The CRC Synod of ’77 has something to say to all who still have ears to hear and eyes to see. This year’s Synod is giving out signals—ominous signals—so loud and clear that he who runs may read. Religious dullards, deliberate cop-outs, those whose chief concern is not to rock the boat, and those who […]
John H. Piersma served as a delegate to the CRC Synod of 1977 from Classis Illiana while he was still pastor of the Bethany CRC of South Holland. Illinois. Since then he has been installed as pastor of the First eRe of Sioux Center, Iowa. His willingness to write this day-by-day review of Synod is truly appreciated. […]
Although adopted into our English language, the word desideratum, as used in the title above, is Latin and may be somewhat unfamiliar. Why use it then? Because I can think of no other single word that says it all—that is, all that I wish to try to say about the matter of a United Reformed […]
A year ago, I affirmed in these columns that, in my judgment, the most important issue at the CRC Synod was the question of what that Synod would say about the Bible. The question came up in connection with the approval by Classis Grand Rapids East of ordination for Candidate Allen Verhey, now an ordained minister in […]
Issues – life is full of them, and not the least in religion and in the church. Some arc real, others imaginary. Wise men recognize the difference—and they also step forward to face an issue when they know they must. Horace Mann, American educator of a little more than a century ago, offered a wise […]
Together the two men plodded on, a dejected pair. They had reasons to be. Their hopes were crushed, their minds confused, their hearts heavy, and all the light had gone out of their sky. No need to hurry now, and so they plodded on. But then it happened. It was the Stranger who joined them […]
Not every meeting of the Board of Reformed Fellowship, Inc., is as encouraging and exciting as last month‘s meeting on February 4. New members are being received regularly and, of course, there are also some cancellations from time to time. But try to imagine our elation when at last month’s meeting as many as 107 […]
Beginning in 1857, the Christian Reformed Church is now 120 years old. Throughout all those years, there is no reason to believe that until recently the unqualified allegiance of the CRC to the inerrancy and authority of Scripture in toto has ever called into question. Admittedly there were other faults to which attention may have […]
Today (at the time of this writing—just before Christmas) I was reminded once again of Elijah the Tishbite, that colorful and fearless prophet who dared to risk his neck in telling wicked Ahab what God had to say to him—and I was reminded more particularly of how the Lord kept the prophet alive, first at […]
Wise men and fools both observe Christmas. But what a difference! The glory of wise men is that amid all the secular hubbub and hullabaloo of the Christmas season they are always asking: “Where is He . . . ? we saw His star . . . and are come to worship Him.” The tragedy […]