Confusion About Quotas From time to time questions and discussions arise among us about our churches’ “quota” system of giving. Whereas in some areas of the Christian Reformed denomination it has long been considered normal that poorer churches and classes contribute only part of the “quotas,” in other areas the failure of a church or […]
“And I hated all my labor wherein I labored under the sun” (Eccles. 2:18). “Now them that are such we command and exhort in the Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work and eat their own bread” (2 Thess. 3:12). Various countries celebrate Labor Day. It is a day to remember in some special […]
This critique of the Capital Punishment Report printed in the 1979 Agenda of the CRC Synod, and submitted to the Churches, was made available to THE OUTLOOK by the consistory of the First CRC of Lethbridge, Alberta. The Editorial Committee believes it merits further distribution. Printing it may also awaken other consistories to send in […]
(Translation of Prof. C. Veenhofs Om Kerk te Blijven) By no means everything has been said about the church’s confession concerning itself which has been set forth to this point. The confession of the Reformed churches also declares that all who, having been ingrafted into Christ, are members of His body are called to become […]
Thirty years ago the Christian Reformed Churches adopted an indigenous mission policy making it their aim from the beginning of work in each field to establish self-propagating, self-governing and self-supporting churches. Such an aim is easier to adopt than to realize. Today our missionary efforts face new pressures to have the churches in the various […]
One of the important issues about which there is increasing confusion and division in our churches is that of what we may call “our kingdom mission.” That covers, broadly speaking, our relationships and behavior in the world. Let’s again consider side-by-side (1) the historic, Biblical Reformed view and (2) the emerging, changing broadening view held […]
Lesson4 I Thessalonians 3 Personal Letters One of the most fascinating things about the Epistles of Paul is the fact that they are indeed letters sent to a specific people, dealing with a specific purpose and written at a specific time. They are not, as has often been charged, dry treatises on doctrinal matters, but […]
Have you ever stood without an adequate answer before modern critics who declare that the so-called “scientific” method of Bible criticism has destroyed the authority of the Word? Whether you work in an office, attend a university, or wherever you mingle with people form other walks, you have heard the remark, “But the Bible is […]
Dr. R. De Ridder’s review of the year 1979 in the CRC Yearbook for 1980 commented on the “spectacular rise and unexpected success of new religions and cults. The tragedy in Guyana focussed world attention on the demonic forces behind such movements. It is still difficult to understand why the youth of conservative churches (including […]
The teachings of the Christian faith are often studied under the six divisions of, the doctrines of (1) God, (2) Man, (3) Christ, (4) Salvation, (5) the Church, and (6) the Future. In this article Dr. Lubbertus Oostendorp, who recently retired after spending the last 15 years of his service as a minister teaching Christian […]