Vol 97 Issue 21

For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for? But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it. Romans 8:24-25 Not only they, but we ourselves groan within ourselves! O how the creation groans and travails in pain! For God subjected it to vanity because of the fall of man into sin. Hence, from the fall until now, the whole cosmos groans in agony, shaking and quaking, erupting and burning, withering and dying. Yet in all...

Please note that, although Prof. Dykstra resigned as editor, he agreed to help in a limited way to the end of the volume year. This is the last of his editorials. Then Samuel took a stone, and set it between Mizpeh and Shen, and called the name of it Ebenezer, saying, Hitherto hath the Lord helped us. I Samuel 7:12 The church of Jesus Christ is a miracle. Her very existence is a wonder of grace. The church is part of the believer’s confession of faith: “I believe an holy, catholic church.” The Heidelberg Catechism explains that article of faith...

Bethany Christian Services change in policy Jesus is pleased to gather His elect children unto Himself by giving believing parents in the church the gift of children. It is also His will to gather His elect seed unto His bosom by working in the hearts of Christian parents the conviction legally to adopt a child or children into their family. What a beautiful picture earthly adoption is of God’s saving work to adopt His children into His covenant family. Galatians 4 teaches that God sent Jesus Christ in the fullness of time that He might “redeem them that were under...

Previous article in this series: May 15, 2021, p. 375. True faith distinguished from wicked presumption Although assurance is of the essence of faith, the faith of God’s people is an imperfect faith. Their faith is often mixed with unbelief. Although strong at times, there are other times when faith is weak. Mingled with true faith are doubts and fears. Besides the mountain tops of faith, there are also the deep, dark valleys. In His infinite goodness, God stoops to the weakness of our faith. With a view to the assurance of faith, God in various ways and by various...

Long before John Deere or Case International Harvester, there was a tribulum. A tribulum was an ancient, wooden threshing board studded with sharp flint. On the threshing floor the tribulum was dragged around and around over the harvested grain. With repeated strikes and beatings the kernel and chaff would separate, leaving the precious grain ready to gather and store. Related to the word “tribulum” is the Latin verb tribulare, meaning “to oppress” or “afflict.” From these words we get our word “tribulation.” Jesus said, “In the world ye shall have tribulation…” (John 16:33). We think of oppression, affliction, beating, and...

R.C. Sproul: A Life, by Stephen J. Nichols. Wheaton: Crossway, 2021. 371 pages. Hardcover. $34.99. Reviewed by Jason Elzinga. I became acquainted with R.C. Sproul through the ministry that he founded, Ligonier Ministries. While not agreeing with him in every single area, I have come to appreciate his ability to explain many of the truths of the Reformed faith in a clear and compelling way. Sproul went to glory in 2017 at the age of 78, and this biography by Stephen J. Nichols gives the reader a clear look into R.C.’s life, ministry, and theology. Nichols was well-equipped to write...

Trivia question Will there be more trivia questions? Answer later in this column.   Sister-church activities From the bulletin of the CERC in Singapore: It has been three years and almost eight months to be exact, that our congregation has been without a minister of the Word of our own. Come tomorrow afternoon, we will meet to vote to extend a call to candidate Josiah Tan to be our own minister, DV. 9 Aug. is not just the country’s National Day, but it is also a day of significance in the history of CERC. …we covet your prayers that God...