The following is an edited transcript of a speech given by Rev. Daniel Kleyn at the annual Reformed Free Publishing Association meeting on September 28, 2023, in Grandville PRC. Rev. Kleyn served as a missionary in the Philippines for more than 14 years.

Reformed literature, specifically Protestant Reformed literature, and more especially the literature produced by the Reformed Free Publishing Association (RFPA), has served the spread of the Reformed gospel in the Philippines in significant ways. Recently I asked some of our Filipino brothers and sisters to comment on the role Reformed literature played in their journey to and growth in the Reformed faith. Here follow some of their observations.

The [RFPA] books are stimulating and make me interested to know more about the doctrines that the Protestant Reformed Churches dearly hold to for so long. The publications are also helpful in explaining doctrines in a biblical way. Knowing that the books, magazines, and pamphlets will lead me back to the Bible gives me confidence that I will not get lost.

Every reading moment is an opportunity of enlightenment. I know it is not of my own understanding and not merely because of these books, because I know that the understanding I have is the work of the Holy Spirit. However, I believe that these publications are being used by the Almighty to spread His gospel, making it known to all who happen to get hold of these publications.

No one would disagree that we must spread the Re­formed gospel in all the earth. We have the biblical war­rant in the Great Commission: “Go ye therefore and teach all nations,” and “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.” This command clearly indicates that the fundamental way to spread the gospel is by preaching. Preaching is the chief means God uses for the effective (that is, saving) spread of His truth. That is why preaching is the essence and strength of mission work. Preaching the gospel is what missions is all about. It ought to be a given that our churches are busy doing this.

But we may and ought also to use other means. In fact, we may use every possible legitimate means avail­able. And there are many, such as the Internet, radio, correspondence, videos, lectures, and more. But what perhaps trumps all these others is literature.

Reformed literature has played a significant role in our denomination’s mission work in the Philippines. This topic gives us the opportunity, therefore, to reflect upon and learn from our experiences in the Philippines. But my goal is especially this, that the RFPA and its sup­porters will be encouraged in their work of publishing Reformed literature by hearing from our Filipino broth­ers and sisters about the remarkable ways in which God has used such literature in their lives.

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Let me begin by relating what has been done with Reformed literature in the Philippines. Back in 2010, the two missionaries at that time (Rev. [Richard] Smit and myself, who both began serving as missionaries in 2009), saw the need for literature as a vital tool for our work. Prior to that time, some Filipinos had access to our literature, but for the great majority it was too expensive to obtain. This led us to consider making RFPA books available in the Philippines at a more affordable price. Collections were taken in the PRCA to make this possible. These collections provided the funding to subsidize the price of books, cover shipping costs, pay for magazine subscriptions, and provide pamphlets for free. Since then, thousands of books have been sold. In the course of the last eleven years, Filipinos have purchased close to 18,000 books [this way]. In addition to this, countless magazines and pamphlets have also been distributed.

As the following comments demonstrate, all of this has been greatly appreciated by the saints in the Philip­pines:

Thank you for making these books available at discounted prices. I have learned so many things from what I have already read. By God’s grace, the Lord gives me opportunity to share what I am learning with others here at church, especially with my elders.

In a country where the prominent religion is pagan and only a remnant of Reformed churches exists, Reformed books, pamphlets, and other literature are scarce and expensive. It is truly a blessing to God’s people that these Reformed writings are made available and affordable.

I am very grateful that we have the privilege to buy PRC books with big, big discount. Not all are as privileged as we are. I so love the PRC books that I let non-PRC books sit on my shelf and collect dust. Maybe I can find time to read them when I am finished with these most treasured ones.

This literature has been made available in our mis­sion work for good reason. Scripture itself indicates that literature has a vital role to play in spreading the truth. You are no doubt familiar with the words of Paul in II Timothy 4:13. Paul was in prison in Rome, and from there he instructed Timothy to bring various items to him. This included the instruction: Bring the books. Books were crucial for his work as a missionary.

Every missionary needs books. He needs them first of all for himself personally. He needs books and literature that are in harmony with Scripture and the Reformed creeds. He needs them for the preparation of sermons and of all the instruction he gives. He needs them to keep him from straying from the old paths and the good way.

This is also implied in the Formula of Subscription, which missionaries sign when they are installed. A mis­sionary must “teach and faithfully defend the aforesaid doctrine, without either directly or indirectly contra­dicting the same, by [his] public preaching or writing.” It is impossible for him to do this (that is, to make sure he does not directly or indirectly contradict the truth of the Reformed faith) without use of Reformed literature.

Secondly, literature is needed in missions for the use and benefit of those being instructed. The Form of Or­dination of Missionaries mentions that the first duty of the missionary is “to bring to their attention by all fit and lawful means the glad tidings that Jesus Christ has come into the world to save sinners.” Those “fit and lawful means” do not include social programs, puppets, films, movies, music ministries, medical missions, and so on. But those means include preaching first of all, and then also literature. Those “fit and lawful means” include Reformed pamphlets, magazines, and books.

Reformed literature serves to complement the in­struction a missionary gives. He teaches, and then he can also recommend a book or two for further reading and study. He struggles to communicate a truth, and so he can suggest a book that gives a clear explanation. He notices that some hesitate to accept what he teaches as being Reformed, in which case a book can serve to verify that it is.

This has been my experience many times over in the Philippines. RFPA books have been of great value in the work. This is corroborated by the following comments from our brothers and sisters there:

Reformed literature gives me instant access to the truths I want to learn. Reformed literature is a great source of Reformed theology for those who are interested in the Reformed faith and for new converts. Reformed literature helped me gradually and little by little know about and become familiar with the Reformed confessions. Reformed literature serves as a guide in my witnessing and in refuting Arminianism. Reformed literature serves as my reference and guide as an office- bearer.

Reformed literature helps us evangelize more effectively in the Philippines. Through these publications we are able to explain or at least demonstrate our convictions to anyone who is interested in the Reformed faith. The literature also assists new members in expanding their grasp of Reformed beliefs…. Furthermore, visiting the Internet as an alternative is not recommended for new believers like us, since it is impossible to sift through material to find the genuine teaching of the Reformed doctrines.

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Another aspect of the spread of the truth through literature is the work of translation. Translation has always been done with the Bible. This was considered a high priority by the Reformers, who saw to it that God’s Word was available in the language of the people. And therefore, it ought also to be done, as much as possible, with the other means we use for the spread of the gospel. If our literature is worth spreading, then it is also worth translating, specifically wherever English is not spoken or understood, or where hearers are not very familiar with it.

The RFPA recognizes the necessity and value of this. This is implied in the RFPA’s statement of purpose: “Our mission is to glorify God by making accessible to the broadest possible audience material that testifies to the truth of Scripture as understood and developed in the Reformed tradition.” The key phrase here is: “mak­ing accessible to the broadest possible audience.”

That statement and phrase no doubt stand behind the translation work the RFPA has had done or has over­seen. To date a total of twenty-one [book] translations have been completed, and twelve more are in the works. This translation work involves twenty-three different RFPA titles and nine different languages (Spanish, Bur­mese, Portuguese, Hungarian, Romanian, Dutch, Taga­log, Russian, and Korean).

In the Philippines, two RFPA books have been trans­lated into Tagalog (Filipino), namely, Doctrine Accord­ing to Godliness and Come Ye Children (see image of cover here). In addition, over 600 Reformed Witness Hour messages were translated, along with four PRCA pamphlets. And not to be overlooked is the fact that the PRCP has produced a translation of the Heidelberg Catechism.

My personal involvement in this translation work has heightened my awareness of the challenges involved, such as the man-hours it takes, the necessity of a good grasp of both languages involved, the difficulty of arriv­ing at the best translation of a given word or phrase, the need for a thorough knowledge of the material and of Reformed doctrine, the fact that some theological terms cannot actually be translated, and the reality that many Filipinos prefer to read Reformed literature in English.

This is not to say that translations are not helpful and are therefore unnecessary. They are indeed very useful for the older generation as well as for those who are not English-speaking. No doubt that is more so the case in other countries than in the Philippines where most are bilingual.

The RFPA’s work in translation is indeed worthwhile. If this literature is worth spreading in all the world, it is worth translating into the different languages of the world.

Here follow a few comments from the Philippines concerning this, comments that are specific to the Fil­ipino language:

Both Tagalog and English Reformed literature are helpful. It depends on the reader, on what he or she prefers to read, whether Tagalog or English.

Tagalog translations would be useful, because not all Filipinos are well-versed with the English language. However, I understand the vocabulary limitations of our language to explain the doctrines clearly, and I believe that will be a challenge. Also, some English terms don’t have an equivalent in Tagalog.

I would like also to have the books translated into Tagalog. I know God is sovereign in spreading the gospel, but if it’s okay to translate into Tagalog that’s much better to reach people here in the Philippines. I believe that mostly the elderly will benefit.

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In conclusion, we note again that the gospel needs to be spread to the four corners of the earth. And through the Lord’s blessing, the RFPA has produced and continues to produce material that is worth spreading. RFPA books present the true gospel, and not the false gospel of Arminians, or Roman Catholics, or other religions. RFPA books are substantive and meaty and provide solid food for the soul, unlike the fluff found in most other books today. RFPA books explain the truth in clear language, not in double talk that produces confusion. And RFPA books are biblical. That especially is their strength. We have literature that is, by God’s grace, in harmony with the Scriptures and the Reformed creeds.

The Lord has given us material that needs to be shouted from the rooftops—not kept hidden and secret. It is invaluable material, for it contains and sets forth the truth that is the means for the salvation and gather­ing of the elect of God from all the nations of the world.

May the RFPA and its supporters be encouraged to continue publishing solid, Reformed materials. And may this be done also for the sake of our fellow believ­ers in the PRCP. As the following comments show, this is their heartfelt desire.

It would be extremely useful if the availability of Reformed literature was maintained in the Philippines, particularly for our young children. As a parent who did not grow up in the Reformed Faith, I am grateful that my children can already read literature on Reformed doctrines. This has assisted us parents in teaching and leading them in their daily life and building in them the foundation of the Reformed faith.

The present generation is imbibed with much junk literature available either in bookstores or online. We need to continue writing good, solid, engaging, heart-penetrating, soul-soothing Reformed literature. The benefits are insurmountable as far as training our minds to think biblically and thus guide and motivate us to have a Christ-centered life for God’s glory and for the sake of the continuing generations of believers and their seed. The only time that Reformed literature is no longer useful is when Christ comes again for the church.