Jesus Christ Lord of Life and Cadets

Prof. G. van Groningen. Trowel & Sword. November 1967 Preamble: VAN GRONINGEN – remember that name; especially the younger members (under 50) who may not have heard it before and do not know the significant part that both George and Harriet played in the development and growth of the Reformed Churches in Australia and NewContinue reading “Jesus Christ Lord of Life and Cadets”

Pastor Or Reverend?

J.A. Schep. Trowel & Sword, October 1961 Preamble: From our vantage point it seems rather amusing to see two Dutchmen having a spat over the correct use of the English language. One could well ask, “Why did they take such small matters so seriously?” With apologies to any Dutchman reading this post, perhaps it saysContinue reading “Pastor Or Reverend?”

Letters To Keith (Introduction)

Rev. J.W. Deenick. April, 1992 Preamble: Even after retirement Bill Deenick was not one to let the grass grow under his feet. Over a twelve month period he wrote a series of “letters” on Renewal and Worship to a fictional person whom he called Keith. Although it had been suggested that he publish the lettersContinue reading “Letters To Keith (Introduction)”

Als Er Nog Vijftig In De Stad Zijn

J. Vander Bom. Trowel & Sword, (De Kleine Krant). November 1974 Preamble: Once again we have for your enjoyment an article from the Kleine Krant written in Dutch by Rev. John Vander Bom . As before it is followed immediately after by an English translation for those who cannot read Dutch. Als Er Nog VijftigContinue reading “Als Er Nog Vijftig In De Stad Zijn”

A Woman’s View On Ordination

Diane Brummel Bloem. Trowel & Sword. August 1975. From: The Banner. Preamble: As you can tell by the date of this article, this debate has been going on for a long time and would seem to be no closer to being resolved. For the most part there seems to be an uneasy truce between theContinue reading “A Woman’s View On Ordination”

Worship – Focus

Bill van Schie. Trowel & Sword. February 2003 Preamble: Attending a church service would appear to most to be a simple process. You walk in, go to the same seat you have been sitting in, perhaps for years, and perhaps even “gently” admonish someone who has had the temerity to “inadvertently” sit in “your seat”.Continue reading “Worship – Focus”

The RTC And Its Theological Climate

Rev. J.W. Deenick. Trowel & Sword, July 1977. Preamble: From time to time one of the criticisms of T&S was that it tended to be a magazine written by ministers for ministers. Some would say that the following article is an example of that and to some degree they would be correct. But it isContinue reading “The RTC And Its Theological Climate”

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”

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?”