“But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ” (II Peter 3:18). What is healthy grows. These words I often heard while growing up on a farm. It is a basic principle in all of creation, true in the animal world, plant world and also in man’s experience. Babies are […]
Another fundamental doctrine of the Reformed faith is the perseverance of the saints. Briefly stated, this doctrine teaches that all who are chosen by the Father, redeemed by the Son, and renewed by the Holy Spirit, cannot fall from grace but will reach heaven. All who are united to Christ by the bond of true, […]
Decisions of the latest Christian Reformed Synod have startled many people. They make it plainer than ever that we who by the grace of God want to hold and maintain the Biblical and therefore Reformed Faith will have to do much more than try to expose increasing errors of faith and life. We will have […]
(In addition to teaching duties, Dr. Monsma is also serving this year as Administrative Dean of Mid-America Reformed Seminary at Orange City, Iowa.) A Classic Prerogative How is a qualified theological student declared a candidate for the ministry, ready for calling by the churches? In the Reformed Churches of the Netherlands, one is under the […]
The conservatives in the Christian Reformed Church lost a major battle at the Synod of 1984. It remains to be seen whether they have lost the war. Even though a sizable majority of the membership of the church is opposed to having women occupy the special church offices (also the office of deacon), synod nevertheless […]
A denominational leader with whom I had lunch last year remarked, “The synod which acts on the headship issue will be a watershed synod.” More recently the editor of The Outlook in an article which has received much favorable comment referred to the 1984 synod as “The Showdown Synod.” More recently the synod which just […]
Lesson 1 PRAYER Psalm 141:1–2, Psalm 142, Acts 9:11 Introduction This season we will deal with the subject of “prayer.” This is not only a very important subject but it is also one concerning which there is a great deal of ignorance. Although the disciples of our Lord have been brought up in the religious […]
LICENSING Students and Candidates Jelle Tuininga I have never been happy with the policy of having the Board of Trustees of Calvin College and Seminary license candidates for the ministry in the Christian Reformed Church or give students license to exhort in the churches. Now that this procedure has been “tightened” and updated, I am […]
It has been eleven years since the R.T.C.N. was founded, and the Outlook readers may be wondering what has happened to this institution. At your editor’s prompting, I will try to acquaint you with what has been happening during these years. When we joined the college in 1975 there were just two classes, and with […]
Internal Warfare We as a Christian Reformed Church have been blest beyond many of our fellow Christians. Our ministers are commissioned to bring God’s Word in all of its fullness. Our elders have the duty of seeing that this is done. We have Christian education in elementary and high schools, colleges, and seminaries. Missions are […]