“DOUBLY STRANGE, UNBELIEVABLE”
Dear Mr. Editor:
Thank you for keeping your readers informed and up-to-date on the progress of the Reformed Seminary among the Tiv in Nigeria. It is now more than a decade ago that our Synod first urged the Foreign Mission Board to come to the establishment of a Reformed Seminary in Nigeria as soon as possible. Sad to say, things have changed since that time, and today neither Synod nor the Board seem any longer interested in carrying out that erstwhile decision. But we may thank God that the Tiv Church has not lost its zeal for this cause and has determined to go ahead with the plans nevertheless. May God bless their efforts.
Something else has changed too. According to the report of our classical delegate to the Board, the latter found it necessary to reprimand Rev. Timothy M. Monsma and Rev. Cornelius A. Persenaire for their part in promoting the Reformed Tiv Seminary.
Please note well: For several years Dr. Harry Boer not only politely ignored but actively opposed the original decision of Synod to come to the establishment of a Reformed Seminary in Nigeria. To the best of my knowledge, Dr. Boer has never been issued a rebuke by the Board for this action. Yet now the Board deems it necessary to rebuke the Rev. Monsma and Rev. Persenaire for seeking to carry out the original intent of our Synod and something for which the autonomous Tiv Church has now officially asked our aid. Coming as this does from a Reformed Board ostensibly interested in Reformed education on our mission fields makes this action look doubly strange, indeed, unbelievable.
(REV.) JELLE TUININGA
Smithers, British Columbia
Dear Mr. Editor:
Thank you for keeping your readers informed and up-to-date on the progress of the Reformed Seminary among the Tiv in Nigeria. It is now more than a decade ago that our Synod first urged the Foreign Mission Board to come to the establishment of a Reformed Seminary in Nigeria as soon as possible. Sad to say, things have changed since that time, and today neither Synod nor the Board seem any longer interested in carrying out that erstwhile decision. But we may thank God that the Tiv Church has not lost its zeal for this cause and has determined to go ahead with the plans nevertheless. May God bless their efforts.
Something else has changed too. According to the report of our classical delegate to the Board, the latter found it necessary to reprimand Rev. Timothy M. Monsma and Rev. Cornelius A. Persenaire for their part in promoting the Reformed Tiv Seminary.
Please note well: For several years Dr. Harry Boer not only politely ignored but actively opposed the original decision of Synod to come to the establishment of a Reformed Seminary in Nigeria. To the best of my knowledge, Dr. Boer has never been issued a rebuke by the Board for this action. Yet now the Board deems it necessary to rebuke the Rev. Monsma and Rev. Persenaire for seeking to carry out the original intent of our Synod and something for which the autonomous Tiv Church has now officially asked our aid. Coming as this does from a Reformed Board ostensibly interested in Reformed education on our mission fields makes this action look doubly strange, indeed, unbelievable.
(REV.) JELLE TUININGA
Smithers, British Columbia