8 VOLUME 62 Number

SEPTEMBER 2015 EDITION

THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE FREE REFORMED CHURCHES OF NORTH AMERICA

TSEPTEMBER H E M2015 E S• VOLUME S E N62GNUMBER ER 8 EDITOR: Rev. Cornelis (Neil) Pronk 655 Park Road North, Unit 29 Brantford, ON N3R 0A2 CANADA Tel/Fax: 519.751.4470 • E: [email protected] The Editor reports to the Synodical Publications Committee. Unsigned articles are by the Editor Assistant Editor Dr. Gerald M. Bilkes • E: [email protected] Committee Members Rev. David H. Kranendonk, Secretary 593089 Oxford Road 13, R.R.1, Norwich, ON N0J 1P0 Tel/Fax: 519 468-4070 • E: [email protected] • Dr. Lawrence W. Bilkes • Dr. Gerald M. Bilkes • Rev. Joel Overduin • Mr. Hans VanDoodewaard • Rev. Jerrold Lewis • Mr. Herman DenHollander • Rev. Robert VanDoodewaard • Mr. John DenDekker SUBSCRIPTION RATE Canada & U.S.A. - $31.00 annually for individually mailed subscriptions. The Messenger is published 11 times per year (July & August issues are combined). SUBSCRIPTIONS/REMITTANCES Requests for subscriptions, all payments and inquiries regarding rates, invoices, and all remittances should be addressed to: THE MESSENGER c/o Janey Slingerland, Administrator 18 Chapala Crescent S.E., Calgary, AB T2X 3M4 Tel. 403 254-6591• E: [email protected] ANNOUNCEMENTS/NOTICES All notices for family announcements, obituaries, anniversaries, and non-commercial advertisements for the October 2015 issue should reach the copy editor no later than Wednesday, September 9, and should be sent to: THE MESSENGER 655 Park Road North, Unit 29, Brantford, ON N3R 0A2 CANADA Tel/Fax: 519.751.4470 • E: [email protected] FOREIGN MISSIONS Departmental Editor: Rev. Timothy Bergsma 10 Ellwood Avenue, Chatham, ON N7M 3K3 Tel. 519.354.3100 • E: [email protected] Keep in contact with your missionaries online: www.frcmissions.org OUTREACH Departmental Editor: Rev. Joel Overduin 60 Carmine Crescent, St. Catharines, ON L2S 3M5 Tel. 905.327.3844 • E: [email protected] Financial support for Foreign Missions and the various Outreach causes should be directed as follows: Foreign Missions Mr. William F. Laman, Treasurer All funds should be remitted to: Peter Luth, Financial Administrator R.R.7, Dresden, ON N0P 1M0 CANADA Tel. 519.683.2243 • E: [email protected] Radio Evangelism Banner of Truth Radio Broadcast Mr. John denDekker, Treasurer 16726 – 80th Avenue, Surrey, BC V4N 0G8 CANADA Tel. 604.576.8935 • E: [email protected] Home Missions Mr. Bert Marskamp, Treasurer 78 Windsor Dr., P.O. Box 126 St. George, ON N0E 1N0 CANADA Tel. 519.448.1763 • E: [email protected] Refugee Fund James Van der Zwan, Treasurer 26829 – 33B Ave. Aldergrove, BC V4W 3G8 CANADA Tel. 604.818.3423 • E: [email protected] Christian Ministry To Israel Mr. John Wilbrink, Treasurer 8 Weneil Drive, Freelton, ON L0R 1K0 CANADA Tel. 905.659.7413; Email: [email protected] THE YOUTH MESSENGER This semi-annual publication for youth is under the direction of the Youth & Education Committee of the Free Reformed Churches of North America. Editors: Rev. Timothy Bergsma Tel. 519.354.3100; Email: [email protected] Rev. Joel Overduin: Tel. 905-327-3844; Email: [email protected] Read The Messenger on the Free Reformed website: www.frcna.org

2

september 2015 SEPTEMBER

M E D I TAT I O N “But thou, O LORD, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head. I cried unto the LORD with my voice, and he heard me out of his holy hill.” Psalm 3:3,4

S

trife can be characterized as bitter conflict or dissension, which I trust no one desires to have in their life. However, as disciples of our Lord Jesus Christ, we are promised strife and even persecution. This might happen in family relationships, at work, at school, in our community, and unfortunately even in the church. Strife is often the result of our broken world, a world broken by sin influencing the reality and experience of a Christian. Although we should never seek strife, but rather follow peace with all men, the reality is not whether strife will transpire; but when will it end? The Bookends to Psalm 3 David clearly experiences this strife and pens this reality for us in Psalm 3. We should remember the keys that are unlocking the door to Psalm 3 in order to properly understand it, are through Psalms 1 and 2. The clause, “Blessed is the man,” is used as bookends to these keys that show us how we can experience true and holy happiness. The two keys are a delight in the law of the Lord with the spiritual nourishment He provides, and submitting to and embracing the Son of God by faith. The great antithesis is also pointed out between those who are blessed and those who are ungodly. When we get to Psalm 3, you might ask, “Is David experiencing blessedness?” The answer appears to be no, because the title of the Psalm tells us that David is fleeing from his son Absalom. We can find the historical context of this Psalm in the book of 2nd Samuel. The strife in David’s family begins with Absalom, the son of David, murdering his brother Amnon for raping his sister Tamar in 2 Samuel 13. Absalom flees from the presence of David. However, after a couple of years, Absalom and David make amends. Then Absalom begins stealing the hearts of the people, plotting against David to take over the throne. Many of David’s closest allies and friends have deserted him while his own son is trying to usurp his kingship, and even kill him. Does that sound like blessedness to you? Not at all! This is why we see David climbing mount Olivet, weeping and showing his sorrow by having his head covered, and barefoot (2 Samuel 15:30). But if we read on in verse 32 when he came to the top of the mountain he worships God. That is absolutely incredible! In the midst of strife, David worships God! That is the secret to holy happiness in the Lord. Lament Over Sin Let’s see this more clearly in Psalm 3. David’s strife has caused his lament in verses 1 to 2: “LORD, how are they increased that trouble me! Many are they that rise up against me. Many

GOD’S SECURITY IN STRIFE

CONTENTS

02 Meditation: God’s Security in Strife

By Rev. Scott Dibbet

05 Help! Someone I love Has Altzheimer’s

there be which say of my soul, There is no help for him in God.” What a terrible lament! Everyone wants to be accepted, loved, and cherished for services performed! Yet, God’s anointed king is fleeing from his own son, with his enemies cursing him as he goes. Not only is he overwhelmed with grief and in much danger, but ultimately he is reminded of his sin with Bathsheba, his murder of Uriah, and the prediction of strife in his house because of it. What a nagging reminder of sin and the consequences of them, intensifying the lament of a saint saved by God’s grace! Is David’s situation, except his sin, much different from the Lord Jesus Christ who rode into Jerusalem with the people praising him, saying: “Hosanna to the Son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest”? Shortly afterwards Jesus is betrayed by one of His own disciples, forsaken of the rest, and the people in the same crowd cry: “Crucify Him!” Can you think of any greater strife than that heaped upon the Lord Jesus Christ? Men are so fickle; one day they love you and the next day they are your enemy! Maybe you also have great strife in your family with wayward children or at your work place filled with people like vultures, gossiping, lying, and misrepresenting you in order to take your position or clients. We can recognize the strife in the society we live in as people equate gospel lovers with hate mongers. We also need to confess that there are but few churches where strife doesn’t challenge them in one way or another. This is the reality of sin and the consequences of sin in a broken world. David recognizes this reality and he doesn’t put his trust in man, but rather in God. The Significance of “But…” Notice what David says in verse 3, “But thou, O LORD!” There is a little word, ”but” that follows David’s lament. It is a word that carries great significance as he places his trust in his Deliverer, his Saviour! “But thou, O LORD, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head. I cried unto the LORD with my voice, and he heard me out of his holy hill.” David first of all trusts God as his shield! He is the One who protects him and secures him on every side. We will remember that God promised Abraham many years before in Genesis 15:1, “After these things the word of the LORD came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward.“ David trusts in this divine protection by recalling how God had been faithful in the past, giving him victories over the Philistines, the giant Goliath, the house of Saul, and all those who came up against him. David is confessing, “God has been my shield, is my shield, and forever will be my shield and He will never desert me!” God was David’s glory. David is confessing, God is the weighty one and His Word, power, and promises are truth! This is the God who is the glory of Zion, recorded in Isaiah 60:19, “The sun shall be no more thy light by day; neither for brightness shall the moon give light unto thee: but the LORD shall be unto thee an everlasting light, and thy God thy glory.” David, by faith, looks to God who works all things according to His perfect will, for our good, and for His glory. Therefore, God is worthy of honour and worship.

06 Church News

08 Editorial: A Biblical Response to the U.S. Supreme Court Decision

12 A Goodly Heritage (20) Emigration of Seceders to North America

16 The Blessing of Catechizing Our Children

18 Book Review: What Does the Bible Teach About Homosexuality

20 Announcements

september SEPTEMBER 2015 2015

3

ME DI TATI O N

Word & deed Ministries

seeks to help needy people in the developing world by bringing aid in the name of Jesus Christ.

projects focus on...

> the Gospel > Indigenous partnerships > self-sufficiency

>

sponsor a child, joIn a Business Group, Learn More by Visiting...

www.wordanddeed.org

contact us:

can: 877.375.9673 usa: 866.391.5728 e: [email protected]

Serving God, Bridging Communities, Renewing Lives

FRC West Women’s Retreat Southern Alberta Bible Camp

October 22-24, 2015

featuring guest speaker Elina VanderZwaag with Pastor Foppe VanderZwaag

“The JOY of the Lord is your strength” Nehemiah 8:10b

hosted by Bethel FRC Monarch, AB

online info & registration at www.FRCwomen.ca

4

september 2015

...Continued

May we with David deny our selves, take up our crosses and follow Christ, the Lord of Glory! If we choose men’s own ignorant pride, our insufficiencies and desires over God and His will, then we will utterly fail. David, by saying that the Lord is his glory is saying, I esteem the smiles and frowns of God far more than the smiles and frowns of men! God is David’s shield, glory, and the Lifter-up of his head. Remember that David is fleeing from his own son Absolom, weeping, having his head covered, showing the depths of the mire of strife. Yet he trusts and seeks communion with the One who lifts up his head. Faith in the Midst of Strife It is only by faith in our Saviour that He lifts up our head with joy in the Lord, knowing that our honour and dignity do not derive from our selves or from man, but from Christ. We don’t rejoice in strife, but our joy is in the Lord. O, lift up your head and wait expectantly on Him who is the joy of our salvation. Now ask this question again: was David truly blessed, even in the experience of strife? Certainly; by grace the great blessing and security flowed from David’s faith, which permeates this Psalm. God hears and answers prayer out of His holy hill. The hill we read about in Psalm 2:6 is God setting His King on His holy hill of Zion! David’s hope and security is in Christ. David’s priority of placing his hope in God and in His means of grace, no matter how great the strife, is clear as he orders Zadok to carry the Ark of the Covenant back to Jerusalem. This was God’s way of communicating His blessing to His people, which is crucial at all times, especially in times of strife. How much more should our prayers ascend to Jesus Christ through Whom the Father hears and accepts our prayers! David’s confidence and trust in God is a reminder that God blesses faith and we receive true rest in the Lord Jesus Christ from Whom we receive fearlessness in the face of God’s and our enemies, and confidence in prayer, knowing that our salvation does not come from ourselves or any mere human strength but only from the Lord! Our strife might be great in this life, but greater is our God! Considering the alarming days we live in, may this truth encourage us to pray with confidence in God’s past and present faithfulness, “Arise, O LORD; save me, O my God: for thou hast smitten all mine enemies upon the cheek bone; thou hast broken the teeth of the ungodly.” Then our strife will end in glory to the praise of the LORD.   Rev. Scott Dibbet is the pastor of the Free Reformed Church of Lacombe, Alberta.

B OOK REV I E W

By henk kleyn

Help! Someone I Love Has Alzheimer’s by Deborah Howard. Published by Day One Publications. Paperback, 63 pages. Available at Reformation Heritage Books, Grand Rapids, Michigan and Reformed Book Services, Brantford, Ontario. My mother, Anna Kleyn, passed away on July 4, 2015 from the dreadful complications of Alzheimer’s. We are grateful that our dear mother was received peacefully into her new home with our Lord, but we suffered the effects of her disease over the past several months with little awareness of what was happening to her. Now, almost three weeks after her death, I read this most helpful little book by Deborah Howard. The online product description is quoted here: A diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease for someone we love can fill us with fear. Alzheimer’s robs people of their lives and dignity, and leaves grief and agony in its wake. How can we honor God when faced with this? This booklet will help you understand Alzheimer’s, learn about its practical implications, and, by meditating upon God’s Word,

submit to God’s perfect will and find peace and joy along the journey. Author  Deborah Howard is a Certified Hospice and Palliative Nurse, and views writing and speaking as a ministry to encourage the fainthearted and comfort the hurting. She is also the author of Help! Someone I Love Has Cancer. (This book is also available from Reformation Heritage Books and Reformed Book Services.) After reading this helpful booklet I sincerely believe that our congregations as well as any other church should have several copies of this booklet available for their members. For readers who are caring for someone with dementia or experiencing this disease, this resource will prove to be very helpful and by God’s grace a blessing for their soul. I highly recommend it. Henk Kleyn is an elder in the Free Reformed Church of Grand Rapids, Michigan and Vice President for Operations, Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary.

Order Now For The New Season

FREE REFORMED SUNDAY SCHOOL CURRICULUM

Teacher’s Guide Handbook for Teaching the Bible to Children and Youth $7.50 each Prepared in spiral-bound format to accompany the Old and New Testament Bible Commentaries, the handbook gives guidance for developing methods and principles for teaching children at age levels from 4 to 12. Everything a beginning and more experienced teacher needs is covered, such as making a lesson plan, using appropriate methods and teaching aids, discipline, classroom settings, and relationships with the consistory and parents. Suggestions for applying the Bible lessons to a child’s heart and life are explained. The Teacher’s Bible Commentary - Old and New Testament 163 Lessons through the Bible in two Volumes $30 per set This resource for teaching elementary age children has been used for many years by Free Reformed Sunday school teachers as a valuable aid to explain the Scriptures from a classic Reformed perspective, pointing children and youth to the only way of salvation. Not only teachers, but also everyone who looks for help to prepare Bible lessons or devotions will find here rich spiritual thoughts, solidly based on Scripture and the confessions. Activity Sheets To accompany the 163 Lessons in the Teacher’s Bible Commentary - Old and New Testament (KJV) $9 per Pad

Orders of ten copies of one title will receive 10% discount

Activity Sheets To accompany the 163 Lessons in the Teacher’s Bible Commentary – Old and New Testament (NKJV) $9 per Pad Conveniently bound in pad format, these perforated tear-out sheets may be used for class work or as a take-home activity. The lessons are based on the 163 lessons in the 2-volume Teacher’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments. A variety of activities in consumable, reproducible format reinforce the Bible lesson, direct the learner to look up relevant Scripture passages and has personal questions to make the student think about the truths taught in each lesson. Suitable for ages 7 and up, the activity sheets can also be used for family devotions and various children’s Bible programs in mission and outreach settings. FREE REFORMED PUBLICATIONS • 18 Chapala Crescent S.E., Calgary, AB T2X 3M4 CANADA • Tel. 403-254-6591 Email: [email protected] september 2015

5

C hurch N ews NIPISSING, ONTARIO CHURCH PLANT Powassan (south of North Bay, Ontario, off Hwy. 11). Services are held every Sunday at 11:00 AM and 2:30 PM with a fellowship lunch in between, usually upstairs at the Powassan Sportsplex, 433 Main Street, Powassan. For up-to-date information check online at www.nipissingfrc.com or contact Pastor Van Doodewaard, 604 Lindquist Line, Powassan, ON P0H 1Z0; Tel. 705-724-5070; E: [email protected] Please check website for up-to-date service location. VINELAND FREE REFORMEDCHURCH NEW CLERK: John Heikoop, 7473 Sixteen Rd., Caistor Centre, ON L0R 1E0. Please keep the clerk email at clerk@vineland. frcna.org MINISTERIAL CALLS: Synod 2015 of the Free Reformed Churches declared theological students Ian Macleod and John Procee eligible to be called for the ministry. Ian MacLeod received calls from the Free Reformed churches of Brantford, Grand Rapids, London, Hamilton, St. Thomas and the Heritage Reformed Congregation of Burgessville, Ontario. He accepted the call from the Grand Rapids, Michigan congregation. John Procee received calls from the Free Reformed church of Bornholm, Ontario and the Heritage Reformed Congregation of Hull, Iowa. He accepted the call from Bornholm, Ontario. ORDINATION AND INSTALLATION: The service for the ordination and installation of Ian Macleod is scheduled for Friday, September 11 at 7 PM in the Free Reformed Church of Grand Rapids, Michigan.

PRAYER FOR FREE REFORMED MINISTERS’ FAMILIES: Judy Gangar: The Langley Free Reformed bulletin reported that Judy Gangar, whose husband, Rev. Kuldip Gangar, very suddenly passed away a few months ago, was hospitalized with congestive heart failure. She is now at home and is recovering well with the assistance of medication. Judy may be reached at [email protected] The Overduin Family: When Nelly Overduin, in late July visited to be with her children, Jeff and Holly Overduin in Mitchell, Ontario, she had to be taken to the hospital in Stratford, so that her husband, pastor Overduin had to travel to Ontario to bring her back to Calgary. She is doing relatively well, but this is another development in the ongoing trials the Overduin family is experiencing. Holly and Jeff (their son) are a young couple with a very young child who were prepared to be missionaries in Ecuador. But the Lord has other plans. Holly is not doing well physically. But their trust is in the Lord. In our prayers, let us uphold these families and their loved ones who have served and are serving the Lord in special offices in our Free Reformed churches. There are also other families in our congregations, even young families, who are having severe health trials. Let us use God’s whole armour of faith, especially “Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints” (Eh. 6:18): “

FALL COMBINED FREE REFORMED AND HERITAGE REFORMED OFFICE-BEARERS CONFERENCE Location: Burgessville Heritage Reformed Church 685 Main Street, Burgessville, ON N0J 1C0 Date:

Time:

Saturday, October 17, 2015



10:30 AM – 2:00 PM (coffee served at 10:00 AM)

Topic:

Obstacles to Church Union

Speakers: Rev. M. Kelderman – Scriptural And Practical Considerations Rev. C. Pronk – Historical Considerations Each speaker has been asked to speak thirty minutes on their topic for the morning portion of this conference. In the afternoon there will be a panel discussion to discuss the challenges and possibilities of church unity between the Free Reformed Churches and the Heritage Reformed Churches. Lunch will be provided. 

Schedule of 2015 FALL Synodical Committee Meetings to be held in the FREE REFORMED CHURCH OF dundas OCTOBER 17

Saturday 10.30am Burgessville HRC FRC/HRC Elders & Deacons Conference

Time

OCTOBER 19 OCTOBER 20 OCTOBER 21 Monday Tuesday Wednesday

OCTOBER 22 Thursday

9.00 am

Publications

Theological Ed

12

Theological Ed

12

10

Interchurch Relations 13

Lunch

10 Lunch

1.00 pm

10

Publications

Theological Ed

13 Lunch

Interchurch Relations 13

Theological Ed

12



Supper

0 Supper

7.00 pm

Youth & Ed

9

Outreach



Church Order

7

Ethics

0 Supper 12 5

Please direct requests for insertions/changes to: Hans Van Doodewaard - [email protected] Please note the Ministerial Retreat will be held Oct 15 - 16 at the Elmhurst Inn (Ingersoll)

6

12 12

september 2015

0 9

Supper 0

SEPTEMBER 2015

OXFORD, ONTARIO FREE REFORMED CHURCH

284793 Pleasant Valley Road, Newark (Norwich) Ontario • Worship Services are held at 9.30 a.m. and 3.00 pm

The newest Free Reformed congregation, located in Oxford County, Ontario, was instituted on July 21, 2013. On Wednesday, May 20, 2015, it gathered in a worship service to give thanks and pray for God’s blessing on the congregation as they now worship in their own church building.

Free Reformed Missions International

Financial Report

The Income Statement depicts the first seven months of 2015. The budget is also calculated to reflect expected receipts and expenses for those months. As you can see, the Free Reformed Churches are lagging behind expected support. Unfortunately, the financial support for the first quarter of the year has progressed on a slow course as our income depicts 65 percent of budget. We are currently using our reserves to cover any necessary expenses. We do encourage our church members to continue their faithful support of the Foreign Missions work of our denomination. - William F. Laman

RECYCLE YOUR GOOD USED BOOKS REFORMED BOOK SERVICES will thankfully receive your good used books, specifically books by Reformed authors. Contact Susan Keuning at 905.627.3910; F: 905.628.2896; E: [email protected] Thank you very much for the books that were donated!

Don’t discard used Christian literature or Bibles!

CHRISTIAN SALVAGE MISSION

“Worldwide Distribution of Evangelical Literature” 3 – 120 Lancing Drive, Hamilton, ON Canada L8W 3A1 Phone/Fax: 905-574-3334 • W: www.csmcanada.org • E: [email protected] The mandate of Christian Salvage Mission is to gather Bibles and other evangelical Christian literature no longer needed from the shelves of people across Canada and ship it to Christians in third world countries who are less blessed than we are. “Gather up the fragments that remain, that nothing be lost” John 6:12

september 2015

7

G UEST ED IT O R I A L Having learned that Dr. Murray preached a sermon based on 2 Peter 2:6-10 in response to the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to legalize same sex marriage, he was asked for a guest editorial on this subject, to which he graciously consented. Whereas the U.S. Supreme Court decision has created shock-waves of dismay for our Americans friends, our Canadian readers have lived with same sex marriage and everything that comes with it, since July 20, 2005, when Canada became the fourth country in the world, and the first outside Europe, to legalize this relationship. Canadians are used to more people “coming out,” diversity training in many work places, business people being charged with hate crimes when they had conscientious objections to serve such persons, and children being introduced to this life-style as natural in the public school curriculum. Public officials who engage in this life-style no longer hide it, so that Canada’s largest province, Ontario, has a premier who at times appears in public with her same sex partner. At first, Canadians were dismayed, vexed and sad, but we are in danger of accepting this state of affairs as normal. However, truly biblical Christians will keep on mourning this situation because a homosexual life style directly opposes the monogamous relationship of the male/female marriage order created by God. We will also be concerned about our attitude to relations with people we meet who practice this lifestyle. How do we answer those who tolerate or promote it, even in church circles? How do we approach those who struggle with their sexual self-identity? Therefore we highly recommend to carefully take note of Dr. Murray’s biblically based guidance and discuss it with our teens and young adults who especially are tempted to be influenced by the media which promote this life-style. (Dr. Murray’s complete sermon is available on SermonAudio). Editor. On June 26 2015, in a five to four decision, the U.S. Supreme Court declared gay marriage to be a constitutional right, legalizing gay marriage in all fifty states. Although the decision has left many Christians dazed, confused, and worried, we must turn to God’s Word for a biblical response.

8

september 2015

A Time To Mourn More than ever before we understand the words of 2 Peter 2:7-8, which tell us that Lot while living in a similar culture was “vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked.” “He vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds.” We feel like that, don’t we? We feel a heaviness upon us, a pain in our hearts. We find tears welling up in our eyes. We’ve lost sleep thinking about it, waking up even in the middle of the night with a knot in our stomach. It hits us again when we get up in the morning. It’s a deep, discouraging, depressing sadness. And that’s right and appropriate. We could avoid these painful emotions by ignoring the decision, denying it, or pretending it didn’t happen. Or we could blow it off, “Nothing to do with me, won’t affect me…” Yes, we can find ways to avoid this unpleasant mourning. But that would be wrong. It’s right and even required that we mourn. But why? Why not just join the party or ignore it? What is there to mourn about? We mourn the offense to God: When any one or any nation not only approves of sin but makes it part of the nation’s constitution, declares sin to be a constitutional right, God is dishonoured and offended. John Piper called it “A massive institutionalization of sin.” We mourn the corruption of marriage: When God looked at Adam and Eve in the state of marriage, the apex of his creation order, He said, “Very good.” Now the name of marriage has been attached to an evil state, corrupting it and sullying it. We mourn the damage to people: If we go against our Maker’s instructions we cannot expect to flourish. We also mourn the damage to millions of souls as they go to a lost eternity unrepentant and unsaved. We mourn the example to the world: We mourn that our nation is calling good evil and evil good, and that many who have looked to America as an example in the past, will follow suit. We mourn the culture that led to this: This did not happen out of the blue. It’s the end of a long road of many years of media and education indoctrination that has redefined love to cover

A BIBLICAL RESPONSE TO THE

U.S. SUPREME COURT DECISION By Dr. David Murray everything and redefined sin out of existence. We mourn our own sins: We are not just mourning others’ sins, we are also mourning our own: our lust, pornography, unbiblical divorce, and yes, even our despising of homosexuals, and our failure to love them as we ought. A TIME TO LEARN Learn how to defend our faith For too long we’ve simply said, “Homosexuality is wrong.” But we’ve not explained why. As a result, many Christians who are challenged to explain and defend this view cannot. It therefore just looks like unreasonable prejudice, especially to our young people. Thankfully there are many resources out there now that can help us understand and defend our position and critique the false interpretations of others. Probably the most accessible book on the subject is Kevin DeYoung’s, What does the Bible Teach About Homosexuality? For a more biographical approach, there’s Rosaria Butterfield’s, The Secret Thoughts of an Unlikely Convert and Openness Unhindered. Learn how to defend our churches Churches are going to be targeted in the coming days as gay militants try to draw us into legal conflict. But thanks to organizations like the Family Research Council and the American Family Association, there are plenty of resources available to help churches navigate these treacherous waters without unnecessarily becoming victims. Learn how to minister to homosexuals One mistake the church has made over the years is to basically put a blanket condemnation on all homosexuals without distinction. I believe it’s vital to distinguish between at least two types of homosexuals. First, there are the Genesis 18 and the Romans 1 kind. These are radical fundamentalist, fanatical homosexuals, gay militants who will never stop until everyone at least approves of them and their lifestyle, or even participates in it. Their homosexuality is a way they have deliberately chosen to defy God.

As such, yes, the message we must give is that God condemns their sins, but even there, we do so with a view to bringing them to conviction and conversion. However, there is another group of homosexuals who do not fall into this category – maybe we can call them 1 Corinthians 6:911 homosexuals. For them, part of their sinful “fallenness” is that instead of being attracted to the opposite sex, they are attracted to their own sex (and that may include some married people too). That this attraction may be part of their genetic make-up doesn’t excuse them for their sinful desires (in the same way as heterosexual lust for sex outside marriage is also sinful, though it be part of our fallen human nature). However, we have to recognize that this is a genuine struggle, not so much a choice but a battle against inner urges. Sometimes young people especially may go through a time of confusion regarding their sexuality. We have to learn to minister to such strugglers better; more sympathetically, more practically. We need to provide friendships that will help to fill often gaping chasms of loneliness and isolation. We need to provide accountability. The Church has to be a place where people struggling with sins can find help, counsel, and encouragement. Learn how to model Christian marriage We need to cultivate godly Christian marriages and loving Christian families that will show what true love and true marriage are really like. Many of those who choose a gay lifestyle have grown up in extremely unhappy homes. It’s understandable if young people look at the failed marriages of their parents and say, “I don’t want anything to do with that.” We must model such happy marriages for our children so that they desire it and want it for themselves. A TIME TO WARN Notice that 2 Peter 2:6 says that Sodom and Gomorrah’s punishment for their fleshly lusts is to be an example to others who may be tempted similarly. We cannot stop warning individuals and our nation about this sin. It’s a sin that has national implications. In Romans 1, the apostle Paul treats it as an end-of-the-road sin, and it was for Sodom too september 2015

9

WORD HAVE I NEW THY CD!! HID IN MY HEART - VOLUME 3

Do you desire to pass on the heritage of our Psalter singing to your children and grandchildren? The Junior Choir of Rehoboth Christian School (Copetown) has just produced Volume 3 of “Thy Word Have I Hid In My Heart.” The choir, directed by Herman den Hollander and accompanied by Joyce Postmus (piano) and John Vanderlaan (organ) recorded this CD in the new church building of the Hamilton Free Reformed Church. The CD can be obtained from Herman den Hollander by calling 905-628-1211 or email [email protected]. Cost is $25 + $5 shipping. Purchase all 3 volumes for $65. These CDs are a wonderful way to help children memorize the Psalters and enable parents to ‘pass the torch’ of our wonderful Psalter to the next generation.

Prayer is not overcoming

God’s reluctance,

but laying hold of

His willingness. — Martin Luther

10

SEPTEMBER 2015

editorial (Genesis 19). We don’t just warn individuals about this, we warn our nation too. And we warn, not angrily, but lovingly; with tears, with passionate pleading that our leaders will turn from this course. It’s a time to warn Christians as well. The next phase of this is that Christians and churches will be targeted. We need to prepare for that persecution. A TIME TO LOVE As has been proven in countries like the Netherlands where gay marriage has been possible for over ten years, very few homosexuals actually marry when given the opportunity. So why all the noisy and insistent demand for it? Romans 1 teaches us that a lot of homosexuality (though not all) is driven by hatred of God. It’s a perfect way of rejecting the Creator’s order for humanity. It’s not so much about loving another person but about hating God. And as we’ve seen and will see even more, that also results in hatred for God’s people and any who stand up for what is holy and true. So called “equal love” is about to show some very unequal hate. This will give us an unprecedented opportunity to love our enemies. Our aim has to be to love in ways that will surprise and astonish them. We say to them: We’ll bless you when you curse us. We’ll pray for you when you abuse us. We’ll not retaliate when you ruin us. We’ll defend your right to speak and disagree with us, even when you want to silence us. We’ll be a Good Samaritan to you when you are a road-crosser and other-sider to us. We’ll employ you for non-faith-related jobs if you are the best candidate, even though you want to bankrupt our businesses. We’ll not insult you when you call us bigots. We’ll be the best neighbours you’ve ever had. But we will never agree with gay marriage. It’s a time for Christians to love one another, especially when the gales of hate are increasing. Persecution has bonded Christians together in the past (Acts 4:32) and let’s make sure this period does too. A TIME TO TRUST These are days of threat and danger for Christians. We feel under assault and attack from our President, the courts, the media, the education establishment and even from corporate America’s support of gay marriage. We’ll be tempted to fear, to spend our days in a state of high anxiety. We’ll be tempted to compromise – and some will – to cave in, to either keep silent and never speak out, or to even come out in support of gay marriage as some professing Christian churches have done. We’ll be tempted to resort to fleshly means, to anger,

...Continued to hate, to aggression. We’ll be tempted to question if God exists, if God cares, if God is still on the throne. But instead of giving in to all these temptations, we need to trust in God, to cast all our cares upon Him for He cares for us; to run to Him as our refuge. Because although these are days with many temptations to doubt, they are also days when faith can be exercised in new ways. When we don’t have the outward supports and helps that we used to have, we are stripped down to naked faith in God. We are now in the position that most believers in most countries have been through most of the world’s history, and that gives us tremendous opportunities to trust God in ways that will glorify Him. We’ve got to trust God more than politics. We respect the democratic process, we participate in it, and we try to do what we can in it. But we’ve got to put far more trust in the cross of Christ than the cross in a ballot box. We may be pessimistic about America but we cannot be pessimistic about God, about the Gospel, about the church. We must trust God and lean upon Him alone as never before. A TIME TO STAND We need to stand with those who suffer for righteousness’ sake, and there are already victims. We saw the wonderful response to the pizza shop in Indiana that was almost shut down by the gay mob for voicing support for traditional marriage. There are going to be others as well. Just last Thursday [August 6], Oregon announced a fine of $136,000 for a Christian couple who refused to bake a cake for a lesbian wedding. $136,000 – FOR NOT BAKING A CAKE! We need to stand practically with these people, finding out how we can support them, help them pay their fines, provide for their families, and so on. We need to stand for what is right. We are not giving up biblical standards and biblical morality. No matter how much pressure is brought to bear, we would rather lose our church, our homes, our jobs, our income, even our very lives rather than give up one of God’s commandment, one biblical principle. While it looks like the fight to preserve marriage as between a man and a woman seems to be lost, we do not stop fighting for that. It may take many years, even decades, but if the world and this nation is spared, we will see the painful fruits of this decision being manifested in the years to come in the number of gay divorces, and in the fallout of the children raised in such homes. The time may come when the disaster will be recognized and reversed. Dr. David Murray is Professor of Old Testament and Practical Theology at Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary, Grand Rapids, Michigan. He is also a pastor of the Grand Rapids Free Reformed Church. Dr. Murray is married to Shona and they have five children ages 1 to 18. He has a blog at www.HeadHeartHand. org/blog and he may be followed on Twitter @davidpmurray.

New publications

“Because

He Lives”

With thanksgiving to the Lord, the Free Reformed Youth & Education Committee may present to you another devotional, Because He Lives. This devotional is the fifth book made available for young people, complementing previous publications by our committee (Their Lives, Your Life, for ages 9-11; The Time of Your Life, for ages 13-15; A a da ily de votio na l fo r ch ild re n Message for You, for ages 16-17; Walk in the Light, for ages 18+). Because He Lives, intended especially for young children aged 6-8, is part of a series encompassing ages 6-20.

No

w

Av a

ila

ble

Because He Lives

As to the title, it comes from the words of Jesus in John 14:19 where He says, “Because I live; ye shall live also.” Jesus spoke those words shortly before His death. But even in that moment, He was able to see beyond His death to His resurrection. It is His rising again that confirms His victory over sin and death. Furthermore, as risen Lord, He is able through His Spirit to connect sinners with Himself by faith and to give them new life starting here on earth and continuing forever in the new heavens and new earth. In that way the Lord Jesus Christ truly fulfills what He here proclaims: “Because I live, ye shall live also.” It is our prayer that God will use this devotional in the lives of all who read it, especially the children, so that by means of the meditations and the routine of reading daily and reflecting on God’s Word, the Lord of life, will grant life and nurture that life more and more. We pray this for Jesus’ sake, “because He lives.” Price: $15.00 (10% off for orders of 10 or more) This new devotional as well as the others are available from FREE REFORMED PUBLICATIONS

18 Chapala Crescent S.E. Calgary, AB T2X 3M4 Email: [email protected] ; Tel, 403-254-6591

SEPTEMBER 2015

11

A GOODLY HERITAGE ( 20 ) Emigration Of Seceders To North America CHURCH H IS T O RY

A

lthough the Secession churches continued to enjoy rapid growth since their beginning in 1834, they also faced increasing problems. Not only did they suffer persecution from the Dutch government and the religious establishment, but there were also internal conflicts resulting from doctrinal differences that threatened to break up the young movement. In fact, it did come to a split, which led to the formation of the Reformed Churches under the Cross. The result of these often self-inflicted difficulties was that many Seceders decided to leave the Netherlands in the hope of making a new start in another country. General Interest in Emigration It was not only Seceders, however, who were thinking of moving to the United States. Between the mid-thirties and late forties of the nineteenth century there was a rising tide of emigration to America, not only in the Netherlands, but also throughout Europe. The causes of this phenomenon were varied. For some it was religious persecution, but for others--most perhaps--the motivation to leave their mother country was due to political and economic factors. Ever since the Battle of Waterloo (1815), there had been great unrest and discontent in European nations. Poverty was endemic, especially in rural areas, but also in the urban centres. Add to that caste-like social class distinctions, political oppression and religious intolerance, and one has the recipe for revolution, which did break out in full force in 1848 in many western European countries. Before the catastrophic events of that year were unleashed, thousands of people of all walks of life decided to leave their ancestral lands and seek a better life in the New World. This urge to sever ties with family and homeland was particularly strong in western Germany from where the emigration fever spread to the eastern provinces of the Netherlands, especially to Gelderland which in 1845 saw as many as 181 entire families, numbering 680 12

september 2015

souls, leaving for the United States. Brummelkamp and Van Raalte’s Direction None of these unusual events escaped the attention of Brummelkamp, the “bishop” of Gelderland, and his close friend and colleague, Van Raalte. Seeing many people leaving the Netherlands for mainly economic reasons, they concluded, why not encourage our fellow Seceders who for the most part are poor, social and religious outcasts, to go and do likewise? At first they thought of moving to Indonesia or South Africa. Indonesia being a Dutch colony seemed a good choice because settling there would help them retain their mother tongue and in South Africa the Afrikaans-speaking Boers would likely welcome an influx of more Dutch emigrants. But after inquiries were made, they learned that Indonesia was out because “the Governor-General of the East Indies might prohibit the preaching of Separatist pastors and the instruction to be given in the Christian schools.” As for South Africa, conditions there were not as favourable as they thought at first. So in the end they settled on America on the grounds that “in the United States ... religious liberty had been firmly established and protected by the federal government.” Therefore the conviction grew that “that was the country favoured by God for the settlement of Dutch Separatists.” Religious Leadership There was one problem, however. America was a huge country. What would happen if their brothers and sisters would be scattered across the continent and get swallowed up by people whose language, customs and above all, religion, they did not know? The danger was great that many would fall away from the Reformed faith and perish in the wilderness. While recovering from typhus fever, Van Raalte felt a strong call to accompany the emigrants. “Who will be their Moses and

By Rev. C. Pronk, Editor

their Aaron,” he asked himself. “If no teacher, if no instructor accompanies them, will they not soon have to become a prey to atheism?” Religious leadership, he felt, was deemed indispensable. It was out of this concern for the spiritual wellbeing of the colonists that a society was organized called the Society of Christians for Dutch Emigration to the United States. Its purpose was to help the poor, prevent scattering and protect the religious interests of the emigrants. Planning the Great Migration With thoughts like these in mind Brummelkamp and Van Raalte drew up plans for directing prospective emigrants to the best possible areas to settle. These discussions resulted in the formulation of a very important document entitled, Principles of the Society for the Dutch Emigration to the United States of North America. Of the 6 articles contained in this document, number 7 was the most important, for it dealt with the religious character of the society the future emigrants were hoping to establish in the New World. This is what Brummelkamp and Van Raalte wrote: The first consideration is to make the Colony a Christian community, for which reason the Commission must take care in accepting suitable candidates for emigration and in helping them to reach their destination, in order that these persons become a salting salt in the Colony and form a Christian majority among the population. For that reason only Christians will be accepted of whom we may expect that they will gladly submit themselves to the Word of God, in order that not only a Christian church government but also a Christian civil government shall be established. This will have as its task the execution of God’s commandments, which forms the basis of every state.

Contacting Reformed Christians in America Before the Seceders left the Netherlands, however, they wisely decided to take up contact with American Christians and scouts were sent in advance of the main group of pioneers. One of these took with him a letter addressed to the “Christians or Believers in the United States,” whose help and guidance was requested for the coming mass of people. Providentially, this letter reached Rev. Dr. I. N. Wyckoff, Reformed minister in Albany, New York. He translated and published it in the Christian Intelligencer with the result that on this side of the Atlantic the Protestant Evangelical Dutch Emigrants’ Society was organized with Dr. Thomas De Witt as representative in New York City, the prospective port of arrival. Departure and Arrival The first group of forty-seven emigrants left Rotterdam in 1846, led by Rev. A. C. Van Raalte. A year later, Rev. H. P. Scholte followed with 350 persons. Filled with hope and expectation, the first group arrived in New York City and from there they travelled to Detroit, with the intention to go on to Wisconsin. But trapped by winter weather (the Great Lakes being impassible because of ice) Van Raalte decided to explore the West Michigan region for a possible alternative settlement. Impressed with what he found, he was convinced that the Lord was directing the immigrants to the area now known as Holland on the shores of Black Lake. Several things about the area helped Van Raalte make up his mind. The land was forested, which when cleared, would provide timber to build houses and barns. The clay soil being well watered would be good for agriculture and above all, the region was relatively isolated. The latter factor was especially important for Van Raalte because it would enable the pioneers to build a brand new community according to their spiritual convictions and ideals. The other group, under the direction of Scholte, went via Baltimore and St. Louis to the prairies between the Skunk and

september 2015

13

CHURCH H IS T O RY

Continued....

walls made of sods. The hard work that lasted daily from dawn to dark destroyed strength and health. On hot days many would stoop and drink from stagnant pools containing water that carried germs of dysentery. Working with inadequate tools, they had to stand in sometimes knee-deep water, digging drainage ditches that were entangled with the roots of trees, while living on an unbalanced THE HOLLAND KOLONIE diet, if not an empty stomach. The combination of hard work, The Early Years Upon their arrival in the forests of western Michigan, the various diseases, poor nutrition, extreme temperatures and immigrants were faced with a nearly impossible situation. There increasing despondency, killed many settlers during the first was nothing but wilderness, no matter where they might turn. years of “De Kolonie.” The forest stretched for miles in every direction, interspersed During the summer of 1847 the situation deteriorated to with streams and rivers, swamps and ponds without any roads such an extent that there was hardly a log cabin, hut or tent or bridges. Everything had to be built from scratch. Trees had to without someone being seriously ill and dying. “Almost every be cut down to obtain land for farming and building material for family mourned the loss of one or more members, indeed whole homes and roads. Each family had to seek out a spot on which to families died out… ”The population of the village of Groningen establish their own home among the trees and brush as best they was reduced by half before the end of the first year.” could. The resultant “homes” were dug half into the ground with Van Raalte won the respect of the pioneers by working right along with his people, sympathizing with them in their troubles, giving advice, encouraging and ministering to both their physical and spiritual needs. But above all, he pointed them to the Lord and His grace. He too was discouraged at times. There were moments when he feared that the Christian Counselling Centre’s Annual Fall Conference 2015 colony would fail and come to nothing. Once, when many were dying of typhus and other diseases, he is reported to have cried out, “ O Lord, must we now all die?” Desmoines Rivers in southeastern Iowa and started a settlement, which they called Pella. There, in this city of refuge, Scholte organized a church, which he very significantly called the Christian Church in Pella, indicating his hope of starting a new church without the baggage of the Old World.

how people change

Speaker: Dr. Timothy Lane

Fri. Sat.

Oct. 16 Oct. 17

7:00 - 9:00 p.m. 9:00 a.m-1:30 p.m.

Tim is President of the Institute for Pastoral Care and the Author of Living Without Worry: How to Replace Anxiety with Peace, ( Continental Breakfast & Lunch provided on Sat.) co-author of How People Change and Rela- Location: Ancaster Canadian Reformed Church tionships: A Mess Worth Making.

Early Registration: Paid before Oct 1st:

Individual Group 10+ After October 1st

$30 $20 $40 no group rate

To Register: Online: www.christiancounsellingcentre.ca Email: [email protected] or Phone: 1-866-833-2741

14

september 2015

Religious Life The new settlers wasted no time in organizing a church patterned as closely as possible after the model of the Secession Church in the Netherlands. The first worship services were held in the open air with tree trunks serving as pews for the women and children and the able men standing throughout the service, while the minister used a tree stump for a pulpit. On Sundays when the weather was inclement, services were held in either the preacher’s home or in the largest home available. In 1847, the year of their arrival, the settlers built their first church made of logs, complete with pulpit and old style pews. By the following year, 1848, there were four congregations in the Holland-Zeeland area. These churches were as yet independent and unaffiliated except in sympathy and purpose. Their aim was to found a denomination free from government interference and patterned after the mother church. Three of these churches had already been

organized while still in the Netherlands under the leadership of their own pastors and they emigrated as a body in 1847. The first of these pioneer congregations grew around Rev. Van Raalte right after his founding of the Holland Colony. The second congregation arrived in the colony under the leadership of Rev. Marten A. Ypma and settled at Vriesland. The third congregation settled in what today is known as Zeeland, its leader being Rev. C. Vander Meulen. The fourth congregation, led by Rev. S. Bolks, founded the village of Overisel. In 1848 these four churches organized themselves as a classis--the prominent Classis Holland. Groups forming the nucleus of other congregations that were organized later included those of Graafschap, Grand Haven, Grand Rapids, North Holland, Drenthe, Kalamazoo, Polkton, Noordeloos and South-Holland. Early Tensions Of the four ministers who dominated church life in De Kolonie during its formative years, only Van Raalte was university trained. The others had received their training from Secession ministers and were thus somewhat limited as far as education was concerned. Among those early settlers there were also several lay preachers who had sought ordination in the Secession Church in the Netherlands, but were turned down for lack of qualifications. This had caused a great deal of discord and division in the “old country” and some of these would-be preachers carried their grudges with them to America. Another problem was that the leaders of the Secession could not always agree on points of doctrine, church polity and other matters. It comes as no surprise, therefore, that many of the doctrinal differences and disputes that characterized the Secession movement in the Netherlands were transported to America by the settlers in the New World. Even in the small Kolonie with its four churches, some of these differences in views and emphases were present almost from the start. Although the first group of immigrants led by Van Raalte was mostly from the Gelderland wing in the Secession Church, many of the later settlers hailed from the Drenthe faction. Characteristic of the Gelderland Seceders was a certain openness toward believers in other churches, wheras their Drenthe brothers were more seperatist inclined and averse to any contact with Christians outside their own federation. This difference in attitude was to make a significant impact on the union between Classis Holland and the Reformed Church of America, which took place in 1850. Sources: 1 Albert Hyma, Albertus C. Van Raalte (Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 1947). 2 H. Algra. Het Wonder van de 19e Eeuw (Franeker: T. Wever, 1966). 3 Jacob Van Hinte. Netherlanders in America (Grand Rapids MI: Baker Book House, 1985).

Dear friends! My heartfelt thanks to you for your thoughtfulness and help. I am going through difficult times right now. Through your support, God shows me His care and mercy. May God bless you for your kind hearts and love! Last year was the most difficult year of my life. Three years ago, my husband got sick with meningitis. He spent eight months in the hospital, and doctors did not see any hope for change. By God’s mercy, Oleg left the hospital. God miraculously healed him. However, in the summer of 2014, God took Oleg to Himself. I never thought I could overcome such grief but now I know for sure that my God is the Mighty God. He is so close in time of need. Four days after the funeral, a new trial came with the outbreak of war hostilities in our village. The house was shaking from the shelling and we could hear shooting on the streets. My sister Marina and her husband invited me to live with them in Zhitomir. God gave us a chance to leave the territory safely. Right after we left, the situation in the village got worse. Many houses were blasted. There were many civilian casualties including, most grievously, many children. The shelling killed a boy who lived next door to us. When you lose someone or something of a great importance, you start concentrating on God more and through the tears and pain, when there is nothing left, you realize you have more than enough. You have God, and that is what really matters. By God’s mercy, I am serving Him here in Zhitomir. People here are very open towards God’s word, especially children. God provided us with an opportunity to bring the Gospel to the Deaf and Dumb Home, TB dispensary and an orphanage. Dear brothers and sisters, I ask you to pray for the children I work with, especially for those in the hospitals, so they would encounter Christ and could find a church in their hometowns or villages after they leave the hospitals. I ask you to keep me in your prayers for God to give me strength in serving Him and giving me relief from my heartache. Even though my husband died eleven months ago, I still go through the pain of loss. Time does not cure, only God does. I am grateful to God He is with me and He strengthens me by His Word.

Phone: 888-844-2624 Website: coah.org Email: [email protected]

september 2015

15

THE BLESSING OF CATECHIZING OUR CHILDREN

FRO M O T H E R S O U R C E S September is the month when the task of teaching and catechizing our children and youth is resumed on a regular basis in our homes, schools and the churches. This article shows the blessings that we may expect when this is done faithfully and prayerfully. Editor

T

he Bible is our curriculum, or the content of our prophetic teaching. We cannot give our children a better or more useful gift than knowledge of the Holy Scriptures from their earliest days (2 Tim. 3:15). We should read and explain Scripture to them at the level of their own understanding. As they acquire the ability, they should read and memorize it for themselves. We need to introduce older children to study Bibles, concordances, commentaries, dictionaries, and other helps, and they should share in explaining God’s Word to their younger siblings. Of particular importance in the Scriptures is the book of Psalms. The Bible says, “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is [therefore] profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness” (2 Tim. 3:16). All four of these characteristics are found in the Psalms in abundance. Also, as songs and prayers (Ps. 72:20), the psalms give us two valuable ways to teach God’s Word and to learn from it, that is, by singing it and praying it. To do this more effectively, Reformed churches use metrical versions of the psalms, or translations of the psalms into English verse, so they can be sung in public worship and private devotion. Part of our task is “shewing to the generation to come the praises of the LORD” (Ps. 78:4), so they can “sing praises to God … with understanding” (Ps. 47:6–7).” Creeds and catechisms are other valuable tools or methods by which we may communicate the truths of the Word of God to our children. These documents provide clear, concise definitions of basic doctrines and key words in easily memorized form so our children can hide them in their hearts. Bible references (“proof texts”) anchor these definitions in Scripture. The catechisms not only teach basic Christian doctrine, but also show us how to live 16

september 2015

according to God’s law and how to pray. When we catechize our children, they learn the basic truths of Christian faith and living, and we reinforce and deepen our own knowledge of them. Our English word catechism is derived from the Greek word katecheo, meaning “to sound from above,” “to recount something,” or “to instruct someone.” For example,  Acts 18:25  says that Apollos, the great preacher of the apostolic age, “was instructed in the way of the Lord.” Luke wrote his gospel, or “declaration of those things which are most surely believed among us,” for the sake of “the most excellent Theophilus, that thou mightest know the certainty of those things, wherein thou hast been instructed” (Luke 1:1–4). These verses indicate that Apollos and Theophilus had been catechized. As time passed, basic Christian instruction, or “catechesis,” was cast in the form of questions and answers, and this form remains in use today. In carefully scripted dialogue between teacher and student, questions are posed and answers are given. The answer is provided not just to be memorized, but also to give the teacher opportunity to explain it. Scripture proofs help teacher and student trace the answers back to their sources in the Bible. Specific catechisms have been prepared to serve all age levels, from the youngest children up through all levels of development into adulthood. During the Reformation and particularly in the Puritan era, parents felt it their duty to catechize their children. Nearly every Puritan pastor wrote a catechism or his own exposition of a catechism. The people in the church used this tool to teach their children. Fathers were advised to catechize their children— whether together or individually—for forty-five to sixty minutes at least once a week.

By Dr. Joel Beeke Today, we have largely delegated this responsibility to the church. In doing so, we must take care not to abdicate our personal mandate as parents. Even if the church does catechize our children, we should incorporate such teaching into family worship, if for no other reason than to support what our church teachers are doing as they work with our children. Finding time to catechize each child separately may not be possible, but such teaching may be easily incorporated into family worship, when parents speak naturally and openly with their children about spiritual matters. At the very least, each child should be required to say the portion of the catechism he is to memorize for that week’s class at church. Unlike church or school settings, where children may feel uncomfortable speaking up, family worship affords them a place of freedom and support where they may ask questions and make comments of their own. During family worship, it is essential that we have the parental wisdom not just to recount biblical truths or rehearse catechism answers, but also to ask questions and encourage children to respond, taking a conversational approach to the things of God. It is important that children not always be left on the receiving end of religious things but learn to actively think and communicate biblical truths. We need to open our hearts to our children. Many times parents discover that even their youngest children can teach them about the things of God (Ps. 8:2). It is also important that our children learn to pray aloud. If children pray aloud in the company of other family members at early ages, they are less likely to feel awkward doing so when they grow older. Praying in front of parents will be natural and unforced if parents start the practice when children are very young. As children get older, they should become more fluent in prayer. As with everything else, we must not expect or demand perfection in the form of the exercise. True prayer is first of all a matter of what is in the heart. The goal of this kind of catechizing or teaching is that, in a cycle

of a year or two, parents journey with their families through the whole field of biblical truth. Then they start over again. By the time children leave home, they will have made this journey several times, and will be more likely to incorporate such teaching in their own homes. Hopefully, they will set a similar pattern with their own children and, in God’s covenant faithfulness, this practice of family worship will continue from generation to generation (Pss. 34:11–15; 44:1; 71:17–18; 78:4–8; 145:4). Remember, as in all things, we must bring the power of prayer to bear on the work of catechizing our children. It is not enough for us to hammer truths into their heads. The aim is to reach their consciences with conviction, to incline their hearts to embrace biblical teaching with true faith, and to stir in our children the desire to bring forth the fruit of it in their lives. Likewise, we will never teach the catechism with any real effectiveness if we do not first prepare to do so, meditating on the truths to be taught and seeking to bring forth their fruits in our own lives first of all. For this, we need the help of Christ, working in us and in our children by His Word and Holy Spirit. God has given us a wonderful means of grace in catechizing our children. Yes, we need discipline and diligence to do it, but when we persevere, the rewards are sweet. Do not grow weary if you fail to see immediate progress in your children’s spirituality. The Bible says, “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it” (Prov. 22:6). Plant the seeds over and over again. Look for fruit, but understand that blossoms do not appear overnight. “Our job is to plant the seed; the result belongs to the Lord.” This is an article from Table Talk, July 13, 2015, published by Ligonier Ministries, and is excerpted from the book, PARENTING BY GOD’S PROMISES, by Joel Beeke (available from Reformation Heritage Books, Grand Rapids, Michigan and Reformed Book Services, Brantford, Ontario). september 2015

17

BOOK REVIE W

By FREDERIKA PRONK

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE REALLY TEACH ABOUT HOMOSEXUALITY? Published by Crossway, Wheaton, Illinois 60187, 2015. Paperback, 159 pages. This book is available from Reformation Heritage Books, Grand Rapids, Michigan and Reformed Book Services, Brantford, Ontario, Canada. Maybe you have read Rosario Butterfield’s fascinating book, The Secret Thoughts of an Unlikely Convert and more recently her book, “Further Thoughts of an Unlikely Convert on Sexual Identity and Union with Christ. She gives an insight into the life and thoughts of a secularly raised, highly educated woman who had a tenured position as an English professor at a large university and who was a respected advisor of students. All the while she lived in a lesbian relationship without thinking it was wrong until God worked on her through the patient and persistent witness of a minister who was her neighbour. When she finally read the Bible seriously, she was convicted by Romans 1. The Lord turned her life around to the point that she eventually married a Reformed Presbyterian minister. Together they are raising five adopted children. The Lord has done great things, and her conversion is a wonderful testimony to God’s grace. Her books are autobiographical and reflective, representative of a segment of homosexuals who do not know the Bible and are quite comfortable with their lifestyle because they have not been raised under the Word and are not convicted by it. But those of us who are raised in a church where homosexuality has always been considered a sin, even a grievous one, probably are more aware of the militant and strident homosexuals who publicly flaunt their lifestyle as in Gay Pride parades, or suffer from HIV, STDs and addictions. Then there are those in the church whom we didn’t know what to do with--those who for one reason or another have adopted or fallen into such a lifestyle, perhaps the result of an abusive and love-starved upbringing, or due to experimenting with same sex relationships, drug abuse and other causes. How do we relate? What should be our attitude? We have questions; and more and more people, even in Reformed churches, are asking questions and saying, if God is a God of love, why would he condemn a monogamous and loving same sex relationship when some people do apparently have these attractions? A book that answers these questions and many more is this one by Kevin DeYoung. Creation Pastor DeYoung begins with creation and God’s intention for a monogamous male/female marriage relationship. From there on he goes through both the Old and New Testaments, explaining all the passages where the sin of homosexuality or other deviant behaviour is mentioned. He carefully exegetes and compares relevant Greek words, even demonstrating how various Bible translations (p. 61) convincingly show that the teaching on homosexuality is the same in the Old and New Testaments, as some deny. He concludes that the apostle “Paul is saying…what the rest of the Bible supports and most of church history has assumed: homosexual activity is not a blessing to be celebrated and solemnized but a sin to be repented of, forsaken, and forgiven” (p. 67).

18

september 2015

by Kevin DeYoung

Answering Questions and Objections Whereas in Part 1, “Understanding God’s Word,” the author has already thoroughly refuted the objections of those who reject the traditional interpretation of homosexuality, in “Part 2” he answers specific objections more thoroughly. In separate chapters he deals with questions you have probably heard or will hear, such as “The Bible Hardly Ever Mentions Homosexuality,” or it doesn’t deal with “That Kind of Homosexuality,” meaning that the apostle Paul had different kinds of homosexual practices in mind, so that a monogamous homosexual relationship is acceptable. DeYoung answers the question, “What About Gluttony and Divorce;” aren’t they just as bad? He answers objections such as, “The Church Is Supposed to Be a Place for Broken People” or accusations such as “You’re on the Wrong Side of History;” and “It’s Not Fair.” The last one, often used as the final argument is the objection: “The God I Worship Is a God of Love.” DeYoung answers all these questions effectively and convincingly disposes of all these arguments, rooting his answers in the Scriptural basis he set forth in Part 1. A Pastoral and Authoritative Conclusion Especially in his conclusion, the author shows his pastoral heart, admonishing the readers that we must be “Walking with God and Walking with Each Other in Truth and Grace.” At the same time he warns that the stakes are high. If the “millennia-old understanding of marriage,“ is rejected, “The moral logic of monogamy is at stake,” “The integrity of Christian sexual ethics is at stake,” “The authority of the Bible is at stake and ”the grand narrative [unity] of Scripture is at stake” (pp.130-33). He sums up the consequences of giving in to a revisionist view this way: The support for homosexual behaviour almost always goes hand in hand with the diluting of robust, 100-proof orthodoxy, either as the cause or the effect. The spirits which cause one to go wobbly on biblical sexuality are the same spirits which befog the head and the heart when it comes to the doctrine of creation, the historical accuracy of the Old Testament, the virgin birth, the miracles of Jesus, the resurrection, the second coming, the reality of hell, the plight of those who do not know Christ, the necessity of the new birth, the full inspiration and authority of the Bible, and the centrality of a bloody cross (p.134). So what are we to do? DeYoung emphasizes that we need truth and we need Jesus. “Only in Jesus can we be given new birth…. Only with Jesus can all things be made new. And only by listening to Jesus—and the book his Spirit inspired—will we come to realize that sometimes the new things are found only by sticking to the old paths (Jer. 6:16)” (p.136). The book ends with 3 appendices, offering practical help for individuals and churches. We highly recommend this book as a reference and handbook for consistories and all church members.

GREAT SELECTION OF CHRISTIAN BOOKS AT LOW PRICES • Apologetics • Bible Studies • Bibles • Bunyan’s Allegories • Catechism & Confessions • CDs • Children’s Activity Books • Children’s Bible Story Books • Children’s Devotionals • Children’s Fiction • Children’s History & Biography • Christian Living • Church Leadership & Preaching • Counselling • Devotional • Evangelism & Missions • Family & Parenting • Historical Fiction – for all ages • History & Biography • Journibles • Marriage • Men • Music • Resources for Teaching Children • Sacraments • Science • Theology • Theology Made Easy • Women Gift Certificates

ReformedBookServices P R O M OT I N G G O D L I N E S S, R E V I VA L & R E F O R M AT I O N Far Above Rubies: The Life of Bethan Lloyd-Jones

By Lynette G. Clark Surprisingly, there has not been a biography about Bethan LloydJones until now. For more than 50 years she lovingly and sacrificially stood by her well-known husband, Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, whose sermons are still being printed and re-printed. The author, also a minister’s wife, portrays her as family and close friends knew her. Although Bethan, like her husband, was a medical doctor by training, she shone brightest as a godly wife, mother, and friend. Paperback, 246 pages, Christian Focus. RBS Price $15.25

Hammer of the Huguenots

By James Bond The author writes historical novels intended to inspire and appeal to older boys, as well as adults. The main character, Philippe, is an orphan shipwright apprentice in sixteenth-century France. The gospel sounds liberating to him at times, but can he risk believing when persecution and bloodshed inevitably follow? As Huguenot communities are massacred and full-scale warfare breaks over France, Philippe must decide once and for all where his loyalties lie. The choices he and his friends make in these violent times may cost them everything. Paperback, 225 pages, Crossway. RBS Price $12.25

Marie Durand (Christian Biographies for Young Readers Series) Simonetta Carr In 1730, nineteen-year-old Marie Durand was arrested and taken from her home in a village in Southern France for the crime of having a brother who was a Protestant preacher. Imprisoned in the Tower of Constance, Marie would spend the next thirty-eight years there. Simonetta Carr introduces us to the inspiring life of a woman who could have recanted her Protestant faith and gained release, but held fast to the truth and encouraged others to do so as well. Beautiful illustrations, a simply told story, and interesting facts acquaint young readers with

the challenges facing Protestants in eighteenth-century France. Hardcover, 65 pages, Reformation Heritage Books. RBS Price $17.25

Openness Unhindered: Further Thoughts of an Unlikely Convert

By Rosario Champagne Butterfield Once a leftist professor in a committed lesbian relationship and now a confessional and compassionate Christian, she has written a follow-up to The Secret Thoughts of an Unlikely Convert. Her latest book answers many of the questions people pose when she speaks at universities and churches, questions not only about her unlikely conversion to Christ, but about personal struggles. Dr. Butterfield cuts to the heart of the problems and points the way to the solution, which includes a challenge to the church to be all that God intended it to be, and for each person to find the true freedom that is found in Christ. Softcover, 206 pages, Crown & Covenant. RBS Book Price $13.25. Audio Book $21.50

Piety: the Heartbeat of Reformed Theology

By Joel R. Beeke The word tends to make us think of having a “holier-than-thou” attitude. But Dr. Beeke reclaims the Reformers’ attractive piety rooted in the knowledge of God and our union with Christ. Focussing on both mind and soul, he offers practical ways to cultivate a vibrant piety, helping you grow in Christ-likeness and in reverence and love for God. You will find help to bring harmony between your doctrine and practice, and bring glory to God as He cultivates the fruit of the Spirit in your life. Booklet, 37 pages, P & R Publications. RBS Price $ 5.25

Solomon and the Shulamite: Sermons on the Song of Solomon By F.W. Krummacher The author’s books have become classics. This book of beautiful sermons was written when he was in the springtime of his spiritual life. They reflect his personal experience when he entered into the blessed sanctuary of fellowship with Christ,

of which this Song testifies. Rather than seeking the meaning in rational experiences, Krummacher sees it as the work of the Spirit, searching the deep things of God. Softcover, 173 pages, Pietan Publications. RBS Price $14.00

Knowable Word: Helping Ordinary People Learning to Study the Word

By Peter Krol Ordinary people can learn to study the Bible. Such people may not have been to seminary and they don’t have much free time. Knowable Word offers a foundation on why and how to study the Bible. Using a running study of the first chapter of Genesis, it illustrates how to observe, interpret, and apply the Scriptures and give the vision behind each step. It also shows how to read each Bible passage in light of salvation history. Besides being just a how-to on Bible study, it fuels the desire to learn and grow through studying the Scriptures. This book will appeal to beginners, mature Christians and leaders. Softcover, 115 pages, Crucible Press. RBS Price $10.25

Rejoicing in Lament By Todd Billings

At the age of thirtynine, Christian theologian Todd Billings was diagnosed with a rare form of incurable cancer. In the wake of that diagnosis, he began grappling with the hard theological questions in the midst of crisis: Why me? Why now? Where is God in all of this? In this eloquently written and profound book Billings shares his journey, struggle, and reflections on providence, lament, and life in Christ in light of his illness, moving beyond pat answers toward hope in God’s promises. Theologically robust yet eminently practical, it engages the questions, areas of mystery, and times of disorientation in the Christian life. Billings offers concrete examples through autobiography, commentary, and stories from others, showing how our human stories of joy and grief can be incorporated into the larger biblical story of God’s saving work in Christ. Softcover, 201 pages, Brazos Press. RBS Price $19.50

In Canada:

USA Customers:

230 Lynden Road, Unit 5A, Brantford, ON N3R 8A3 tel: 519.304.4709 email: [email protected] www.reformedbookservices.ca Store Hours: Monday 10-5; Thursday 10-9; Friday 10-5; Saturday 10-3

2965 Leonard St. N.E., Grand Rapids, MI 49525 tel: 616-977-0889 fax: 626-285-3246 email: [email protected] www.heritagebooks.org

REFORMED BOOK SERVICES

REFORMATION HERITAGE BOOKS

september 2015

19

AnnouNcements obituary

a n n i v er s a r y

Psalm 130:3,4 - If thou, Lord, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand? But there is forgiveness with thee, that thou mayest be feared.

1955

With great sorrow, we announce that the Lord has taken to Himself our beloved husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather on July 31st, 2015.

MARINUS DRIESSE Born February 11, 1933 Beloved husband of Trijntje Elizabeth Mans Dear father of: Martin and Johanna Marilyn and Andy (Lydia), Arthur and Elisabeth, Maurice and Sarah (Lindsey and Jordan), Sarah, Rachel Maaike and Willie Jonkman Marcel and Naomi (Gus), Tracey and Peter (Logan), Alisha and Roland (fiance), Chantel and Wynston (friend) Anton and Pascale Mathias Jorina and Glenn Bouman Tanya, Henry, Mark and Janae Predeceased by an infant daughter, two brothers and a sister in the Netherlands. Survived by brothers (in-law) and sisters (in-law) in the Netherlands Home address: Mrs. Tina Driesse 325433 Norwich Road RR 3 Norwich ON, NOJ 1P0

20

september 2015

August 19

2015

With thanksgiving to the LORD, we celebrated the 60th Wedding Anniversary of our dear parents, grandparents and great-grandparents,

Peter & Willie VandenBerg (nee Hamstra) Psalm 32:8 - I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye. We pray that the LORD, who has so wonderfully cared for them in the past years, will continue to be their strength, hope and comfort. With much love from,

ECUADOR MISSIONS

BIKE•A•THON 2015 SATURDAY

OCT. 3rd REGISTRATION

10:00am

JUDGING BEGINS AT

10:30am

PULLED PORK LUNCH

11:30am

(non-participants are welcome for lunch) LOCATION Brantford Christian School 7 Calvin Street Prizes for most sponsors, best decorated bike, and bringing all collected money (draw)

For more information, contact Janita at [email protected] / 519-716-8555

Glenda and Harry Piersma Audrey and Jacob VanWyck James and Kelly Charles Wendy and Daryl Rogers Jacob, Helena, Willa, Peytra Andrea Jennifer Matthew Jeffrey VandenBerg Douglas and Irene VandenBerg Sarah Douglas Rebecca and Jason Kamp Simon, Sophie Charles Kathryn and Joshua Engelsma Emily Luke Peter and Lydia VandenBerg Mark, Samuel, Rosanna, Jessica, Jacob, Maria Gary and Elizabeth VandenBerg Heidi, Carrie, Gerrit, Wilayna, Frances, Audrey David and Anneke VandenBerg Julia, Joel Home Address: 656 Hwy 52, R.R. #2, Lynden, ON LOR 1TO • [email protected]

SUBMITTING PICTURES ELECTRONICALLY Please note that to meet the standards of printing, any pictures sent electronically have to be scanned in high resolution, at least 300 dpi (dots per inch) and should be in jpg format. For questions, please contact [email protected]