Australian Gleanings – Part 1

Rev. Fred Vanderbom, Trowel & Sword, December 1996 Preamble: On Friday February 16, a stalwart of the Christian Reformed  Church, Fred Vanderbom,  passed into glory. We remember his wife Helen and the wider family at this time of grief. Fred served the church faithfully over many years and even in his retirement he served as a locumContinue reading “Australian Gleanings – Part 1”

Shepherds Flock Together

OFFICIAL REPORT ON THE MINISTERS’ CONFERENCE OF THE REFORMED CHURCHES OF AUSTRALIA, HELD AT DANDENONG, VICTORIA, SEPTEMBER 2nd, 3rd AND 4th, 1958 Arent de Graaf, Trowel & Sword, October 1958 Preamble: Have you ever wondered what ministers do and talk about at ministers’ conferences. Wonder no more. Aren’t de Graaf give a very comprehensive accountContinue reading “Shepherds Flock Together”

The Future Of The Christian University In Indonesia

HENK DeWAARD, Trowel and Sword, October 1975 Preamble: While Christian Schools have flourished in recent years due in a large part to the efforts of Reformed Churches and their members, the establishment of Christian universities has been much more difficult to achieve. No doubt there are many factors at play preventing this from happening. ItContinue reading “The Future Of The Christian University In Indonesia”

“I  Was Born Again Because Of Minka”

Paksu Mat, Trowel and Sword, April 1976 Preamble: “LEST WE FORGET”. Australians and New Zealanders should be familiar with these words as they are repeated around both countries every ANZAC and every Remembrance Day. The message they send is that we should never forget those who lost their lives in the defence of their countries.Continue reading ““I  Was Born Again Because Of Minka””

The Deceitfulness Of The Heart

Rev. Martin P. Geluk, Trowel and Sword, September 1969 Preamble: In this article Rev. Geluk doesn’t pull any punches. As Christians we often use words like love, faith, caring, sharing, joy and peace. But Martin calls us to look at the darker side of man. The side that says that we are incapable of doingContinue reading “The Deceitfulness Of The Heart”

Once Again – The Sunday school

Mrs M.H. MacFarlane, Trowel & Sword, May 1969 Preamble: Following on from last week’s article by Prof. K. Runia we have the following contribution from Mrs. M.H. MacFarlane who was obviously passionate about Sunday Schools in the Reformed Churches. In a very positive contribution to the debate Mrs. Macfarlane put forward a number of suggestionsContinue reading “Once Again – The Sunday school”

Our Sunday Schools

Prof. K. Runia, Jan/Feb 1969 Preamble: In this article Prof. Runia takes a brief look firstly at the history of Sunday Schools and the role they were originally intended to play in society, followed by an assessment of Sunday Schools in the Reformed Churches in Australia and whether they achieve their intended goals. It wouldContinue reading “Our Sunday Schools”

Dr. J. Nederhood’s Visit To Australia.

A.H. Schippers, Trowel and Sword, October 1968 Preamble: Following on from the recent article, “The Gospel Blimp and the Back To God Hour” which gave us a picture of the do’s and don’ts of evangelism, we now take a closer look at the Back To God Hour through the lens of Dr. Joel Nederhood’s visitContinue reading “Dr. J. Nederhood’s Visit To Australia.”

Annus Liturgicus (The Church Year)

Bill Deenick, Trowel And Sword, December, 1977 Preamble: It would be fair to say that the worship services in many Reformed Churches today are substantially different to how they were conducted in the 60’s and 70’s of last century. Part of this may well have been due to a fear that services had become tooContinue reading “Annus Liturgicus (The Church Year)”

God’s Final Gift Demands An Answer

Preamble: Jack Postma’s Christmas Meditation from 1977 is still relevant today – if not more so. Jack, powerfully, strips away the sentimentality often found in Christmas and links Christmas with the cross and our rebellion with the need for the incarnation of Christ. We trust our readers will be challenged and encouraged as we were.Continue reading “God’s Final Gift Demands An Answer”