Sunday Observance and Sunday Labour

(1) K. Runia. Trowel & Sword. October 1965 Preamble: This week we begin a series of articles dealing with the complex and weighty issue of the observance of the “Day of Rest” – the sabbath. The older generation will recall that in the 60’s, the vast majority of shops and businesses closed their doors atContinue reading “Sunday Observance and Sunday Labour”

Where Are The leaders? (IV)

J.W. Deenick. Trowel & Sword. October 1963 IS NATURALISATION COMPROMISE? Preamble: In this final instalment of “Where Are The Leaders” Rev. Deenick considers the issues of citizenship, naturalisation and of course, politics. While the nature of the debate seems somewhat mundane by today’s standards, immigration and citizenship in recent times has again become a hotContinue reading “Where Are The leaders? (IV)”

Where Are The Leaders? (Question Box)

J.W. Deenick. Trowel & Sword. May 1963 Preamble: One of the benefits of Trowel and Sword, particularly in the early years, was that readers were able to send in questions and/or opinions to the editors about matters that were of concern to them. As a young denomination, made up mostly of immigrants from the Netherlands,Continue reading “Where Are The Leaders? (Question Box)”

Good News … Bad News (Meditation)

Rev. Ben Aldridge. Trowel & Sword. March 1991 Preamble: When growing up I was as confused about Easter, and particularly Good Friday, as the older member of Ben’s congregation mentioned below. I think I can confidently say that we weren’t the only ones confused. It comes under the heading of: ‘Questions we don’t know theContinue reading “Good News … Bad News (Meditation)”

The Problem Of War (2)

Herman Bavink (Translated by Rev. Steven Voorwinde) Trowel & Sword. Nov. 1975 (Continued From Last Week’s Post) These utterances of Christ clearly imply that there are spiritual possessions which are of much greater value than prosperity and peace. The commands of the moral law are not all on the same level, but occupy a differentContinue reading “The Problem Of War (2)”

The Problem Of War

Herman Bavinck (Translated from Dutch by Rev. Steven Voorwinde) Trowel & Sword. Oct 1975 Preamble: It has often been said that there are only two certainties in life – death and taxes. There is a third certainty that few would argue against – WAR. God’s intervention at Babel to create division among the people ofContinue reading “The Problem Of War”

The Church And The World

Trowel & Sword. November 1963 Preamble: “The Church and the World” was a statement issued by THE REFORMED ECUMENICAL SYNOD, which met in Grand Rapids, Michigan, U.S.A., August 7-16, 1963. In it the synod expressed its concern at the “increasing alienation of modern man from the church” in a self examination of the the Church’sContinue reading “The Church And The World”

The Power Of The Written Word

Prof. A. Barkley. Trowel & Sword. March 1958 Preamble: WARNING! Do not read the first line of this article, assume that it is about television and stop reading. It’s not! And it’s not a warning about Soviet Russia and Communists. It is rather a call to arms, both in 1958 and to us in 2026.Continue reading “The Power Of The Written Word”

Addiction To Self – The Problem

David Groenenboom. Trowel & Sword. Jan/Feb. 1999 Preamble: In his opening statement Davis names “Addiction to Self” as the “…biggest threat to the western Church at the end of the 20th century.” He also writes that it has been a problem since Adam. It would therefore be safe to say that it is just asContinue reading “Addiction To Self – The Problem”

Lining Up!

Prof. K. Warren. Trowel & Sword. June 1981 Preamble: This article could have been written last week instead of 44 years ago. Talk of Nuclear war, atomic annihilation, World War 3, has recently and consistently been hitting the airwaves. Add to that the constant scare mongering about the end of civilisation due to “climate change”,Continue reading “Lining Up!”