The Synod of 1980 is now history. Though the agenda for this year was not as “hefty” as in some previous years, there was a considerable amount of material with which the delegates were asked to deal. It makes you wonder, after it’s all over, if all matters were as carefully considered as they should […]

“Appointed to Disobedience?” From a midwest reader comes this brief question: “Does I Peter 2:8 belong to the hidden things of God?” I toyed with the idea of simply answering this question in the affirmative, for then I wouldn’t have to say any more about it. But on second thought, I decided to “read something […]

In a women’s study group in the midwest, the “question came up as to whether it is proper to have auctions of handmade articles and baked goods in church basements or fellows hip halls for the purpose of fund raising for the church. Would it not be better to just give without getting something in […]

“Was Christ Violent?” A women’s Bible study group in Kansas, in their study of Mark 11:15–18 (the cleansing of the temple by Jesus), came across the statement in their study material: “Jesus engages in the only act of violence recorded of Him.” In view of Isaiah 53:9b, “he had done no violence,” they wonder if […]

“What is Christ’s Kingdom?” From an Iowa reader comes the question: “Is the cosmos Christ’s Kingdom?” I am sorry that the reader did not elaborate any further on the intent or background of that question, for that would have been helpful in answering it. It seems to me that there are two primary words that […]

“Congregational Meetings On Sunday?” From a reader in the Eastern part of the States comes a question pertaining to the propriety of holding annual congregation meetings on Sunday. The reference is to the regular business meetings, at which time budgets are adopted and duties of committees are discussed and determined, etc., and. not just to […]

“THE HOMOSEXUAL” A young peoples’ group from Michigan raises the question about the homosexual as a result of an article t hat appeared in The Insight magazine on this same subject. Their question: “What is a Christian homosexual?” In answering this question, it is very important that we begin with a definition of terms. Our […]

A Michigan reader reports that in a discussion group, the subject of infant baptism came up because they had just witnessed that sacrament in their church. Some wondered whether the wording of the form was too strong, since it seems to “imply that baptized children are saved at any age, since God does not negate […]

From a reader who lives in Virginia comes a brief note: “Would you please state and explain the reformed view.” I assume the reader wants to know what it means to be Reformed, or the basic tenets of the Reformed faith, rather than the Reformed view of some particular aspect of theology. If my assumption […]

Rev. Harlan G. Vanden Einde is pastor of the Oakdale Park Christian Reformed Church of Grand Rapids, Michigan. THE CHRISTIAN AND AMUSEMENTS Is there rcally that much wrong in playing cards? A letter received by our editor from a Wisconsin reader some months back was referred to me for response in the Question Box. The […]