                                           he


                                                    earer

     A   R E F O R M E D   S E M I . - M O N T H L Y   M A G A Z I N E   c



     In This Issue


           Meditation:
              The Mystery of the Last Moment

           Editorial:
              Developments in the Gereformeerde Kerken
I          Feature:
              The Matter of School Tuition

           Faculty Letter




                                               Volume XLVII / Number 14 /April 15,1972


314                                                         THE STANDARD BEARER


                                                                                                      THE STANDARD BEARER
                            CONTENTS:                                              Semi-monthly, except monthly during June, July and August.
                                                                                   Published by the Reformed Free Publishing Association, Inc.
                                                                                         Second Class Postage Paid at Grand Rapids,  Mich.
Meditation  -                                                                Editor-in-Chief: Prof.  H. C. Hoeksema
   The Mystery of the Last Moment . . . . . . . . . . . .314 Department  Editors::   Mr. Donald Doezema, Rev. Cornelius Hanko, Prof.
                                                                             Herman Hanko, Rev. Robert C. Harbach. Rev. John A. Heys. Rev. Jay
                                                                             Kortering, Rev. George C. Lubbers. Rev. Marinus Schipper, .Rev.  Gise J.
Editorial -                                                                  Van Baren, Rev. Herman VeldmBn.  Rev. Bernard Woudenberg
   Developments in the                                                       Ediroriaf Offi&: Prof. H. C. Hoeksema
                                                                                                1842 Plymouth Terrace, SE.
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   Its Exhibition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .319 Editorial Policy: Every editor is solely responsible for the contents of tiis
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M e d i t a t i o n

                           The Mystery of the last Moment
                                                                Rev. M. Schipper

               "Behold, I shew you a mystery; `We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, In a
               moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the
               dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. "
                                                                                                           I Corinthians 15:51,52.

   Having made clear the central fact of our salvation, died on the cross of Calvary for our sins, is the central
namely, that Christ is raised from the dead, the apostle fact of salvation, the assurance of our justification, and
reveals in the closing verses of this chapter the truth the surety of our hope of final glory, there can be no
concerning the resurrection-gospel, the mystery of the doubt. Because He is risen, our faith is not vain, we are
last moment.                                                                 no more in our sins and we are not of all men the
   That the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, Who most miserable.  Cl&t arose as the firstfruits; there


                                                  THE STANDARD BEARER                                                              315



must be therefore a harvest that follows, that must be covenant. In a succession of moments that kingdom,
gathered in.                                                 that church and covenant has an earthly, historical
  In a moment, the central moment of all history, development, and there are first and last moments.
Christ was raised from the dead. Not as a mere When the last moment is reached, then the trumpet
individual, but as the Lord and Head of His people, may sound that will bring an end to time as we know
was the Lord raised up. Having conquered death, He it, and call all that belongs to the heavenly kingdom
left death dead behind Him; and He arose the firstborn into its eternal, and glorious reality.
out of the dead, and the firstfruits of them that slept.       That transition, that transformation from the
The resurrection, therefore, is begun, and it does not earthly to the heavenly, from the temporal into the
rest until all that are asleep in Him are also risen. The eternal, from the corruptible to the incorruptible, from
resurrection reaches out unto the last moment, the the natural to the spiritual,  - that is all bound up in
final moment of  all history, when the dead in Christ the mystery of the last moment.
shall rise again, and those believing and living upon the      The mystery of a complete change!
earth shall be changed.                                        That transformation of the last moment will assume
  The mystery of the last moment!                            a two-fold form: that of the resurrection of the dead,
  "A mystery is a. truth that is related to the kingdom and that of the sudden change of those yet living.
of God, that cannot be ascertained from the things             Concerning the former, the apostle speaks at length
that are seen, that is not discovered from anything in throughout this chapter dealing with the
this present world, that transcends all our present resurrection-gospel. Concerning the latter, he speaks
experience, that can only be known by revelation specifically in the text. However, in such a way are
through the Spirit of Christ, and apprehended by faith these two conceived of that they take  place
through the same Spirit." Such is the mystery as simultaneously, in the last moment.
defined by another before me, and we shall not                 To understand the necessity of this complete
attempt to improve on this beautiful and change, we must keep in mind the nature and the
comprehensive definition. We wish only to stress and wonder of the kingdom which  .God is  l-e&&g and
call attention to the specific elements in it.               which He has promised to us.
  The mystery, first of all, concerns the truth that is        T h a t   k i n g d o m ,   t h a t   c i t y ,   t h a t   e t e r n a l
related to the kingdom of God. In this context, the commonwealth, is heavenly, incorruptible, spiritual,
apostle has in mind specifically the bodily resurrection, eternal, - which we could never enter as we are. As the
and the final transition from the earthly to the apostle states it in the verse preceding our text, "Now
heavenly, from the temporal to the eternal. Secondly, this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit
this truth  camrot be ascertained from the things that the kingdom of God, neither doth corruption inherit
are seen, or discovered from anything in this present incorruption." Were we to enter that kingdom as we
world. Philosophy can never conceive of it, and are (which, of course, is utterly impossible), we would
Evolution cannot attain unto it. The natural mind see and hear nothing. We could see nothing of its glory
cannot grasp it, for it transcends all that is of our with our bodily eyes; and we could hear nothing with
present experience. Thirdly, this truth can be known our bodily ears of the heavenly paeans of praise sung
only by revelation. And revelation is possible only by the chorus of holy angels, and disembodied spirits
through the Spirit of Christ, Who not only reveals unto of just men made perfect. With our present bodies,
us the truth and leads us into it, but Who also gives standing in the midst of the heavenly kingdom, we
unto us the faith whereby the truth is apprehended would be totally oblivious of our glorious
and appropriated.                                            surroundings. The reason being, that as we are now we
  The mystery of the last moment!                            are adapted only to the earth out of which we were
  Time, as we know it, is the succession of moments. created, and our physical senses are not at all adapted
Time is a creature, which has a beginning and an end, to the heavenly. That is why it is also true, as the
an alpha and an omega. Time is divisible in seconds, in apostle Paul expresses it, "that it hath never entered
minutes, in hours, in days, in months, in years, in into the heart of man," nor could it, the things which
centuries, in milleniums.                                    God hath laid away for those that love Him. We must
  Time and history are simultaneous, and, in a sense, undergo, therefore, a complete change.
synonymous. All history is bound up in time. With the          We shall not all sleep!
beginning of time all history begins, and with the end         But we shall all be changed!
of time all history will have come to its conclusion.          0, undoubtedly, the majority of the saints shall
Within the brackets of time and history God is undergo the experience of sleep. This is Scripture's
realizing the things of His counsel concerning His way of beautifully describing the death of God's
kingdom. Considered in this light, all history is church children. Evidently the saint is considered here in
history. Everything that transpires in time and history terms of that which is earthly. Just as at night he lays
is related somehow to the realization of His church and himself down to rest and sleep, with the hope of rising


316                                          THE STANDARD BEARER



in the morning into a new day; so it is when he dies the heavenly.
physical death, he does so in the hope of the                In a moment!
resurrection.                                                Which is described here as the twinkling of an eye, is
   Be not deceived! Not here or anywhere else in the last moment of history, and at the same time, the
Scripture does the Word of God teach a certain beginning of everlasting glory.
doctrine of soul-sleep, as some aver. It is safe to say      At the last trumpet!
that the soul never sleeps, not even when our bodies go      Undoubtedly a figure of speech, reminding us of the
to rest. at night. And surely this cannot be the case silver trumpet which called the people of God to the
when our bodies enter into physical death. Even then service in the sanctuary. Here evidently representing
our souls have a tabernacle of God in which they the final call which shall convoke all the saints for the
dwell, and in which they appear consciously in the very everlasting worship in the heavenly tabernacle of God
presence of Christ.                                        in the New Jerusalem. Telling us in no uncertain terms
  In the entire context here the apostle is speaking of that there shall be nothing secret about this final and
death and resurrection. But for the Christian, death is glorious transformation. For the call of the trumpet
described in the earthly term of sleep; only because shall resound into the nether parts of Hades, calling
death for him is not permanent. He enters into death forth the dead into their resurrection bodies, and
with the assurance that he shall rise again. And, as we penetrating the very being of the living saints and
said, for the majority of the children of God the order effecting their complete change, and precisely in that
will be death and resurrection, through which they order, for the living shall not precede the dead into
shall experience a complete change.                        glow.
  But not all shall sleep!                                   At the last trumpet!
  There shall be those who are physically alive before       No more sounds will be necessary when that
the last moment. And they also must be changed. For trumpet shall sound, for then all of God's purpose shall
flesh and blood cannot enter the kingdom of God.           have been realized.
  The trumpet shall sound, and we all shall be               We shall appear before Him as He shall appear in the
changed!                                                   face of Christ Jesus. And we shall be like Him and see
  The dead, through the wonder of the resurrection! Him as He is. Wholly adapted to dwell with Him as His
  The living, through the-wonder of the last moment! redeemed and glorified subjects in His everlasting
  Glorious change!                                         kingdom. That is the final purpose of God, and the end
  Here, in the present, all is corruptible; then,  - of all things!
incorruption. Here all is mortal and subject to death;       May the glory of the last moment, and the thrill of
then,  - immortality. Here we are natural, psychical; the sound of the last trumpet become a blessed object
then,  - spiritual. Now we bear the image of the of hope, that it governs completely both our lives and
earthly; then,  - we shall bear the image of the our death.             Amen!


Editorial

            Developments in the Gereformeerde Kerken
                                            ProJ: H. C. Hoekserna

Dr. H. Wiersinga Cleared by Amsterdam Consistory           regard to the several protests registered `against
  Previously we have reported to you concerning the Wiersinga's views. As we have suggested earlier, it
case of a Dr. H. Wiersinga, who denied the truth of should not take a Reformed synod - or any assembly,
substitutionary atonement in a doctoral dissertation for that matter - much time to deal with such a literal
for which he received a degree from the Free and flagrant denial of the central doctrine of the
University of Amsterdam. In October, 1971 the Synod atonement as this is. This would seem to be a simple
of the Gereformeerde Kerken  published a decision in case, so simple, in fact, that if the Synod cannot take a
which they attempted to quiet the fears which have clear-cut stand in condemnation of Wiersinga, matters
arisen in connection with this flagrant denial of the haeyk:ecome altogether hopeless in the Gereformeerde
atonement by apparently reaffirming the teachings of
our confessions on this subject and by stating that Dr.      But by this time we have learned not to expect
Wiersinga's views required careful study before a clear-cut decisions from the  Gereformeerde  Kerken,
synodical pronouncement could be made. Thus far we except for the fact that in clear-cut fashion they open
have seen no report concerning the action of Synod in the door wide for doctrinal liberty.


                                                    THE STANDARD BEARER                                                                    317


   Perhaps we have a sample of the kind of decision the the Consistory of Amsterdam took several factors into
General Synod will take in the decision already taken consideration in reaching this decision. Rather than
by the Consistory of Amsterdam, under whose translate all of this material literally, we will rather
jurisdiction Dr. Wiersinga, a student pastor, resides. A freely give the gist of these points, as follows:
report of the consistorial decision appears in  Friesch            1. The freedom to test the confession of the church
Dagblad,  January 20, 1972. In brief, the Consistory of by Holy Scripture as the only rule of faith must
Amsterdam expressed that Dr. Wiersinga is not guilty especially be guaranteed when it concerns the central
of unfaithfulness, but that he wants to subject the points of doctrine (Cf. Art. 7 of the  Belgic
confessions to the test of Holy Scripture. In a brief Confession). [The particular part of Article 7, which
introductory paragraph of a long article,  Friesch speaks of "the sufficiency of the Holy Scriptures to be
Dagblad  gives the substance of the consistorial the only rule of faith," to which the Consistory refers
decision, as follows (in translation):                         is not mentioned. But I would guess that the reference
       The consistory of the Gereformeerde Kerk of             is especially to the following: "Neither do we consider
    Amsterdam (central) has expressed "That the view of        of equal value any writing of men, however holy these
    the doctrine of atonement set forth in his dissertation    men may have been, with those divine Scriptures, nor
    by Dr. H. Wiersinga deserves to be taken up as a           ought we to consider custom, or the great multitude,
    theological-scientific contribution to the discussion
    about the atonement, in which he exerts himself            or antiquity, or succession of times and persons, or
                                                         to    councils, decrees or statutes, as of equal value with the
    do full justice to all the Scriptural givens. That
    thereby he comes in conflict with certain expressions      truth of God, for the truth is above all; for all men are
    which are established in the confessions may, in the       of themselves liars, and more vain than vanity itself.
    present  stage of consideration, consequently not be       Therefore, we reject  .with all our hearts, whatsoever
    blamed on him as unfaithfulness to the confessions,        doth not agree with this infallible rule, which the
    but deserves to be noted as a legitimate testing of the    apostles have taught us, saying, Try the spirits whether
    confession of the church by Holy Scripture. The            they are of God. Likewise, if there come any unto you,
    merits of  this testing deserve to be more closely         and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your
    investigated on the scientific level."                     house." Imagine! Justifying and protecting a vicious
  The article then goes on to explain, first of all, that      denial of and attack upon this most -central truth of
Dr. Wiersinga had asked his consistory whether "within the gospel in our confessions in the name of the con-
our churches there must be room for the study of his           fessions themselves! What hypocrisy! I
discussion without his faithfulness to the confession of          2. For this testing it is essential that there be room
the church being made an issue." The Consistory of for scientific-theological study and discussion
Amsterdam referred this question to a committee and,           proceeding out of the unity of faith with the
following the advice of this committee, answered the           confession of the fathers.
question of Dr. Wiersinga affirmatively. According to             3. Especially with respect to the doctrine of
the report, the Consistory assumed, too, "that Dr.             atonement, it must continually be kept in view that
Wiersinga would, within the room requested by him,             not only theological discussion, but also the speech of
exercise the pastorally required reserve` and                  the confessions, and even the testimony of Scripture in
self-control." The report goes on to state that the            human words, figures, and presentations brings us into
Consistory also decided to alert the congregation to           contact with a dealing of God unto our salvation in
continue to give its trust to Dr. Wiersinga and to conduct     which man is indeed extremely concerned, but which
the discussion about the very central doctrine of              bears the character of a divine mystery which by man
atonement prayerfully.                                         can be only proximately investigated and worshipfully
  As we reported earlier, various representatives of the       experienced (Cf. Rom.  11:33,  ff; I Cor.  2:9; I Tim.
"Verontrusten"   had filed a formal protest against            3:16).
Wiersinga's views with the Consistory of Amsterdam.               4. a. In view of his connection with and the
They had requested the Consistory of Amsterdam to              particular character of the  Gereformeerde Kerken in
take disciplinary measures. To these protestants  .the         the Netherlands, it may be expected of Dr. Wiersinga
Consistory answered that while they could understand           that in his official actions and speech he will take into
their feelings of alarm, nevertheless in the present stage     consideration the reserve which is proper with respect
they saw no reason to proceed with disciplinary                t o   v i e w s   w h i c h   a r e   s t i l l   i n   t h e   s p h e r e   o f
measures.                                                      theological-scientific research.
  Finally, the Consistory also decided to ask the                 b. Because of this same bond of unity it may be
general synod "to stimulate a closer investigation of the asked of the churches that they do not equate
doctrine of atonement on a scientific-theological              faithfulness to Holy Scripture and faithfulness to the
level," and only after a rather complete scientific            confession and that they will evince understanding of
consideration to weigh the consequences involved.              the provisional character of scientific expressions, also
  According to this same report of Friesch Dagblad,            when these expressions are brought in public.


318                                          THE STANDARD BEARER


   5. Only when the scientific study of the views of shield Wiersinga's heresy is that of academic freedom,
Dr. Wiersinga has reached a certain rounding off will it specifically the freedom to practice the science of
be possible to weigh the consequences  which the theology. Again, this sounds good. We must certainly
results of this research will have for the confession of have academic freedom. How otherwise can the
the church, her preaching, and her catechizing. This dogmatician practice his science? How can he
weighing ought to take place in ecclesiastical theologize? How can there ever be any development
assemblies. Finally, according to this  report,  the and enrichment of the truth? What is forgotten,
consistory expressed its joy at the declaration of Dr. however, is the fact, first of all, that there is a vast
Wiersinga that he agreed fully with the content of the difference between liberty and license. The theologian
synodical pronouncement of October 7, 1971 with may and must exercise the science of theology, by all
respect to the atonement.                                  means. But he may and must do so as a member of the
  Thus far the report of  Friesch  Dagblad   on this church with which he is united, and therefore witbin
matter.                                                    the limits of the creeds to which he- has voluntarily
Comment                                                    subscribed as being the true expression of Scripture in
  We may notice, in the first place, that the subterfuge all points of doctrine, and therefore, too, in harmony
by which Wiersinga's heresy is defended and protected with the provisions - in case of disagreement - of the
ecclesiastically is the calling of the church to test the Formula of Subscription. When the libertarian
confessions by the test of Holy Scripture. But, you becomes a libertine, and when liberty is subverted into
ask, is this not correct? Is it not true that we may not licentiousness, then true academic freedom has been
put our confessions on a level with Scripture, but must destroyed!
test them by Scripture? The answer to this question is,      But it has long been the slogan in the Dutch
in the first place, that it is indeed true that Scripture is churches that there must be academic freedom, that
our only infallible rule of faith and that our there must be the proper climate for the development
confessions are subordinate standards. This does not of theology. It is under  this same banner that all the
mean, however, that we live in the church with representatives of the new theology are shielded. The
continual questionmarks behind our confessions. On Free University - but not it only - has been a hotbed
the contrary, we subscribe to our confessions as being of this kind of theological ferment and revolution.
the expression of the truth of Scripture. And we Meanwhile, heresy is allowed to gnaw like cancer at the
maintain that subscription until the opposite appears, very vitals of the church and of the faith.
i.e., until it has been made plain, and that too,            Nor should we have any illusions about the
ecclesiastically, that Scripture teaches differently. And, provisional character of views such as those of
in the second place, the method for every member of Wiersinga. Just how provisional, I ask, are views which
the church - and especially for officebearers - is the have been so carefully studied and so well set forth and
method of  gravamen, not the method  of  publicly documented that in the judgment of the "experts" -
proposing contrary views. This is plainly set forth by the theological faculty of the Free University  - they
the Formula of Subscription, by which Dr. Wiersinga merit the degree of Doctor of Theology? Nor should
was also bound at the time when his doctoral thesis we have illusions about the "pastorally required
was published. By now, of course, the Dutch churches reserve" of these heretics. For one thing, can you
have set aside the Formula of Subscription and have imagine that if Dr. Wiersinga is convinced of the truth
decided to substitute a meaningless vow which will of his position, he is going to keep  siIence about it?
officially allow full doctrinal liberty.                   This is morally impossible, -and in the nature of the
  We recall that this subterfuge is the same as that of case improbable. And remember: Dr. Wiersinga is a
the Arminians at the time of the Synod of Dordrecht. pastor for students - the most impressionable as well
And is it not ironic that this should happen at the very as the most inclined to be radical and revolutionary!
time when the present general synod of the And secondly, I have seen no evidence in others of this
Gereformeerde Kerken  is also called the Synod of reserve. On the contrary, the Netherlands has been
Dordrecht? And is it not ironic, too, that this swamped by the propaganda of men like Kuitert,
pronouncement should come from the Consistory of Augustijn, Baarda, and others, in speech and in writing.
Amsterdam, the very city where Arminius was a pastor They always propagandize the churches long enough
and where he met his first opposition from Plancius, that finally their positions are adopted and become the
his fellow pastor? The Arminians, too, denied the official positions of the churches. And the churches
vicarious satisfaction of Christ. And the Arminians, have tolerated this propaganda. In fact, when anyone
too, did not want to be tried by the Synod of tries to cry, "Stop!" there arise from the theologians
Dordrecht as heretics, but wanted to test and revise the cries of a simulated holy horror about spoiling the
confessions - so they alleged - by Holy Scripture.         climate for theological discussion and debate.
  How is the gold become dim!                                In the third place, the decision of the Consistory of
  In the second place, the ground for this decision to Amsterdam is quite in line with the kind of decisions


                                           THE STANDARD BEARER                                               319



the Synod has been making in the cases  ,of Kuitert, editorial: this doctrine of the atonement is  SO
Baarda, and others. Either the members of the important, and its denial is so serious,- that if
committee in this case had learned their lesson well or Wiersinga's heresy is approved, or even tolerated, it
they received advice from the Amsterdam theologians. must be said without reservation that the
Or possibly some of these influential theologians are in Gereformeerde Kerken  are become the manifestation
the consistory of Amsterdam. I know not. But the of the false church. Think of what Scripture says of
decision is so smoothly and piously worded and so those who "crucify to themselves the Son of God
much in the spirit of the preliminary  synodical afresh, and put him to an open shame" (Heb.  6:6),
pronouncement of October that I could well imagine and of those who have "trodden under foot the Son of
that the Synod could almost take over the consistorial God, and (have) counted the blood of the covenant . . .
decision verbatim. Time will tell.                       an unholy thing" (Heb. 10:29), and of those who deny
  Meanwhile, we repeat what we stated in an earlier the Lord that bought them (II Peter 2: 1, ff.).



Studies in Election
                                      Its .Exhibition
                                            Rev. Robert C. Harbach

  In the last three installments of this series we have grace.
endeavored to present that view of the decree of           Admitted it is that all the elect are "by nature the
election which is not only the most acceptable, but Child ren of wrath, even as others" (Eph.  2:3). But
which is the correct view, the one most in harmony there is something wonderful said about them that has
with Scripture. We showed that divine election is that priority over the fact of what they are said to be by
act of God according to which He chose to everlasting nature and by the fall, and that is, "I have loved thee
life, not a group of individuals, merely, but a whole with an everlasting love." Surely God sees His people
church. Also we must maintain that all the members of in His covenant and counsel first of all as glorified sons
this elect church without exception, from the of God. How they get to glory comes next, in His
beginning to the end of the world, God regards as His mind, namely, through the way of sin and redemption,
own children. That, of course, means that there are so that He loved them as His own before He quickened
yet many unconverted elect, who, nevertheless, from them. It is His everlasting love which seeks them, finds
all eternity are His dear people. Such a wonderful truth t h em and quickens them. (Recall the lost son,
finds no place in modem man-centered theology. For zacchaeus and the impotent man at the pool of
accordd   to  it,  We  are  not  dddren  Of  God  from  Bethesda.)   -Therefore,  adoption  or  sonship,  h
eternity, but that God only foresees that certain will Scripture, does not stand on man's act of faith as its
believe in Christ, accept Him by faith and so become basis, but on election. They were His adopted children
regenerated and converted children of His family. But be ore
                                                           f      they believed. For "He should gather together
Scripture does not make the work of God contingent in one the children of God-that were scattered abroad"
upon the act of man. ScriPtrne  does  not  make (John 11: 52). They were His children before the Son
regeneration the effect of faith; it sees the plant of gathered them. They were His people before they were
faith growing out. of the root of regeneration.  Also  it redeemed from Egypt.  They  were His  people  before
presents the Lord as having predestinated us unto the they were waling to be His people. "Thy people shall
adoption of sons (Eph. 1:5). That is why and how the be waling in the day of Thy power" (Ps. 110:3). It is
Lord could regard the people of Israel as His own no strange thing that God has unconverted elect,
chosen possession before they were redeemed out of whom He deems His people even before the gospel is
the land of Egypt, before the passover  lamb was slain, preached to them and they become converted. This is
and even while they were, as far as they themselves plain in Scripture. "I am with thee, and no man shall
were concerned, hopelessly involved in idolatry (Ezek. set on thee to hurt thee, for I have much people in this
20:  S-lo)! Even then the Lord referred to them as "My city" (Acts 18: 10). They are His elect sheep long
people" (Ex.  3:7; 5: 1). For in the midst of idolatrous before brought into the fold. "Other sheep I  have,
Israel, like the grain in the thick of the chaff (Amos which are not of this fold. Them also I must bring"
9: 9, lo), was the divinely ordained Israel of God, the (John 10: 16). These other sheep are the elect Gentiles.
spiritual seed, the remnant according to the election of These Gentiles the Lord called "the Tabernacle of


320                                           THE STANDARD BEARER


David" while still involved in the Fall of Adam. "God servant's sake, and Israel Mine elect, I have called thee
at the first did visit the Gentiles to take out of them a by thy name. I have surnamed thee, though thou hast
people for  His name; And to this agree the words of not known Me" (Isa. 45:1-4). Third, there is a
the prophets. . . `after this I will return, and will build providential calling directed to all men, including the
again the Tabernacle, of David, which is fallen down' " reprobate,, which calls them to serve and glorify the
(Acts 15 : 14 16), then, is one which identifies the elect Creator in a life of thanksgiving. This calling comes to
of God, though involved in the Fall, as a congregation men through the natural creation. "The heavens
set up again, not in the first Adam, but in the last Adam, declare the glory of God, and the firmament showeth
not in the first man, but in the second Man, who is the his handiwork. Day unto day uttereth speech, and
true David.                                                night unto night showeth knowledge" (Ps. 19:  1, 2).
  Election is exhibited in God's people being clearly This is a powerful witness which, like a titanic,
identified. "In this was manifested the love of God wrap-around, three-dimensional television screen with
toward us, because that God sent His only begotten the volume turned up full, clearly reveals the invisible
Son into the world, that we might live through Him" things of God by the things which are made. This
(I John  4:9). The love of God has exclusively very calling leaves the reprobate without excuse (Rom 1: 19,
particular objects as marked by the pronoun "us." This 20). Fourth, there is the external calling through the
designation appears in the Word of God to indicate the Word. This is a somewhat general calling, although it
elect. "God commendeth His own love toward us, in does not come to all men, but only to all who in the
that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for  us" good pleasure of God come. under the sound of gospel.
(Rom.  5:8,  ASV). This is the distinguishing term the In general, this call comes through the gospel not only
apostles used to specify the election of God, thereby to the elect, but also to the reprobate. However, that
including themselves, the saints and all believers in it. call is refused by both. "Unto you, 0 men, I call, and
Further on you read, "the Spirit Himself maketh My voice is to the sons of man . . . I have called and ye
intercession for us, " not for all men. "If God for us, refused; I have stretched out My hand, and no man
who against us! . . . He . . . spared not His own Son, regarded" (Prov.  84; 1: 24). But the significance of
but delivered Him up for us all . . . Christ . . . also this call is not that it is grace to all who hear it. For the
maketh intercession for us" (8:26, 31, 32, 34. See 35, gospel is a savor of life to "us" who are being saved,
39), but "not for the world" (John 17:9). Then, "God while it is a savor of death to them that are perishing.
. . . hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in the Its significance is rather that the responsibility of man
heavenlies in Christ: according as He hath chosen us in is maintained and increased over the providential
Him before the foundation of the world . . . In love calling. Fifth, there is the saving, efficacious calling of
having predestinated us unto the adoption of children the people of God. This call comes to the elect alone.
. . . He hath made us accepted in the Beloved" One (Eph. The ones God calls are the elect, the sheep. "He calls
1: 3-6). This repeated us reveals the particular character His own sheep by name . . . and the sheep follow Him,
of grace, predestination, election, atonement and for they know His voice" (Jn. 10: 3, 4). They did not
intercession. So particular, and limited-to-the-elect, is become sheep when they were called or converted.
this "us" that it excludes all others, and can neither They were sheep from eternity.
truly nor properly be applied to any but-God's chosen         This effectual calling is not an offer to all men, the
in Christ. Election is definitely exhibited in the love of efficacy of which depends on man's acceptance of it.
God being manifested "toward us" (I John 4: 9). Nor is There is no suggestion, either in Scripture or the
it possible that this very' particular "us" may be Confessions, that the dead sinner has any ability to
stretched to include all men in the world, for it is quite respond to the call. That is the thinking or the word
carefully qualified in the words, "I have manifested (teaching) of Arminius, or the word of Pelagius, but
Thy name unto the men whom Thou gavest Me out of not the word of the Cross (I Cor. 1: 18, ASV). Nor is
the world" (John 17: 6).                                   this calling a mere invitation; it is a translation out of
  God's election is also involved in Effectual Calling. darkness into light. This is what the calling, of
This divine calling is distinguished in different ways. necessity, must be; for it is the necessary effect of
First, there is fiat calling, according to which God calls eternal election. Calling is a sure demonstration of
the things not being as being (Rom. 4: 17). Another election and its effect, as in the call to Lazarus (and are
instance of fiat calling you have in Psalm  33:9, "For we not all Lazaruses?), "Come forth!" as in the call to
He spake and,it was done, He commanded and it stood the man with the withered hand, "Stretch forth thy
fast." Also, He said, " `Let be light!' and light was." hand! " as in the divine imperative to the Philippian
Second, there is the efficacious creative calling of all jailer, "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ!" and as in the
men, which brings them to their ordained place and efficacious command, "He that hath an ear to hear, let
labor within the stream of history. According to His him hear." For through the effectual calling, we, as
counsel God calls forth the rulers of the nations to born of the Spirit, are made to pass out of death into
their destiny. Cyrus is a case in point. "For Jacob My life, are given faith to believe, therefore, do believe


                                                  THE STANDARD BEARER                                                321


through grace, and receive ears to hear, eyes to see and an invariable effect following that cause. As the calling
quickened members to yield to the Lord as is particular so also the peace unto which we are called.
instruments of righteousness.                                  For "there is no peace to the wicked." They from of
  We are called to peace. "God hath called us to old have been ordained to condemnation (Jude 4). But
peace" (I Cor. 7: 15). He has done so because peace God's people are blessed with peace (Eph.  1:2,  3), a
was ordained for us (Isa. 26: 12). Peter, in addressing peace which passes all understanding, which the world
God's people as Elect determines the originating cause can neither give, take away nor have, and which arises
of every saving good to them. (I Pet. 1: 2). At the same from the blood and righteousness of Christ.
time Peter shows that "peace" is part of that saving                             (To be con timed)
good which flows to us from the fountain of-election,



 Contending For The Faith.,

                 The Doctrine of Atonement
                                                       Rev. H. Veldrnan

  In our last article we were calling attention to              declares: "For if God willed, or wished, that His truth
Article V of the Second Head of the Canons, dealing should be known unto all men, how was it that He did
with Christ's sacrifice upon the cross of Calvary. This not proclaim and make known His law to the Gentiles
article reads as follows:                                      also?" Calvin writes this in connection with his
       Moreover, the promise of the gospel is, that            comments on 1 Tim. 2~4.
    whosoever believeth in Christ crucified, shall not            Secondly, this fifth article teaches that this gospel
    perish, but have everlasting life. This promise,           must be proclaimed to all nations and all persons
    together with the command to repent and believe,           promiscuously and without distinction, that is the
    ought to be declared and published to all nations, and     gospel as including the command to repent and believe.
    to all persons promiscuously and without distinction,      Mind you, the fathers here speak of the  preaching of
    to whom God out of His good pleasure sends the             the gospel. This' preaching must be general. Of .course,
    gospel.                                                    as we have already noted, also this preaching is limited.
  We concluded our last article by calling attention to It must follow the course as determined by the good
the fact that this article teaches that also the preaching pleasure of the Lord. Understanding this, however, it
of the gospel follows the course as determined by the must be proclaimed not only to the elect but also to
good pleasure of the Lord. God does not only the reprobate. Fact is, the Arminian accused the
determine who are saved. But He also determines who Reformed man of being really unable to preach. the
shall hear the gospel. This is surely the meaning of the gospel. If the work of salvation is wholly divine and
expression that the gospel ought to be declared and sovereign, a gift of God from the beginning even unto
published to all nations and to all persons the end, why should it be necessary to command the
promiscuously and without distinction, to whom God elect to believe and repent? He will repent and believe
out of His good pleasure sends the gospel. This means anyway. Besides, if God loves only some and if Christ
that God wills that the gospel be preached to some but died only for the elect, how is it possible to command
that He also wills that it not be preached to others. others to  rep.ent and believe? So, the Arminian
Now we know that this article of our Canons has been contended that the reformed view of the particular
quoted by `those who would proclaim the gospel as an love of God and of the atonement of Christ upon the
offer of salvation. They believe that the Lord would cross made. it impossible for him to preach the gospel.
save all men and that, in the gospel, He offers this We must bear in mind that it is exactly this objection
salvation to all those who hear it. How strange, is it of the Arminian that -is answered here by the fathers in
not, that. the Lord, loving all men and desiring their this fifth article. The article declares that the gospel
salvation, should deliberately withhold from them the must be preached promiscuously and without
gospel, should have willed that they come not into distinction. And it also declares that it must be
contact with His desire and plan to save them through preached with the command to believe and repent.
the Christ of the cross! This, we understand, does not Notice, please, the gospel must be preached with the
make sense. Calvin voices this same objection to the command to believe and repent. A command is surely
Arminian presentation of God's universal will to save not an offer. The difference between the two is
all men when he, in Calvin's Calvinism, page 103, obvious. A command is never to be confused with a


 322                                          THE STANDARD BEARER


 condition. An offer is something that may be refused. hereafter. Now, that this promise is limited to those
 A command is something that may not be refused. It who believe also emphasizes the particular character of
 must be obeyed. From this viewpoint, the sinner has the promise. The believer is the elect. Faith is strictly a
 no choice in the matter. For him to refuse to believe gift of God. The fathers call attention to this in the
 and repent is gross disobedience. He has no right to sin articles that follow, Articles VI and VII. The Lord
 and to refuse to believe in the Christ of the cross. But, willing, we will call attention to this in due time. What
 does this refusal of the sinner to believe in the gospel does it mean to believe in the crucified Christ? We are
 not imply that the gospel must therefore be reminded of that wonderful passage in Holy Writ, John
 proclaimed as an offer of salvation? Not at all! But, to 3:16: "For God so loved the world, that He gave His
 this we will call attention presently. We now set forth only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him
 the fact that our fathers certainly believed in a general should not perish, but have everlasting life." The word
 preaching of the gospel. And this is surely also believed "that" in the expression: "that whosoever believeth in
 by our Protestant Reformed Churches.                      Him should not perish, but have everlasting life,"
   In the, third place, however, this fifth article also means two things: purpose and result. This was
 teaches that the content of the gospel is never certainly the purpose of God's sending of His Son into
 general, but exclusively particular. It is true that we the world, that whosoever believeth in Him should not
 believe in a general preaching of the gospel, but it must perish but have everlasting life. But, this is also the
 ever be borne in mind that we believe in a general result of God's love of the world. Because God so
 preaching of a particular gospel. The Lord does not loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son,
 promise eternal life to all, but only to those who therefore the possibility now exists for man to be saved
 believe. The article expresses it this way: "Moreover, through believing in that Son. I would assume that
 the promise of the gospel is, that whosoever believeth with this last statement every Arminian would agree.
in Christ crucified, shall not perish, but have everlasting But, what is faith? We will have opportunity to call the
life." Does this mean that this promise is conditional, attention of our readers to the significance of faith in
that every hearer of the gospel can will to believe, and our discussion of the two articles that follow.
that this promise of the gospel is therefore general and Nevertheless, we may and must say something about
 conditional, general because God would have all men faith now. Is faith a condition for God's work of
be saved and conditional because its fulfillment is salvation? Must a sinner believe before God can save
dependent upon the will of the sinner? No Arminian, him? Is the sinner able to will to believe? Does his
we understand, would say that the Lord promises salvation in any sense depend upon his believing,
every hearer of the gospel everlasting life. He would accepting or embracing of the Christ? What do we
certainly not maintain that God promises everyone mean when we say that because God so loved the
eternal life, whether he believes or not. He does declare world by sending His Son into the world the possibility
that God promises all who hear the gospel everlasting now exists for man to be saved through believing in
life if they believe.                                      that Son? 0, we do not mean to say that now the
   This position of the Arminian is impossible and possibility exists for man to save himself by believing,
absurd. We must notice, in the first place, that this but that it is now possible for God to save the sinner
fifth article speaks of believing in Christ crucified. Now through faith. Faith is not man's hand reaching out to
the fathers certainly would not. say that there is God but God's gift to His elect sinner. Indeed, that
salvation for all. If God is to offer salvation to all, God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten
well-meaningly, then there certainly must be salvation Son does not mean that He realized for all men the
for all. God would surely not offer something He does possibility of salvation, if only they believe on Him.
not possess. But, this universal conception of the cross In the first place, faith is never a substitute for the
is exactly what characterized the Arminian. And it, is atonement of the cross, so that all the sinner need do is
exactly this universal conception of the crucified to believe, and his sins therefore need not be paid.
Christ that was rejected by the fathers of Dordt. In this' And, in the second place, to believe is humanly
Second Head of the Canons they emphasize the impossible; if salvation, therefore, depends upon a
particular character of the atonement of our Lord sinner's believing, no sinner will ever be saved, and the
Jesus Christ. To believe in the crucified Christ already love of God as revealed in the sending of His Son into
emphasizes the particular character of the promise of the world will remain forever fruitless. Indeed, to
the gospel.                                                believe is humanly impossible. To believe means that
   However, this is not all. When we read that "the we must acknowledge that we are hopelessly lost
promise of the gospel is, that whosoever believeth in sinners, that we can never contribute a single thing to
Christ crucified, shall not perish, but have everlasting our salvation, that salvation is possible only by God
life, then we understand that this promise is therefore Himself, as the Triune Jehovah, in Jesus Christ, our
limited to those who believe. Of course, this promise Lord. Faith is God's way of salvation, made possible
of everlasting life refers to everlasting life in the blessed by God through the amazing love of God in the


                                                THE STANDARD BEARER                                                                 323


sending of His only begotten Son. Now we can be preaching of the gospel a divine offer of salvation to all
saved; now it is possible for us to receive salvation, who hear  it?~ This is impossible. In the first place,
everlasting life from God. Now we need do nothing, Christ did not die for all men. This means that there is
absolutely nothing. Now we can receive it, by grace, as no salvation to be offered to all men. And, in the
a free gift, in harmony with the unchangeable second place, then no man would be saved. No man
righteousness of God. All salvation is in Christ, and can believe or will to believe. If salvation were merely
now we can and do obtain it, by faith, by faith in offered to him, then salvation would remain forever
Christ Jesus, because God so loved the world that He out of his reach. But the gospel is preached also to the
gave His Son to be a propitiation for all our sins. Now `reprobate in order that his sin may be revealed; his
the way is open for the elect, and God's world, which wicked unbelief must be revealed in order that God
He loved, can be translated into heavenly glory and may be revealed as just when He judges. And the
immortality by implanting His people into that Christ. gospel is to him a divinely willed savor of death, even
God Himself has opened the way to bestow salvation as it is written, II Cor. 2: 15, 16: "For we are unto God
upon His people by the Divinely sovereignly free gift a sweet savour of Christ, in them that are saved, and in
of faith.                                                      them that perish: To the one we are the savour of
   Now we also understand why this gospel must also death unto death; and to the other the savour of life
be preached to the reprobate. To save them? Is the unto life. And who is sufficient for these things?"


Feature
                            The Matter of School Tuition
                                                      Rev. C. Hanko

  Among the greatest gifts God has given us as parents          can take a look at the various problems involved in
and as church members is the gift of covenant children.         regard to school tuition. And finally, we may be able
The greatest privilege He bestows on us is the duty of to reach a definite conclusion, even though we may
raising these children to His glory. In this respect, as in     not be able to come to a solution of all the problems
every other, our Christian privilege is also our                involved.
obligation, and our obligation as Christians is at the             Although the emphasis falls on the one principle
same time our privilege. Educating our children                 already mentioned, that of Christian stewardship, there
according to our obligation before God raises                   are obviously many other principles involved, which
difficulties often unpleasant to face. School boards have       cannot be entirely ignored.
their problems in setting up their budgets, so that the            First of all, there is the principle of  Christian
needs of the school may be properly met, and at .the            instruction.
same time figured so closely that the parents will not             We are insistent, and correctly SO, that it is the duty
be unduly burdened. Parents who have one or more                of every parent to bring up his children in the fear of
children in school, particularly some in high school and        the Lord, and that not only in the home, and in the
some in the lower grades, feel the financial pressure           church, but also in the school. The school we say, is an
very keenly. Even the deacons and elders in the church          extension of the home. The teachers represent the
become involved either directly or indirectly with this         parents, assisting them to prepare their children for
problem. The question has been raised: "What is the             their life calling as men and women of God in the
responsibility of the church toward those who cannot midst of this present evil world. Therefore the
pay school tuition; how far should the diaconate                Christian home requires a Christian school. In fact, a
become involved, and when does it become a matter               home where Protestant Reformed convictions are
for the elders?"*                                               maintained requires a Protestant Reformed school.
  Viewing the problem of school tuition from that               There must be perfect harmony between the church,
aspect, immediately various principles come to mind.            the home, and the school, not only to avoid confusing
These principles may not be overlooked in our the child in that most important realm of his spiritual
discussion. But there is particularly one principle that        training; but also to fit him properly for his own
stands out among them and should be strongly                    calling before the face of our God. This is a part of the
emphasized. This is the principle of Christian vow that we make when we present our children for
stewardship or of Christian giving. With that in mind, I        *This is in essence the contents of a paper delivered at an officebearers
would like to discuss this basic principle first. Then we conference in classis east.


                   T H E O L O G I C A L   S C H O O L '
                                      .  .  . O F   T H E . .   .
                     P R O T E S T A N T   R E F O R M E D   C H U R C H E S
                               G R A N D   R A P I D S .   M I C H I G A N          April, 1972

Dear Brethren and Sisters in the Lord:
     It is our purpose,in  this brief letter to share with you a
few items of news from the Seminary.
     There-have been a few breaks in the Seminary schedule this
semester.      In the latter part of February the school recessed
for one day to meet with the ministers in the Grand Rapids area
and with Rev. Sang Chan Lee, a minister in the Hapdong Pres-
byterian Church of Korea.
     In the first part of March, school was dismissed for two
days to enable the students and faculty to take part in the
Ministers' Conference held in Pella, Iowa.                                    The ministers of
Classis East and the Theological School were invited by the
ministers of Classis West.                 The general topic of the conference
was "Pastoral Counseling."                 The papers delivered at this con-
ference and a summary of the discussion will appear in the next
issue of The Theological Journal.                          This conference proved to be
both refreshing and instructive.
     Spring vacation is now over in the Seminary.                                    And so the
school enters into the final weeks of this semester.                                    For four
of our students these weeks will be the last in school.                                    They
will be examined by the Synod in June, the Lord willing, and
look forward to receiving of the Lord a place in our churches.
     In connection with the news concerning the work which is
being done towards a pre-seminary course which appeared in our
Standard Bearer, the faculty received a very encouraging letter
from Prof. Robert Rudolph, professor of systematic theology and
ethics in the Theological Seminary of the Reformed Episcopal
Church.      We have received permission from him to share parts of
it with you.
     "I was reading in the 'Standard Bearer' your remarks about
your Seminary.      In seeking to establish this school you are
following the only course which can perpetuate the emphasis of
your denomination.        Our Seminary became a fact because ten years
after we were founded in 1873--in 1886 one good woman realized
its need and provided the building and a modest endowment.
     "Our Church (a sister church in the same actual denomina-
tional structure) in England, founded somewhat later, never did
secure a school and are finding the going,exceedingly difficult
when their men come from many schools....
     "I write to share with you brethren in Christ the fact
that we have found it exceedingly important to emphasize
Seminary FIRST.      Our men then go to the colleges, which often
are not altogether friendly with our Reformed position, and
are less influenced.


     "We came to realize, a generation ago, that if our men were
sent to colleges first and received there the first impression
which, if the college were truly of a liberal arts nature would
include, even in a very Reformed place, exposure to the rational-
ism and liberalism of the classical writers, they would be
getting their first impressions from those not particularly in-
fluenced by God's Word, the Bible.       As this happened generation
after generation and these somewhat 'secularized' men became
teachers of the next generation, there would be a general
secularization of the Church....
     "We, at Reformed Episcopal, will be praying that you may
be enabled to establish your needed institution."
     We found this unsolicited support and encouragement of our
churches' pre-seminary plans from another seminary professor
to be rather interesting.       Our method, of course, is different.
We do not purpose to have seminary first, followed by college
work at other institutions.       But we purpose to furnish our
future ministers with all their higher education, both pre-
seminary and seminary,% much as possible, and to have our
students receive "outside" education only in those subjects in
which we are not at present able to train them.       To a certain
extent, our Seminary did this already in the early years of our
history.    And in the late 1940's our churches purposed to begin
to add pre-seminary courses to our curriculum.       Now we are at
last beginning to achieve this goal. And it is high time, too.
For the need is greater today than ever before.
     We close this letter with an announcement of interest to
pre-seminary and potential pre-seminary students.       On Friday,
May 5, D.V., at 1:00 P.M., there will be a meeting at school
of representatives of the Theological School Committee and
the Faculty and as many of our future preseminary students as
can possibly make it.       The purpose of this meeting is to dis-
cuss plans for the beginning of our pre-sem course.       Students
should come prepared with complete and accurate information as
to their high school credits, especially, for example, in
foreign languages.       And-those who have already taken some pre-
sem work should be able to furnish full information about this.
This is a rather important meeting.       We urge you to attend if
at all possible.       And if you are interested but cannot attend.


     We commend the Seminary and its labors to your prayers.

                                 With greetings in the Lord,
                                                     The Faculty

P.S., There is still time, if you hurry, to get your name on the
mailing list of our Journal.       Perhaps some of our elders will be
especially interested in the next issue, which will contain the
conf,erence papers.     We will gladly add your name, either to our
permanent list or to our list for the coming issue only.        Please
      to Prof. Hanko if you are interested.


 326                                          THE STANDARD BEARER


baptism.                                                    fathers' children." The children of believing parents are
   We are insistent that these schools must be parental included in the covenant seed which God gathers in the
schools. It is not the calling of the State to instruct the line of continued generations of believers throughout
child, but of the parent! We do not send our children history. Therefore, when these children are presented
to Moab or to Philistia to be trained for their Christian for baptism, not only the parents, but we all confess
life and walk in the world, but we train them in the that. these children are "conceived and born in sin, and
home, and thus in its extension, the Christian school. therefore are subject to all miseries, yea, to
Nor is it the calling of the church to teach the child the condemnation itself; yet that they are sanctified in
basics of reading, writing, and arithmetic, with all that Christ, and therefore, as members of His church ought
this involves. The church instructs the child in sound to be baptized." In that respect we all have a
doctrine, which the parents must apply in instructing responsibility toward those children, and are deeply
their children, according to the calling of our God. concerned about their welfare.
Since this duty rests entirely upon the parents, and          This means that both parents and children fall under
since particularly in this complicated age in which we the jurisdiction of the church, or of Christ as He
live it is impossible for the parents alone to carry out ministers to their needs through the church. These
this reponsibility, we have our schools where parents children, along with their parents, are under the
together instruct their children through the teachers preaching of the Word; They are fed with the Bread of
they hire. The parent sends his child to school with life, strengthened in their faith by the power of Christ
strict orders: You listen to the teacher even as you operating through the Word. These parents and
listen to me. You obey the teacher as obeying me. You children, along with the rest of us, are under the
diligently learn everything the. teacher requires of you, jurisdiction of the elders. They are Christ's sheep,
even as you would for me. And you accept all that the which must be fed, guarded, protected. They must be
teacher teaches you, even as you must accept it from instructed, admonished, warned, and cared  L for
me, and that for God's sake.                                according to every spiritual need. These parents and
   Therefore, since the school is an extension of the children also experience the mercies of Christ in the
home, it follows that it is the duty of each and every office of the deacons. In as far as they are able, they
parent to support the school and pay for the themselves give liberally to the deacons to express the
instruction of his children. A parent of one child mercies of Christ as they experience them in their own
assumes the responsibility for that child completely. hearts and lives. If the need requires, they do not
He feeds and clothes that child, cares for it in all its hesitate to appeal to the mercies of Christ for financial
needs, even paying the doctor and hospital bills when aid and spiritual comfort. Where better can they go
the child is sick. He assumes all the responsibilities than to the bountiful hand of Christ through the
involved in bringing up the child, also its spiritual church and the deacons? So daily they receive all
training in the church and its Christian education in things from Him as from God's merciful Fatherhand.
the school. The best instruction is not too good, even Blessed it is to give, but blessed it is also to receive.
as he has vowed to train this child in the fear of the        These are some of the basic principles which we
Lord to the `utmost of his power. If the Lord has must have before us as they pertain to the subject of
entrusted five or more children to him, he also readily school tuition.
assumes that responsibility in the confidence that He is      This brings us to another important principle, which
doing his duty before God. And this duty is the actually must receive all the emphasis, namely, the
privilege the Lord has committed to him.                    principle of  Christian stewardship.
   So far we have not met any realm upon which there          When we speak of church or of Christian schools we
can be any disagreement.                                    cannot avoid the term  covenant,  because God's
   Now we come to another principle that involves covenant is so intimately related to both. Our covenant
God's church and covenant.                                  relationship to God is actually basic for our place in
   We have already established that church and school God's church and for the very existence of our schools.
are two separate entities. Yet it cannot be denied that In God's covenant we are His friend-servants, even as
they are nevertheless, closely related. The same He is our sovereign Friend. The very name "Christian"
,individuals  that send their children to the school are implies that we are partakers of Christ's anointing, and
also members of the church. The children that are therefore by the Spirit of Christ are called to serve our
trained in the school are instructed in the catechism. God in the office of believers. We are prophets, priests,
As members of the church, even of the body of Christ,       and kings, to know Him, love Him, and devote
we are, therefore, intimately related to one another by ourselves to Him in love with our whole being, our
the common bond of faith and love. In that sense it entire life, including our family. That is our Christian
can even be said that these children are not the sole stewardship, in which we confess: "All that I am I owe
possession of the individual parents, but they are our to Thee." Of this stewardship we must also give
children. The Psalmist of Psalm 78 speaks of "our account in the great day of days, as those who must


                                             THE STANDARD BEARER                                                   327


give account of all that is done in the body, whether right hand is giving. That is none of its business.
good or evil. We will be judged as to our eternal place Regarding the matter of school tuition, this means that
in glory accordingly.                                         we count it a privilege to have our own schools and to
  Now the very idea of friend-servant means that we be able to instruct our children in the truth of the
have a -calling, a duty, or obligation to love the Lord Scriptures according to the convictions of our hearts in
our God with our whole being and in all that we do. a God-centered instruction. We are daily thankful for
This duty, as has already been suggested, is also our those schools. We would not want to lose them for
privilege. We must, but we also can, we also will, and anything in the world. Since the spiritual welfare of
we also MAY. Our duty and our privilege are always our children is our chief concern, school tuition has
intertwined in all that we say and do. There is a Dutch priority on the list of financial obligations. We pay that
Psalm that says, `Thy  sepvice  of love has never yet first, even along with our obligation to the church,
wearied me. " We serve God willingly, because we love because that fills our greatest need, as far as our
Him with all our hearts.                                      children are concerned. No sacrifice is too great to give
  That is where our Christian giving comes in. Love our children covenant training according to the truth
must express itself. The Psalmist asks in Psalm 116: of God's Word, that they may grow up to be men and
"What shall I render unto the Lord for all His benefits women of God in His church and kingdom.
toward me?" To which his heart answers: "I will take            I assume that this is exactly where the shoe pinches.
the cup of salvation, and call upon the name of the             There are parents who are financially burdened
Lord." To put it slightly differently: "I will express because of a large family. Our high standard of living
my thanks by acknowledging all that the Lord has has boosted the cost of living to staggering heights. The
done for my soul. But I shall also extend to Him eager income is often hardly sufficient to meet all the
hands in asking for more and continued blessings." expenses involved in raising a family. With so many
Love expresses itself in asking freely, confidently, for other obligations, the church budget and the school
we are assured of receiving all that we ask, and even far tuition become an even greater drain on resources.
above all that we can ask or think. Love also expresses Tuition especially is high, because the cost of
itself in giving. If there should happen to be any educating our children keeps climbing along with
question in our minds about the fact that love everything else. If one can keep up with this monthly
expresses itself in giving, we need only be reminded tuition the matter is not so serious, but if one gets
that God gave His Son, and that the Son gave His life behind the burden begins to weigh so heavily that it
as a ransom for our sins. Greater love has no man than becomes unbearable.
that, that he gives His all, gives himself, gives his very      Then there are those who realize that they have an
life. The love of God finds its reflection in us. Paul obligation to the school, but feel that there are others,
speaks of that in II Corinthians 8:5. Let me explain a who probably have no children of school age, who
moment, that Paul is speaking of the churches of could well share this heavy burden with them. I can
Macedonia which were gathering offerings to help the also sympathize with them. There are people in the
afflicted and impoverished churches in  Judea. The church with a good income and a small family. They
apostle tells us that these Macedonian churches were do not realize what it is to struggle under a heavy
themselves in difficult financial straits, yet they gave burden of financial obligations. There are also older
according to their ability, even beyond their ability. He people whose children are grown up, and who do not
says that they gave beyond anything that he had have the problem of tuition any more. Maybe they feel
hoped. For, he adds, "They gave themselves." Yes, that they have done their duty when they had
they gave themselves to the LORD. Now that is real school-age children, and now the younger. generation
giving. We must first give ourselves, and we must give had better. carry the load. Those who object .that we
ourselves to the Lord. That is what Scripture means older people, or single persons, should also share the.
when it speaks to us as sons, saying, My son, give me burden with them do have a point. We often content
thine heart." As sons and daughters of God we confess ourselves by saying that. we went through the
that we belong to our faithful Savior Jesus Christ with depression. We had to pay for our children's education
body. and soul and with all that we  p,ossess. In our in much harder times than these. We had to take our
giving we confess that we are the Lord's in life, in tuition from the food of our tables and from the
death, and in eternity. We are simply expressing our clothing on our backs. Many in those days would take
love to God in saying, "All that I have in Thine, even their small weekly income, first take out for church
as I am Thine." That means that we can even give with and school, and then ask. themselves how much was
a certain holy abandon. Scripture warns that we should left for household needs. They felt keenly that by%all
not give grudgingly, but willingly, for God loves the means church and school must be kept going.
cheerful giver. Then it is actually no concern of ours          Now that may all be true, but let us not hide behind
how much we give. We even prefer that our left hand that as an excuse not to help where there is a real need.
does not look over our shoulder to spy on what our We certainly have to carry out our stewardship in this


328                                           THE STANDARD BEARER


world even today. Our boast of what good stewards we         pulpit should lay more stress on the calling and
were in the past does not make us good stewards privilege of our Christian stewardship. I know that our
today. The children of the covenant, the spiritual seed      Protestant Reformed Churches have always been
of the church, are OUR children. If we take as our reluctant to discuss money matters from the pulpit,
yardstick  .for our giving the Old Testament law of especially to beg for money. We proceeded from the
tithing, I think most of us would fall far short of giving principle ~that Jesus is no beggar, but loves a cheerful
a tenth of our gross income. There are possibilities of giver. If a person gives grudgingly, he may better not
giving in the church collections, in the various drives,     give. But I blush with shame when I think of how I
or even with outright donations for the school. How          personally have failed in my duty to instruct in
wonderful it would be if each one .who could afford it Christian giving. The Word of God must give direction
would assume the responsibility of one student, either also in these matters. In the meantime all sorts of
in high school or in the grades.                             devious -means have been invented to raise money.
  Yet, on the other hand, this may never be an excuse While the deacons in the churches complain that there
for those who must pay tuition. As I said before, the        are no poor today, so that they can hardly fulfill their
obligation to support the children God has given to us calling, the members of the church have all sorts of
rests first and primarily on the parents. Besides, for all drives, socials, suppers, sales, and what not. It has
of us applies the `command of Jesus, "Seek ye first the occurred to me that someone some day might write a
kingdom of God and His righteousness; and all these book on "One Thousand And One Ways To Raise
(other) things shall be added unto you." When Elijah Money For The School." I do not criticize the zeal and
came to the widow of Zarephath, he required of her,          devotion of particularly those women who devote so
"Make me a little cake  first, and bring it to me, and much time and effort toward raising money for these
after make for thee and for thy son." There we have worthy causes, nor would I suggest that you cease to
the same principle of seeking first the kingdom of God. support these efforts. But it does appear that there is
The amazing thing is, that this widow had received the something sadly wrong here. People will go to the
faith to do just that, She made a cake for the prophet State for State Aid, and do so without pangs of
of God first. Then I am inclined to say: "I have not conscience,            but they will absolutely refuse to
found so great faith, no, not even among us."                "humiliate" themselves to go to Christ to receive aid
  Finally, there are those who entirely ignore the from Him through the deacons. Many seem to give
principle of seeking the kingdom of heaven first. These freely to all kinds of efforts to raise money, but they
are the ones with whom the school bdards, the drop a quarter or a dime in the collection plate for the
deacons, and the elders are most concerned. There are benevolent fund. Maybe we have not learned that it is
those who put the church and the school last on their more blessed to give than to receive. Maybe we have
list of obligations, maybe because these creditors are not learned that it is, nevertheless, also blessed to
liable to pressure them the least. It is an evil that we receive, when we receive from the hand of Christ
can so readily fall into, if we are not constantly on the through the church, which eagerly expresses its love to
alert. Our sinful inclinations are to become poor God in its giving. Maybe our whole system of
stewards who lose from sight the privilege of being benevolence needs a thorough investigation.
friendservants of God. Or maybe we have never                  In the second place, it must certainly be stressed
learned it. Young people  m.arry, buy a new home, that it is the calling of the church, and particularly of
modern furniture, a car, and other necessities, and find the deacons, to administer the mercies of Christ. Where
themselves burdened with mortgages, loans, and what there is a -real need the deacons must gladly help. It is
not. The child they had not reckoned with in their no disgrace to be poor. Christ was poor, lived from
budget comes along sooner than they had intended. donations all His life, yet He never complained about
Unforeseen doctor bills pile up, and soon the  w,olf it. Are we better than He? It is certainly no disgrace if
stands howling at the door. How easy it is to put off the deacons call on us to ask us whether we need their
paying the school tuition just for once, in the hope that    aid. And deacons are not going beyond their privilege
somehow that also will be paid in the future. If the when they do this, But neither must we be ashamed to
school board could present a budget to the society that go to them when the need is there. Much less must we
would anticipate such contingencies, there still be concerned about what gossiping tongues might say.
.probably would be no problem. But school boards More than likely the deacons would advise you to pay
must figure down to the penny in order to keep their your obligation to the school and church first, as good
annual running expenses down to a minimum. So when stewards of God, according to the principles laid down
the money does not come in someone is bound to in the Scriptures. They would also inquire about your
suffer. That is what raises the question: How far is the income and expenses; which is their duty. A free and
church responsible in this matter?                           open discussion with the deacons concerning all your
  Maybe the first thing that I should offer as a financial problems can only prove spiritually
possible solution to the entire problem is, that the stimulating and also beneficial as far as your needs are


                                            THE STANDARD BEARER                                               329


concerned. You will notice that I do not suggest that showing that this is the will of God that we live as
the deacons pay the school ,tuition: This is not wise, those who must give account of our stewardship in the
since the problem lies much deeper than that. But I do great day of days. Let them not fail to point out that it
suggest that the church budget and the school tuition is indeed a privilege to train our children in the truth
be considered a part of our entire financial privilege of Scripture. Let them be the first to admit that we are
which God has given to us, a means whereby we may all sinners and unfaithful in our calling, but that this is
carry out our Christian stewardship before His face.       the more reason that we spur each other on, in order
  Finally, there are those who present the real that we may be a help as good examples to one
problem. They do not pay their school tuition, another. If after long and patient labor and
because, as they say, they cannot afford it. They refuse admonition, the individual shows only scorn for that
to go to the deacons for aid. They do not want anyone high calling, he must be placed under censure, not for
prying into their personal affairs, even though they are some debt that he may owe or some particular
confident that the deacons keep these things in obligation which he failed to fulfill, but for despising
strictest confidence. The preaching of the Word the office of mercy in the church or failing to fulfill his
evidently does not reach them. They become objects own calling as steward in God's house. Even that
of discipline, mind you, not because they fail to pay censure our fathers called "a last remedy." It is never
their tuition for their children, but because they are applied to destroy, but to save.
poor stewards before God. I do believe that the elders       How dependent we all are on the grace of God,
should work long and with much patience with these which is always abundantly rich in supplying all our
individuals, careful to instruct them in their God-given needs. How necessary it is for all of us to be constant
calling. Even elders must consider that only he who is in prayer for ourselves and for one another, that God's
without sin has the right to cast the first stone. But the church may prosper, and that our schools may also
elder does not come in his own name, or on his prosper. They mean so much to us, even though we
authority. Let him deeply realize in all humility that often take them for granted. Let us never forget that
he comes in the name of Christ. He does not present educating our children is a great privilege as well as an        .
his own ideas, but he comes with the Word of God, awesome responsibility.



Education Feature

                        The Concern of the Reformation
                           for Christian Education (10)
                                               Rev.' David Engelsma

  We conclude our evaluation of the Reformation's than the basic sin of man from the beginning, pride.
concern for Christian education with the observation The essence of this pride is man's will to be god, in
that the Reformation did not adequately guard against God's stead. In the sphere of education, humanism
the subversion of Christian education by humanism. fulfills its lust to deify man by making man the center
This leaven eventually leavened the whole lump of of the whole educational enterprise, by directing all of
Christian education in Germany and ruined it. This has the education towards the goal of man's glory, and by
significance for us who have the zeal of Luther and subjecting all of the education to the authority of
Calvin (and Paul and Moses and Abraham) for the man's will and wisdom. This last piece of arrogance is
Christian instruction of covenant children. For an unmistakable mark of humanism. Although a sin of
humanism is a persistent threat to the Christian school the spirit, humanism always manifests itself by refusing
and is, at present, in the process of destroying much of to subject all of education to the Word of God, sacred
Christian education.                                       Scripture. It denies, or removes, or smothers God's
  Humanism, as the word itself indicates, is the evil of Word and replaces it with a word of man, whether that
making man, rather than God,~ the end of all things. It be the word of Plato, or Darwin, or Mao, or the latest
is a sin of man's spirit, or heart; humanism is a spiritual sage in educational philosophy.
power. The humanist is man-centered in all his               Luther clearly saw that this was a basic evil in the
thinking, willing, and doing. His ultimate goal is man's schools before the Reformation. In his trumpet-blast
good and glory. Humanism, therefore, is nothing else of 1520, "An Open Letter to .the Christian Nobility of


3      3    0                                  THE STANDARD BEARER


the German Nation concerning the Reform of the from its unmistakable marks. There is little, if any, zeal
Christian Estate," in proof of his claim that "the in the schools for God. God is rarely, if ever,
universities also need a good, thorough reformation," mentioned. If He is mentioned, He serves only to
he wrote: "What else are the universities . . . than as further man's purposes. Man is at the center of things.
the book of Maccabees says, `Places for training youth Whether the professors and students will say so openly
in Greek glory,' in which loose living prevails, the Holy or not,  `cdivine man" is the end of education. One
Scriptures and the Christian faith are little taught, and important aspect of this idolatry in education is the
the blind, heathen master Aristotle rules alone even uncritical acceptance and adoration of the wisdom and
more than Christy" Luther was enraged because of the         beauty of the world. There is a glorying in the culture
dominance of the philosophy of Aristotle  ,over all of       of the natural man. So far, then, from rearing the
the education of that day. He railed against Aristotle,      children of the covenant to be citizens of the City of
and, by implication, against every form of humanistic God, these schools actually push the youth towards
education: "It grieves me to the heart that this this or that city of this world. They are, as Luther
damned, conceited, rascally heathen has with his false bitterly remarked of the schools of his day, "Places for
words deluded and made fools of so many of the best          training youth in Greek glory." This characteristic of
Christians. God has sent him as a plague upon us for humanistic education, its sin of the spirit, although
our sins." All of Luther's writings on education plain enough to those who have eyes to see, is difficult
breathe his zeal for God's glory, as the one great goal to pin down. It permeates all of the education, but it
of Christian education. Because this goal is attainable does so subtly. When the humanistic professor, or the
only if the Scriptures rule in the schools, he demanded administration that connives with him, is called to
schools in which the Word of God alone would reign. account, he can shift and evade and piously call on
     Nevertheless, humanism soon intruded itself into the God and John Calvin. This is impossible, however,
Christian schools established by the Reformation. with the other basic mark of humanism, its denial of
There were several reasons for this, First, humanism Holy Scripture. Humanism in education refuses to have
was a powerful force in the world at the time of the the Holy Scriptures as supreme, unchallenged
Reformation. It was developing and asserting itself in authority. The humanist will not bow before the
that great movement known as the Renaissance, which Scriptures with an unquestioning, child-like, humble,
arose and spread alongside the Reformation. Secondly, total acceptance of them as the very Word of God.
some of the humanists allied themselves with the Humanism cannot have Scripture as the only
Reformation, at least for a time, and thus exercised authority, because Scripture proclaims the glory of
some influence upon it. Such were Erasmus and God as the end of all things. The humanist will not
Hutton. Thirdly, not all of the Reformers remained submit to the Word of God, because he is a proud man,
untainted by humanism. It was the delusion of some who insists on the authority of the word of man. By
then, and remains the delusion of some today, that this -objective standard, we are to judge the schools. In
humanism and the Christian faith are compatible, even education also, one tries the spirits by the touchstone
allies. The chief culprit was Melanchthon, who never of the Word of God.
completely cast off the humanism with which he was             The denial of Holy Scripture in the schools is a
infected. But it was Melanchthon to whom was raging plague today. One fundamental form of this
entrusted the task of establishing Christian schools in denial is the attack upon the Scriptural account of the
Germany. It was he who gave concrete form to creation of the world by God in six days, as recorded
Luther's ideas concerning Christian education. in Genesis 1 and 2. The Word of God is subdued by the
Fourthly, the Reformation -handed the Christian words of Charles Darwin, that all things originated by
schools over to the civil government, from the very evolution. Denial of the account of creation is
beginning. This, by itself, guaranteed that the schools necessarily accompanied by a denial of the historicity
would soon lose their Christian character.                   (truthfulness) of the account of Adam's fall in Genesis
     Looking back, we are sad that the flame of Christian    3. This, in turn, leads to the denial of the entrance of
education, rekindled to burn so brightly at the              death into the good world by the sin of Adam, Paul to
Reformation, was soon snuffed out by an enemy of the contrary in  Remans 5 and I Corinthians 15
light not sufficiently guarded against. We recognize in notwithstanding.
this lamentable fact the truth of the warning of Luther        This assault on the Word of God in the realm of
that the Devil is the great foe of the Godly education Christian education and the tremendous implications it
of the children of th,e covenant. Here also, we wrestle has for all of education, indeed, for all of life, are
not against flesh and blood, but against principalities clearly evident in Jan Lever's little book,  Where  Are
and powers, the rulers of the darkness of this world, We Headed? (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1970). Lever is
spiritual wickedness in high places (Ephesians 6: 12).       professor of zoology at the Free University of
     This same evil, humanism, sorely afflicts Christian Amsterdam, the university established by Abraham
education today. Its presence and power are apparent Kuyper to be an institution of Christian and Reformed


                                                   THE STANDARD BEARER                                             331


learning. Lever's book is the publication of "nine short       developing religious consciousness of the ,humanized
talks on the general subject of the Bible and science." apes. In keeping with this pagan notion, man has made
In this work, Lever teaches that the earth is about five his own laws governing his conduct: "On the b&is of
billion years old, having come into existence "through his experience he forms rules for his conduct, which in
some astronomical event in the solar system" (p. 43); turn become norms within the context of freedom" (p.
that man is about two million years old; that life 46).
evolved by the sun's rays striking upon the soup-like            This is a science lesson that does not remain in the
oceans; that all of the forms of life now existent science classroom, but goes out radically to revise
evolved from the simplest life-form over billions of every subject in the curriculum. It aims at the creation
years; and that man gradually evolved from the of a whole new world-and-life-view on the part of the
animals, specifically, from a certain -kind of ape. students and, thus, the restyling of the Christian's
Although,, like most "theistic evolutionists," Lever entire life in the world.
presumably would hold that God may have the credit               Basic to this teaching is Lever's denial of the
of having created the oriaal matter, he does not even authority of Scripture and his replacement of God's
expressly state this. Lever summarizes his teaching this Word with another authority. Lever rejects Genesis 1
way:                                                           and 2 (as well as Psalm 33, Proverbs 8, Hebrew 11:3,
    In order to see clearly the position of man one must,      and innumerable other passages) as the true,
    as it were get a bird's eye view of the entire             authoritative revelation of the Holy Spirit concerning
    development we have sketched. In a process that took       the origin of the world. He prefers the two-fold
    billions of years, we see how the initially uninhabited    authority of man's mind and the latest speculations of
    earth gradually became populated. Step by step the         scientists, which he calls "modern science." He rejects
    ladder was climbed to the ever higher possibilities        Genesis 1 and 2, hecause  "anyone who reads the Bible
    that lay hidden in creation. First, organic matter,
    then very simple forms of life, then plants; after that    wi.th common sense can reach the conclusion that a
    animals that could observe with their senses, then the     literal reading of the Genesis account is wrong" (p.
    successively higher structured types of vertebrate         27). "Common sense" is the criterion. This same
    animals, with brains which became bigger and bigger,       "common sense" rejects a birth from a virgin, the
    and more and more complex, and with behavior               resurrection of dead bodies, the swimming of
    patterns that became ever richer and more varied.          axe-heads, and every other miracle. Having grown fat
    Then, at the end of this long evolution, within            and lusty by devouring the wonderful works of God, it
    creation, from a branch of the primates, there             will proceed to deny the wonderworking, Triune God
    emerges man, a creature who lives on an entirely new       Himself. Common sense is another name for the mind
    level (p .45).                                             of natural man, which is spiritually ignorant and
  This view of the origin of the world has far-reaching foolish. The other constituent element of Lever's
implications, which Lever is not afraid to make authority is "modern science." When he asks about
explicit. Sin and death did not enter the world at a the origin of life, he at once turns to "the view of
certain time because of the disobedience of Adam, but present-day scientific thought concerning the origin of
they are simply part of the nature of the creation from this earthly reality" (p. 31). When he leads us in a
the very beginning. Lever ascribes man's violent, search for the origin of man, he advises us that "we
murderous nature to man's origin from the animals, as do well fast to `examine what kind of scientific data
a carnivore (p. 56). The effect of these notions is to         are available to us  concetiing the origin of man" (p.
absolve men of their guilt, apart from the blood of 37). He does not first examine the Word of God, Who
Jesus Christ. In asserting the evolution of the world, should be able to tell us about our origin, but
Lever disparages the idea that "God in the course of "scientific data," for Scripture is not his authority.
the creation week reached down from above, as it This denial of Scripture is the objective, perfectly plain
were, several times in order to add completely new             mark of humanism lording it over education.
things out of `nothing.' " In fact, he flatly' asserts:          The other characteristic of humanism is also obvious
"The Creator does not intervene locally or in Lever's thought, namely, the crowning  of man as
temporally." This is, at one stroke, to deny all of the god. At the conclusion, when Lever must explain
miracles of the Bible, including the Incarnation and the Christianity's significance in this evolved world, he
Virgin Birth. One aspect of the gradual evolution of declares that Christ arid the gospel "can really assist us
man is the development also of religion, from within in our search for solutions to the great problems of
man himself. At first, man was polytheistic, and "A today and tomorrow. For Christ teaches us the
caste of priests also arose, whose task it was to channel universal equality of all men without distinction of
and to give form to the expression of religious race or color. Christ teaches us social concern, love of
emotions" (p. 49). In other words, the worship of God neighbor, peaceableness and personal responsibility.
and the knowledge of God were not a matter of God's Following him therefore means the arresting of
own self-revelation, but a matter of the gradually aggression in all its forms, and the realization that


332                                                       THE STANDARD BEARER



brute force should be replaced by a real solidarity, of God's creation, but it is the liberation of truth.
each of us being prepared to make sacrifices to his                    To have this education, we must constantly take
fellow man" (p. 58). Earthly progress, earthly peace, heed to ourselves as churches. There is a vital
earthly comforts, that is, Man, are the goal of all relationship between the school and the church. In this
things. God, Jesus, and the gospel are able to advance relationship, the school, in .its way, helps the church.
Man's cause. This is their place.                                    But the main relationship is the dependence of the
  Lever has the name of a Christian man. He calls Christian school upon the church. This is not to say
himself Reformed. He teaches in a Reformed that the Christian school is a church-school, or that it
university. He is by -no means unique, but he is a is to be dominated by the clergy. But it is to say that
particularly clear example of the threat to Christian the school will not be and cannot be stronger than the
education today by humanism. Not only the science church to which belong the parents, the children, the
courses, but all of the subjects jn the schools are cut teachers, and the Board that make up the school. It is
loose from the authority of Scripture and are, in this no accident that the establishment of truly Christian
instance, enslaved to the lordship of Charles Darwin, schools arose in history out of the reformation of the
who was a "damned, conceited, rascally heathen."                     Church.  Show me schools that are free from
  The fruits of such an education are dreadful, far humanism, and I will show you churches that burn
worse than the consequences of illiteracy. Calvin with the 1ov.e of God and zeal for His glory. Show me
warned us long ago, in his commentary on schools that magnify man, challenge the Scriptures, and
I Corinthians 3: 19:                                                 tolerate wicked behavior, and I will show you churches
       The liberal arts and all the sciences . . . must be looked    that have departed from Christ. This is why the labor
       upon as empty and worthless, until they have become           and sorrow of conservative Christians expended over
       entirely subject to the word and Spirit of God. If, on        their schools are an exercise in futility. Reform the
   the other hand, they set themselves in opposition to              Church, and the reform of the schools will follow.
       Christ, they must be looked upon as dangerous pests,
       and, if they strive to accomplish anything of                                          *****
       themselves, as the worst of all hindrances, and are             Education in the world today is overwhelmingly in
       much to be dreaded."                                          subjection to lord Man. China educates its millions in
Humanistic education produces a proud, carnal, total subjection to lord Mao; Russia, to lords Marx and
skeptical, but capable breed of young people, capable, Lenin; America, to lords Plato, Darwin, and Dewey;
that is, to implement their pride, carnality, and dead heathens, all of them. It seems good to us, and
skepticism in every sphere of life. It tolerates and even right, to instruct our children under the sovereign
promotes immoral behavior, so that the schools are, as Lordship of Jesus Christ, the only living Lord, "Who is
Luther complained, places "in which loose living the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every
prevails. " Lever's own explanation of humanistic creature: For by him were all things created, that are'
education makes plain that the answer to the question in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible
which is the title of the book, "Where are we headed?" . . . all things were created by him, and for him: And
is, in simple, sober truth: The Kingdom of Antichrist,               he is before all things, and by him all things consist . . .
  What, in the light of all this, must we do, who have that in all things he might have the preeminence. For it
inherited the Reformation's concern for Christian pleased the Father that in him should all  fulness
education and who desire that our children not hea'd dwell."
where man-centered education will drive them? We must
establish and maintain sound, faithful Christian (The Board of the Loveland Protestant Reformed
schools, to the utmost of our power. We must insist on Christian School has printed, in quantity, a brief
education that is God-centered and God-glorifying and pamphlet entitled, "The Christian School: Why?". If
that is, for that reason, absolutely, but joyfully, anyone desires to have a copy, or a number of copies,
subject to the authority of Holy Scripture, God's he can obtain them, without charge, by writing the
Word. This is not the suppression of truth, not in Board at 705 E. 57th St., Loveland, Colo. 80537)
science, not in history, not in music, not in any facet





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                                               THE STANDARD BEARER



News From Jamaica
                                                  Rev. G. Lubbers
          "Not because I desire a  gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account."
                                                                                       Philippians  4:17

   The text which I wrote above this little news article people here. And at the same time it is necessary to
from Jamaica came to my mind when I saw the eight bring them with firmness and good instruction and
crates of clothing which the Hudsonville diaconate had with directives from the Word of God.
packed, crated and sent to my address here on this           Time and again the words came to my mind "not
Caribbean island. There stood those crates in the that I desire a gift. . . . ." At each occasion we spoke a
Montego Bay Freeport. They were bulging at the few words from the Scriptures impressing upon the
seams. These were love-gifts which had been placed hearts of the saints that these were gifts which
upon the altar of consecration to the Lord.                represented the love and mercies of Christ through the
   However, they were not yet in my possession. That sanctified hands of the saints in the States. If this
takes time. There are many steps in the process. First, bringing of clothing was on Sunday, we would try to
one must go and see the representative of the ship-line have a special meeting in which we presented these
TRANSCONNEX-JAMAICA, INC. for the original-bill clothes. You must know that we have now brought the
of lading. Then one must go and see where he can clothing to all but two of the churches here. In the
obtain a broker who will transact this business for him, smaller churches Mrs. Lubbers would have the clothing
since the churches here are not yet incorporated, and selected and would give these to the people personally.
recognized by the government. One must deal with a           Yesterday we were to the Belmont congregation. It
broker because the value of the merchandise must be was a good day. We might teach Catechism-Sunday
declared with Customs. The Wharfinger needs his fee School on Article 13, First Head of Doctrine. The entire
for having stored the goods at the warehouse. After the class had learned this by heart. We might teach for fifty
goods have been freed and customs-duty has been paid minutes, employing our blackboard for' illustrations.
one must obtain a truck to bring the 3200 lbs of Later we preached on Ephesians 5: 15-20. In the
clothing here to Coral Gardens where we live.              afternoon at 3: 30 we presented the clothing and spoke
  This all occupied about a week!                          for thirty minutes on the passage from Philippians 4. It
  The enthusiastic deacons over-evaluated the clothing was possible to make many appropriate applications of
sent, so I needed a new Form B 23 sent from Grand          this passage. I could point out that perhaps they were
Rapids and Florida with a lower evaluation, lest the like Paul, not so much desiring the "gift" as that they
customs-duty would be almost like rapacious banditry. saw in it, the "fruit which abounds to the account" of
We got by with paying $59.00 customs-duty for the the many who made this clothing-drive a success, by
clothing. Had these churches been recognized there the grace of God. At least that is what should be the
would have been no need of a broker nor would there reward which every donor should be seeking and
have been customs-duty.                                    looking for. They should be looking toward the day
  Finally the Saturday came when the truck brought when Christ shall say: I was naked and ye clothed .me,
the clothing to our house. Three Jamaicans came. They hungry and ye fed me, imprisoned and ye visited me.
had no device with wheels to unload these boxes which We should know that inasmuch as we have done this
ranged from 375 to 450 pounds in weight. And these         to the least of Christ's children, we have done it unto
crates were placed in our "maid's room," all but two. I    Him.
feared that the door frame would be taken off the            And this all had wide implication and application         '
house! But all went well. I did not need to repair the for those who receive these gifts. They in turn were to
door, or apologize to the landlord. And now these receive them with thanksgiving, that there might be a
ponderous giants had to be unpacked, sorted and            double harvest of grace. They should say not that we
delivered to the various churches on the island.           desire the gift. They should learn to say with Paul: for
Although our motto was "hurry slowly," it soon I have learned to be content in whatsoever state I am,
became evident that Mrs. Lubbers has her own way of both to abound and to suffer want.
keeping that motto. Methodically and with dispatch           Yes, this "talk" started out a talk but soon it
she went at this task, and our home at times looked captivated the audience and it became a sermon of
like a clothing store. I reminded myself that this was teaching and admonition. And the Word was received
the Mission Center of the island? and dutifully put the well with spiritual minds.
                                                             The elder at Belmont responded that they received
cardboard boxes in the Ford Cortina and brought the        this clothing as the special care of Christ for them His
clothing to the various churches.                          sheep, and that they were indeed thankful to God for
  It is a blessed task to bring this clothing to the being remembered. They saw in this clothing the


334                                          THE STANDARD BEARER


evidence of the love of Christ through His people, the of it all we hear Paul say: Thanks be to God for His
evidence of a living faith.                                 unspeakable gift!
   This clothing was over-estimated in its value by the       It is a great lesson in thankfulness and gratitude that
Hudsonville deacons. They simply have no value at all we are given by the apostle Paul in prison. He did not
in a .commercial  way. The Jamaica Government plays write these words from an ivory tower. He wrote as the
the part of the mendicant when it requires Custom-duty prisoner of Jesus Christ. From this example of the
from us. It says in effect: you may give gifts to the great apostle to the Gentiles we take heart. Often the
poor of our land provided you pay the duty. The way is trying, as a servant of Jesus Christ.
Customs Officers' really blush when I tell them this and      When we see this expression of the love of Christ-in
they hold the customs down to a token. But they do these tangible gifts, in the many letters which we
not thwart our purpose. For the real value of this receive, we say with Paul: But I rejoice in the Lord
clothing is that it helps the poor, and expresses our greatly. . . .!
love to these churches who are by our United States           Rejoice in the Lord alway, and again I say, Rejoice.
standards: poor, poorer and poorest. And in the midst


News Feature

                       Officebearers' 
                                                      Conference--Pella
                                                Rev. D. H. Kuipev





  On February 29, forty elders, ministers, professors       Hanko, who could not be present due to family illness,
and seminary students participated in a full day of         gave us a paper of a highly practical nature; he
discussions in the Pella, Iowa Protestant Reformed          expounded Scripture, gave warnings, demonstrated
Church;  Classis West met in Pella the next day. The        points with examples drawn from a long ministry. As
general subject of the conference was pastoral              was the case with the first presentation, this paper was
counseling. The morning session commenced with the          permeated with Biblical references so that in all the
reading of the paper "Competent to Counsel  -  A            discussions there was very little basic disagreement.
Critique" by Prof. Herman Hanko of our seminary. It         During the discussions which lasted until the supper
is not necessary to offer an analysis of the critique       hour, the younger ministers, especially, benefited by
here. Let it be sufficient to say that Dr. J. Adams of hearing the experienced pastors speak of various
Westminster Theological School, the author of               approaches and insights.
Competevzt  to Counsel  (Presbyterian and Reformed            The evening meal was served in the banquet room of
Publishing Co., Nutley, N.J.,  $4.50), agrees with the      another local restaurant, after which we returned to
points of criticism raised by Prof. Hanko. On the           the church building for a brief business meeting and an
whole his paper constitutes an endorsement of the           informal speech by Prof. Homer Hoeksema on various
basic positions of the book.                                contacts the Committee for Correspondence with
  After the conferees enjoyed dining in a local             Foreign Churches has recently made. The fact that we
restaurant and strolling about in seventy-four degree       are being approached by believers in such distant
weather (in all honesty, it snowed the next day), a         places as Australia, England, Korea, and New Zealand,
paper by Rev. C. Hanko of Hudsonville was read. Rev.        was presented, questioned, and digested. When the


                                               THE STANDARD BEARER                                                           335



 long day was over, the participants left with capacity are urged to obtain Dr. Adams' book, and also
 enthusiastic hearts, knowing that however God would to write for copies of these papers. They will be
~ use us in future years, He would continue faithfully to available from the seminary in the next issue of the
 gather His Church!-                                         Theological Journal.
    The subject of the pastor and the care of the soul as      We look forward to the next meetings being planned
 it was discussed, along with the communion of fellow by the conference committee, Rev. Decker and Rev.
 saints and officebearers, was extremely worthwhile.  Engelsma.
 Those who function in a counseling or guidance

      CALL TO ASPIRANTS TO THE MINISTRY                                  RESOLUTION OF SYMPATHY
          Seminary and Be-seminary Students                        The Ladies Society and the Men's Society of the
    All young men desiring to begin their studies this       South Holland Protestant Reformed Church expresses
 fall in either the pre-sem seminary or seminary             sincere sympathy to the family of
 department of the Theological School of the                                 GILBERT VAN BAREN,
 Protestant Reformed Churches are requested to appear
 before the Theological School Committee at its              who went to live with his Lord on March 2 1, 1972.
 meeting which is to be held D.V. on Friday May 5,                 May our covenant God comfort the bereaved by
  1972 at the Southeast Protestant Reformed Church,          His Word and Spirit. "For whether we live, we live
 Grand Rapids, Michigan.                                     unto the Lord, and whether we die, we die unto the
    The qualifications requisite to enrolling in the         Lord: whether we live, therefore, or die, we are the
                                                             Lord's." (Romans 14: 8).
 seminary course are:
    1. You must present a letter from your consistory                                               Rev. Robert Decker, Pres.
      certifying that you are upright in walk and pure                                                Mrs. John Busker, Sec'y.
      in doctrine.                                                                               Mr. Mike Van Baren, Sec'y.
    2. You must present a certificate of health,  signed-
      by a reputable physician.
    3. You must be a graduate from high school and be
      able to show you have completed the required
      subjects listed in the Bulletin on The Preseminary
      course. This Bulletin can be obtained from the
      Secretary of the Theological School Committee.
    The qualifications to enter the pre-seminary
 department are the same as the above except "3" I a Applicable to College Tuition
 should read, "a graduate from high school."
    In event you cannot be present at this meeting,
 please notify the undersigned secretary of your I
 intentions, prior to the meeting.                              l Prospective P.R. Ministers
                          R. H. Teitsma, Secretary                       &Teachers may apply
                            1659 Shangrai La Dr., S.E.
                          Grand Rapids, Michigan 49508

                                                                  l      Apply before May 1st
                      ANNOUNCEMENT
      (Of Interest To Those Who Can Read Dutch)
          Two Brochures by Dr. Ph. J. Huyser                       oObtaiti
 H E T   V E R W O R D I N G S P R O C E S   i n   d e
 GEREFORMEERDE KERKEN                                            I blanks from .your.
                                                                         YJ! Society secretary
    I. De Regerende Klasse, Price, $1.00                                    . ..or your Pastor
    II. De Invloed van de Tijdgeest, Price, $1 .OO
 As a courtesy to those interested in developments in
  the Netherlands, we are offering the above booklets.                    Sponsored by the Protestant
 Write to our Business Office:                                            Reformed Scholarship Fund
                          The Standard Bearer
                          P.O. Box 6064                             I     a n d   t h e   F e d e r a t i o n   B o a r d
                          Grand Rapids, Michigan 49506


 THE STANDARD BEARER
             P.O. Box 6064
 Grand Rapids, Michigan 49506


336                                            THE STANDARD BEARER.

                                 News From Our Churches
   From Southeast's bulletin we learn that Rev.                 The reaction of the Business Manager, in one short
Schipper, the pastor of that congregation, has declined and simple, yet somehow exceedingly fitting statement
the call extended to him from our church in Redlands, - "Isn't that something!"
California.                                                                             *****
                              *4***                             The second contribution concerns the celebration of
   For the news column in this issue, we have a couple        Hope Protestant Reformed School's 25th anniversary.
of contributions which we are certain will be of general      Most of you are probably aware of that celebration,
interest.                                                     since bulletin announcements concerning it have
  One comes to us through the courtesy of Mr. H.              appeared in many, if not all, of the bulletins of our
Vander Wal, who has been, periodically, providing bits        various churches. The publicity committee has
of information concerning the extent and effectiveness        decided, though, that a little more extensive informa-
of our witness by means of the printed page. Perhaps          tion would be appropriate. We agree, and are happy to
you recall his reference, in the January 1 issue, to a        pass on the following:
Canadian subscriber who requested a one year's gift             "Being presently in the 25th (1971-72) school year,
subscription to be sent to a person in the Netherlands.       the school board thought it appropriate to acknowl-
In that issue of the Standard Bearer, Mr. Vander Wal          edge God's goodness to us. They named a steering
invited the subscriber from Canada to offer "an ex-           committee of non-board members of the school
planation as to how this came about." Well, to keep a         society to plan events fitting for the occasion. Col-
short story from getting any longer, the explanation          lectively and through its various subcommittees, this
from Canada was forth-coming. Here it is:                     steering committee has chosen as a unifying theme,
  "I noticed the reference  in the Standard Bearer to         `God's Covenant Faithfulness.' Under this theme a
my having sent a subscription to a man living in a town       program will be presented, a commemorative booklet
in the Netherlands. I appreciate your interest, and can       printed, and the school building opened for inspection.
understand that you wonder how I would know                     "The program is planned for the evening of Friday,
anyone living there.                                          May 12, 1972, in the Grandville,  Mich. Junior High
  "As you know, a good many people from the                   School gymnasium. (Parking is being provided on a lot
Netherlands have come to Canada to live since the end         east of the gym.) The evening's main speaker will be
of World War II, and this is the case in our province         Rev. David Engelsma, an alumnus of Hope School, and
too. Mr. M. . . and family settled in the county of           presently pastor of our Loveland, Colorado, congrega-
Pictou, twelve miles from here. Less than a year before       tion. Miss Agatha Lubbers, a former principal, will
returning to Holland, the Jehovah's Witnesses called          provide a brief school history, and Mr. John Buiter,
upon them. While he was trying to convince them of            present principal, will give a resume of the present
the error of their religion, one of them said to him,         curriculum. Special numbers will be presented by the
`You talk like Mr. . . . .' Thus we were `introduced.' Hope School and Covenant Christian High School
Mr. M.. . looked us up, and from then on until he             choirs.
returned to Holland, he attended the regular Sunday             "The commemorative booklet will, in both word
worship services at our home here without missing a           and picture, relate the school's covenant blessings
single service,  - and that was during a very cold,           received of God, and present those who were privileged
stormy winter and typical raw spring weather.                 to be instructed therein. The nominal charge to be
  "Besides the personal contacts and interest, I think        made for possession of a booklet will be negligible,
the work of the Standard Bearer, through the witness          considering its contents.
of the Rev. Herman Hoeksema, the Rev. George                    "The `open house' following the program will allow
Ophoff, and others in exposing the radical error of           an inspection of the complete school plant now exist-
Common Grace, is invaluable. And I wanted Mr. M. . .          ing. A showing of slides of highlights of the history of
to have the opportunity of reading this material. Hence       the school will be in continuous operation. Refresh-
the order I sent in to you."                                  ments will be served while aquaintances of alumni and
  Interesting, we think. And, to cap it all, the ex-          friends are renewed.
planatory letter included a request for material to be          "Who is invited to attend these festivities? All past,
sent to Australia, no less, and, in addition, a suggestion    present and future alumni and all parents, families, and
for another name to be added to the list of subscribers       friends of truly Christian education, possible only
to the Standard Bearer.                                       because of God's Covenant Faithfulness."           D.D.


