Bill van Schie. Trowel & Sword. April 1975 Preamble: Has there ever been a more contentious topic of discussion between parents and and their offspring than music? As a general rule each generation has a preference for the music that they grew up with. The advent of Rock and Roll in the second half ofContinue reading “Spiritual Effects Of Rock Music”
Author Archives: Bert Moritz & Pieter Stok
Should We Still Commemorate October 31?
Is Rome Really Changing? Dr. K. Runia. Trowel & Sword, October 1964 Preamble: Is Reformation day still remembered and celebrated by your local church? In our church, Reformation day was always celebrated with a combined service with the Presbyterian and Reformed Presbyterian churches. Then came the covid lockdowns and the service had to be cancelled.Continue reading “Should We Still Commemorate October 31?”
At home With One Another In The Church
Rev. John Westerdorp. Trowel & Sword, April 1996 Preamble: On reading this article from John Westendorp the thought struck me, have we learned anything in the last thirty years? Worse still, are we going backwards? Have you come across any Reformed recluses lately; or Reformed church surfers, looking for that perfect church just as aContinue reading “At home With One Another In The Church”
Living By Faith
Rev. Don Baird, Trowel & Sword, April 1996 Preamble: This short article by Don Baird would seem to be stating the obvious to a Reformed Christian. Salvation is by faith alone. This seems straight forward enough, but Don takes it one step further. Faith in what? Faith in God? Read on to see where DonContinue reading “Living By Faith”
Calvinism And 1959
Prof. K. Runia. Trowel & Sword, April 1959 Preamble: It seems somewhat ironic that while we worship an unchanging and unchangeable God, Christians, including Reformed Christians, are constantly trying to change the church and themselves on the pretext of “keeping up with the times”. Last week our post looked at whether we should be callingContinue reading “Calvinism And 1959”
“Calvinist” or “Christian”
Rev. Ray O. Zorn. Trowel & Sword, March 1975 Preamble: What’s in a name? This could well be considered a subtitle to this week’s post. In the early days of the Reformed Church, its leaders went to great lengths to proclaim to its members and indeed to the world that here was a church whichContinue reading ““Calvinist” or “Christian””
Children’s Ministry
Helen Vanderbom. Trowel & Sword, February 2003 Preamble: The growth of Christian Schools in the last fifty years or sons an indication that Christians take the raising of their children in a Godly environment very seriously. But is it the case that an unintended consequence may be that parents today may not be as diligentContinue reading “Children’s Ministry”
Reformed Church or Ref. Ghetto (2)
Rev. W. Vanderkolk. Trowel & Sword, Jan./Feb. 1965 Preamble: Following on from the previous article Rev. Vanderkolk presents us with some suggestions on how to avoid becoming a “Reformed Ghetto”. It is worth remembering that these articles were written sixty years ago so perhaps the suggestion of working among Dutch migrants may not be asContinue reading “Reformed Church or Ref. Ghetto (2)”
Reformed Church or Reformed Ghetto?
W. Vanderkolk. Trowel and Sword, December 1964 Preamble: “Ghetto • a part of a city …… occupied by a minority group or groups. • an isolated or segregated group or area.” In this hard hitting article, written a mere 3 years before his tragic death while on a holiday with his family, Rev. William Vanderkolk wrote passionately about what he saw as a Reformed Church inContinue reading “Reformed Church or Reformed Ghetto?”
The Beauty Of God’s House – A Few Small Points
Trowel & Sword. A.I. De Graaf, October/November 1964 Preamble: In this article, published over two months, Rev. de Graaf sets out to clarify what may be regarded as two of the lesser, albeit solemn “traditions” of the worship service of the day. It may well be that some churches today no longer even follow theseContinue reading “The Beauty Of God’s House – A Few Small Points”
T&S Revisited 