We are called to obey God’s will out of gratitude because we are saved by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone. The Heidelberg Catechism famously describes its third part as “how I shall express my gratitude to God for such deliverance” (Answer 2), and Lord’s Days 32–44 are a detailed explanation of our […]
In head 1, article 17 of the Canons of Dordt, we confess that “godly parents have no reason to doubt of the election and salvation of their children whom it pleaseth God to call out of their life in their infancy.” The question that arises from this statement is, “What does this mean?” Do we […]
Florida led the nation in tragic news and events in the last weeks of June. There were shark attacks, a condo complex collapsing into a pile of twisted metal and rubble, and a truck careening through a parade route killing one, critically injuring another, and almost hitting a convertible that was to drive Congresswoman Debbie […]
Every nation or kingdom has a set of rules for its citizens to live by. So too does the kingdom of heaven. Citizens who desire to honor their heavenly Lord will seek to follow these rules in his service. Our passage for devotions this month, Jesus’ sermon on the mount in Matthew 5–7, provides an […]
In a time of controversy, the church of Jesus Christ often becomes immersed in something we call polemics. This might be a new word for some readers, so it’s worth defining and explaining in some detail before we discuss how it fits into the Christian life. A polemic is a strong verbal or written attack […]
Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise: Which having no guide, overseer, or ruler, Provideth her meat in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest. – Proverbs 6:6-8 For school-age children, you are now going back to school this month after the summer break. Adults are going […]
Note: This article is a modified version of a graduation address delivered for Hope PRCS in Walker, MI, in June 2021. The eighth grade class text was Isaiah 43:2, and the class theme “Preserved by Jehovah.” “When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow […]
This month’s issue of Beacon Lights is an open edition, which means that it departs from our usual pattern of having a focused theme for all the feature articles. The open format provides an opportunity for writers to submit articles on topics they find interesting and profitable to share with other members in the body […]
Note: In May of 2019, Mr. Kleyn was asked to give a chapel speech at Covenant Christian High School about how and why he moved to the US and joined the PRC. The following is a condensed version of that speech. I was born and raised in Tasmania, a small island state south of […]