Music has occupied an important place in the Christian life down through the centuries. Musical expression itself is part of the common human experience, a natural response of the soul to the sufferings and the joys of life. The use of music in religious worship is likewise universal. In the Bible, the Old and New […]

With the death of the Rev. Peter De Jong in July, the Reformed churches lost a faithful minister and The Outlook lost a friend and former editor. He was a remarkable servant of Christ, and although not all spoke well of him (a point in his favor according to our Lord), he faithfully preached and […]

September 5, 1999, marks the second-year anniversary of the death of Mother Teresa who spent her life ministering to the poorest of the poor in Calcutta, India. She founded an international order of nuns, the Missionaries of Charity. Six sisters of her order serve the poor in Detroit, reflecting something of the worldwide impact of […]

Churches often receive “official” visitors. Among the hierarchical organizations this is the bishop; among the Reformed for several centuries, two neighboring pastors. These offer encouragement, advice and, if needed, also correction. When such a calling is discharged according to its original intent (d. John and Peter visiting Samaria, Acts 8:14f.), the benefits can be great. […]

Revelation 2:12–29 Do you remember the story of that little Dutch boy? Walking along the dike, he noticed a small break through which the waters were seeping. Bravely he put in his hand, then his fist, and finally his body to stem the flow. Only after some hours was he rescued. But his bravery spared […]

Revelation 3:1–22 Often we find strange statements in Scripture. One of these deals with judgment. Many suppose this happens only at death or on that great Day of days. Or if present, then usually only for those whose conscience has been seared. Far too often it is in~ terpreted only in a negative, punitive sense. […]

Revelation 4:1–10 For believers the visions found in Scripture are nothing strange. Often in a variety of such forms the Lord made known His word and work to mankind. Already Enoch, seventh from Adam, knew that the Lord would come with thousands of His holy ones to judge the world in righteousness. Also Jacob at […]

I seldom relinquish this column to another, but I think that the testimony of Darrel Scott before the Subcommittee on Crime of the US House of Representatives is worthy of the widest possible audience. Darrel is the father of slain Columbine High School student Rachel Scott who was murdered after professing her faith in God. […]

As a child I often drifted sleep to the sounds of a pounding hammer and a purring sewing machine. Days later, we children would stand in amazement at the transformation done by dad in a remodeling job, or a dress or suit made by mom. Many evening hours had been invested by the carpenter and […]

I’ve written previously, and frequently, about the role of deacons in the ministry of mercy. I’ve argued that deacons are not to be the church’s mercy-workers, but that showing mercy is part of the ministry of the whole church and every believer, and that the unique service deacons bring to the table is that of […]