Vol 87 Issue 07

Having concluded our treatment of the office of deacon, we will examine various aspects of the office of elder, as God permits. My goal is not to treat every aspect of the office of elder in as much detail as I did the office of deacon, but to focus more particularly on various aspects of the work of the elders. We begin by noting the nature of the office of elder: it is the office of rule in the church of Jesus Christ. Scriptural testimony That the office of elder in the church of Jesus Christ is one of rule,...

Evangelism Activities We include in this first issue of the “News” for 2011 the last of the Reformation Day lectures sponsored by our congregations back in October. Rev. Carl Haak, pastor of the Georgetown PRC in Hudsonville, MI, was able to combine a Reformation Lecture and classical appointment while in the Wingham, Ontario PRC in late October. Rev. Haak spoke on October 29 on the subject “Unconditional Election.” The Evangelism Committee of the Loveland, CO PRC invited their congregation, who in turn were encouraged to invite friends and neighbors, to a Reformation Day Lecture on October 29. Their pastor, Rev....

Mr. Looyenga is a member of the Faith Protestant Reformed Church in Jenison, Michigan. Who Made God? Searching for a Theory of Everything, Edgar Andrews. Evangelical Press, 304 pages, hardcover. $17.95. Reviewed by Brendan Looyenga. Atheistic humanism, with its twin gods of science and philosophy, rules the day in academic circles the world round. The cornerstone of this movement is logical skepticism, which has been largely directed at the question of God’s role in creating the material world, in an effort to undermine any need for His existence at all. Both this movement and its chief proponents are key targets...

Previous article in this series: November 15, 2010, p. 86. “These articles, relating to the lawful order of the church, have been so drafted and adopted by common consent that they (if the profit of the churches demand otherwise) may and ought to be altered, augmented, or diminished. However, no particular congregation or classis shall be at liberty to do so, but they shall show all diligence in observing them, until it be otherwise ordained by the general synod.” Church Order, Article 86. 

The seemingly effortless activity of a bird in flight fascinates us. From the graceful soaring of the larger birds to the darting antics of the smaller, we as creatures of the land stand in amazement. Pausing to listen to the movement of the air as a flock of geese flies directly overhead, we are reminded of their united efforts to reach their destination. Darting here and there in our backyard, two finches seemingly play tag. Hovering in midair next to the nectar feeder, the hummingbird takes a few sips and speedily takes off again. Soaring gracefully in the heavens an...

Previous article in this series: December 15, 2010, p. 136. Only God’s children bear His image. All others bear the image of their father, the devil. That this is so comes out more clearly when we consider what it means to bear God’s image. To bear God’s image is to know God personally and to be righteous and holy. Those who bear God’s image know Him and are like Him. They are righteous and holy, shining forth the glory of the God who created them in Christ. But how do we know that this is what it means to bear...

Previous article in this series: November 15, 2010, p. 92. Heidelberg Catechism, Lord’s Day 8  Question 24. How are these articles divided?  Answer. Into three parts: the first is of God the Father and our creation; the second of God the Son and our redemption; the third of God the Holy Ghost and our sanctification.  Question 25. Since there is but one only divine essence, why speakest thou of Father, Son, and Holy Ghost?  Answer. Because God hath so revealed Himself in His Word, that these three distinct persons are the one only true and eternal God. A Foundational Truth...

Previous editorial in this series: December 15, 2010, p. 125. Our delightful journey to beautiful Namibia in Africa last summer took place because of the PRCA’s commitment to manifest the unity of Christ’s holy, catholic church. In the providence of God, two books written by PRC ministers, and two believers (a husband and wife wanting to witness to their faith) influenced six small churches in Namibia to invite the PRCA to visit Africa to inform them of the faith and practice of our churches. For that story and a summary of our journeys, see my editorial of December 15, 2010. The Contact...

“… even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you; as also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction. Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness.” II Peter 3:15-17 The apostle Peter is inspired to conclude his second epistle to...