When You Pray: Scripture’s Teaching on Prayer, by Herman Hanko. Jenison, MI, Reformed Free Publishing Association, 2006. Pp. 177. The contents of this book are just as the title states, an application of the Word of God to the study of prayer. Scripture’s teaching on God’s sovereignty, the Trinity, sin, the conscience, chastisement, affliction, and […]
The Covenant of God and the Children of Believers: Sovereign Grace in the Covenant, by David J. Engelsma. Jenison, MI: Reformed Free Publishing Association, 2005. 239 pages. As the title expresses, the covenant of God and the place of the children of believers in that covenant are the central contents of this book. As the […]
In our last article we noticed how many mega-churches tend to be structured and operated more like businesses than churches. We also observed the casual attitude that these churches have towards membership. We ended with a look at the average mega-church pastor who has his “fingers on the pulse of the culture.” In this article […]
So far in our examination of mega-churches we have noticed that in general they manifest the spirit of the age in their lack of clearly defined doctrine and their contemporary, seeker sensitive worship. Their doctrine and worship are calculated to attract as many as possible through the doors so that they continue to grow in […]
In the last article we noticed the mega-church characteristic of a lack of clearly defined doctrine. In this article we intend to examine another characteristic which mega-churches in general possess a contemporary style of worship. The following excerpts have been taken from an article in The Christian Science Monitor. The lifted quotes detail the style […]
There was in the February 12, 2005 edition of The Grand Rapids Press an interesting article on the front page of the Religion section with the title, “Do Mega-churches Bring Thousands To God, Or Let Worshippers Get Lost In A Crowd?” In the article, three Grand Rapid’s area mega- churches were referred to, Calvary Church, […]
We ended last time considering the various ways in which we are commanded to “buy” the truth. We found that the truth is most importantly the doctrines which we believe as they are found in God’s Word and summarized in our Reformed creeds. That we believe and love that truth will be evident by our […]
“Buy the truth, and sell it not; also wisdom, and instruction, and understanding.” This is the familiar command of a father to his son found in Proverbs 23:23. This verse sets forth a very important principle, or standard, by which the child of God ought to live his life in this world. This instruction is […]
In the previous article we looked at the various reasons children of God are afflicted. We also noticed how we should view God’s affliction of others. Now we hope to see how God deals mercifully with His children in affliction and how we benefit spiritually from God’s chastening. That God sovereignly controls our afflictions is […]
In the previous article we examined God’s sovereign control over affliction and the difference between His judgment of the wicked and of the righteous. We saw that God’s people experience various afflictions as chastisements from a loving heavenly Father who is faithful to His covenant and who will not allow His people to walk in […]