As Reformed women—and many of you are mothers—you should have a real interest in the form for baptism used in our churches. Perhaps your church has used the new form of baptism. If so, what do you think of it? Have you compared it carefully with the old form? Would it please you to have […]
Once again, Rev. Peter De Jong, pastor of the Christian Reformed Church of Dutton, Michigan, writes one of his discerning and informative Where Are We Going? articles. Of the time of the Judges, Scripture tells us: “In those days there was no king in Israel: every man did that which was right in his own […]
The fire or our religious conviction and commitment . . . How urgently it needs to be rekindled! In ourselves, in the CRC, and in others. “Kindle a fire in the pulpit,” a great preacher once said, “and people will come to watch you burn.’” And the same applies to the pew. Sit there ever […]
The study committee which produced the Report on “Marriage Guidelines” has written much with which no one can disagree. It gives us the needed reminder that marriage is more than sex. There must be “communion on other levels” in the marriage relationship. In the past we have given tacit approval to the couple who, in […]
Young people, feel free to send your questions to Gerard Van Groningen at Reformed Theological Seminary, 5422 Clinton Boulevard, Jackson, Mississippi 39209. Names of those asking questions will not be published. YOUTH ASKS: “I still have problems with the idea that Christians should not dance. I know what Kuyper taught; I also know what the […]
REPLY TO THE STERK PROTEST In the February issue of THE OUTLOOK a letter by Joe and Alice Sterk objected to the showing of a film “Cabaret” at the Calvin College Fine Arts Center. The following reply by Dr. William Spoelhof, president of Calvin College, promised at that time, has been made available for this […]
The following statements were adopted by the CRC 1973 Synod as Guidelines for Understanding the Nature of Ecclesiastical Office and Ordination of Synod, 1973, pp. 62–64): COMPREHENSIVE MINISTRY: “OFFICE OF ALL BELIEVERS” 1. The general term for “office” in the Creek New Testament is DIAKONIA, meaning “service” or “ministry.” In this basic sense ecclesiastical office […]
To begin commenting now on that which Synod decided in 1973 is perhaps like trying to catch water that has already gone over the dam. Nevertheless, to continue discussing matters of principle within the church is both profitable and necessary for the church’s welfare. It is in this vein, therefore, that I wish to make […]
The Synodical Liturgical Committee submitted a “Second Sunday Service” report to Synod 1973 (Acts, pp. 502–513). Synod had not instructed the committee to make a report on that subject, but requests came in; and so the committee decided to make a report. This is an “irregular” procedure. No less irregular is the report itself. LITURGICAL […]
Dear Reformed Fellowship friends: We have heard much praise in Canada about the latest issues of THE OUTLOOK. So many additional copies were ordered that the entire stock was depleted. At a recent Board meeting in Grand Rapids (February 28) the Business Committee reported that 5,000 copies of the March issue were being printed due […]