Rev. Jelle Tuininga is pastor of the Christian Reformed Church of Smithers, British Columbia. He served as a delegate from Classis British Columbia at the 1976 CRC Synod. His article on “Divorce and Remarriage in the CRC” is being presented in two installments, the second scheduled for next month. History – Up till the present, […]

Issues – life is full of them, and not the least in religion and in the church. Some arc real, others imaginary. Wise men recognize the difference—and they also step forward to face an issue when they know they must. Horace Mann, American educator of a little more than a century ago, offered a wise […]

At the CRC Synod of 1976 it was decided to “submit the report on Marriage Guidelines to the churches for one year for study and response.” This year’s Synod will therefore now be expected to make a decision on this crucial matter. Rev. John Elenbaas was a delegate from Classis Northcentral Iowa at the 1976 Synod. […]

“And he [Esau] lifted up his eyes, and saw the women and the children; and said, Who are these with thee? And he [Jacob] said, The children whom God hath graciously given your servant” (Gen. 33:5). It may seem to some especially shortsighted to turn back the pages of the years almost to the beginning of […]

This is the third in a series of articles on Reformed Doctrine, under the heading What We Believe. The familiar question-and-answer method, used so effectively by Bosma’s Reformed Doctrine of a bygone day. is being followed. Rev. Elco H. Oostendorp. (retired) of Hudsonville, Michigan, deals with “The Doctrine of God” in these opening articles. What […]

In this article, Rev. Harry Van Dyken discusses what has come to be known as the Verhey case. He writes: “Classis [Grand Rapids East] and Synod [1976] have both declared that a candidate holding the views alleged concerning Dr. Verhey can be ordained to the ministry and receive the approval of Synod.” Rev. Van Dyken […]

Rev. Harlan C. Vanden Einde is pastor of the Oakdale Park Christian Reformed Church of Grand Rapids, Michigan. I am grateful for the interest shown in this section of THE OUTLOOK, evidenced by the fact that I have about a dozen questions on hand. Some of you have sent multiple questions; and, though I appreciate […]

In this ninth article in his series, For Elders and Deacons, Rev. Harry C. Arnold writes: “The discipline of the church is a painful but necessary task. No church can be healthy and strong without it. We must remember this especially today. The emphasis presently is on church growth. In the interests of church growth […]

In the all-wise but often mysterious working of God’s providence I was recently a patient for several months. Instead of regularly visiting others in joy or in sorrow, in sickness and health, etc., I found myself on the “receiving” end. I received many visitors and was blessed greatly by their visits. This was not the […]

In this timely and informative article, Rev. Peter De Jong calls attention to and gives a critical evaluation of a recent article in The Reformed Journal by Rev. Philip C. Holtrop, pastor of the North Haledon (N.J.) Christian Reformed Church. Rev. Holtrop has been nominated for a teaching position at Calvin College. Rev. De Jong […]