In his recent commentary on the Heidelberg Catechism, Rev. Andrew Kuyvenhoven calls the Catechism “the best confessional and teachable summary of the will of God for the life of the church,” That’s quite a compliment for a document over four centuries old. What a beacon the Heidelberg Catechism remains in our anti-theological age, with its […]
Probably no issue has captured the imagination of Christian Reformed churches in recent years like “contemporary worship.” The topic is debated by home missions’ strategists and intellectuals at the seminaries. Some people in the pew are also enthralled with the subject. More and more people are becoming convinced that “contemporary worship” represents the surest means […]
Last month I wrote an article on contemporary worship (The Outlook, Oct. 1995). In it I raised concerns about the “User-Friendly” movement that has been sweeping over churches in the last two decades. I indicated that the motives of many User-Friendly advocates may not be impugned, but that the effects of much User-Friendly worship were […]
As many readers know by now, CRC Synod ‘95 chose to continue ecclesiastical relations with the Reformed Churches in the Netherlands (the GKN). This decision was made on the heels of a flagrantly ungodly speech by the GKN fraternal delegate to synod, who offered the GKN’s stance on homosexuality: Just as in Christ people are […]
INTRODUCTION The evangelistic mission of the church is not an option. In large measure it defines the church”s existence and purpose. Yet this essential task of bringing the gospel to the world constitutes a perplexing challenge for the church today. How are lost people, in a society as secularized as our own, to be reached […]
INTRODUCTION Before His ascension into heaven, Jesus mandated His church to make disciples of all nations. In order to equip her for that task, He promised the Holy Spirit. “You shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and […]
“John Calvin,” observes the Reformation historian Lewis W. Spitz, “was one of those strong and consistent men of history whom people either liked or is liked, adored or abhorred.” Some years ago Christian History magazine published a special issue on the life and thought of Calvin, noting these verdicts regarding him. Calvin’s critics have run […]
Now we are all here in the presence of God to listen to everything the Lord has commanded you to tell us (Acts 10:33). A preacher once complained that his congregation was being eaten alive by boredom. He lamented what he perceived to be a twofold problem — himself and his church. As for himself, […]
This article first appeared in the April, 1995 issue of The Outlook. In his recent commentary on the Heidelberg Catechism, Rev. Andrew Kuyvenhoven calls the catechism “the best confessional and teachable summary of the will of God for the life of the church.”1 That’s quite a compliment for a document over four centuries old. What […]