Volu 101 Issue 04

minister emeritus in the Protestant Reformed Churches, and member of Southwest PRC in Wyoming, Michigan And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn—Luke 2:7   In a very real sense this is the account of a birth that only children, spiritual children with a child-like faith, can receive. Many learned men and women stumble over this story. Yea, the mysteries of the kingdom are hidden from the wise and prudent and revealed unto babes. Our children and young people...

professor of Practical Theology in the Protestant Reformed Theological Seminary, and member of First PRC in Grand Rapids, Michigan Last time (November 1, 2024) we considered the possibility that a reactionary state is found in the PRCA body, enough that, in the judgment of this writer, it ought to be addressed and discussed as a concern of the whole. I offered a few possible signs of this and asked you to discuss the matter. In this article I point out some harmful effects upon a body of Christ if she continues in such a state. In the editorial immediately following...

minister emeritus in the Protestant Reformed Churches, and member of Covenant of Grace PR Fellowship in Spokane, Washington Previous article in this series: October 2024, p. 10. Behold upon the mountains the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace! O Judah, keep thy solemn feasts, perform thy vows: for the wicked shall no more pass through thee; he is utterly cut off—Nahum 1:15   We have seen that the messenger of whom Nahum speaks is the prophet himself and all who follow in his footsteps as preachers of the gospel. Romans 10:13- 15 shows this and shows...

pastor of Georgetown PRC in Hudsonville, Michigan What dost thou mean by the providence of God? The almighty and everywhere present power of God, whereby, as it were by His hand, He upholds and governs heaven, earth, and all creatures…yea, and all things come, not by chance, but by His fatherly hand— Heidelberg Catechism, Lord’s Day 10, Question and Answer 27 GOD’S HAND IN HURRICANE HELENE Hurricane Helene was one of a few tropical storms that God sent to the southeastern United States this fall, and the most powerful and destructive of those recent storms. Helene was reported to be...

home missionary in the Protestant Reformed Churches, and member of Zion PRC in Jenison, Michigan Inspired by the Spirit, Paul told the church in Thessalonica that their “faith groweth exceedingly” (2 Thess. 1:3). How did that happen? What must have been taking place in a church where the faith of the saints was growing like that? Some might answer by making reference to trials. In the context there are references to this. In the very next verse the apostle thanks God for their “patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that ye endure” (2 Thess. 1:4). God certainly...

professor of Church History and New Testament in the Protestant Reformed Theological Seminary, and member of Trinity PRC in Hudsonville, Michigan Six previous articles briefly introduced us to the history, principles, and practice of textual criticism. My purpose was to respond to comments in some Bible versions (ESV and NIV, for example) that say that certain manuscripts omit a certain passage. As case studies, we looked at Mark 16:9-20 and John 7:53-8:11. The comments, frankly, are unhelpful. First, they state a fact that the average Bible reader does not have the background, skill, or knowledge to evaluate. Second, they state selective...

pastor of the Wingham PRC in Wingham, Ontario, Canada “In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin: but he that refraineth his lips is wise” (Prov. 10:19). I would like to “minister to the saints” in this article by calling your attention to this proverb that shows us the wisdom of God for our lives when it comes to our use of words. When we pour out a multitude of words without restraining ourselves, there is no lack of sin in what we say or write. I believe we all need to hear this. We seem to live in...

former editor of the Standard Bearer, professor of Practical Theology in the Protestant Reformed Theological Seminary, and member of Hudsonville PRC Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church,...

pastor of Immanuel PRC in Lacombe, Alberta, Canada For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required; and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more—Luke 12:48   We live in an age of affluence. The majority of you reading this article right now reside in either the United States or Canada. Regarding material possessions and the luxuries this age has to offer, we have an abundance of things. The Christmas season now upon us always serves as a reminder that our culture is saturated with consumerism and materialism. And behind all...

retiring secretary of the RFPA, and member of Trinity PRC in Hudsonville, Michigan Would you call yourself a reader? From street signs to instruction manuals, we read every day, imparting meaning into symbols and lines that we have been trained to recognize as letters and numbers. But would you personally call yourself a reader? Beyond restaurant menus and price tags, our immediate answer—as Christians, and thus people of the Word—should be yes. Though in times past, much of what a Christian learned about God was passed down orally from generation to generation in poems, lectures, and songs, the church universal...