The Place and Significance of the Offices in the Congregation of Christ
Dr. A. N. Hendriks [1]
In speaking about the offices in the congregation of Christ we take on a subject that has received much attention in recent years, both in church and in theology.[2] In current discussions about the offices we recognize at least four prominent views.
First, there is the clerical view of office which proceeds from the idea of apostolic succession and the sacrament of ordination. This view is held by the Roman Catholic Church and the Church of England.
Second, there is a charismatic view. In this case the Spirit-endowed, [...]
“Let’s just be friends for now”
A Personal Assessment of the new CanRC-URC Relationship
By Dr. Gerhard H. Visscher
Often in the world of inter-church relations, the metaphor of courtship and marriage is used. Churches are said to be “getting to know each other,” “courting,” etc., with a view to an eventual union. In our relation with the United Reformed Churches of North America, such terms have also arisen. While metaphors of this sort are certainly limited, they can be helpful. In that vein, while the Canadian Reformed General Synod of May 2010 wrote to the URCNA synod and expressed [...]
by the late Dr. Jelle Faber
In the mini-series on “The Challenge of Being Reformed Today”, I may speak tonight about the privilege of being Reformed. In its announcement the Burlington Reformed Study Centre promised that I “will explain in clear and simple terms what treasures the Lord our God has given us in the Reformed faith and what sets it apart from other faiths. Often the positive riches we have are underestimated or even overlooked by us.” I will gladly and humbly try to fulfill my task, for gladness, humility and service are truly Reformed.
Two prelimary remarks
1. The name [...]
by Dr. Gerhard H. Visscher
“Are we still as self-consciously Reformed as we should be? Why do Evangelical churches also attract Reformed believers to visit their services or even to join them? Is the Reformed faith missing something? What sets the Evangelicals apart from the Reformed? Can we learn something from the Evangelicals?” These are the questions I was asked to answer this evening.
First of all, I would like to express appreciation for the fact that we can have in our midst Rev. M. Pawelke, the [...]
Dr. C. Trimp’s Method
In his booklet De Preek[1] (The Sermon), Dr. C. Trimp included an attachment entitled “A working method for the preparation of sermons on OT narrative material”. His method consists of four phases, which he calls analysis, synthesis, administration, and evaluation. Here follows a slightly shortened and modified translation. A. J. DeVisser
1. Analysis
Some Lessons from Paul
by Dr. Gerhard H. Visscher
Address delivered at the College Evening, September 8, 2006
Just how should the person on the pulpit view those who are in the pew? This question appears to be very much of concern today. I am thinking about a remark in a very recent issue of Clarion in which we were told that there is this longstanding belief among the Free Reformed that Canadian Reformed ministers really do not understand what an experiential, discriminating ministry should be (Vol. 55, No. 17, p. 403).
I am thinking also of the [...]
by Dr. A.J. De Visser
Evangelism is a topic which generates a variety of opinions among Reformed believers. On one side there are many who are passionate about evangelism. They are often disappointed, sometimes even frustrated, because they perceive that Reformed churches are too inward looking and too passive in fulfilling their evangelistic calling.
On the other side there are many who are reluctant about evangelism. They fear that an emphasis on evangelism will cause the church to become more ‘evangelical’ and less Reformed. They point to churches which are active in evangelism but Arminian in theology.
There is [...]
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