I Love Christmas!

Rev. J. de Jonge. Trowel & Sword. Dec. 2010 Preamble: Christmas can mean many different things for different people. In this article Rev. de Jonge takes us through his own experiences growing up and ultimately, what Christmas means for the Gospel story and the message of salvation. I Love Christmas! “For [God] chose us inContinue reading “I Love Christmas!”

Christianity or Churchianity?

Rev. J.W. Deenick. Trowel & Sword. Jan/Feb 1955 Preamble: This is the last of four articles John Westendorp looked at in his walk back through history. In it Rev J.W. Deenick responds to the suggestion by an unnamed but apparently well-known Christian worker that the world needs Christianity but not the plethora of denominations whichContinue reading “Christianity or Churchianity?”

Catechism Classes

Rev. Prof. K. Runia. Trowel & Sword. Jan/Feb. 1965 Preamble: This is the third instalment of John Westendorp’s look back through time in 1995, “This Month in Trowel And Sword History” and he found that thirty years earlier, in the Jan/Feb. 65 edition, Prof. K. Runia wrote this article about Catechism classed. In it RuniaContinue reading “Catechism Classes”

The Agony Of Our World and Our Lifestyle

Rev. J.J. Van Wageningen. Trowel & Sword. Jan/Feb 1975 Preamble: In Jan/Feb 1975, the second decade of John Westendorp’s walk back through history, we encounter this offering by Rev. J.J. Van Wageningen which even today gives us much to think about. Did we get caught up this weekend in the great money splurge euphemistically referredContinue reading “The Agony Of Our World and Our Lifestyle”

New Zealand Elders Conference Labour Weekend 1984

Jack E. de Graaf. Trowel & Sword. Jan/Feb 1985 Preamble: In 1995 Rev. John Westendorp looked back through old Trowel & Sword magazines to see what had been written about back then. Ten years earlier T&S reported on a New Zealand Elders conference and the wide variety of topics discussed make for interesting reading. ItContinue reading “New Zealand Elders Conference Labour Weekend 1984”

This Month In Trowel & Sword History

John Westendorp. Trowel & Sword. February 1995 Preamble: Was this the fore-runner of Trowel & Sword Revisited? Thirty years ago John Westendorp, as the editor of T&S must have thought it would be interesting to look back through past T&S’s to see what was being written about in the February of 1955, ’65, ’75 andContinue reading “This Month In Trowel & Sword History”

Christmas – Its Origin And Its History

J.W. Deenick. Trowel & Sword. December 1963 Preamble: Once again the countdown has begun – “ONLY SIX WEEKS TO CHRISTMAS”. “Avoid the last minute rush and get your Christmas shopping done early”. Cost of living crisis? There’s no such thing when it comes to Christmas – that comes later when the credit card has toContinue reading “Christmas – Its Origin And Its History”

Reflections On Life And Faith

Harry Burggraaf. Trowel & Sword. August 2000 Preamble: What does the future hold? This question may well have been on the minds of Adam and Eve as they were “shown the gates” of Eden. It may also have been on Harry’s mind as he wrote this reflection. Does Leonard Cohen, (I’ve heard of him), haveContinue reading “Reflections On Life And Faith”

Sheep and Shepherds

John Westendorp. Trowel & Sword. June 1999 Preamble: While he is obviously trying to make a point, John’s opening statement that, “The Lord God isn’t paying us a compliment when He calls us ‘sheep’, would seem to be rather unfair, not only to sheep, but also to His people. Yes, in the 20th/21st centuries, sheepContinue reading “Sheep and Shepherds”

Hudson Taylor

Dr. K. Runia. Trowel & Sword, August 1959 Preamble: Books! Ecclesiastes 12 tells us that… “of the making of books there is no end”. If that was true 3000 years ago, assuming that its traditional authorship and date are correct, how much more true is it today? With so many books to choose from, howContinue reading “Hudson Taylor”