DIRK VAN GARDEREN, T&S, December 1976 Preamble: In this essay Dirk looks at various aspects of church growth from the early days of the Reformed Churches and the need to reassess methods of evangelism 25 years later as the demographic of the church has changed. It is now almost another 50 years since his articleContinue reading “The Crisis and Challenge of a New Era”
Author Archives: Bert Moritz & Pieter Stok
Shall We Adopt The New Or Maintain The Old?
Preamble: When Abram answered God’s call to pack up his family and his belongings and move to another land, he did so without hesitation. But at the back of his mind he no doubt asked himself the same questions that many immigrants asked themselves when they landed on the shores of Australia or New ZealandContinue reading “Shall We Adopt The New Or Maintain The Old?”
The Value Of Church History
Rev A. Barkley, BA, “Trowel and Sword,” October 1954. Preamble Alexander Barkley and his wife Elsie came to Australia in 1947 to serve the Reformed Presbyterian Church in Geelong as its minister. He developed a close working relationship with the Dutch migrants coming to this part of the country in the early 50’s and sharedContinue reading “The Value Of Church History”
Are We Still Bound To The Ten Commandments?
Rev. Dr. Klass Runia Th. D., Trowel and Sword, November 1958 – Jan/Feb 1959 Preamble: Dr. Runia arrived in Australia in 1956 to take up the position of Systematic Theology at RTC. According to “A Church En Route” he is remembered for outstanding scholarship, which shines through in the article below despite the fact EnglishContinue reading “Are We Still Bound To The Ten Commandments?”
Church Membership
Rev. J.A.Scarrow, Trowel and Sword Dec. 1955 Preamble: Reverend J. A. Scarrow resigned from the Presbyterian Church because of a difference with the Auckland Presbytery over the family of a church elder winning an art union lottery prize. It was believed Mr. Scarrow advocated the disciplining of the elder by the Paris Session. The Presbytery,Continue reading “Church Membership”
Reformed Preaching In A Scientific Age
Rev. A. Barkley BA. Trowel & Sword, April/May 1955 (Part 1) Preamble: April 25 (Anzac Day), 1955 saw the official opening of the Reformed Theological College in Melbourne where both newly installed lecturers, Rev. J.A. Schep and Rev. A Barkley gave their inaugural addresses. Prof. Barkley’s subject was, “Reformed Preaching in a Scientific Age,” whichContinue reading “Reformed Preaching In A Scientific Age”
The Last Word
Rev Geoff van Schie. Trowel and Sword editor. December 2010 Preamble: It can be no easy thing as the editor of a magazine that has been the lifeblood of the Christian Reformed Churches of Australia and New Zealand for the past 56 years, to write its obituary. This task fell to Geoff van Schie andContinue reading “The Last Word”
Building a New Nation
Preamble: Welcome readers to our first offering from the wonderful trove of Trowel and Sword articles. This week we present the very first Editorial from the first issue back in October 1954. It is worth reading for a number of reasons. There is a reminder of the sense of calling that many early Dutch immigrantsContinue reading “Building a New Nation”
A Short History
The first edition of Trowel and Sword was published by and for the Reformed Churches of Australia and New Zealand in October 1954, with the final printed edition being distributed in December 2010. The denomination itself had only been established three years earlier and consisted mainly of Dutch immigrants who had been part of theContinue reading “A Short History”
T&S Revisited 