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”

“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 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 Place of Preaching in the Church Part 4

Rev. Martin Geluk. Trowel and Sword, July 1995. Preamble: In this, the final instalment of “The Place of Preaching in the Church”, Martin ties all four parts together with conclusions that should be compulsory reading for all RTC students, all ministers, all elders and every CRCA member sitting in the pews; and in truth, everyContinue reading “The Place of Preaching in the Church Part 4”

Babel and Pentecost

God’s Multi-lingual Answers to Rebellious Ambition Rev. John de Hoog. Trowel and Sword, June 1995 Preamble: You may remember that in Dec. 1977 Bill Deenick wrote about the church year in his article “Annus Liturgicus” (see TSR, Jan. 1, 2024). Next Sunday, May 19, is Pentecost Sunday; another important event on the Christian calendar, celebratedContinue reading “Babel and Pentecost”

Prayer And Lack Of Concentration

Prof. K. Runia. Trowel and Sword, December 1962 Preamble: We had decided some weeks ago that this week should be an article on Jesus ascension as this week, Thursday 9, is recognised as ascension day, a day that often slips by without due recognition; often being overshadowed by Pentecost on the 19th. We were somewhatContinue reading “Prayer And Lack Of Concentration”