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Recently the members of the Calvin Seminary Faculty felt called upon to address a page-long “Open Letter to the Christian Reformed Church.” In The Banner of December 4, 1970, with their signatures affixed, the Faculty concluded its letter with a request for confidence as follows: “What in these times we covet and indeed expect from […]

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Secession is Serious Business

The secession of which this editorial speaks is the withdrawal from a church or denomination (more specifically, the Christian Reformed Church) to organize another. That this is not a purely academic or theoretical matter, but rather one that is relevant and practical right now, is undoubtedly familiar to our readers. It is by request that […]

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The Presentation of the Word

Recently I was shown a copy of the work done by the Christian Reformed Liturgical Committee for Worship Reform. In pamphlet form, three suggested methods for the change of our worship service were presented. I am sure that much thought and physical observation of other denominations’ services were put in before the final draft was […]

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Have We Written Each Other Off?

Throughout the world mankind experiences tension and trouble in these times. Daily this seems aggravated by the undeniably rapid and revolutionary changes operative in a society characterized by suspicion, misunderstanding and avowed hostility. In this situation the church of our Lord Jesus Christ does not walk unscathed. It is constituted of sinners who profess to […]

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Which Way Will the Churches Go?

We stand face to face with a new decade. During the sixties radical changes confronted and challenged not only mankind in general but the Christian churches. A new theology and a new morality have swept across the land, leaving not even the smallest and most isolated congregation completely untouched. And believers, who are called to […]

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The synod of the Christian Reformed Church 1969 is history. How does one assess the Synod? Was it progressive? Was it hesitant to move forward? This was the first experience for many of the delegates, including this reporter. One of the first impressions is the high efficiency of the ecclesiastic machinery and the seriousness with […]

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That there is a crisis in the church cannot be denied or ignored. Its character, however, is not easily assessed. Clarity on the fundamental issues is important. One speaks of crisis only when the fundamentals are attacked. “If the foundations be destroyed what can the righteous do?” Psalm 11. Today many of God’s people are […]

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Women in Ecclesiastical Office

One of the issues which the Christian Reformed Church will be facing shortly is that of the propriety of “women in ecclesiastical office.” For decades this question has plagued churches throughout the world. After some initial resistance by those who dared to stand lip and be counted in the church courts, one denomination after another has […]

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“I Am the Fourth Minister…”

“I am the Fourth Doctor…” was the title of an article which appeared in a leading national magazine a few years ago. Sellers of certain drugs, said the writer, hawk their products by means of dramatic television commercials which declare, “Three out of four doctors recommend…” Obviously the fourth doctor is way out of line! The author identified […]

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