelligent support—that is, support should not be blind funding of and prayers for missions. Without ignoring the possibility that improvements could be made in...

Rev. VanOverloop is pastor of Byron Center Protestant Reformed Church in Byron Center, Michigan. “Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.  Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits.”  Romans 12:15, 16 One who is saved by grace alone is to live in a way that harmonizes with this salvation. The doctrines of sovereign, particular grace imply and require a way of living that is “not conformed to this world,” but “transformed by the renewing of your...