All Articles For Pamphlet Concerning the Reformation of the Church

(In the last paragraph Kuyper has discussed reformations which took place in the time of special revelation and are recorded for us in Scripture, and reformations which took place in the history of the church of the new dispensation. He has done this to show the different kinds of reformations which have taken place and to demonstrate how these reformations have significance for the tribulations in which Kuyper found himself in the State Church in the Netherlands.) 64. Concerning the Reformation Which Ought Now To Be Undertaken In the Reformed Churches Of These Lands. Also the Reformed Churches of these...

(In the previous article Kuyper, in speaking of the present calling of his church to engage in church reformation, has made a distinction between three groups of churches which exist within the State Church. One group of churches has retained a somewhat Reformed character. Another group of churches has become truly the false church. And a group of churches which comprises the third group stands somewhere between these two extremes. Kuyper has insisted that this must be borne in mind as his church considers the need for separation.) What now concerns the question, in what way the reformation of the...

In the third place, concerning ecclesiastical assemblies, the thoughts comes to us: 1)The consistories ought to be prepared to come to the help of churches of the second group and to work by mission activity in dead churches of the third group. 2)The consistories ought to strive to remove the non-confessing element from their midst and to break off all fellowship with unbelieving ministers. 3)The consistories ought to arouse their churches to a confession of guilt, to penitence and conversion, and to an improvement of life. To do this they must restore discipline. 4)The consistories must extend their church relationships...

(In the preceding paragraph Kuyper has talked about reformation which comes about through a split between a local congregation and the church federation. In this paragraph he speaks of reformation by means of a split between the individual and his own congregation.)  58. Concerning Reformation By Means Of A Break With the Existing Congregation. 

(Kuyper has begun discussing what is actually involved when an individual breaks with his own church. He emphasizes strongly the spiritual frame of mind which a person must possess if he is to engage in church reformation. He has discussed this already in the last article which appeared, and he continues that discussion now.)

(In the last paragraph Kuyper has argued against all wrong passivity by explaining in some detail the words of Zechariah 4:6: “Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, saith the Lord of hosts.” In discussing this passage he has underscored the importance of active participation in the work of church reformation although in complete dependence upon the work of God.) 61. Concerning Reformation In Distinction From Revolution. Even when one introduces the work of reformation in a cautious though energetic way, objections are raised against what he does. One who is concerned for church reformation does not...

(Kuyper is discussing the marks of the true and false church so that those who are called to engage in church reformation may be able to recognize the difference. He has criticized the view of those who hold to a pure-church ideal and who make the holiness of individual members a mark of the true church.)

(In the last paragraph Kuyper has distinguished between reformation and revolution by pointing out that reformation is always done in obedience to God.) 62. Concerning Reformation and the Magistrate. The question is also brought up and is of importance: does not a part of the work of reformation belong to the magistrate? The question is especially whether the magistrate is not called, authorized and obligated “to prevent and exterminate all idolatry and false religion.” Our conviction in this respect does not agree with that of our fathers. We do not make a secret of this difference. Only God’s Word, not...

(Kuyper, in this paragraph, is discussing the marks of the true and the false church. He does this so that the child of God who is called to engage in church reformation may be able to distinguish the two from each other.)

(The last paragraph dealt with the distinction between the true and the false church and the importance of distinguishing between the two for the work of church reformation.)