There is a right way and a wrong way to use the precious doctrine of the covenant. The right way is to stress the particular spiritual advantages which our covenant children enjoy. Priceless is the Christian upbringing; the hearing from infancy on about the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob; and the salvation God provided […]
All of us who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you. Only let us live up to what we have already attained. Philippians 3:15–16 By the time you read this devotional summer will be well under way. […]
Few in North America know the name of Paul Schneider, the first Protestant pastor murdered by the Nazis. Fewer still know the remarkable trial of faith that marked the life of this Reformed minister of the Gospel. From an early age, young Paul set his sights upon the ministry, listing “the pastorate” as his chosen […]
On Ash Wednesday, February 25 of 2004, the crucifixion of Jesus Christ exploded on to the popular culture scene with the release of Mel Gibson’s The Passion of the Christ. Moviegoers flocked to theatres across the nation to witness Gibson’s cinematic portrayal of Christ’s suffering and death. American evangelicals were quick to recognize the evangelistic […]
January 1986 “Long ago … Uzziah held out his hand to steady the ark. He only wanted to give the Lord a little help, but was struck dead for his improper help …. We may not play lightly with the Lord’s designated methods of saving souls. Don’t say, “A little help is OK.” De Koster […]
“There is not a square inch in heaven or on earth or under the earth in which there is peace between Christ and Satan.” These were the words that Abraham Kuyper used to describe the warfare that exists between the kingdom of Christ and the kingdom of Satan. It is this battle that we have […]
Report on Classis Central US On June 1 and 2, 2004 the 14th meeting of Classis Central US was held at Lynwood URC, Lynwood, Ill. The meeting was chaired by Rev. Jason Tuinstra of Community URC, Schererville, Indiana. The vice-chairman was Rev. Peter Kloosterman of Grace URC, Waupun, Wisconsin. Classis was called to order at […]
Report on the Synodical Decisions The mountains that were waiting for the delegates to the 5th Synod of the United Reformed Churches in North America meeting in Calgary, Alberta Canada were of two kinds. The one kind, called the Rocky Mountains, were visible to all and rose majestically in the distance just west of the […]
The man behind the ticket counter at the Kalamazoo Airport asked for our birth certificate or passport. Mr. Visser, the Elder delegate from our church, and I had neither. Our wives offered to run home to get them, after all the airport is only fifteen minutes away and we were over an hour early. “No, […]
The 258th meeting of the Reformed Church in the United States opened on the evening of Monday, May 10, 2004 with worship. The president of the Synod, Rev. Vernon Pollema, preached the Word of God from Joshua 23 and 24. Therein the delegates and members of the Manitowoc, Wisconsin congregation were instructed to maintain faithfulness […]