Vol 90 Issue 17

School Activities A recent bulletin from the Hope PRC in Redlands, CA included a note that we thought would be good to pass along to our readers. “From Hope Christian School Board: The School Board has completed preliminary work on planning for a high school in Redlands and is ready to present a proposal to the school society. The written proposal will be handed out to all society members or interested persons this morning after church (April 27). The board has scheduled a society meeting for the evening of May 8 to present the board’s work and to request society...

Life in Jesus: A Memoir of Mary Winslow, edited by Octavius Winslow. Reformation Heritage Books, 2013, 554 pages. ISBN: 978-1-60178-290-8. [Reviewed by Debra Poortinga.] This book brings you into the spiritual life of Mary Winslow, who lived on this earth from 1774-1854. This book is a compilation of her written correspondence through diary and letters, preserved lovingly by her son Octavius, who took great pains in the careful editing of these materials to present to “sinners called to be saints” a heart made beautiful by the dawn of grace. Mary Winslow experienced much joy and sorrow in her life. Her...

Mr. VanUffelen is a teacher at Covenant Christian High (Grand Rapids), and a member of Faith PRC. The Beauty and Glory of the Father, edited by Joel R. Beeke. Reformation Heritage Books, Grand Rapids, MI. 2013. [Reviewed by Scott VanUffelen.] One of the most humbling and awe-inspiring experiences one can have is standing at the base of a cluster of giant redwood trees in the midst of a lush forest. Their towering greatness looms above you, casting a serene and peaceful shadow over the tranquil landscape. As the fresh aired stillness pervades the scene, a deeply rich calmness and beauty settles...

The covenant family was created by God in His infinite goodness and perfect wisdom to be the ideal institution for the nurture of the children. However, marriage and the family were deeply corrupted and troubled by the fall. What God intended to be a place of order, peace, happiness, and love has been ruined by self-seeking, pride, violence, lust, adultery, and the treachery of ungodly men. Many of the world’s marriages are torn apart by the great evil of divorce. It is no wonder that such homes can no longer be the ideal place to nurture children, where order and...

On Wednesday, April 9, 2014 a new denomination of Reformed churches was formed and established, namely “The Protestant Reformed Churches in the Philippines.” On that momentous and memorable occasion, one of our missionaries in the Philippines, Rev. D. Kleyn, spoke to the two churches involved (the Berean Protestant Reformed Church and the First Reformed Church of Bulacan) and to all who attended concerning the significance of the event and of the work the Lord has given the newly formed denomination. What follows is the content of his speech, which was based on I Corinthians 15:58—“Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye...

Previous article in this series: May 1, 2014, p. 352. In our last article we began to look at some of the unique properties of water. We continue our examination of the properties of water based on its unique structure and polarity. We do so now, focusing on the goal of seeing the wisdom of God displayed in water. For God has created “all creatures as it seemed good unto Him, giving unto every creature its being, shape, form, and several offices to serve its Creator” (Belgic Confession, Art. 12). Every creature has been created and continues to be maintained...

Charismaticism seems a world away from Reformed— especially Protestant Reformed—Christianity, yet there are an estimated 500 million Charismatics or Pentecostals in the world today. The Charismatic or Pentecostal movement (although we can distinguish between Charismaticism and Pentecostalism, I use the words interchangeably) is the fastest growing movement among Christians, especially in the Third World. I can guarantee that there is a Charismatic church near you, and our missionaries in the Philippines have undoubtedly encountered Charismaticism. Philip Jenkins writes, “almost one Christian in five worldwide is neither Protestant, nor Catholic, nor Anglican, nor Orthodox,” but Charismatic.1 Moreover, the so-called “Young, Restless,...

Introduction What is the Bible? The Bible is a library of books within one book.1 It is a library with two branches: an Old Testament branch and a New Testament branch. It is a library made up of sixty-six books: thirty-nine in the Old Testament branch and twenty-seven in the New Testament branch. The books are written mainly in two languages: Hebrew and Greek. It is a library containing about forty different authors, who wrote over a period of approximately fifteen hundred years. The contents of the books vary: some contain history, others prayers, hymns of praise, visions, poetry, proverbs,...

One of the most significant covenant blessings given to the Protestant Reformed Churches is its Christian schools. God establishes His covenant not merely with believers, but also with their chosen seed. Believing parents are committed—by their own baptism vows—to instructing their children in such a way that their children know, love, and obey Jehovah their God. God commands parents to instruct their children constantly—from the rising up out of sleep to the time they tuck their children into bed at night. In this way, their children will know God, know His creation, and be equipped to serve Him in the...

But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel; And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams: And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy. Acts 2:16-18 As the 120 disciples of Jesus were assembled on Pentecost in an upper room in Jerusalem, three very unusual things happened....