Beacon Lights now begins its 14th year of publishing devotionals for our readers. We hope that many of you have found them to be a profitable tool in your spiritual growth. The series began with the theme “Watching Daily At My Gates” taken from Proverbs 8:34-35 “Blessed is the man that heareth me, watching daily at my gates, waiting […]
This gift of the lords of the “Luingaborg” (castle) is still in all its glory, more than two centuries old. Since 1605 there have been quite a few ministers of the church, and amongst them names also known in the USA: in 1700 Ludolfus Huizinga, in 1718 Gerhardus Kleijn, in 1811 G. van den Broek, […]
Previously, we considered the relationship between Scripture and tradition. Now we shall consider the relationship between Scripture and the church, which I Timothy 3:15 calls “the pillar and ground of the truth.” Does the church authorize Scripture, so that the Bible has no authority without the church’s say-so? Does the church produce the Word or does the […]
This State Reformed Church in the former island-town of Wolphaartsdijk (part of the Dutch province of Zeeland) is different from all the others. It has become a special attraction for the many tourists that come here for sailing or fishing. Thanks to a big enclosing dam, there is now a great lake close by. There […]
In the Dutch province of Zeeland the greatest number of churches has been built since 1100 A.D, first of wood, but later replaced by buildings of hewn stone or hard-baked bricks. The builders usually came from Flanders, led by monks. After the Reformation the interior of all those churches were changed, so that the center […]
According to the Wall Street Journal, nearly 70% of Americans live paycheck to paycheck. As Americans we have no problem spending money. We are the richest society in the history of the world. We are also the most marketed to society in the history of the world. You can’t open a newspaper without seeing advertisements. You […]
Editor’s Note: The churches had won a great victory with the deposition of Prof. Janssen. Rev. Hoeksema had played a leading role in this victory. But in doing so he had gained some powerful enemies. In this next chapter, Rev. Hanko describes how these enemies set out to ruin the young and brilliant minister. Now […]
My son, forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my commandments: For length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to thee. Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart: So shalt thou find favour and good understanding […]
A gunshot startled John from turbulent sleep. Heart pounding in his ears, he immediately ran to his parents’ side. Where were they? Confused and trembling, John hurried outside where he saw his parents standing in front of two soldiers wearing the hateful colors of North Sudan. In the dim light, John saw blood dripping down […]
In the previous two articles, I have begun to respond to a letter from Laurel Lotterman in which she asked the following questions: If our good works profit us nothing, then why do we believe that there will be different levels in heaven? What kind of levels are the levels of heaven? If heaven is […]