All Articles For Editor's Notes

This issue of the Standard Bearer is very special as it focuses on special needs members of the Protestant Reformed Churches. I am confident that you will relish it from cover to cover, and as you hear the testimony of true faith, you will stand amazed at the power of God’s grace. We are indebted to all the contributors who put their heart and soul into each article submitted. As one of you wrote in an email, “This was a labor of love and lots of tears were shed yet again while we reminisced….” Thank you! Your superb efforts will...

With excitement we present to you this year’s Fall Reformation special issue commemorating the 500th anniversary of two very significant works produced in 1525 (see cover): The Bondage of the Will by Martin Luther and an English translation of the New Testament by William Tyndale. Tyndale’s Bible, which consists of the New Testament and some Old Testament books, was published in 1526 with a revision in 1534. However, he completed his masterful translation in 1525 and was planning to print several thousand copies in Cologne, Germany and convey them secretly back into his homeland of England from which he had...

NEW VOLUME YEAR We now enter volume year 102! To God be the glory for His preserving grace. With this new volume year much remains the same, but there are some changes to note. We bid farewell to two retiring writers, Rev. M. DeVries and Rev. A. Spriensma, whose contributions began four decades ago. Thank you, brothers, for your diligent labors! We are happy to welcome back some experienced writers. Rev. W. Bruinsma is returning to write some meditations for us, his first is across the page. Rev. N. Decker is also returning to write for “Strength of Youth,” and...

PRCA100, the centennial celebration of the Protestant Reformed Churches in America held June 2-6, 2025 on the campus of Calvin University in Grand Rapids, MI, was enjoyed by nearly 2,000 registered attendees. The week was unforgettable, and for many of us one of the most enjoyable and spiritually enriching weeks of our lives. God has been humbling us through challenging times approaching our centennial but also causing us to cherish more deeply the faith, holiness, and unity of Christ’s church. Abundant thanksgiving goes to the Lord for giving us this week and all the reasons to celebrate. We who were...

Along with other edifying articles, you will find in this issue coverage of Synod 2025 of the PRCA. As usual, the pre-synodical sermon is included as our meditation. Rev. W. Langerak, president of last year’s synod, preached an enlightening sermon from Acts 15 on the important work of the Holy Ghost in the work of ecclesiastical assemblies. Rev. Engelsma’s editorial gives a helpful summary of synod’s actions. Also, we print the instructive graduation speech that Professor Kuiper delivered for our seminary graduate—now “candidate for the ministry”—Mr. Aaron Van Dyke. Until the Acts of Synod are published, readers who are interested...

In the past we have tried to include in the July issue of the Standard Bearer (SB) some follow-up from the annual meeting of the PRCA synod, including the pre-synodical sermon, an article written by an editor recapping the decisions of synod, pictures, and the graduation address in the event of a PRC Seminary student commencement. Look for this material next month in the August issue. Moving forward, if we include material from synod, we would like to use the August issue. Our policy is that articles submitted to the SB are due one month before the scheduled publishing date...

The date of the original publication in the Standard Bearer of Gerrit Vos’ meditation brings back memories. The date was May 15, 1963. On that date, I was preparing for examination before synod as a graduate from the seminary of the Protestant Reformed Churches. I was the only graduate. For the first two years, I was the only student in seminary. This meant that there was no graduate in 1961 or in 1962. Only one had graduated in 1960. After 1963, there would not be another graduate and candidate for the ministry in the PRC until 1965. One graduate and...

We are now only three months away from the centennial celebration of the PRCA to be held on the campus of Calvin University, June 2-6, in commemoration of God’s covenant faithfulness. You have seen advertisements from the PRCA100 committee online and in print. Committee members continue to pour themselves into this anniversary celebration and have labored admirably in preparing to make this week as delightful as possible. It is important to know, as the website details very clearly, you must register to participate. No registration is required to attend any of the three evening speeches or the Night of Music,...

100 years is a long time. 100 years is a very long time to publish in print a semi-monthly or monthly magazine of distinctively Reformed content. There are very few print publications today that have maintained the significance they held when they began. Very few can last more than a few decades. So many print periodicals have failed for lack of financial support and meaningful content, ending their ongoing influence. After you read through this anniversary issue, you will be moved to consider the mercy and faithfulness of our God who has been pleased to keep the witness of this...

With heartfelt thanks and praise to God for His preserving grace we begin volume 101 of the Standard Bearer (SB)! For 100 years now, since October 1, 1924, the Lord has given generations of Protestant Reformed writers the privilege of using the SB to showcase the doctrinal riches of the Reformed faith with an application of that glorious truth to every facet of the believer’s life. Focus has always been given to the sovereignty of God in His everlasting covenant of grace with His elect people in Jesus Christ. May God continue to favor us with His blessings so that...