“. . . My gospel, wherein I suffer trouble, as an evildoer, even unto bonds; but the word of God is not bound” (2 Tim. 2:8, 9). It must have been very irksome to Paul, the zealous missionary, to endure four years of imprisonment—apparently just because of unconscionably dirty politics—when he might have been roaming […]
1. Today’s Confusion In our review of basic Bible teachings we next face one about which there is extraordinary confusion, that about “THE CHURCH.” Today’s questions do not concern details, but are often more basic: “What’s a church?” “Who needs one?” “Why have any?” We have been thinking about gospel teachings that we need to […]
Several years ago I remarked to a seminarian friend (now a minister) that very few people in the pew, and not very many more in the consistory room, had much of an idea what the Belgic Confession said. His reply stunned me: “Maybe it’s a good thing.” Ignorance of the Belgic Confession-one of our […]
In the March 4, 1988 issue of Christianity Today, Dr. Neal Plantinga, professor of Dogmatics at Calvin Seminary, in an article entitled “The Perfect Family . . . seeks to cast some new light on the doctrine of the Trinity. This by itself is laudable because the more light we receive on the age-old doctrines […]
The problem with Calvinism is not that it has been tried and found wanting; it has been found difficult and not tried. Readers will recognize in these words both G.K Chesterton’s famous comment on Christianity and the liberty we have taken with it. Perhaps they will also recognize this quotation from Peter Borgdorffs guest editorial […]
Synod, 1988 met as usual in the Fine arts Building at Calvin College in Grand Rapids, Michigan. When I was elected to attend it in January of 1988, I thought that this synod would not be dealing with any major and controversial issues. The issue of man’s headship was on hold; the issue of creation/evolution […]
The April Conference of Concerned at South Holland, Ill., was probably the most spirited and best attended such meeting yet held. In view of the merit and importance of the major addresses, the OUTLOOK’s board decided to publish them as provided by the speakers. They are included in this and coming issues. “To the law […]