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Islam (17)

In the last blog post on this subject, we studied the Bible’s teaching on Abraham, Isaac, and Ishmael, and we took note of the significance of the sacrifice of Isaac for the gospel of Jesus Christ. Thousands of years after the book of Genesis was written, Mohammed wrote the Qur’an (c. 609-632 AD), which makes very different claims about Abraham, Isaac, and (especially) Ishmael. Ishmael the Prophet First, in Islam, Abraham, Isaac, and Ishmael are revered prophets: Say ye: “We believe...

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TONIGHT is the RFPA annual meeting - "After 500 Years: What about James on Justification?"

TONIGHT is the RFPA annual meeting! The lecture given by Prof. David J. Engelsma will develop the truth of justification set forth in the speaker’s recent book commemorating and defending the Reformation of the church in this, the 500th anniversary of that glorious event, 'Gospel Truth of Justification: Proclaimed, Defended, Developed' (Reformed Free Publishing Association, 2017). We hope to see you there for this timely speech! Location details:Southwest Protestant Reformed Church4875 Ivanrest Ave SWWyoming MI 49418 The RFPA annual meeting tonight...

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Covenant of election or covenant of conditions (2)

This series of blog posts are written by Rev. Nathan J. Langerak. I continue to answer Coosje Helder concerning her disagreement with my contentions that a conditional covenant is incompatible with the Reformed doctrines of grace and is used to overthrow the gospel of saving grace and the salvation of many. I charged that its proponents hate predestination and have revived and carry on the old Arminian war against predestination, especially by denying that predestination must govern the covenant of grace...

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This week is the RFPA annual meeting - "After 500 Years: What about James on Justification?"

Plan to attend the RFPA annual meeting THIS WEEK! At the annual meeting of the Reformed Free Publishing Association this coming Thursday, September 28 at 7:30 pm, Prof. David J. Engelsma will speak on "After 500 Years: What about James on Justification?" He will not only show the harmony of James 2 on the one hand and of Romans 3-5 and Galatians on the other hand, but he will also demonstrate that James 2 itself convincingly proves that it does not...

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Covenant of election or covenant of conditions (1)

This series of blog posts are written by Rev. Nathan J. Langerak. Coosje Helder, a member of the Canadian Reformed Churches, responded via the RFPA email to my review of the book, The Reformed Baptism Form. I contacted Coosje, and she agreed that I may use her name in my response, and she asked me to send a copy of my response to her. I intend to do this when the various installments of my response have been posted to the...

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Islam (16)

It has been several months since I addressed Islam on the blog (blog post Islam 15 dated May 25), so it is time to pick up the subject again. In this blog post, I intend to address the differences between Christianity and Islam with respect to Abraham, Isaac, and especially Ishmael. I will divide the material into two blog posts: first, I will explain the Bible’s teaching; and, in the next blog post (DV), I will contrast this with the teaching...

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Christian Education and the Reformed Baptism Form (5): Meditation at the beginning of a new school year

What is a world view? It is an overall guide for life. However, a world view is particularly interested in our life on earth before the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. That is, our view of the creation. Prof. David J. Engelsma picks up on this point when he writes, "By world view, I understand a comprehensive, unified view of the whole of creation and its history, including the creation's origin, meaning, and goal and including my own life, in...

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The Second Year of Seminary

As the three seminary students who have finished their second year of seminary can attest, second year is probably the toughest year of seminary, but also a year of rich blessings. These go together and there are a couple of reasons for this. First, second year brings a sizable increase in the seminary workload. The biggest part of this increased workload is beginning Exegesis classes. Along with Dogmatics, Exegesis forms the heart of the seminary curriculum. Exegesis is the hard work...

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The First Year of Seminary

Last time we took a brief look at some of what is involved in pre-seminary studies. Today we move on to the first year of study at the Protestant Reformed seminary. At our Theological School we have a four year long course of study (though it was not always so). A lot can be covered in four years, yet it seems like barely enough time to scratch the surface of some subjects. Nevertheless, as a recent graduate from the seminary I...

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MP3 Now Available! Radio Interview with Prof. Engelsma on 'Gospel Truth of Justification'

  Last week Friday, September 1, from 4-6pm Prof. David J. Engelsma had another radio interview with Chris Arnzen, the national, religious radio host of Iron Sharpens Iron. The interview was on a book that Engelsma authored, Gospel Truth of Justification: Proclaimed, Defended, Developed. This interview was of special significance since this year is the five hundredth anniversary of the Reformation. If you did not have an opportunity to listen in on Friday, you can do so now by clicking the link...

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Pre-Seminary Studies

For the month of September we will be posting a few mini blog series from some of the new candidates for the ministry in the Protestant Reformed Churches, each of which were asked by the RFPA to guest write for the RFPA blog. This first article and mini series is written by Candidate Justin Smidstra. ____________ In this post and the next my intention is to describe the early years of a seminary student’s course of study and relate a few...

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TODAY! Radio Interview with Prof. David J. Engelsma on Gospel Truth of Justification

Today from 4-6 pm EST, Prof. David J. Engelsma will be interviewed by Christopher Amzen on his radio program “Iron Sharpens Iron." The subject will be his recent book, Gospel Truth of Justification. You can go to the website www.ironsharpensironradio.com and click on live stream to tune in and listen from any device. The program can also be listened to by phone (563)999-9206, following the prompts and press #3 for Christian Radio.       Be sure to tune in later today. You don't want to miss it!

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Radio Interview with Prof. David J. Engelsma on Gospel Truth of Justification

  On Friday, September 1, Prof. David J. Engelsma will be interviewed by Christopher Amzen on his radio program “Iron Sharpens Iron” from 4-6 pm EST. The subject will be his recent book, Gospel Truth of Justification. You can go to the website www.ironsharpensironradio.com and click on live stream to tune in and listen from any device. The program can also be listened to by phone (563)999-9206, following the prompts and press #3 for Christian Radio.       Be sure to tune in...

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Book Review: The Reformed Baptism Form (3)

The Reformed Baptism Form: A Commentary, B. Wielenga, trans. Annemie Godbehere, ed. David J. Engelsma. Reformed Free Publishing Association, 2016, 425 pages. Reviewed by Rev. Nathan J. Langerak. Wielenga throughout the commentary deals with the text of the baptism form. That is the strength of his commentary. The text as it was in use in his day differed at certain points from the official text adopted by the Synod of Dordt. At places he suggests emendations and changes to the text...

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