The issue of big churches keeps coming up. From time to time we are reminded that big congregations are not always a good thing. Although it can feel good to be part of a big crowd, the danger is that we become ‘reclusive’. We have all that we need in our own circles, we have… Continue reading Big: Good or Bad?
For those interested in reading more about Reformed Education, I collected a number of links to articles on this page. The first articles are on this website. Thereafter I list a number of articles that are either quoted in the articles on this website or are of interest. Articles on this website: Reformed Education: whose… Continue reading Reformed Education: a collection of articles
‘What is truth?’ These words from Pontius Pilate, quoted in the Bible in John 18:38, are the summary of what this article is about. However, the words of Pilate can be interpreted and used in different ways. Pilate used it to express his skepticism. Jesus Christ, standing before Pontius Pilate, his judge, responded to a… Continue reading The truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.
1618-1619 In 1618 the great Synod of Dort convened in the Netherlands. The Synod met for several months and was concluded in 2019. For a large part of the meetings, several foreign delegates were present and had an important part in the discussions. The Synod dealt with the errors of the Arminians and wrote in… Continue reading Synod of Dort reformed the Order of the Church
(This article was published in Una Sancta of 6 February 2021, Volume 68, no. 1. Seeing that much of it is still very much applicable and timely, I republish it here. It is not only about leadership outside the church but also inside the church. Sadly, also within the church we can see leaders abusing… Continue reading Good Leadership Needed
To whom belongs the child? In 1996 Rev. G. Van Popta delivered a speech at a teachers’ convention which was published in Clarion, in which he addressed this question. In it, he summarises and evaluates an extensive discussion which our Canadian brothers and sisters had at that time about this question, in which he also… Continue reading Reformed Education: whose responsibility?
The church order of the Free Reformed Churches (article 53) stipulates that the elders shall see to it that the parents take their responsibility in providing their children education which is based on Scripture and Confession. It doesn’t speak about the elders sending children to Reformed Schools, or about parents having to do so. It only speaks about the… Continue reading Reformed Education and article 53 of the Church Order
Labour When we speak about ‘labour’ we often think about paid work. The Labour party is the party of the workers, which came up in the past to defend the rights of the labourers and make sure they got a fair pay. If Labour Day is used for more than just a day of, it… Continue reading Volunteer work as labour of love
The Free Reformed Churches of Australia Why are our churches called ‘The Free Reformed Churches of Australia’? Since 1955 the Free Reformed Churches of Australia have been using this name. Three churches, the churches in Albany, Armadale, and Launceston, formed this federation of churches in 1954 at the first synod in Armadale, and in 1955… Continue reading What is in a name?
Irony Over the past decades, we see that in our Western society more and more the traditional family is being dismantled and the divine institution of marriage denied. Lately even many try to undo God’s work of creation in which He created man male and female. It is ironic that in this society the COVID… Continue reading Back to the Family
(This article was published before in Una Sancta 6 March 2021) Old Testament Labour relations are a big topic in our time. But as God’s people we must know that already 3,500 years ago God made provisions for labour relations among His people. In the Old Testament God gave instructions to His people how the… Continue reading Labour Relations among God’s people
When you lift up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am He. (John 8:28) This is not the first time that we read these words in the gospel of John. In John 3:14 the Lord Jesus said in His conversation with Nicodemus, (just before He spoke the words in John 3:16… Continue reading When you lift up the Son of Man …
(This article was first published in Una Sancta 65-06, 21 April 2018.) What makes a great leader? We all may have memories of great political leaders from the past. We will remember some important leaders from church history. And many of us will probably have someone in the past who was important for him (or… Continue reading Called to be godly leaders
We live in a day and age when truth is at a premium. People misrepresent the facts, twist the truth, and jump to false conclusions. This flippancy about the truth reflects a transition from modernism to postmodernism. Although modernism rejected the Bible as the Truth, it still acknowledged that there was truth, although it could… Continue reading The Lie is the Work of the Devil.
I expect that every one, after having done all he can in the way of robbing and murdering, will be so tired as to wish for the peace which he had formerly but did not value. All this we have deserved through our sins. For we are up to our heads in pride and ambition,… Continue reading Pride & Prejudice: Antwerp 1567
When reading or listening to the news, one cannot help but notice a certain bias. This is not only true for the mainstream news but pretty well anything one listens to. Even though the news is meant to be and generally is presented as objective, it appears an impossible goal. One needs only look at… Continue reading A Look at the Ninth Commandment
Have you followed online news stories about the recent election in the United States? Consider the following headings of articles from a news feed based on the search term “US Election” and obtained approximately 4 weeks after the election: Trump lays out election-fraud case in online video: ‘Bad things happened’ Democrats seek disciplinary investigation for… Continue reading Reading the media: to judge or not to judge
The ninth commandment requires that I must love the truth, the whole truth and speak it honestly. I must not give false testimony, twist no one’s words, not gossip or slander, and avoid deceit. The purpose of this commandment is to regulate our minds and lives so that we reflect God’s image, by honoring God… Continue reading Coping in a Post-fact Age
The Bible Study about Revelation 10 and 11 is ready to go. It is available on the YouTube account of the Free Reformed Church of Kelmscott. An outline can be downloaded here. With the changing situation and the Bible Study Clubs being able to get together again, starting next week, I will finish this Bible… Continue reading Bible Study Revelation 10 and 11
The Bible Study Revelation 8 and 9 is online now and can be watched here. An outline is available for download here. Revelation 8 Vs. 1: Seventh seal opened! silence: goes to climax! During half hour: preparation for the seven trumpets. Trumpets: to announce. The seven trumpets are going to announce the Judge. They indicate:… Continue reading Bible Study Revelation 8 and 9
