Trowel & Sword – T&S Revisited

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)”

A Contemporary Defence of the Resurrection

Dirk J. van Garderen, Trowel & Sword. April 1995. Preamble: Back in April 1995 (Easter issue) T&S carried an article from the pen of Rev. Dirk van Garderen (N.Z.) showing that, while the idea of a resurrection might be regarded as unscientific, it is not more difficult to believe the Easter story today than itContinue reading “A Contemporary Defence of the Resurrection”

Life Wasn’t Meant To Be Easy.

John Westerdorp, Trowel and Sword, March 1999. Preamble: In his article “Annus Liturgicus” (TSR Jan. 1 ’24) Bill Deenick wrote about the church calendar as not being big in Reformed circles but nevertheless being useful in planning his preaching. Lent is that period before Easter which lends itself to this. As we are now inContinue reading “Life Wasn’t Meant To Be Easy.”

Australian Gleanings

Including “Encouragements and Aspirations” by Pastor Verlan Van Ee of the Reformed Church of North America at the end of an eight month pastoral Exchange with Rev. Martin de Graaf of Tecoma. Rev. Fred Vanderbom, Trowel & Sword, Jan./Feb. 1997 Preamble written by Rev. Fred Vanderbom: December’s (last week’s) Gleanings pages were drawn from theContinue reading “Australian Gleanings”

Are We Still Bound To The Ten Commandments?

Rev. Dr. Klass Runia Th. D., Trowel and Sword, November 1958 – Jan/Feb 1959 Preamble: Dr. Runia arrived in Australia in 1956 to take up the position of Systematic Theology at RTC. According to “A Church En Route” he is remembered for outstanding scholarship, which shines through in the article below despite the fact EnglishContinue reading “Are We Still Bound To The Ten Commandments?”

Reformed Preaching In A Scientific Age

Rev. A. Barkley BA. Trowel & Sword, April/May 1955 (Part 1) Preamble: April 25 (Anzac Day), 1955 saw the official opening of the Reformed Theological College in Melbourne where both newly installed lecturers, Rev. J.A. Schep and Rev. A Barkley gave their inaugural addresses. Prof. Barkley’s subject was, “Reformed Preaching in a Scientific Age,” whichContinue reading “Reformed Preaching In A Scientific Age”

Building a New Nation

Preamble: Welcome readers to our first offering from the wonderful trove of Trowel and Sword articles. This week we present the very first Editorial from the first issue back in October 1954. It is worth reading for a number of reasons. There is a reminder of the sense of calling that many early Dutch immigrantsContinue reading “Building a New Nation”