In the last article on the topic of “deceit” we began with a broad definition of the practice of deceit. Next, we saw that all lies and deceit are the works of the devil and that we, according to our old man of sin, are under the power of deceit. Having been delivered from the […]
Is not the arrow beyond thee?” There it was, David’s answer. It was the answer that would forever physically separate him from his closest friend, Jonathan. David and Jonathan were more than just close friends. Their friendship was a covenantal friendship—a friendship forged by (and with) the Lord. They were friends who spiritually sharpened each […]
Reproached for Jesus’ sake? That’s not what we desire; We’d rather be esteemed Because we thus aspire. Yet God says they are blest Who for their faith are scorned, Who gladly are despised, With harsh rebuke adorned. If we desire men’s praise We’re seeking self, not God. If love for Him comes first We’ll shout […]
A Story from the Time of the Afscheiding translated by Rev. Cornelius Hanko Chapter 22 To a New World The last chapter, which described the persecution to which the Secessionists were subjected, really ended the story. This chapter and the concluding one narrate events ten years later. It was on a windy spring morning in […]
On the back cover of the August/September 2002 Beacon Lights, Editor John Huizenga has a questionnaire in which he asks for suggestions to improve the magazine. He has often invited young people to contribute articles and join the staff as well. This opens up a topic that is bigger than just the needs of Beacon […]
Lightning smashed through the air, the rain poured from the sky, and thunder reverberated incessantly. As if mustering all its strength, the storm let loose a gust of wind that that roared through the trees making them groan and creak, snapped branches and whipped leaves through the air. One old pine could no longer bear […]
Premillennialism (chiliasm) is the teaching that the personal, visible return of Christ will take place 1000 years before the end of the world. It teaches that apostasy and wickedness will increase and result in the final revelation of Antichrist. At that time a period of severe persecution (the great tribulation of Matt. 24:21) for the […]
Have you ever been in an argument where you were debating choir versus congregational singing? Did you know what to say? Do you know where that whole idea of choir singing stems from and that our fathers fought against this practice? Congregational singing is one of the many issues that the men of the reformation […]
Again this year we include a list of the books of the Bible and topics that our Young People’s Societies studied last year. Below is a list of those churches that responded to our request for information. We apologize if your society responded and we inadvertently left you out. This society season let us take […]
In October of 1954, Rev. Audred Spriensma was born in Zeeland, Michigan. He is the son of Thomas and Jessie Spriensma. When his parents came to the United States from the Netherlands in 1949, they were told they should join the Christian Reformed Church. In 1990, his parents left the CRC and became members of […]