April 3, 1968 Editorial Committee
TORCH AND TRUMPET
Breton Village
Grand Rapids, Michigan 49506
Dear Editors:
In my article “The Shadow of Ambiguity” appearing in the April issue of your valued magazine is an error that I am particularly eager to correct. The text as it appears carries undesirable overtones.
I refer to the sentence which begins on line sixteen of column one on page thirteen. The sentence appears as follows: “The present writer regards ‘election’ as absurd in the views we are contesting, an irrational element…” According to my carbon copy of the article the sentence should read thus: “The present writer regards ‘election’ as a surd in the views we are contesting, an irrational element…”
Permit me also to refer to two other less serious errors. The expression “on the one hand” in line seventeen of column two on page twelve should begin a new sentence. And, finally, the word “warrants” appearing in line thirty-five of column one on page thirteen should be in the Singular. Thank you for publishing this letter. Usually your proof-reading is excellent, and were it not for the possibility of offense in the use of the word “absurd” I would not have written.
Sincerely, EDWARD HEEREMA
22 Normal Avenue Montclair, New Jersey April 24, 1968
Rev. Henry Vanden Heuvel Editor, TORCH AND TRUMPET
Dear Brother in Christ:
This is in reference to the decision of the 1967 Synod of the Christian Reformed Church to send two observers to the World Council of Churches which meets in Uppsala, Sweden in July. Those so officially delegated are the president of 1967 Synod and its first clerk.
At the time of making this commitment Synod mayor may not have been aware of the fact that in recent years the status of observer has been construed as indicating a favorable relationship to the council. As such those churches which desired to avoid such implication have been careful not to delegate observers but have instead had their representatives act either as visitors or as reporters.
In addition we are informed on page 6 of the April 5, 1968 issue of Calvinist Contact in the last paragraph of an article entitled, “World Council Discussed at Reformed Synod” that the status of observer has become augmented to that of “a new figure in the assembly of the World Council. He can take part generally in discussion, except that he has no vote.”
In view of the foregoing developments it would seem most inconsistent with the Synod’s other pronouncements against the World Council that the Christian Reformed Church should get itself involved with the Council to this extent. Tn fact it would put the church on record before the entire Christian world as not only being favorably disposed toward WCC but also actually participating in its discussions which is in direct contravention to the Scriptural admonition not to be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. It is also contrary to Psalm 1:1 which warns us not to walk in the Council of the ungodly, nor stand in the way of sinners, nor sit in the seat of the scornful.
For which reason I am firmly convinced that Synod this June should review its commitment in this matter before the church suffers irreparable damage to its image and gets itself tied in far more deeply with the evil machinations of this ecumenical minded world church organization than we have any right to be as Christians.
Yours for the purity of the church, WILLIAM A. DE JONGE
To the Editor:
With much appreciation we havc read Mrs. L. Vanden Heuvel’s contribution toward developing proper appreciation of music and singing in our worship (and in home) in the February issue of TORCH AND TRUMPET. The emphasis should be on “Glory to God” in all our singing. This is the reminder we all constantly require.
There is however more to worship than the ascription of glory to God. May we suggest that there are three other elements, in which music is intimately involved, but which have not been referred to in the article by Mrs. Vanden Heuvel. And we consider these points quite crucial in our contemporary worship. The elements we refer to are:
1. Fellowship. In worship we are not individualistically giving glory to God, we are doing it as a body of redeemed saints—plus seekers, visitors. This communal fellowshiping aspect comes to beautiful expression in singing. Should our actual singing of praises to God then not only be done communally, but also include an actual expression of this fellowship? Should our songs, while ascribing glory to God, not also include sentiments of love for each other, invitations to each other for greater participation in the fellowship of divine love?
2. Witnessing. No worshipping congregation should ever be thought of as consisting only of converted people. We must assume, yes, actually we should see to it, that unbelievers are with us. Should our songs not include definite expressions of what the Lord does for man? Should the believers not express to unbelievers (as well as to each other) what this glorious God has done for man and what this means to us? Surely this can be done without introducing undue sentimentalism and subjectivism in a romanticistic manner into our worship of God?
3. Personal expression. As men and women, youth and children come into God’s house from a week of work and toil, struggles and hardships, of joys and blessings, they have hearts filled with various emotions. Worshippers come seeking comfort, encouragement, guidance, admonition, love, assurance and much more. Should such longings not be expressed? And the surges of personal joy and gratitude because of past and present blessings, should these not also be expressed? In prayer they can be and are. But are music and song not of the choicest means for the heart to express itself? Can this subjective psychological element not come into more active and definite expression in the context of giving glory to God?
Of late we have been confronted by the Pentecostal movement as a growing phenomenon. Many Reformed church members have become involved in this movement. Could one reason for this be that we in Reformed fellowships have not properly included the three above mentioned elements in our worship both in church and in other aspects of life?
We would very much appreciate reading a study (in depth and breadth) on these aspects of worship and their inclusion or involvement in church music and singing. Possibly other aspects could be included. Tn our work and worship in recent years the three elements referred to above have repeatedly come to our attention—as elements not receiving proper recognition. This lack could contribute to the poor music we too often actually have today. One more idea we would like to air concerns the training of ministers. We are interested in the role of the minister in the worship service. Would it be possible to have a study on the subject of “Student Training in Music” in which the methods and benefits of study in church music by seminary students is clearly set forth?
Our hope is that the good beginning you have made in writing on music in church worship will be fruitfully continued. May the Lord richly bless you.
Cordially yours, REV. AND MRS. G. VAN GRONINGEN
Dear Editors:
In my article “The Shadow of Ambiguity” appearing in the April issue of your valued magazine is an error that I am particularly eager to correct. The text as it appears carries undesirable overtones.
I refer to the sentence which begins on line sixteen of column one on page thirteen. The sentence appears as follows: “The present writer regards ‘election’ as absurd in the views we are contesting, an irrational element…” According to my carbon copy of the article the sentence should read thus: “The present writer regards ‘election’ as a surd in the views we are contesting, an irrational element…”
Permit me also to refer to two other less serious errors. The expression “on the one hand” in line seventeen of column two on page twelve should begin a new sentence. And, finally, the word “warrants” appearing in line thirty-five of column one on page thirteen should be in the Singular. Thank you for publishing this letter. Usually your proof-reading is excellent, and were it not for the possibility of offense in the use of the word “absurd” I would not have written.
Sincerely, EDWARD HEEREMA
22 Normal Avenue Montclair, New Jersey April 24, 1968
Rev. Henry Vanden Heuvel Editor, TORCH AND TRUMPET
Dear Brother in Christ:
This is in reference to the decision of the 1967 Synod of the Christian Reformed Church to send two observers to the World Council of Churches which meets in Uppsala, Sweden in July. Those so officially delegated are the president of 1967 Synod and its first clerk.
At the time of making this commitment Synod mayor may not have been aware of the fact that in recent years the status of observer has been construed as indicating a favorable relationship to the council. As such those churches which desired to avoid such implication have been careful not to delegate observers but have instead had their representatives act either as visitors or as reporters.
In addition we are informed on page 6 of the April 5, 1968 issue of Calvinist Contact in the last paragraph of an article entitled, “World Council Discussed at Reformed Synod” that the status of observer has become augmented to that of “a new figure in the assembly of the World Council. He can take part generally in discussion, except that he has no vote.”
In view of the foregoing developments it would seem most inconsistent with the Synod’s other pronouncements against the World Council that the Christian Reformed Church should get itself involved with the Council to this extent. Tn fact it would put the church on record before the entire Christian world as not only being favorably disposed toward WCC but also actually participating in its discussions which is in direct contravention to the Scriptural admonition not to be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. It is also contrary to Psalm 1:1 which warns us not to walk in the Council of the ungodly, nor stand in the way of sinners, nor sit in the seat of the scornful.
For which reason I am firmly convinced that Synod this June should review its commitment in this matter before the church suffers irreparable damage to its image and gets itself tied in far more deeply with the evil machinations of this ecumenical minded world church organization than we have any right to be as Christians.
Yours for the purity of the church, WILLIAM A. DE JONGE
To the Editor:
With much appreciation we havc read Mrs. L. Vanden Heuvel’s contribution toward developing proper appreciation of music and singing in our worship (and in home) in the February issue of TORCH AND TRUMPET. The emphasis should be on “Glory to God” in all our singing. This is the reminder we all constantly require.
There is however more to worship than the ascription of glory to God. May we suggest that there are three other elements, in which music is intimately involved, but which have not been referred to in the article by Mrs. Vanden Heuvel. And we consider these points quite crucial in our contemporary worship. The elements we refer to are:
1. Fellowship. In worship we are not individualistically giving glory to God, we are doing it as a body of redeemed saints—plus seekers, visitors. This communal fellowshiping aspect comes to beautiful expression in singing. Should our actual singing of praises to God then not only be done communally, but also include an actual expression of this fellowship? Should our songs, while ascribing glory to God, not also include sentiments of love for each other, invitations to each other for greater participation in the fellowship of divine love?
2. Witnessing. No worshipping congregation should ever be thought of as consisting only of converted people. We must assume, yes, actually we should see to it, that unbelievers are with us. Should our songs not include definite expressions of what the Lord does for man? Should the believers not express to unbelievers (as well as to each other) what this glorious God has done for man and what this means to us? Surely this can be done without introducing undue sentimentalism and subjectivism in a romanticistic manner into our worship of God?
3. Personal expression. As men and women, youth and children come into God’s house from a week of work and toil, struggles and hardships, of joys and blessings, they have hearts filled with various emotions. Worshippers come seeking comfort, encouragement, guidance, admonition, love, assurance and much more. Should such longings not be expressed? And the surges of personal joy and gratitude because of past and present blessings, should these not also be expressed? In prayer they can be and are. But are music and song not of the choicest means for the heart to express itself? Can this subjective psychological element not come into more active and definite expression in the context of giving glory to God?
Of late we have been confronted by the Pentecostal movement as a growing phenomenon. Many Reformed church members have become involved in this movement. Could one reason for this be that we in Reformed fellowships have not properly included the three above mentioned elements in our worship both in church and in other aspects of life?
We would very much appreciate reading a study (in depth and breadth) on these aspects of worship and their inclusion or involvement in church music and singing. Possibly other aspects could be included. Tn our work and worship in recent years the three elements referred to above have repeatedly come to our attention—as elements not receiving proper recognition. This lack could contribute to the poor music we too often actually have today. One more idea we would like to air concerns the training of ministers. We are interested in the role of the minister in the worship service. Would it be possible to have a study on the subject of “Student Training in Music” in which the methods and benefits of study in church music by seminary students is clearly set forth?
Our hope is that the good beginning you have made in writing on music in church worship will be fruitfully continued. May the Lord richly bless you.
Cordially yours, REV. AND MRS. G. VAN GRONINGEN
