All Articles For Letters

In two recent articles the Rev. Mark Hoeksema has discussed the “findings” of Dr. Raymond Moody concerning what is popularly called “Life After Life,” which relates to the experiences of individuals who, though declared clinically dead, have lived to tell some strange things which happened to them while “dead.” The reader may refresh his memory by referring to Rev. Hoeksema’s articles. Briefly, he approached the issue from the point of view of II Timothy 3:5, suggesting that the experiences reported and their interpretation represent something of that phenomenon of the last days—a form of godliness without the power thereof. Concerning this...

Recently I received a letter from a brother in New Jersey responding to an article which I wrote for theStandard Bearer on the subject of the use of unleavened bread in the Lord’s Supper. His letter is as follows: While reading the guest article “Should we use Unleavened Bread in the Lord’s Supper,” by Rev. Mark Hoeksema, (Standard Bearer, August, 1975) I was set to thinking about the symbolism involved. It would have been interesting to know on what basis those Lutheran Churches mentioned were taking their stand of using unfermented wine in their observance of the sacrament. My experience in...

The editor of The Standard Bearer has also forwarded to me a letter from a Rev. Arie Blok of Everly, Iowa, and we quote: Editor in Chief of The Standard Bearer  Dear Rev. Hoeksema,  I am a minister in the R.C.A. and have recently become a subscriber to the Standard Bearer because even though I do not agree with everything I read in it, I do appreciate your point of view. In the issue of October 15, 1975, which reached me today there is an article in the section “All Around Us” (p. 536). There in an editorial comment regarding abortion I...

Dear Sir: I am astounded at the way Prof. H. Hanko represents my views in his review of A Christian View of History? He quotes a passage in which I say (in part) that Christians should study history “since the Christian’s task is to live in this world and to witness to the love of God as manifested in Christ, it is essential for us to understand ourselves and the world as well as we possibly can.” Prof. Hanko observes, “This taken by itself, is a wholly inadequate reason for studying history, but it follows from the general view of the...

c/o Gospel Literature & Tract Society  Farrer Road Post Office  P.O. Box 39  Singapore 9128  To all that are in the Protestant Reformed Churches in America:  Dearly beloved in the Lord,  Greetings in the Name of our exalted Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. 

Esteemed Prof. H.C. Hoeksema  Editor-in-Chief of the Standard Bearer  Greetings in the Lord, Jesus Christ. It would please me much to be granted a little space in the S.B. to state my considered opinion concerning your “editorials” on “Baptism On The Mission Field.” Thanks! 

Dear Editor in Chief, In your editorial in the Standard Bearer, Feb. 15, 1977, page 222, you wrote that it was your conviction that the synod of 1975 misled our study committee when it referred them first to take into account the Biblical doctrine, particularly the New Testament passages. You mention that this has never been the Reformed method, that it must be kept in mind that we already have an interpretation of Scripture in our confessions, both those of a major order and those of a minor order. To these we should turn first in the consideration of any...

On the truth of predestination The articles on Rob Bell bring out the importance of preaching double predestination. When the truth of election and reprobation are maintained, the church is kept from error. The church is to have a love of the truth. My first question has to do with a statement on page 463. “Is it offensive? It certainly is! It offends me daily!” What is the daily offense of which you speak? My second question has to do with a statement later in the articles (p. 486) where you are writing about the witness of the PRC and...

As always, the Standard Bearer is a blessing. Just read the article on growing old, by Rev. Rodney Miersma, who, I see, is applying for emeritation, i.e., retiring from the ministry. Well, retirement is not so far away for me either—2012 or 2015, D.V. I found myself identifying with much of what he wrote, especially the inevitability of dying. I should just like to mention a few verses that are also very applicable as we approach the winter of our lives and ought to encourage us—Psalm 92:13-15: Those that be planted in the house of the Lord shall flourish in...

To: The Saints of the Protestant Reformed Churches.  From: Mr. & Mrs. Lau Chin Kwee  Singapore Address:  Apt. Block 99,170-G, Whampoa Drive  Singapore 1232.  Republic of Singapore.  May 17, 1982  Dear brothers and sisters,  Greetings to you in the Name of our Almighty, Sovereign God of Heaven and Earth; the Covenant God Who has done wondrous things in ages gone by and even now in our midst! Amen.