At the point that this edition of Beacon Lights arrives in the homes of our subscribers, most young people in the Protestant Reformed Churches will have been sitting under the catechism instruction of their pastor or elders for more than a month. If our readers are honest, that observation probably comes with a (quiet) sigh […]
The month of November is a kind of turning point in the year. While the summer and early fall months are behind us and school is back in full swing along with its busy schedule of homework, catechism, and sports, there is much to look forward to in the coming holiday season. As we collectively […]
For most readers, the title of this editorial probably rings a bell. If it sounds familiar to you, that’s because it is a prominent phrase in one of the documents that most Protestant Reformed churches read on a regular basis. That document is the form for public confession of faith, which lists three questions that […]
The Great Reformation of the sixteenth century is a lesson in God’s providence. This is certainly true of all history when seen through the eyes of faith, but it becomes especially clear when we consider the striking renewal of the church that God worked through men like Martin Luther, Ulrich Zwingli, and John Calvin. Most […]
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 […]
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 […]
But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world. Galatians 6:14 It’s not entirely a stretch to say that the Reformation began on a college campus in a debate over current events. Perhaps it […]
There might be a temptation for readers who are not planning to attend college to read the title of this month’s issue of Beacon Lights and think to themselves, “Well, this doesn’t apply to me, so I’ll pass on this one. Maybe next month will be more relevant.” If that is what is going through […]
Among the various courses I was privileged to take during my college years, my favorite was a course called “Principles of Development.” As its name implies, this course explained the molecular processes that direct the development of living organisms starting from a single-cell embryo all the way to a fully formed, newborn animal. Though certainly […]
When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things. This month’s issue of Beacon Lights takes as its theme the words of the inspired apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 13:11. Near the […]