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Translations in Focus - Reformed Education (Spanish)

"Federal Vision: Heresy at the Root": Interviews with Don Veitch

"The Issue With Kuyper's Common Grace": Podcast And Video

The Binding Decisions of a Reformed Synod

It cannot be said that Protestant Reformed people are wrapped up in the annual meeting of synod. Unless there is a case of special interest to the churches, visitors at synod are few. Seldom is the church building packed at the worship service with which synod begins. It is doubtful that the members wait with bated breath for the decisions of synod in the Acts.

Nevertheless, it lives in the congregations that synod is an important part of our church life. There is understanding that synod settles matters of dispute in the churches. The churches carry out the decisions of synod that bear on the denominational life. Consistories and individuals submit to decisions of synod with which they themselves are in disagreement. It is accepted that synod’s decisions will be considered settled and binding by all the consistories and by all the members.

This is as it should be. This is healthy. This is Reformed. The broader assembly of the churches, synod now in particular, is the necessary expression of the unity of the church of Christ. In keeping with the purpose of the unity of the church, synod serves for the mutual help of the congregations and represents the cooperative labor of all the churches of the denomination on behalf of Christ their common Head.

Reformed Church Order: Law of Christ

The life and labor of the Protestant Reformed Churches are regulated by a church order. This is the church order adopted for Reformed churches by the Synod of Dordt, 1618-19.

The church order is law for the churches. It is the authoritative standard to which both consistories and church members must conform. There are sanctions for the unruly and disobedient. The member who handles sin in the congregation by broadcasting it from the housetop, or over the telephone, rather than following the way prescribed in Articles 71-74 of the church order, will himself be disciplined. The minister who publicly agitates against the decision of his consistory will be censured for schism. The elder who is “captious and . . . vehement in speaking” at classis will be silenced and, if need require, disciplined by the president of the assembly. The consistory that refuses to submit to a decision of synod will be set outside the union of the churches of Christ.

I Remember Herman Hoeksema

 Click to read the preface included in this book. I Remember Herman Hoeksema consists of Professor David J. Engelsma’s memories of Herman Hoeksema. Engelsma grew up hearing Hoeksema preach and was Hoeksema’s student in the Theological School of the Protestant Reformed Churches. This book was originally published as a series of articles for young people in Beacon Lights magazine. The intent of the articles was to show something of the man whom many know only as an author and theologian.  Softcover coming soon!Softcover retail:...

Book Review: Once More, Dr. Richard J. Mouw on Common Grace

All That God Cares About: Common Grace and Divine Delight by Richard J. Mouw (Grand Rapids, MI: Brazos Press, 2020). 176 pages. Softcover $20.90, hardcover $22.06. Reviewed by Prof. David J. Engelsma.   Introduction In this new book, Reformed theologian Richard J. Mouw pursues the defense of a common grace of God that he began in 2001 with the publication of his book, He Shines in All That’s Fair: Culture and Common Grace (Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans Publishing, 2001). In the new...

More than a summary of Calvin’s Institutes

The Reformed Faith of John Calvin: The Institutes in Summary In a succinct, systematic way, this book sets forth the essence of the great reformer’s teachings in his Institutes on all the truths of the Christian religion. The book is more than a summary. It also gives a brief explanation of certain of Calvin’s teachings, offers analysis of Calvin’s doctrine, applies the reformer’s teachings to contemporary doctrinal issues, and even, rarely, becomes so bold as to criticize Calvin’s doctrine, for instance,...

His Truth is Marching On

Unfolding Covenant History: An Exposition of the Old Testament, Volume 6: From Samuel to Solomon by David J. Engelsma (Jenison, MI: Reformed Free Publishing Association, 2020). Hardcover, 224 pages. Reviewed by H. David Schuringa, a Reformed theologian living in West Michigan. Unfolding Covenant History is a multi-volume commentary on the Old Testament initiated by Prof. Homer C. Hoeksema (volumes 1–6), and taken up by Prof. David J. Engelsma. Following his completion of volume 5 on the period of the Judges, is now...

Did you miss these books during quarantine?

Unfolding Covenant History (volume 6): From Samuel to Solomon and Letters from Katie Luther: A Novel are now available! “This story impressed upon me the importance of godly friendships.”—Sarah Mowery, children’s book reviewer for Perspectives in Covenant Education   “In every chapter [of this book] we are led from the types in their weaknesses and sins to the reality, even to the Lord Jesus Christ and his cross where alone we find our salvation. This book comes highly recommended.”—Rev. Martyn McGeown...

Unfolding Covenant History, Volume 6 – ebook now available!

Hard copy coming soon*…Ebook now available!

If you are a hard copy book club member, the ebook is FREE!

Login to your online account at rfpa.org and use code: UNF6E.

*(Due to the current shelter-in-place order in Michigan, the normal delivery to our book club members of the hard copy book will be delayed. We will make delivery happen as soon as possible. Thank you for your understanding!)  

Time is running out!

Don't keep waiting to get the first five volumes of the Unfolding Covenant History series—$9.99 for each volume!

Volume 6 of the series is arriving in house the first week of April and this offer is only good until volume 6 arrives.

Reminder: Great deal!

Volume 6 of Unfolding Covenant History, From Samuel to Solomon, will be published in early April of this year. This means you have time to reread volumes 1–5 while you wait.

Don’t have the first five volumes? No problem!

We have a sweet deal for you!

Get the first five volumes for a better-than book club price: $9.99 each until volume 6 arrives. That’s less than $50 for all five volumes!

Don’t wait, though. This offer is only good until volume 6 arrives in April.

Books for your Valentine

It’s Valentine’s Day! It’s the day to buy your wife or girlfriend (or mom!) flowers and chocolates and a nice dinner, and…a book?

Hey, why not? Valentine’s Day is supposed to be all about love, and we’ve got books that speak about love from a biblical perspective.

And you don’t have to limit your gift to your significant other. Consider getting these titles for your teenage children. Help them to start their romantic relationships off on the right foot.