What happens between death and the resurrection? What happens when a Christian or an unbeliever dies? This article answers those questions by looking at Scripture's teaching on the intermediate state. Exploring the meaning of death for a Christian and the separation of body and soul, the author gives hope to those who rest in Christ. Judgment day is a day they can look towards with courage.
What happens between death and the resurrection? This article answers this by looking at the intermediate state. In exploring the meaning of death for a Christian and the separation of body and soul, the author points us to the hope that belongs to those who rest in Christ.
Eschatology is the study of Scripture's teaching concerning the last days. This article shows the prominence of the teaching in Scripture.
What is the relevance of the Synod of Dort for the church today? This article shows that both the Synod of Dordt and the Canons of Dort preserved the gospel in its purity, and thus continued the cause of the Reformation.
Assurance is the certainty that belongs to faith. This article proves this claim by looking at the work of the Holy Spirit in relation to the assurance of faith. It shows that assurance of salvation is the work of the Holy Spirit.
Assurance is the certainty that belongs to faith. This article proves this truth by looking at the meaning of faith a sure confidence, as explained in Lord's Day 7, question 21 of the Heidelberg Catechism, and the teaching on assurance of faith from the Westminster Standards.
Assurance is the certainty that belongs to faith. This article compares Martin Luther’s and John Calvin’s teaching on assurance of faith, showing that they maintained the biblical teaching. It then evaluates the teaching of the Puritans on assurance compared to that of the Reformers.
Assurance is the certainty that belongs to faith. This article gives the biblical basis for the assurance of faith.
Assurance of salvation is an aspect of true faith. This article shows how this is so by looking at faith as union with Christ, as knowledge, and as certainty. Then it discusses the relationship between faith and assurance of salvation.
Assurance of salvation is what God wills for his children. This article examines the Heidelberg Catechism, Belgic Confession and Canons of Dort to show what they teach on the assurance of salvation.
What happens to you when you die? This article focuses on the intermediate state, looking at the difference between body sleep and soul sleep, and how the biblical teaching on the intermediate state determines how believers bury their dead.
It is God’s will that his children should be assured of their salvation. This article argues that assurance of salvation is a certain thing.
It is God’s will that his children should be assured of their salvation. On the other hand, assurance of salvation is not experienced by all believers. This article looks at how the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church and Arminianism, as well as some teachings of the Puritans, rob believers of their assurance of salvation.
From Matthew 24:14 this article shows that the preaching of the gospel to the whole world will precede the second coming of Christ. This preaching is about the kingdom, and its purpose is to save the elect and render people without excuse.
From Isaiah 6 this article shows that the experiential preparation for the ministry consists of knowing your personal depravity and God’s forgiveness.
The call for liturgical renewal, that worship be more user-friendly, exuberant, and ritualistic is a man-centred call. This article shows why this call is not biblical, defending the Reformed character of worship.
This article is an exposition of Matthew 24. It shows how Christ referred to the destruction of Jerusalem as a pointer to the final judgment and the end of the world.
Is the innocent party in a divorce situation allowed to remarry? From Matthew 19:9 this article argues that there is no room for remarriage for both the guilty and innocent party in a divorce.
What is the essence of the church? From 1 Timothy 3:15 this article shows that the essence of the church is that she upholds the truth. This article shows how the church upholds the truth in her worship, confessions, preaching, and eldership.
Is Mary the mother of God? This article traces the development of the Roman Catholic church dogma on Mary. It looks at the role of Mary in the birth of Christ. The author argues that since Mary needed to be saved like any other sinner, she cannot be called the mother of God.
As described in the Heidelberg Catechism, the life of the Reformed Christian is characterized by a threefold experience: misery because of sin, glad assurance because of deliverance in Christ, and gratitude that expresses itself in good works and prayer.
In this article, the author concludes the argument that Christ's rule today is the fulfillment of his reign on earth as prophesied in such texts as Psalm 72. This is the point of view of amillennialism.
As the author continues with a defence of amillennialism over against postmillennialism, the argument turns to the amillennial view itself, which emphasizes the rule of Christ Jesus in the present age. Thus, this view is opposed to a specific time period of a literal 1000 years of Christ's rule, as advocated by many postmillennials.
Engelsma concludes the argument that Isaiah 65 should not be understood literally but rather spiritually, as pointing to the spiritual kingdom that shall be established by Christ at his second coming. Thus the physical, earthly kingdom of postmillennialism is here rejected.
This is a continuation of the study of Isaiah 65 in refutation of the postmillennial interpretation of Scripture.
In this continuing discussion, Engelsma deals with the interpretation of Isaiah 65, and rejects the literal interpretation adopted by postmillennials.
In the part of the continuing discussion, the author turns to the strongest source for the support of postmillennialism, the Old Testament prophetic texts. The author criticizes this over-reliance on Old Testament passages. The author also makes an specific analysis of the postmillennial interpretation of Isaiah 65.
This article critiques J. Marcellus Kik's interpretation of Matthew 24:3-35, and rejects it as a postmillennial idea that is not supported by the broader text of Scripture.
This is a continuation of the defence of amillennialism in contrast to other theologies of eschatology. In this article, the author grapples with the difficulties of Matthew 24.
In this article on amillennialism, the author stresses that the contents of Revelation 20 disprove rather than affirm the postmillennial position. The main supporting arguments are those prophetic events given by the Lord Jesus in Matthew 24.
The author clearly states the eschatological position of Amillennialism. This view is supported by the Reformed creeds, as well as the outplay of natural events in history.
The author explains what is meant by the terms amillennialism and postmillennialism. With reference primarily to Revelation 20, the author then refutes the view of postmillennialism.
The author defends the view of amillennialism, and in opposition to the view of postmillenialism.
Eschatology is the doctrine that deals with the last things. This article shows what should Christians expect with the coming of Christ and how this should shape the way they view death.
From Matthew 24 this article shows how lawlessness shows itself in the world and the church.
This article shows that abortion is the ungodly solution to the problem caused by sexual immorality.
This article shows that Reformed churches should not only rejoice that Martin Luther took a stand against error in doctrine, but also be prepared to take the stand themselves.
When the Reformers observed the clarity of scripture, they had in mind that Scripture is clear when it is preached, and that the believer must read it in its simplicity. The perspicuity of scripture gives the freedom to believers to read the Bible, and the foundation for the church to formulate doctrines.
This article is a biography on Herman Hoeksema, with a focus on his preaching ministry.
According to Colossians 3:16 singing should be a form of teaching and admonishing one another. This article discusses this by looking at the content of what the church sings and the manner of singing.
By looking at the place of signs characterizing the coming of Christ, and the place of the antichrist from Matthew 24, this article argues that postmillennialism has no basis in Scripture. Instead, it argues for the position of the amillennialism.
What is it that characterizes postmillennialism? This article concludes the discussion on the teaching of preterism. The author also discusses postmillennialism's belief in the temporary aspect of the millennium, as well as its blame of the church for the failure of the millennial kingdom to appear.
What is it that characterizes postmillennialism? This article focuses on the teaching of preterism.
What is it that characterizes postmillennialism? This article focuses on the teaching of preterism.
What is it that characterizes postmillennialism? This article focuses on the teaching of preterism.
What is it that characterizes postmillennialism? This article focuses on two characteristics taught in postmillennialism that are believed to usher in the golden age of the church: the earthly victory of the church and the conversion of the Jews. The author looks at these claims and gives an evaluation based on the teaching of scripture.
How should one interpret Revelation 20:7-9? After evaluating Herman Hoeksema’s interpretation of this text as related to the teaching of postmillennialism, the author of this article provides an alternative interpretation.
How should one interpret Revelation 20:7-9? After evaluating Herman Hoeksema’s interpretation of this text as related to the teaching of postmillennialism, the author of this article provides an alternative interpretation.
This article discusses the postmillennialist interpretation of Revelation 20, with a focus on Revelation 20:7-9.
Postmillennialism teaches that Jesus will return after the millennium. The controversy around this teaching centers around the interpretation of Revelation 20:1-10. This article discusses the postmillennial perspective on this passage of scripture.
Postmillennialism teaches that Jesus will return after the millennium. The controversy around this teaching centers around the interpretation of Revelation 20:1-10. This article discusses the postmillennial perspective on this passage of scripture.
Postmillennialism teaches that Jesus will return after the millennium. The controversy around this teaching centers around the interpretation of Revelation 20:1-10. Should this passage be understood literally or figuratively? Postmillennialism reads this text figuratively, but presents a different understanding than the common Reformed view on the topics of the binding of Satan, the reign of saints, the first resurrection and the victory of Christ.
Postmillennialism teaches that Jesus will return after the millennium. This article traces the manifestation of different postmillennial views within the tradition of the Reformed and Presbyterian churches.
Postmillennialism teaches that Jesus will return after the millennium. This article traces the manifestation of different postmillennial views within the tradition of the Reformed and Presbyterian churches.
This series of articles builds off of a previous series entitled The Millennium. Although they are distinct perspectives, premillennialism and postmillennialism hold some things in common. In their treatment of Revelation 20, both expect the literal fulfillment of the millennium, the earthly realization of the Messianic kingdom. Also, both see the Jews racially as the special people of God. In this article attention is given to the teaching of postmillennialism.
This trilogy of articles builds off of a previous series entitled The Intermediate State, looking at the topic of end times. This series looks at the text of Revelation 20:1-10, discussing the amillennialism perspective on this scripture passage.
This trilogy of articles builds off of a previous series entitled The Intermediate State, looking at the topic of end times. This series looks at the text of Revelation 20:1-10, discussing the amillennialism perspective on this scripture passage. One must understand the sybolic nature of the book of Revelation. Revelation 20 is a description of the present gospel age.
This trilogy of articles builds off of a previous series entitled The Intermediate State, looking at the topic of end times. This series looks at the text of Revelation 20:1-10, discussing the premillennialism and postmillennialism perspectives on this scripture passage. The author maintains that interpreting this text wrongly puts the unity of scripture at stake and threatens the Christian hope.
What is the work of the pastor? This article maintains that a fundamental aspect of the work of the minister is teaching doctrine (1 Timothy 4:13). The author describes what it means to teach doctrine and what this teaching should look like. In order to fulfill this task, the pastor must also value reading.
This is the last of six articles about the intermediate state, death, and what happens when Christians die. This article discusses whether the soul is mortal or immortal ("immortality of the soul").
This is the fifth of six articles about the intermediate state, death, and what happens when Christians die. This article argues against the concept of purgatory.
This is the fourth of six articles about the intermediate state, death, and what happens when Christians die. This article maintains that after death believers have uninterrupted covenant communion with Jesus Christ. Christians must guard this doctrine under the threat of naturalism and modernism.The article also looks at the idea of soul sleep.
This is the third of six articles about the intermediate state, death, and what happens when Christians die. This is about the Old and New Testament witness to the intermediate state, and what happens to the unbeliever after death.
This is the second of six articles about the intermediate state, death, and what happens when Christians die. Christians have the hope and knowledge that after death they live in their soul with Christ in heaven. The article looks at the resurrection of the soul and judgment after death.
This is the first of six articles about the intermediate state, death, and what happens when Christians die. This article looks at the separation of body and soul, "body-sleep", burial and it discusses the comfort Christians can have.
This article is about marriage as a bond for life. The author also looks as marriage and remarriage. Scripture passages like 1 Corinthians 7:39, Ephesians 5:31-32 and Matthew 19:9 is also discussed.
In this article about marriage as a calling, the author looks at wedding vows and at marriage as a covenant. Important in marriage is love and respect. 1 Corinthians 7 is discussed. The author also looks at being single.
