After reading Rev. Koole’s response to a letter written by Rev. Nathan Langerak, a letter printed after the response instead of before it, I was puzzled and my curiosity aroused. Was what I read a true response? Was what I read really an answer to a charge? I found in…
Gospel Truth of Justification: Proclaimed, Defended, Developed, David J. Engelsma. Reformed Free Publishing Association, 2017, 528 pages. [Reviewed by Rev. Martin VanderWal, pastor of Wingham, ON PRC.] Thoroughly grounded and rooted is Gospel Truth of Justification by David J. Engelsma. Thoroughly grounded and rooted in Scripture, the book presents a…
“To the one we are the savour of death unto death; and to the other the savour of life unto life. And who is sufficient for these things?” II Corinthians 2:16 “Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of…
But from the beginning of the creation God made them male and female. Mark 10:6 You live in an age of great confusion. The society in which you are growing up, and in which you are beginning to take your place is a very chaotic society. Everything is moving and…
“And Jacob vowed a vow, saying, If God will be with me, and will keep me in this way that I go, and will give me bread to eat, and raiment to put on, So that I come again to my father’s house in peace; then shall the Lord be…
“And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat,…” Genesis 2:16 So very many trees God planted in Paradise. So many trees with their fruit God gave to the man and the woman for food. Theirs was a delicious variety to enjoy…
A few months ago, in a hospital waiting room, God’s providence brought to my attention the last broadcast of the Oprah Winfrey Show. In the segment I saw she was talking about the success of her show over the years. Its success was due to one factor: “Women want to…
Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. Trust ye in the Lord for ever: for in the Lord Jehovah is everlasting strength. Isaiah 26:3, 4 Peace is one of the most precious gifts that God has given to you.…
“For all those things hath mine hand made, and all those things have been, saith the Lord: but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word.” Isaiah 66:2 “Hear the word of the Lord, ye that…
How far can you reach? How far can you stretch? Such is part of your strength of youth. So much of that reaching and stretching has to do with your physical body. In softball, how far can you reach in fielding to catch the ball? In basketball, can you reach…
How far can you reach? How far can you stretch? Such is part of your strength of youth. So much of that reaching and stretching has to do with your physical body. In softball, how far can you reach in fielding to catch the ball? In basketball, can you reach…
What is music? At bottom, music is a specific arrangement of sounds. These sounds are known according to their pitch, and their duration can be controlled. Their arrangement is what makes music. But music is so much more. Music is one of the best gifts that God has given to…
Rev. VanderWal is pastor of Covenant Protestant Reformed Church in Wyckoff, New Jersey. The writing of a history is a most difficult undertaking. The historian spends a great deal of time ascertaining the events and facts of a certain time. He does research. He examines records. He interviews persons closely…
Rev. VanderWal is pastor of Covenant Protestant Reformed Church in Wyckoff, NJ. The Ancient Unbelief A rumor had come to Jerusalem. The word was out that two foes of Judah, apostate Israel and heathen Syria, had become allies in order to conquer Judah. Their ambition was directed toward the throne…
Rev. VanderWal is pastor of Covenant Protestant Reformed Church in Wyckoff, NJ. O little town of Bethlehem, lying in the shadow of Jerusalem! What is Bethlehem when compared to Zion, the city of the great King? But Bethlehem, though least among the thousands of Judah, would have a place in…
“I write unto you, young men….” Where are you, boys? Are you turning into young men? Where are you, young men? Are you turning into men? What kind of question is that? Is not this a matter of nature? Do not boys just grow up into young men, and young…
Rev. VanderWal is pastor of Covenant Protestant Reformed Church in Wyckoff, NJ. Much debate we might have over the name by which this passage is remembered. Most commonly, the event recorded in that latter part of Matthew 2 is named “The Slaughter of the Innocents.” This event is placed for remembrance on…
Rev. VanderWal is pastor of Covenant Protestant Reformed Church in Wyckoff, New Jersey. The great King of the Jews demands a certain preparation before His visitation to His people. The way must be prepared. A messenger must announce the coming of this Dignitary, and arrangements must be made. Christ is…
Rev. VanderWal is pastor of Hope Protestant Reformed Church in Redlands, California. Who would think that, after only five years of its existence, such a word would cause such feelings at its mention?!! For some parents the word gives a feeling of helplessness about a secret world. They know very…
Rev. VanderWal is pastor of Covenant Protestant Reformed Church in Wyckoff, NJ. Strange! The Messiah, as soon as He presented Himself to John the Baptist and received His glorious gifts at baptism, is immediately driven into the wilderness. Conventional wisdom would have Jesus immediately begin healing the sick, deaf, dumb,…
Rev. VanderWal is pastor of Covenant Protestant Reformed Church in Wyckoff, NJ. The above-mentioned text presents an introduction to the earthly ministry of Jesus Christ, as the Son of God incarnate. God has ordained Him for the work, by means of John’s baptism. Tempted by the devil, tried by God,…
Rev. VanderWal is pastor of Covenant Protestant Reformed Church in Wyckoff, NJ. “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Surely, everyone who has ever memorized the beatitudes remembers the first of them all. This is well, for indeed this beatitude is first not only…
Rev. VanderWal is pastor of Hope Protestant Reformed Church in Redlands, California. 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 The angels came from heaven with its…
Rev. VanderWal is pastor of Hope Protestant Reformed Church in Redlands, California. For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love. Galatians 5:6 Blessed argument! The truth of God’s Word, according to the Word itself, is to be argued and defended in…
Rev. VanderWal is pastor of Hope Protestant Reformed Church in Redlands, California. “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” Romans 5:1 Peace with God! Wonderful gift! Peace in the midst of great wrath and hot indignation! For, the wrath of God is…
Rev. VanderWal is pastor of Hope Protestant Reformed Church in Redlands, California. How blessed is the communion and fellowship between the citizens of the kingdom of heaven and their Father who is in heaven! Such fellowship is a wonder, for it partakes of the heavenly. These citizens live upon the…
Rev. VanderWal is pastor of Hope Protestant Reformed Church in Redlands, California. Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven. Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet…
Rev. VanderWal is pastor of Hope Protestant Reformed Church in Redlands, California. Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and…
Rev. VanderWal is pastor of Hope Protestant Reformed Church in Redlands, California. Said by Them of Old Jesus Christ, the King of the kingdom of heaven, draws out of the Old Testament another law of which He is the fulfillment: “Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye…
Rev. VanderWal is pastor of Hope Protestant Reformed Church in Redlands, California. The song had not been heard before. Heard before was only a question: Who is worthy? An important question indeed! At the center of the question is a book. Not just any book. This is the book that…
Rev. VanderWal is pastor of Hope Protestant Reformed Church in Redlands, California. Again, ye have heard that it hath been said by them of old time, Thou shalt not forswear thyself, but shalt perform unto the Lord thine oaths: But I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by…
Rev. VanderWal is pastor of Hope Protestant Reformed Church in Redlands, California. My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from him. He only is my rock and my salvation: he is my defence; I shall not be moved. In God is my salvation and my glory:…
Rev. VanderWal is pastor-elect of Hope Protestant Reformed Church in Redlands, California. The passage we now consider is the solid ground for one of our distinctive doctrines, the unbreakable character of marriage. It is also the solid ground for one of our distinctive practices, the forbidding of divorce, except in…
Rev. VanderWal is pastor of Hope Protestant Reformed Church in Redlands, California. “And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come.” Luke 19:13 Servants of the Nobleman! A blessed name, for it signifies your place. You belong to your Nobleman,…
Rev. VanderWal is pastor of Hope Protestant Reformed Church in Redlands, California. 11Thou crownest the year with thy goodness; and thy paths drop fatness. 12They drop upon the pastures of the wilderness: and the little hills rejoice on every side. 13The pastures are clothed with flocks; the valleys also are…
Rev. VanderWal is pastor of Covenant Protestant Reformed Church in Wyckoff, New Jersey. In these verses the King of the kingdom exercises His office as the expositor of its law. He has come as the fulfillment of the law. He has taught that not one jot or one tittle shall…
Rev. VanderWal is pastor of Covenant Protestant Reformed Church in Wyckoff, New Jersey. There was the greatest difference between our Lord Jesus Christ and the scribes and Pharisees. This difference could already be seen in the preaching of John the Baptist, the forerunner of Christ. John rebuked the scribes and…
Rev. VanderWal is pastor of Hope Protestant Reformed Church in Redlands, California. “Happy is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the Lord his God.” Psalm 146:5 Disappointed! Ashamed! Deep, bitter disappointment must be the lot of those who put their “trust in…
Rev. VanderWal is pastor of Hope Protestant Reformed Church in Redlands, California. O how love I thy law! It is my meditation all the day. Thou through thy commandments hast made me wiser than mine enemies: For they are ever with me. I have more understanding than all my teachers: …
Rev. VanderWal is pastor of Covenant Protestant Reformed Church in Wyckoff, New Jersey. The teaching of Christ in these verses represents a development in the Sermon on the Mount. The prior verses identify the citizens of the kingdom from the viewpoint of their blessedness. Their blessedness was described in various…
Rev. VanderWal is pastor of Hope Protestant Reformed Church in Redlands, California. For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen. Romans 11:36 Of Him! Of God the Lord are all things. He is the sovereign Creator of all. Nothing…
Rev. VanderWal is pastor of Covenant Protestant Reformed Church in Wyckoff, New Jersey. There are a number of reasons why one might separate the first seven beatitudes, found in verses 3-9, from what follows in verses 10-12. There is an obvious difference of character. The first seven beatitudes follow one…
Rev. VanderWal is pastor of Covenant Protestant Reformed Church in Wyckoff, NJ. The next three beatitudes are, in their character, rather different from the first four. We must identify this difference primarily as development in blessedness. These three words of blessing show the power and efficacy of the reception of…
Rev. VanderWal is pastor of Hope Protestant Reformed Church in Redlands, California. “Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms.” Psalm 95:2 Thanksgiving Day! A fit time to come before His presence with thanksgiving. He is Jehovah, the living God, the…
Rev. VanderWal is pastor of Hope Protestant Reformed Church in Redlands, California. With the enemy at its borders preparing to invade, a country sounds a call to arms. Who will answer that call? Not the elderly. Not the fathers and the mothers. Not the children. Those expected to respond to…
Rev. VanderWal is pastor of Hope Protestant Reformed Church in Redlands, California. “For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.” Romans 8:6 Growing up in this world, you are surrounded. You are surrounded by all the sights and sounds of this world.…
Rev. VanderWal is pastor of Hope Protestant Reformed Church in Redlands, California. Thus saith the LORD, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches: But let him that glorieth glory in…
Rev. VanderWal is pastor of Hope Protestant Reformed Church in Redlands, California. “I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one.” I John 2:14 This part of I John is controversial among biblical…
Rev. VanderWal is pastor of Hope Protestant Reformed Church in Redlands, California. I said, I will take heed to my ways, that I sin not with my tongue: I will keep my mouth with a bridle, while the wicked is before me. I was dumb with silence, I held my…
Rev. VanderWal is pastor of Hope Protestant Reformed Church in Redlands, California. “O God, thou art my God: early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is; To see thy power and thy glory,…