Looking at Numbers 18 and Deuteronomy 14, this article shows how the tithe law functioned in Israel.

Should office-bearers receive the laying on of hands at their ordination? This article reflects the teaching of the Old and New Testament on the subject. The author then looks at the church order and liturgical forms, discussing the meaning and relevance of this symbolic act.

This article has extensive exegetical notes on Hosea 11:1-11 based on the original Hebrew.

This article is about the discussion there was in the Reformed churches in the Netherlands about the Sabbath and Sunday. These churches wrestled with the idea how we should view the Lord's Day in the New Testament. Can we say that our Lord's Day is a Christian Sabbath? How must we view the aspect of rest on the Lord's Day?

What is it that makes one an evangelical? This article shows that the answer comes in two ways: the historicity of the evangelical identity, and the New Testament teaching of what makes one a Christian.

When did the exodus take place? There are two theories: an early date and a late date. In answering this question this article looks first at the date of the conquest and the burning of Jericho, Ai, Hazor. After examining the archaeological claim for a later date based on Palestinian artifacts, the article concludes that such a claim has no grounds.

Biblical counseling is rooted in a conviction that God's Word is sufficient to address the complete situation of man. This article shows that such a conviction will lead to certain affirmations and denials about the condition of man.

This article on the welfare state, discusses government and poverty, the responsibility of citizens, the view of man, and social evils and the church.

How do Hebrews 3 and Hebrews 4 interpret Psalm 95? These chapters state that the practice of resting on the Sabbath should be maintained, as believers look forward to eternal rest through Christ. This rest is linked with the fourth commandment.

This article is an analysis of Galatians 3, discussing Paul's argument concerning the relationship between faith and works in justification.

Why does our church order contain a call to commemorate ecclesiastical feast days? This article discusses the historical development of this call, concluding that this should be left up to the discretion of each church council.

This article is a probe into the textual history of Article 36 of the Belgic Confession.

Paul uses the word 'allegory' in Galatians 5:24. Does this mean that the allegorical method of Scripture interpretation is therefore an acceptable or good hermeneutical method?

This article is an exposition of Mark 9:33-50.

This article is an exposition of Mark 6:30-44.

This article is an exposition of Mark 4:1-25.

This article is an exposition of Mark 3:13-19.

This article is an exposition of Mark 3:7-12.

This article is an exposition of Mark 3:1-6.

This article is an exposition of Mark 2:23-28.

This article is an exposition of Mark 2:18-22.

What is truth? What is the nature of truth? This article discusses truth as it is portrayed in the Gospel of John. The author also discusses the modern perspective on truth, and the way it contrasts with the Christian perspective.

The four Gospels are different. Is this a canonical problem? If there is four different accounts of Jesus, can we trust what we read about Jesus as a historical figure? This article focusses mainly on the fourth Gospel, the book of John, in relation to these questions.

This author discusses the modern importance that is placed on freedom. Freedom is a word that suggests almost unlimited good, but it can conceal dangers. What should our perspective on freedom be?

How should we understand and live out Christology in our modern context? Who is Jesus Christ for us today? This author maintains that our orthodoxy must be contemporary. This does not mean that our contemporary context should determine our faith, but that we should understand our orthodoxy within the modern context. This article discusses what a contemporary orthodox witness to Christ looks like.

Are the four New Testament Gospels reliable accounts of Jesus? Are the Gospels accounts of real history? In this article, Richard Bauckham highlights the importance of the eyewitnesses described in the Gospels - those who were actually there at the events of Jesus' life. Bauckham asks the question: How are the Gospels related to the testimony of the eyewitnesses?

This lecture is on the care of creation. Francis Bacon was the first person to understand the dominion given to humans at Creation as a task for the progressive exploitation of the resources of creation for the improvement of human life. Before this, people had taken the command of Genesis 1:28 as authorizing the ordinary ways in which people already made use of non-human creation - i.e. farming, hunting, fishing, etc.

What is the place of the letter of James in the New Testament, and what was the role of the person James in the early Church?

Why does our New Testament contain four Gospels? Why not more? Or fewer? There are other Gospels which did not become part of our New Testament. This article affirms the four Gospels' canonicity by discussing their unique characteristics.

This article suggests one way to read the Bible, which would call for reading Scripture with mission work as its central goal. This should not be the only way to read the Bible, but using mission as a hermeneutic for interpreting Scripture could help us to better understand how we ought to do missions.

The canonicity of the Gospels was an issue that arose in the period from the second to third century. In this time the church was determining the authority of these Gospels. In this article Richard Bauckham looks briefly at the way in which apostolic eyewitness functioned as a criterion of authenticity.

This article discusses the historical nature of the Gospels. The author compares the four Gospels to ancient and modern historiography in order to highlight the beauty of these books as historical narratives.

The world has long believed in the myth of progress - the idea that we are slowly moving towards a utopia. Where do we, as Christians in the third millenium, find our hope? Do we find our hope in the concept of progress, or elsewhere?

Can a moral argument point to God? This article argues that there is a link between moral law and God, that one cannot speak of objective moral law without reference to God.

This article is a response to the claim of new atheism that morality does not depend on God. The author outlines the relationship between God and morality, thereby nullifying these claims.

This article discusses atonement in the Old Testament and the New Testament, with special attention to the substitutionary character of atonement.

This article discusses the wrath of God, and Jesus Christ saving God’s people from his wrath (atonement). The article also looks at the question of the suffering of God.

Justification is at the heart of how Jesus Christ becomes my Saviour. This article discusses the righteousness of God (also as Judge), the grace of God, and the relation between justification and sanctification.

This article discusses the phrase “the state of justification” as it is found in the Canons of Dort, Chapter five, Article 6. This is part of the Canons’ bigger discussion on the perseverance of the saints.

Is there a difference between Rhema and Logos? This article discusses the importance of the relation of Word and Spirit, and what happens if the bond of Spirit and Word is broken.

Jakob van Bruggen is a proponent of the Majority Text. In this document he challenges the arguments raised against the Majority Text and also discusses the way in which textual decisions are made in textual criticism. 

This article considers what Paul means in Ephesians 2:22 when he speaks of the church as the dwelling place of the Spirit. The author considers the progression in Scripture as to how God lived with his people, climaxing in the Spirit's coming to dwell within his people in the New Testament. The article also presents and critiques the study of W.J. Ouweneel on the doctrine of the Holy Spirit.

Have you ever stopped to consider the beauty of functional proteins in the cells of your body? This article offers some considerations on these molecular machines that keep the component cells of our bodies healthy, noting also their God-given beauty.

This article considers more recent research into dating the earth. It discusses especially the matter of C14 (carbon fourteen dating).

This article considers the doctrine of predestination. It presents the biblical data, and interacts with objections to the doctrine.

This article considers the view of J.G. Vos on the [[imprecatory]] psalms. It first offers a number of unsatisfactory solutions that have been offered to the question of whether it is appropriate to use these psalms. Then it offers Vos's solution.

If a Christian today can feel like such a stranger in his community, should he then hold to a private faith? This article addresses this question, and explains that if you allow your faith to be pushed to the private sphere, it will have a massive impact on your life as a whole. Ultimately, private faith is no faith. The only defensible answer to secularization is to let one's faith permeate all of his life.

Do artistic gifts in general derive from the Holy Spirit? This article discusses this question through the lens of Exodus 31:3 and its mention of Bezalel and Oholiab, as well as through commentary from especially John Calvin. The author makes a specific application to liturgics, where the relationship between church and art calls for our attention.

This article discusses the active obedience of Christ, as a vital part of his work of salvation. It first investigates the confessional development of this doctrine, then considers the scriptural basis for the doctrine, and finally discusses the question whether this doctrine is compatible with an emphasis on believers' covenant obedience.

In more recent discussions on faith and science, Isaiah 28:22-29 has played a role, in that the instruction God gives to the farmer is understood as general revelation. This article explores the meaning of the passage, and concludes that it ought to be read in a literal sense.

"Did Christ pour out His blood also for the bond of churches?". A previous article particularly refuted his main thesis that there is a contrast, or at least a sharp distinction, between the spiritual unity of the churches of Christ and the *organisational” unity and community as it is arranged by the Church Order, and that the Saviour would have given His blood for the former unity, but not for the latter. 

God the Almighty is sovereign Lord of heaven and earth. He rules over all, He is the highest Lord, also in His church. His kingdom has dominion over all! This almighty God exercises this government through His Son, Jesus Christ, to whom He has given all authority in heaven and on earth, Matthew 28:18; who ascended into heaven to ‘manifest Himself there as Head of His church, through whom the Father governs all things. 

‘The church is the Lords. In particular, the church is the Lord Jesus Christ's, the Mediator between God and men, the Son of God revealed in the flesh. He is not, of course, to be seen in contrast to the triune God. For this one God created heaven and earth with all that is in them. The earth is the LORD's and the fullness thereof.

The true church is to be recognized by the following marks: It practices the pure preaching of the gospel. It maintains the pure administration of the sacraments as Christ has instituted them. It exercises church discipline for correcting and punishing sins. In short, it governs itself according to the pure Word of God, rejecting all things contrary to it and regarding Jesus Christ as the only Head... The false church assigns more authority to itself and its ordinances than to the Word of God. 

This article considers the theology of Roman Catholicism. It explains the notion that Rome alone is able to understand and interpret the Scriptures. It also discusses papal infallibility, the priesthood, baptism, mass, Mariology, as well as the doctrines of forgiveness and assurance. It offers some practical guidelines on how to show Christ to the Roman Catholic.

This article discusses Neo-Pentecostalism. It considers its history, traced all the way back to the second century and the appearance of Gnosticism and Montanism, yet becoming more official on account of John Wesley. The author explains its teachings and where they deviate from the full gospel revealed in Scripture.

This article considers the history and theology of Mormonism. It offers an account of the life of Joseph Smith, then an outline of the Book of Mormon, followed by some further history of the movement, the story of Brigham Young, and then a discussion of some of the important doctrines. It offers a separate section on the matter of polygamy in Mormonism, and concludes with a suggestion on how to approach Mormons.

This article considers the history and theology of the Jehovah's Witnesses. Regarding its history, it considers individuals such as Charles Russell, J.F. Rutherford, and H.N. Knorr. Regarding its theology, it outlines their doctrine of Scripture, and of the person and work of Jesus Christ. It then offers some considerations as to how to engage with a Jehovah's Witness at your door.

What is a sect? This article offers a definition, and explains that the word also appears in Scripture with reference to all religious groups that follow a master other than Christ. It suggests that the main traits of a sect are religious individualism, anti-church religiosity, religious subjectivism, and fellowship for reaching a higher level.

What is meant by the term "Horizontalism"? This article explains that it is a worldview that desires to be Christian but does not recognize the transcendence of God, that he is exalted above his creation. Several characteristics are listed, including the denial of the supernatural, the stress on the fact that man has come of age, and the notion that salvation means to love each other. Finally, it evaluates Horizontalism, concluding that it is false prophecy.

This is an article about the sovereignty of God. It considers various questions related to this subject, along with the biblical support for the doctrine. It grieves the devaluing of the doctrine in our times, considering some of the history of thought on the matter. It also discusses the correspondence between God’s sovereignty and predestination, the power of sin, and the humiliation of Christ in his incarnation. It also considers how God is involved in the suffering of man.

How should Christians understand the biblical call to mission? As an answer this article explains the motive for mission, distortion of mission, and the pastoral side of mission.

So speak of truth is tolerable in our times, however to speak of the truth is something that cannot be tolerated easily. This is where the great challenge lies for the church. For God established the church to be the guardian of the truth, from creation to the coming of Christ, the church has this mandate. This is what the article argues for. We need this reminder…

Christians are called to a holiness of life. However, what does it mean to pursue such holiness? A balanced view is presented in this article on the work of the Holy Spirit in the sanctification of the believer as he works Christian growth in the life of the believer.

Is there value in holding to the old confessions as the church? Does the church need a confession at all? The author will carry you through the confessions and catechism in arguing for their relevance for today’s church, with the special focus to the Reformed confessions.

I am born again, has become a common heard phrase. What does it mean to be born again? What happens when you are born again? In this article on the work of the Holy Spirit in regeneration the author directs minds, emotions, and hearts to be captivated by the biblical answers to these questions, making one to marvel at the blessed gift God gave His church in the Person of the Holy Spirit.

After giving a background to the Zion Christian Church, this article looks at the place of Christ in the ZCC. Looking at the belief practices of the church, and the belief about Christ, this article shows the view of salvation which exists in the church is the African view of salvation. As a result Christ does not have His place within the ZCC. 

This article focuses primarily on some of the most controversial areas of medical technology today, namely the biology of reproduction, human cloning and genetic engineering as well as the stem cell research that underlies these. We will also discuss the political situation as it has developed in Canada and the U.S.A.

Genesis 1-3 is foundational to our discussion of biotechnology because of its teaching concerning human beings as those who are created by God in his image. There are things we may do with respect to plants and animals that we may not do with respect to human beings, by virtue of the nature of human creation. Human beings are created in the image of God. In other ‘words, human nature is not something we fashion for ourselves, but something that we receive.

The subject of genetically modified foods is a controversial one. There are several, strongly argued sides to the debate about genetically modified foods. As a consequence, the consumer is left with conflicting information, unanswered questions and resulting confusion.

If work is to retain its meaning, then Christians are the ones who can prove that meaning to work. This article argues that it is Scriptures alone which can provide us with a true knowledge of God, of one's own selfhood, and of the great law-structures of God's creation. It is on the basis of accepting the Lordship of Christ in all of life and man created in God’s image that the meaning of work will be redeemed. 

The principle of sphere sovereignty should encourage Christians to start their trade unions in contrast to the secular trade unions. This will be based in understanding trade union as a voluntary association morally qualified and founded upon the historical vocational power to elevate labour to an essential and equivalent partner in the process of production. It also evaluates different approaches to race relations with Christian antidote to racism.

What should be the role and function of the government in the economy? This articles examines the answer given by the Roman Catholic, the laissez faire school, the collectivistic school. It proposes the reformational concept of business through the application of the principle of sphere sovereignty and the principle of the balance of authority and freedom.

Is there a Christian view of labour, industry and society? This question can only be answered by understanding the Christian view of man and society. This article discusses Christian principles for understanding the Christian view of man and Christian view of society- sovereignty of God over the whole cosmos and over every aspect of human life, sphere sovereignty, the reality of the creation, fall, and redemption.

The understanding of the relationship between nature and grace is what shapes for the most part the Roman Catholic view of labour, industry and society. This article explains the principal basis of Catholic social philosophy, the role of Aquinas and his influence based on his understanding of nature and grace in relation to work, and the program for social action of the Roman Catholic. This view is evaluated from a biblical perspective. 

Should a Christian be a member of a labour union? Answering this question is rooted in understanding the philosophy of labour unions on labour, industry and society; to them work is an economic matter, a means of satisfying the economic needs of the workers; which is influenced by the humanist and pragmatic presuppositions about man's nature and destiny. This is the heart of collective bargaining. The article gives a Christian response to unionism. 

Karl Marx’s views on labour came as a result of his reaction to capitalism. His conviction that the movement of history is determined by the structures of societies, the forces of production, and the relations of production, resulted to the concept of class struggle. This article evaluates the theory of labour, theory of industry, and theory of society as promoted by communism and its call to revolution.

Is work as necessary evil? This article examines three periods in history, the eotechnic middle age, industrial revolution, age of automation characterized by mass production and capitalism. It shows how each period defined work in relation to God, the worker and his fellowman, and the nature of work as service. It argues that the modern approach to work in being separated from God has rendered work to be meaningless. How? Let the article explain…

Is there a Christian social theory? This article contends that since all of life is religion, secular humanist social theories are rooted in presuppositions which are in turn grounded in faith. It evaluates these social theories by looking at the impact they have on their philosophy of man, society, science, and history.

This article considers how the Word of God is to be used in ethics. It highlights the difficulties that exist in this endeavour, and then proceeds into a discussion on hermeneutics. It provides and analyzes a definition of ethics by Klaas Schilder. From there it considers a number of wrong uses of Scripture, such as biblicism. At its conclusion this chapter calls for maturity and discernment in how the Scriptures are to be used in our ethical reflection.

The Ten Commandments occupy a special place in Scripture, and so it is little surprise that they gradually formed an integral part of the instruction in the church, also in its ethics. This article considers their special place, and how some have challenged their key position in the church. The author clarifies that the law is not a way of salvation, but instead a norm for life.

This article considers the place of the conscience in ethics. It evaluates a medieval distinction between synteresis (the light of nature) and conscientia (conscience). It also considers a more modern, philosophical view of the conscience, which in turn it rejects. It explains that even a good conscience does not justify us before God. Nevertheless, God can and does make claims on the conscience.

This article considers the question of compromise in ethical issues. It identifies the marks of a compromise: first, there has to be a conflict; second, compromise must be unavoidable; third, long-suffering plays a role; fourth, there can be no compromise without our suffering on account of it. At the same time, there are limitations to a compromise, which the author spells out.