Vol 95 Issue 16

Trivia question In looking for a trivia question, I randomly picked a bound volume off my shelf. The report of Classis West held March 2–3, 1977 stared out at me. So…where was that Classis held? And how was the weather? Answers later in this column. Congregational activities Attention all Sunday School teachers, parents of Sunday School children, and any others in the Grand Rapids area who are interested: Plan now to attend a lecture by Rev. J. Smidstra on “The Value of Sunday School for the Body of Christ.” The lecture will be sponsored by the Protestant Reformed Sunday School...

Previous article in this series: January 15, 2019, p. 187. In my last article I addressed the sin of pornography. Warnings concerning the sin and our calling with regard to it were also brought. Even though it was pornography that was addressed, the instruction, warnings, and calling that were given can be applied more broadly to any sexual sin. But the question may well be asked by young people,“How ought we, then, to live? We are to flee from pornography and other sexual sin. But what can be said positively about how God will have us to live in light...

Previous article in this series: January 15, 2019, p. 189. In the wilderness of Judea, John the Baptist began to preach, saying, Repent (Matt. 3:2). In the towns of Galilee, Jesus began to preach, say­ing, Repent (Matt. 4:17). In some of His last words to the disciples, Jesus promised to send the Holy Spirit who would reprove the world of sin,[1] righteousness, and judgment (John 16:8). In the Great Commission, Jesus sent us into the world, saying, “Repentance and remission of sins must be preached in my name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem” (Luke 24:47). O man of this...

Previous article in this series: March 15, 2019, p. 285. “This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them.” Hebrews 10:16 “Why will God…have the ten commandments so strictly preached? …That we may become more and more conformable to the image of God, till we arrive at the perfection proposed to us in a life to come.” Heidelberg Catechism, Q 115 Introduction To my examination of the doctrine of the last things of premillennialism I add a...

“…These stones shall be a memorial unto the children of Israel forever.”—Joshua 4:7c In early May of 1619 the Synod of Dordt treated three cases of alleged false teaching: it condemned four Remonstrant ministers; it condemned Conrad Vorstius (see the issue of April 15); and it exonerated John Maccovius. Maccovius and the charge against him John Maccovius was born and raised in Poland. He attended various European universities, including the one in Franeker, Friesland. In July 1614 he began teaching theology at Franeker, with Sibrand Lubbertus (delegate to Dordt) as his senior colleague. It soon became evident that Maccovius maintained...

Previous article in this series: April 15, 2019, p. 330. Death By death we understand not only bodily death, which all of us must once suffer on account of sins, but also eternal punishment due to our sins and corruption. For the apostle says: “Who were dead in trespasses and sins…and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. But God, who is rich in mercy…even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ” (Ephesians 2:1ff). Also: “Wherefore, as by one man sin en­tered into the world, and death by sin; and so death...

Previous article in this series: April 15, 2019, p. 327. Ecclesiastes 10:11–15 Earlier in chapter 10 we read, Yea also, when he that is a fool walketh by the way, his wisdom faileth him, and he saith to everyone that he is a fool (Eccl. 10:3). The walk of the fool has been found among rulers. That walk is also found by ignoring God’s ordering of things under the sun. It is with that in view that the text now turns to the speech of the fool and his tongue: he saith to everyone that he is a fool. This consideration...

I have followed this controversy closely since it began. It is of special interest to me. I am very concerned with this tendency in the preaching of some Protestant Reformed ministers to improperly emphasize man’s response and obedience to the preaching of the gospel. It comes as no surprise to me that this is now coming to a head in our churches. In fact, for the truth’s sake, I believe it must. Let me say at this point that I am not a hyper-Cal­vinist or antinomian, nor do I believe God saves man as a stock and a block, as...

Previous article in this series: April 15, 2019, p. 321. The recent editorials about Protestants making Rome their ‘home’ have had one primary purpose, and it has not been to show that matters are so serious in much of Protestantism that they are fixing their spiritual GPS on the Romish church. Matters are that serious, as the articles have attempted to demonstrate, but that has not been their chief end. Rather, their primary purpose is to have you ask whether you, who read these editorials and are committed to confessing the Reformed faith, could go to Rome, whether you or...

“If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.” Colossians 3:1–2 In the closing verses of chapter 2 of Paul’s letter to the Colossians he had been rebuking the congregation for being involved in a form of self-willed worship. If they have died with Christ to the world’s childish, trivial notions, why do they submit to man-made ordinances—touch not; taste not; handle not? Such have only a show of wisdom and only serve to indulge...