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)”
Category Archives: Faith
Christ Singing In The Psalms
Tim Vanderstoep. Trowel & Sword. December 2010 Preamble: This week’s article, “Christ Singing In The Psalms” is the result of a request by Rita de Waard. As mentioned each week we are grateful for any feedback we receive from our weekly posts, including requests for past T&S articles which may have had an impact onContinue reading “Christ Singing In The Psalms”
Christianity or Churchianity?
Rev. J.W. Deenick. Trowel & Sword. Jan/Feb 1955 Preamble: This is the last of four articles John Westendorp looked at in his walk back through history. In it Rev J.W. Deenick responds to the suggestion by an unnamed but apparently well-known Christian worker that the world needs Christianity but not the plethora of denominations whichContinue reading “Christianity or Churchianity?”
Reflections On Life And Faith
Harry Burggraaf. Trowel & Sword. August 2000 Preamble: What does the future hold? This question may well have been on the minds of Adam and Eve as they were “shown the gates” of Eden. It may also have been on Harry’s mind as he wrote this reflection. Does Leonard Cohen, (I’ve heard of him), haveContinue reading “Reflections On Life And Faith”
The Debate Goes On
Rev. J.W. Deenick. Trowel & Sword. December 1976 Preamble: Bill Deenick was passionate about many things and Parent Controlled Christian Education (PCCE) was high on his list of priorities. To him Christian Education was never about creating schools that ran parallel to the state system with a bit of Bible teaching thrown in as anContinue reading “The Debate Goes On”
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”
Tempting, Isn’t It?
Robert Meischke. Trowel & Sword, July 1993 Preamble: When we think, and ministers/pastors preach about the Easter story, one aspect that may be overlooked is that of the temptation of Jesus. In this article Robert brings it to the fore, reminding us that we have a saviour who knows what we experience because He tooContinue reading “Tempting, Isn’t It?”
Faith In Focus
John Haverland. Trowel & Sword, March 1993 Preamble: In 1993 John Haverland, the then editor of Faith in Focus, the magazine of the Reformed Church of New Zealand, sent the following article/advertisement to be included in Trowel and Sword. In it he refers to the history of the two magazines and various reasons CRC membersContinue reading “Faith In Focus “
Worship As Dialogue
Bill van Schie. Trowel & Sword. March 2003 Preamble: Last week, despite our “tongue-in-cheek” description of the approach of many people to attending a church service, we learned from Bill that attending a church service is serious business. How serious? Imagine the following scenario. The last day has arrived and all people have been raisedContinue reading “Worship As Dialogue”
Mysterium Incarnationis
Prof. K. Runia. Trowel & Sword. December 1961 Preamble: The mystery of the incarnation? What’s so mysterious about that? It’s quite straightforward, isn’t? Jesus comes down from heaven, is born as a human being, grows up, becomes a man, teaches a group of men for three years, all the time healing the sick and performingContinue reading “Mysterium Incarnationis”
T&S Revisited 