Trivia question Some issues ago we revealed that most of the churches in the PRCA meet at 9:30 A.M. for their first service of the Sabbath Day. Do you know which starting time is most used for the second service of these congregations? Answer later in this column. Mission activities Each calendar year a delegation of two men is sent to the Republic of the Philippines. Until now, one man has represented the Council of the calling church in Doon, IA while the other has represented the Foreign Mission Committee. The 2019 delegation consisting of Rev. J. Engelsma and Rev....
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Previous article in this series: October 1, 2018, p. 14 For a young man to be what God calls him to be, he must be a man of high character. The mention of character sounds strange to the modern ear. It makes us think of some long-forgotten, more formal era. The worldly man is not concerned with character, and the examples of men in the media today are the farthest thing from men of character. This makes it all the more urgent that the Christian young man be a man of character. The character about which he is so concerned...
Previous article in this series: March 15, 2018, p. 272. Ecclesiastes 10:1-3 “Wisdom is better that weapons of war: but one sinner destroyeth much good” (Eccl. 9:18). In the preceding verses the difference between wisdom and strength was set forth. Wisdom is the better portion, for it has a greater strength than earthly might. But now the text sets forth a contrast: one sinner destroys much good. Sin is destructive. It is folly. It works the corruption of that which is profitable under the sun as well as moral evil. It destroys that which is wrought with wisdom. Yet man...
“One Scotland” is a campaign by the Scottish government to tackle bigotry, prejudice, and hatred in Scotland. The website of “One Scotland” bears the logo of the Scottish government and boasts that its aim is to promote a “fairer Scotland.” In conjunction with the Scottish police, “One Scotland” actively encourages members of the public to “report hate crimes.” The website of the Scottish Police states: Did you know that “Hate Crime” is any criminal offence committed against an individual or property that is motivated by a person’s hatred of someone because of his or her actual or perceived race, religion,...
Re “Fighting Ourselves” (SB, Jan. 15, 2019, p. 184). Truly the human body is an amazing creation of God; even more so is the work of God in creating a spiritual body (I Cor. 12:12-27). It is truly a work of God’s sovereign grace to make out of many different members one body. This body is referenced in the title of the article as “ourselves.” As in science, so in theology it is very important to define terms precisely. “Ourselves” or “body” in the article is used to refer to the church. Scripture speaks of the church in the narrower...
Dear Editors, I write regarding the editorial in the October 1, 2018 SB entitled “What must I do…?” The main doctrine that the editorial intends to teach is that obedience is necessary and possible for the child of God. With this doctrine, I am in full agreement. However, I take issue with the editorial for going beyond the truth that obedience is necessary for the child of God, and teaching instead that obedience is necessary for the child of God unto salvation. By doing so, the editorial teaches salvation by man’s obedient working, rather than salvation entirely apart from man’s...
Tired ministers are not useful ministers. Weary, they will not do the good work we have asked them to do, Christ requires them to do, and they themselves want to do. Pastors become weary because of many factors, some they can control and others beyond their control. And often they do not get enough rest. Our churches, with consistories at the lead, may examine how they give rest to their pastors. In Reformed churches like the PRCA and our sisters, pastors have colossal pressures put on them. Ministers have always been given substantial workloads, but these days, with generally larger...
“…build the house; and I will take pleasure in it, and I will be glorified, saith the Lord.” Haggai 1:8b As our fathers have often expressed it, the faithful church is reformed and always reforming. The work of the church must continue and go forward. We need on-going and renewed zeal and enthusiasm! From this point of view, Haggai’s prophecy is of great significance for us today. His prophecy concerns the church and our calling to do the work of the church. The prophet Haggai prophesied in Judah about fifteen years after some fifty thousand Jews returned from captivity under...
