Clarionclarionmagazine.ca/archives/2001/253-276_v50n11.pdf · VOLUME 50, NO. 11 MAY 25, 2001 Faithworks in Haiti. Anyone who is not a stranger in Jerusalem will by now, I’m sure,

ClarionTHE CANADIAN REFORMED MAGAZINE

VOLUME 50, NO. 11 MAY 25, 2001

Faithworks in Haiti

Anyone who is not a stranger in Jerusalem will by now,I’m sure, be aware that the unity proposals of the combinedcommittees of the Canadian Reformed Churches (CanRC)and the United Reformed Churches (URCNA) are undersome fire in the United Reformed camp. The countervailingwinds have arisen from the church of Escondido, the hostingchurch of synod 2001. The thrust of the overture, acceptedin part by the March Classis South-West, is intended to bringthe theological statements and assertions of the URCNA ecumenical relations committee into more restricted limits.

Now this remains for the URCNA an internal matter, andit would not be fitting for us to interfere with the internal af-fairs of the federation at this time. However, since some ofthe critique offered in the overture affects the relationshipwith our churches, and since some of the comments of theauthors of the Escondido overture have received consider-able exposure in the press, a few brief comments from ourside may be in order. However, I have intentionally limitedmy comments to strictly those points in which the Cana-dian Reformed Churches play an integral part.

The critiqueThe church of Escondido overtured classis with regard to

three issues under discussion by the Ecumenical RelationsCommittee of the United Reformed Churches (CERCU).The same Classis decided to turn down one of the requestsdealing with issues of the days of creation. That issue con-cerns the relations of the URCNA with another churchgroup, the Reformed Church in America (RCUS). But in re-gard to matters concerning the relations with the CanadianReformed Churches and the Protestant Reformed Churches(PRC), and the views on the covenant and common grace,the overture was sustained.

With regard to the view on the covenant, the brothers inEscondido have expressed serious misgivings concerning thedoctrine of the covenant as articulated in the unofficial state-ments of the two committees published in August 1999.1

Considering the force of the reaction, one wonders why thealarm was not sounded at an earlier date. It seems that eventhe fact that the statements were clearly indicated as unoffi-cial and strictly drafted for the purpose of fostering exploratory

ecumenical dialogue was of no weight for these brothers.They are demanding that the CERCU not formulate doctrinalpositions “officially or unofficially, without the prior approvalof Synod.” Talk about reining in a committee!

It all began in the February 26 issue of Christian Renewalin which a certain preference among the Escondido brothersfor the doctrine of the covenant of works appeared.2 Thiswas regarded as an essential element of Reformed doctrine,and the inference was made that the Three Forms of Unityalso espouse this doctrine. The next issue reported on thecontents to the overture. The Escondido overture held thatone of the Canadian Reformed articles “could be affirmed bythe Council of Trent.” It was also maintained that the logi-cal implications of these views (the CanRC ones, JDJ) “haveterrible consequences for our religion and therefore ought tobe rejected vigorously, clearly, publically, and thoroughly. . . by the entire federation.” Quoting Article 15 of theCanRC statement, the brothers of the local church hold thatthis is “another gospel” (Gal 1:9), and as such is “genuinelyfrightening.”3 The original overture, with all this colourfullanguage, so it seems, was also signed by Dr. Robert Godfreyand Dr. Michael Horton. Is there perhaps not a seriousmisunderstanding here?

The views as expressed in the statements both of theURCNA committee and the CanRC committee on thecovenant are then held to be “aberrant views” which aresharply contrasted with “a very classic view in Reformedtheology.” The aberrant views are then identified as “neweror divergent views” and “contemporary idiosyncrasies”which must not in any way be confused with what Reformedtheology teaches. And what is the aberrant view? The “error”seems to be that we have “mixed the covenant of works withthe covenant of grace” and “added a work – obedience – tothe requirements for justification.” And to top it all off, inthe following issue, for whatever reason, a connection is

drawn between these “aberrant views” and the covenantview maintained by Rev. Norman Shepherd, a former pro-fessor at Westminster Seminary East, and currently a retiredminister in the Christian Reformed Church (CRC). And ifthat’s not enough, the name of Rev. H. Hoeksema (the for-mer PRC leader) is also thrown in for good measure. Theseviews are then said to be “outside the pale” and “not Re-formed theology,” and it is asserted by one speaker that heis “not willing to stay under one federative roof with menholding such views.”

254 CLARION, MAY 25, 2001

EDITORIAL

By J. De Jong

Strange winds

Is there perhaps not a serious misunderstanding here?

The brothers in Escondido have expressedserious misgivings concerning the doctrine ofthe covenant as articulated in the unofficial

statements of the two committees published inAugust 1999.

Taking stockWhat to make of all this? Since I am the author of the

CanRC statement in question, I may be permitted a briefcomment at this point. I think it is wiser at present to refrainfrom entering into all the issues that are raised in the over-ture, precisely because it has not been made public to thewider community. But given the amount of press coverageon the issue, something should be said. Naturally I am dis-appointed at the highly charged language introduced intothe unity discussions in this way. As indicated by one of theauthors, even the more toned down version approved byClassis still contains some strong language. At the same time,I am confident that the URCNA themselves will be able tosee behind this unexpected cloudburst, and evaluate it forwhat it’s worth. Allow me, especially for the sake of our ownmembership, to mention only three points, in an attempt toensure that all misunderstanding will be avoided.

CLARION, MAY 25, 2001 255

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IN THIS ISSUEEditorial – Strange winds

— J. De Jong ..............................................................254

Treasures, New and Old – Ascension: More than That . . . — J. Moesker ............257

Theonomy: What is there to Re-construct? (Part 1)— G. Nederveen ........................................................258

Psalm 4 — W. Helder ..................................................260

Observations – Indonesia — George van Popta ............261

General Synod in Neerlandia — R. Aasman ................263

Faithworks — Jason Bouwman ....................................265

Reader’s Forum – Responding to the charge of“Intolerance” — R. Hamel ........................................266

Letters to the Editor........................................................267

Our Little Magazine — Aunt Betty ................................268

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What’s inside?Dr. J. De Jong writes in his editorial about an

overture which came before the March Classis South-West of the URCNA. That part of the overture whichdeals with the CanRC, and the views on the covenantand common grace was sustained. It is claimed thatthere is an aberrant view of the covenant, namely,that the CanRC have mixed the covenant of works withthe covenant of grace, and has added obedience as arequirement for justification. This is a serious accusa-tion. Thankfully, in a positive and edifying manner, Dr.De Jong demonstrates the truth about these matters.

This issue of Clarion should come out just in timefor Ascension Day. Rev. J. Moesker presents us with anascension meditation. There is no one that can con-demn us for any sin or fault when we embrace JesusChrist in a humble, living faith.

Rev. G. Nederveen starts his four-part series of ar-ticles on theonomy. This is not an unfamiliar topicamong many of us since there have been articles pub-lished on this before. However it is an important topicand it is good to have another look at it. One certainlylearns a lot about the relationship between old andnew covenants when studying theonomy.

This issue of Clarion is leaving my desk just afterthe beginning of Synod Neerlandia. We have a shortintroduction to the history and natural setting of Neer-landia, along with some photos. In the next issue wehope to have more information about this Synod.

We have a number of regular columns in this issue.In his Observations column, Rev. G. Ph. van Poptakeeps us current with the deplorable situation in In-donesia where the Muslim persecution of Christianshas continued unabated. He not only apprises us of thesituation, but he also shows what we can do about it.We have an article on Faithworks as well as Reader’sForum, along with three letters to the editor. Last butnot least, we have a metrical version of Psalm 4 byWilliam Helder.

RA

In the first place, there is not and never has been a dis-tinct or “idiosyncratic” Canadian Reformed view of thecovenant. To be sure, our preaching has its unique charac-ter. The reformatory thrust of the thirties and forties led togains in perspective that preachers and theologians in par-ticular, but also church members, would not want to seelost. Reformation per se always brings the church forward.But this is in essence a view of the covenant that can befound in many of the Reformed fathers, and can be tracedeven to the first leaders of the Reformation such as Calvinand Luther. In that sense it is much more “classical” thanthe post- reformation model currently championed by Es-condido. Not only that, it can also be found in the nine-teenth century tradition of the Christian Reformed Churches,which in itself, is the distinct doctrinal heritage of the UnitedReformed Churches. Any knowledge of the history of theCRC will make clear that the view of the covenant commonin our churches and reflected in the published statementhas old roots, and was espoused in substantially similarforms by such nineteenth century CRC ministers as the Revs.G. Hemkes, F.M. ten Hoor, and H. Beuker and perhaps mostof all by Rev. L.J. Hulst.

In the second place, the view that the covenant ofworks in an essential article of the church’s doctrine, anarticle on which it stands or falls, needs some critical ex-amination – especially when it is asserted that this is theteaching of the Three Forms of Unity. I will not deny thateven at the time of the Reformation many theologiansused the term “covenant of works.” It can be found, forexample, in the writings of Caspar Olevianus, one of theauthors of the Heidelberg Catechism. However, any at-tempt to turn the article on the covenant of works into anessential article of our faith, and one that also is embed-ded in the Three Forms of Unity is entirely a product ofmisplaced judgment. Such a view is not only a theologicalerror, but quite frankly, a error in basic confessional un-derstanding. There is little point in trying to convince peo-ple – especially our own people – that the covenant ofworks as a doctrinal tenet can be found in the Three Formsof Unity. The phrase itself, which incidently is ratherprominent in the Westminster Standards, is not to befound at all in the Three Forms of Unity.4 The only refer-ence one might think of is in Article 14 BC, which speaksof the “commandment of life” in paradise, which, becauseof his transgression, turned out to make the fallen crea-ture liable to corporal and spiritual death. But there is notone iota of merit in the expression “commandment tolife.” In fact, it is nothing other than the obedience towhich the CanRC statement refers in its Article 15, asquoted above.5

In the third place, as a corollary to the above, the obe-dience as mentioned in the CanRC statement has nothingto do with adding a work to the requirements of justification.It is nothing else but the “obedience of faith” of which Paul

speaks in several places, e.g. Romans 1:5; 16:26. Any care-ful reading of the entire statement will make that clear. Wealso confess that the faith which justifies must be a livingfaith (Art 24, BC). But does the act itself merit justification?Nothing could be further from the truth, since then thecharacter of faith as an instrument would be jeopardized. Ar-ticle 22 BC says: “Meanwhile, strictly speaking, we do notmean that faith as such justifies us, for faith is only the in-strument by which we embrace Christ our righteousness; Heimputes to us all his merits and as many holy works as Hehas done for us and in our place.”

Staying on courseWhatever lies behind this overture is anyone’s guess. I

fear that there are at work here some deep-seated misun-derstandings and misconceptions that only indicate thatfrom a confessional point of view, the URCNA is not a ho-mogenous group of churches. Let us then hope and pray thatthrough this “dip in the road” as well, they are able to solid-ify their confessional homogeneity, and present a unitedfront to other church groups with whom they deal in theirecumenical relations.

I repeat that I am confident that the brothers appointedto deal with the issues will be able to discern the matterscarefully and deal with them thoroughly, clearly, and firmly. . . for the good of the whole UR federation and for thegood progress of the discussions on ecumenicity. Strangewinds can blow from anywhere and from the most unex-pected places. But they should not throw you off course.

1 The statements appeared in Clarion, Volume 48, No. 16, (August6, 1999 ) 375-379. Both statements are there referred to as unoffi-cial position statements.2 Briefly stated, this doctrine can be described as follows: “God hav-ing created man after his own image in knowledge, righteousnessand holiness, entered into a covenant of life with him, upon con-dition of perfect obedience, forbidding him to eat of the tree ofknowledge of good and evil upon the pain of death.” So CharlesHodge, Systematic Theology, II (Eerdmans, Grand Rapids, reprint of1977) 117. The most commonly used prooftext for the doctrine isHosea 6:7, but the exact translation of the text is a much disputedpoint. The inference of the doctrine as presented by different au-thors is that our first parent Adam could have earned eternal life byvirtue of his obedience. But this is precisely the disputable point!3 Article 15 of the CanRC statement reads: “All obedience to thecovenant that is required today is a human responsibility. Yet it isgiven solely of grace (Eph 2:8-10). We obey, not in our own powerbut only in God’s power. Yet God realizes his plan and counsel ofelection and reprobation only in the way of the believing and obe-dient response of his children.” It may be remarked that not one ofour churches or office bearers reacted critically to this statement.4 The only direct reference to the term is in the Rejection of Errorsin the Canons of Dort (II.2), but there is no indication that the termis used in a favourable sense, much less is there an indication ofhow it was understood.5 The Classis overture is very blunt on the point of merit: “Weshould not be squeamish about the language of merit.” And “IfAdam had fulfilled the condition (of the covenant of works, JDJ) itwould have been by his own merit.” That is precisely what Ursinusdoes not say!


However, any attempt to turn the articleon the covenant of works into an essential

article of our faith, and one that also is embedded in the Three Forms of Unity is entirely a product of misplaced judgment.

Whatever lies behind this overture isanyone’s guess.

Somehow, there is comparativelyless attention in the Christian traditionfor the ascension of the Lord than forhis birth or resurrection. Christ’s goingup into heaven in glory has remainedsomewhat in the shadows. This is nothow the Bible speaks, though. TheNew Testament shows clearly thatthere is progress in Christ’s work of re-demption. Christmas, Good Friday andEaster are important, but Ascension ismore important still. You see that inthe text above. Translations vary, butit’s clear that Paul speaks here aboutsomething that is more than the fact ofChrist’s death. And he isn’t only refer-ring to his being raised to life. He ulti-mately has in mind Christ’s ascensioninto heaven, to the right hand of God.Christ’s work came to a new high pointwith his physical ascension to Godthe Father.

Why is Christ’s ascension so signif-icant? What makes it a climax toChrist’s work? And what does thatmean for us? Well, something of thatbecomes apparent in the answer to thequestion asked in the text: “Who is hethat condemns?”

There are, no doubt, many whowould like to condemn us. Everyonehas enemies or critics or detractors.They wouldn’t mind condemning us,right? They know our sins and faultsand shortcomings. They would beonly too happy to be able to tell all inorder to bring us into disrepute beforemen and God. The devil wants to ac-cuse and condemn us. His very namemeans “accuser.” It’s his purpose tobe able to point the finger at us be-fore God’s throne and to state all oursins and weaknesses there so that wemight be condemned along with him.Think of Zechariah 3 where the

prophet saw Joshua the high prieststanding before the angel of the LORD,and Satan standing at his right sideaccusing him. In Joshua Satan ac-cused all Israel for their sins.

Our conscience also wants to con-demn us. In Lord’s Day 23 of the Hei-delberg Catechism, answer 60, wespeak of our conscience accusing usthat we have grievously sinned againstall God’s commandments, that wehave never kept any of them, and thatwe are still inclined to all evil. The ref-erence text for this in the Catechism isRomans 3:9, 10 where the apostleconcludes that as Christians we’re nobetter than anyone else as far as ourown righteousness before God is con-cerned. “No one is righteous, not evenone.” Our conscience is a hard accusertoo, for we know our sins and short-comings, don’t we?

But this is the glory of Christ’s as-cension. All the condemnations of ouraccusers will fail. They will all failbecause of Christ Jesus. In fact,Christ’s ascension means that theywill most certainly fail. They will failbecause Christ died for the very sinsfor which we would otherwise havejustly been condemned. God con-demned our sin in the humanity ofChrist (Rom 8:1-3). The result is thatChrist has redeemed us from the con-demnation of the law.

However, that’s not all. There ismore than that. The accusations willfail because Christ was also raised tolife again on Easter morning. His res-urrection demonstrated that his sacri-fice was abundantly sufficient for ourjustification before God. He was raisedto life for our justification (Rom 4:25).The mystery of our being made right

with God is manifested to all byChrist’s resurrection.

But there’s even more certaintythan that. Not only has our justifica-tion before God been obtained byChrist’s death and made available byhis resurrection: the living Lord JesusChrist is at the right hand of Godand there also intercedes for us! Inother words, He applies that justifi-cation to us as our glorified advocateand high priest at God’s right hand.He intercedes for us there: He speaksup on our behalf. Christ’s ascensionmeans that we have a Saviour whonot only worked for our justificationhere on earth: He continues to workfor that as glorified Saviour and Lordin heaven.

He is there with his pierced handsand feet and his wounded side, andHe personally presents our prayers forforgiveness to the Father. And the Fa-ther cannot possibly ignore Him ordeny his intercessions on our behalf.God cannot leave sinners who pray forforgiveness in Christ’s Name unfor-given. It is impossible. Impossible be-cause of Christ’s death. More impossi-ble because of his resurrection. Butmost impossible because our Saviour isexalted at God’s right hand and inter-cedes for us there.

So, who is he that can condemnyou if you embrace Christ in humble,living faith? No one! No one at all! Noone in heaven or on earth. That’s whatmakes Christ’s ascension more thanhis death and resurrection. There’s aprogression in his work for us. And atthe same time that means progressionin certainty and comfort for us. Who ishe that can condemn? No one! His as-cension makes that certain beyondany doubt at all.


TREASURES, NEW AND OLDMATTHEW 13:52

By J. Moesker

Ascension: More than That . . .Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus who died – more than that, who was raised to life –

is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. (Romans 8:34)

DefinitionsWhat does theonomy mean?

Theonomy comes from the Greekwords theos, meaning “God,” andnomos which means “law.” Theonomy,then, means “law of God.” In a sense,Reformed believers are theonomist. Notonly do we hear God’s law read to usevery Sunday, we also receive a Re-formed explanation and application ofthe law in the Heidelberg Catechism.The fact that we hear sermons on Lord’sDays 34-44 is ample evidence that thelaw of God still plays a major role in lifeas our rule of thankfulness.

However, the theonomy move-ment is relatively recent. The Rev.Brian M. Abshire, a disciple of theo-nomic thinking, wrote in Christian Re-newal (April 26, 1999) that the move-ment is about twenty-five years old.Its program is different from that of theHeidelberg Catechism because its aimis to reconstruct society according toOld Testament law and practice. Thatis why the theonomy movement is bet-ter known as Christian Reconstruction-ism. Christian society needs to be re-constructed along the lines laid out byGod in the Old Testament. ChristianReconstruction “argues that it is themoral obligation of Christians to re-capture every institution for JesusChrist.” The means is biblical law,which is the “tool of dominion” (GaryNorth, Backward Christian Soldiers?[1984], 267. Hereafter: BCS.).

Other key words we will meet are:• Eschatology: the doctrine of “the

last things.” As you probably know,there are several views about themillennium – the thousand yearreign of Christ as recorded in Rev-elation 20. The three basic viewsare those of premillennialism,which believes that Christ will setup an earthly kingdom a thousand

years before the final judgment.He will “rapture” or snatch his peo-ple from this earth to be with himwhile Satan is loosed. Amillennialism maintains that thethousand years are not a literalnumber, and that Christ is rulingright now.Postmillennialism holds as true thatbefore Christ returns to earth asjudge, the world will become pro-gressively Christianized. More andmore people will become believersso that when the Lord returns hecomes to a world ready to receivehim. Christian Reconstructionistsare basically postmillennialists.

• Presuppositionalism: apparently thisidea was promoted by CorneliusVan Til which argues that the con-clusion we draw from all evidenceis governed by our operating start-ing point about God (BCS, 275).

Attraction and basic beliefs ofTheonomy

Because Christian Reconstructionputs great emphasis on the Bible, thismovement has found support amongthose who hold the Bible in the samehigh esteem. Theonomists want to dojustice to God’s entire law and they es-pouse moral values. They have a bibli-cal concept of right and wrong. TheBible, as God’s infallible word, sets thestandard for all decision making and ac-tions. A literal interpretation is one ofthe hallmarks of theonomy.

The founders of Christian Recon-struction have combined four basicChristians beliefs into one overarchingsystem: 1) biblical law, 2) optimisticeschatology, 3) predestination (provi-dence), and 4) Presuppositional apolo-getics (philosophical defence of the faith).Not all Christian Reconstructionists holdall four positions, but the founders haveheld all four (BCS, 267-8).

Prominent proponentsThree names stand out as the

founders of the theonomy movement:Rousas J. Rushdoony, Greg L. Bahnsen,and Gary North.

Among theonomists, Rousas J.Rushdoony is considered to be thefounding father. He was born in NewYork City in 1916, and is the son of Ar-menian immigrants. His first book, ByWhat Standard? was published in 1959,and he has at least another twenty-ninebooks to his credit.2 He established theChalcedon Foundation which pub-lishes Chalcedon Report and Journal ofChristian Reconstruction. The bookwhich really propelled Rushdoony intothe spotlight is his Institutes of BiblicalLaw (Presbyterian and Reformed Pub-lishing, 1973). This massive study in-vestigates the relationships of the TenCommandments and today’s society.In it he tried to apply God’s command-ments in a systematic way to the Amer-ican way of life.

Bahnsen’s major work Theonomy inChristian Ethics (1984), put the nametheonomy on the map. Another one ofhis books is called By This Standard(1985). It has been extensively re-viewed by Rev. Richard Aasman inClarion (43:5-7 [1994]). Since in themeantime Bahnsen has passed away,we give our attention in this speech toprobably the most controversial of thethree founders: Gary North.


Theonomy: What is there to Re-construct?1

(Part 1)

By G. Nederveen

Theonomists want to dojustice to God’s entire lawand they espouse moral

values.

North is a historian by training andholds a PhD in the field.3 He became aChristian in 1959, and, while studyingat seminary in 1964, a transformation ofhis thinking took place. It happenedwhile he was taking a class on the Bookof Romans from Professor John Murray.One discovery he made was that hehad been misled by most of his Christ-ian teachers.4

Gary North is the son-in-law ofRushdoony, but one source cited thatthey are no longer on speaking terms.The rift occurred in 1981 as a result of anarticle North had approved for publish-ing in the Journal of Christian Recon-struction, to which Rushdoony objected(DT, 18-19). North moved to Tyler,Texas, where he has served for manyyears as president of the Institute forChristian Economics.

What’s it all about?We get a good picture of what it is

all about from three of North’s bookswhich were written between 1984 and1986. The titles already indicate thetype of offensive he launches. Thesebooks are: • Backward Christian Soldiers? An

Action Manual for Christian Recon-struction (= BCS; 1984). Obviouslythis title is a play on word of thesong “Onward Christian Soldiers.”North is of the opinion that Chris-tians have gone in retreat.

• 75 Bible Questions Your InstructorsPray You Won’t Ask (= BQ; 1984).In this book he lists seventy-fivequestions that students at ChristianColleges should ask their professors.If they do not get sound, biblical an-swers, it means that the professorsare in the wrong camp.

• Conspiracy: A Biblical View (=Con.; 1986). The Bible tells about agreat conspiracy against God (e.g.Psalm 2), and North sees a similarconspiracy in American politics andway of life.

I will try to paint the picture based onthese three books. In order to give you aflavour of Gary North’s often forcefulwriting I will use his own words asmuch as possible.

Political agenda warfareOne thing immediately apparent

from North’s writing is that ChristianReconstruction has a political agenda.His book Backward Christian Soldiers?,begins with the sentence: “This littlebook is about victory.” Not perfect vic-tory, but progressive victory, i.e., tri-umph over time. North is convincedthat a progressive victory over the effectsof sin in every area of life is possible.Or better yet, it is inevitable. He be-lieves that to be the message ofDeuteronomy 8 and 28:1-14 (BCS, ix)which tells about God’s blessing forfaithfulness and curse for unfaithfulness.

What we need is prophetic preach-ing which pays attention again to theOld Testament. North accuses twenti-eth-century preaching of neglecting theoutline of Deuteronomy 28. He writes:“We find few pastors who are willing tostick their necks out and warn congre-gations that modern society faces thesame sort of judgment that faced an-cient Israel. They are unwilling to fol-low the logic of the covenant, namely,that similar sins result in similar judg-ments” (BCS, 12). North is convincedthe Bible teaches that God’s kingdom,

however imperfect, will be establishedon earth prior to the return of Christ.This kingdom will be visible institu-tionally. It will be empowered bygrace, for large numbers of people willbe converted to faith in Christ. This willhappen before Christ returns physicallyto render final judgment (BQ, 144).

In this statement we hear the opti-mistic voice of postmillennial thinking.North is so sure that he confidentlystates: “So there will be a millennium ofpeace. There will be a rule of Christ’slaw on earth before the final judgment.There are explicitly biblical standardsfor a Christian society as well as forChristian individuals. In short, there re-ally is hope. Our good work today willmake a difference for Christ’s kingdom.The Bible says that the gospel will be vic-torious, that it will eventually conquer allinstitutions” (BQ, 144). The institutionsNorth is thinking of are first and foremostpolitical, not ecclesiastical. Christ willrule over the nations in time and on earth(BCS, 31, 79).

With this in mind North complainsabout a vision of defeat which, heclaims, over time has replaced the oldervision of victory. The Puritans of NewEngland established their coloniesspecifically in terms of their belief in thecontinuing validity of the laws of God(BQ, 87). Christians have been losingtheir cultural zest and flavour for wellover two centuries. They feel helpless inthe face of the complexity of life and themassed intellectual troops of modernsecularism (BCS, xi, 2, 4).

North is convinced that Christianitycan permanently reconstruct the cul-ture; nothing else can (BCS, 7). Butwhat do we find? Throughout the cen-turies expositors have often limited thepromise of victory to the institutionalchurch, or even more radically, to thehuman heart alone (BCS, 17). In otherwords, there has been no vision of con-quering the world. As a result we livein a culture built by Christians, butChristians have very little say in to-day’s world (BCS, 39-40). Especiallysince the First World War, there hasbeen a retreat from victory by Chris-tians. In their flight Christians grabbedthe only life preservers they thoughtwere available: they clung to pes-simistic eschatologies. And where thereis no earthly victory in the forecast,there we find no theology of dominion(BCS, 17-19).

In August 1980, however, a changetook place. A revival of sorts occurredin which people heeded the call to ex-ercise dominion. It happened in Dallas,Texas. The “New Christian Right” andthe “New Political Right” came to-gether. Among the featured speakerswere Pat Robertson, Jerry Falwell,James Robinson, and Tim LaHaye.The message at the meeting was thatChristians had a responsibility to voteand do so in terms of biblical princi-ple. They should also rally the troopsby getting other Christians to vote(BCS, 22-24).

In his book Conspiracy, North re-lates: “The manipulators are in trouble– the worst trouble they have been insince 1913. Voters are at last figuringout that there are people in very highplaces who do vile things by means ofliberal rhetoric. The climate of opinionis shifting. The seventy-year romance


In ChristianReconstructionism we hear

the optimistic voice ofpostmillennial thinking.

Pessimistic pietism andoptimistic reconstructionism

don’t mix.

North derides what hecalls escapist religion.

between the American voter and biggovernment is turning into a series oflover’s quarrels. The old faith in thegovernment as planner is fading. I smellfear. What should be our response?Attack!” (Con., 113-118).

According to North, participants inthat 1980 gathering were for the firsttime in their lives smelling politicalblood. They were smelling a “throw theSOB’s out” victory. And he continues:

But it was not simply politics thatmotivated the listeners. It was every-thing. Here were the nation’s funda-mentalist religious leaders tellingthe crowds that the principles ofthe Bible can become the law ofthe land. Every area of life is open toChristian victory: education, fam-ily, economics, politics, law en-forcement, and so forth. Speaker af-ter speaker announced this goal tothe audience. The audience wentwild (BCS, 25-26).

The moral majority movement wasborn.

Asks North: Did they understandwhat they were doing? How can anyonebe sure? But this much was clear: theterm “rapture” was not prominent at theconference of 1980. More people aretalking about the sovereignty of Godthan about the rapture (BCS, 26-27). Inother words, a postmillennial spirit wassupplanting premillennial thinking.

What is North’s conclusion aboutthe new direction? Let us rememberthat he wrote this in 1984, but he wasat that time sure that there would besome important shifts in theology inthe 1980s. The new direction wouldseparate the wheat from the chaff.Time would tell “whether fundamen-talists are committed to premillennialdispensationalism . . . or whether theyare committed to the idea of Christianreconstruction.” One thing is sure, pes-simistic pietism and optimistic recon-structionism don’t mix (BCS, 29-30).

North derides what he calls escapistreligion. He says: “In desperation, manyhave retreated into escapist religion – aretreatist, pietistic, “God will Rapture

me out of all this” religion. In doing so,they have abandoned orthodox Chris-tianity, the ethics religion, which is thedominion religion” (Con., 128).

One cannot be more blunt than say-ing as North does: “The battle for themind is between the Christian recon-struction movement, which alone [ital-ics mine, GN] among Protestant groupstakes seriously the law of God, andeveryone else” (BCS, 65-66). In thenext article we will look at North’s bat-tle plan for reconstructing society.

1Speech held on October 20, 1999 inBurlington, Ontario at the 1999 League Dayof the Women’s Societies in Ontario.2Some of the following information wasgleaned from H. Wayne House and ThomasD. Ice, Dominion Theology: Blessing orCurse? An Analysis of Christian Reconstruc-tionism (Portland: Multnomah Press, 1988),17- 20. Hereafter: DT.3Gary North, Conspiracy: A Biblical View (FortWorth: Dominion Press), 1. Hereafter: Con.4Gary North, 75 Bible Questions Your Instruc-tors Pray You Won’t Ask (Tyler, Texas: Spur-geon Press, 1984), 10-11. Hereafter: BQ.


Psalm 4

1. O righteous God of my salvation,Be merciful and hear my plea!In times of trouble or oppressionYou sent me help and consolation.Be gracious now and answer me!How long, O men, will you bring sorrowAnd turn my honour into shame?How long yet will you love and followLies and illusions, vain and hollow?How long will you revile my name?

2. Know that the LORD in His good pleasureHas set the righteous ones apart:He claims me as His own, His treasure.In mercy great beyond all measure,He takes my misery to heart.Let anger not breed sin and violence.Restrain your wrath and so be still;Lie down to meditate in silence.Put in the LORD your sole reliance.Bring Him your off’rings. Do His will.

3. So many sigh, “O who will everShow any good to us again?”O LORD whose mercy fails us never,Bestow on us Your love, Your favour,And cause Your face on us to shine.More joy and gladness You have sent meThan all the joy of those who feastOn grain and wine in days of plenty.LORD, in the safety that You grant me,I sleep in peace, from cares released..

Metrical version by William Helder. Revised, 2001.

Melody: Strasbourg, Geneva, 1542/ Geneva, 1551

We continue to hear sad reports from Indonesia. Duringthe past two years, Muslim persecution of Christians has con-tinued unabated.

Indonesia is the world’s most Muslim country. Eighty-eight percent of the population is Muslim while only eightpercent is Christian (5 % Protestant; 3 % Roman Catholic).While there is stress between Muslims and Christiansthroughout this vast 13,600 island nation, the worst of it isin the Maluku province (the former “Spice Islands) whereMuslim and Christian populations are about equal.

The government recognizes five religions: Islam, Protes-tantism, Roman Catholicism, Buddhism and Hinduism.Residents must choose one of these five. The law allows con-version from one religion to another, but proselytizing in ar-eas dominated by another religion is strongly frownedupon. The present president, Mr. Abdurrahman Wahid, aMuslim, wants to be moderate and exercise secular politics.Officially his government condemns jihad (Muslim “holywar”) against Christians, but does little to stop it.

There are several extremist Muslim groups of self-styledIslamic warriors who are waging jihad against the Christians.Elements of the armed forces have helped militant Muslimspersecute and displace Christians.

Reports indicate that life for many Christians in Indone-sia is very difficult. As of February 2001, some 8,000 peo-

ple have been killed and 500,000 have been displaced. Asof December 2000, as many as 5000 Christians have beenforced to undergo conversion to Islam. Many have beenforcibly circumcised. Resisters are beheaded. Many Christ-ian homes, churches and schools have been razed to theground. Mortars have been fired into Christian neighbour-hoods. The testimonies of the violence are gruesome andinclude reports of beheadings, amputation of limbs, stabbingand cutting victims into pieces.

Amidst the frightening accounts of terror, hate and vio-lence, several stories of miraculous protection have also betold. The following is from Religion Today:

Indonesian Christians are sharing accounts of God’smiraculous protection during recent months.

Many Indonesian Christians were concerned aboutJanuary 9, the end of the Islamic month of fasting, Ra-madan. There were rumors that it would be “a day ofreckoning.” Then torrential rainstorms began, lastingseveral days. The fanatic Moslems remained home; themass demonstrations, which could have led to violence,were canceled or flopped.

Numerous Christians tell how God has intervened toprotect them from Jihad warriors, who have spread outthroughout the islands. In one case, Jihad warriors ontheir way to attack a Christian village met “an army of


ObservationsBy George van Popta

Indonesia

Facts about IndonesiaArea: 1,919,440 sq km Capital: Jakarta Main Cities: Surabaja, Medan, Bandung, Semarang Population: 216,108,345 Population Growth: 1.46% Religions: Muslim, Christian, Buddhism, HinduismLanguages: Bahasa Indonesia

(official, modified form of Malay), English, DutchEthnic Groups: Javanese, Sundanese, Madurese, coastal Malays

white men” on the outskirts of the village, and fled in ter-ror. There are no white men in the village, so the vil-lagers believe that the Moslems saw angels.

Last autumn, a heavily armed group of Jihad war-riors was on the way to attack Christians on the islandof Kisar. The Christians prayed, and the flood tide onwhich the terrorists planned to attack the island sim-ply did not happen. Only 20 hours later did the waterbegin to rise, by which time it was light and the ter-rorists had left (Source: Open Doors and DAWNNews, Indonesia).

What can we do?• Pray for the Christians in Indonesia. Pray the Lord to pro-

tect them, to give them courage to persevere in the faith,and to let the good news of Jesus Christ continue to beheard.

• Write a respectful letter to one or more of the govern-ment officials listed below. Express your continuing con-cern for the safety and well being of the Christian com-munity in Indonesia. Request information about whatsteps the government is taking to ensure their protec-tion and freedom to practice their faith as laid out inthe UN’s Universal Declaration of Human Rights andother international human rights documents.

• Contact your Member of Parliament, the Minister of For-eign Affairs, and the Prime Minister of Canada express-ing your concern for the Christians in Indonesia and ask-ing them to inquire into their status.

Sources: • International Christian Concern. www.persecution.org • Presbyterians-Week• Compass• Religion Today • REC News Exchange


OFFICIAL CONTACTS:

Embassy of Indonesia55 Parkdale Avenue Ottawa, Ontario, Canada K1Y 1E5

Phone:[613] 724-1100; Fax:[613] 724-1105 General Enquiry: [email protected]

Consular: [email protected] Web site: http://www.indonesia-ottawa.org

John Manley, Minister of Foreign Affairs House of Commons Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0A6

E-Mail: [email protected]

Minister for Religious Affairs Muhammed Tolhah Hasan

Jl. Lapangan Banteng Barart No. 3-4 Jakarta Pusat, Indonesia

Tel: 011 62 21 360-244; Fax: 011 62 21 361-720

President KH Abdurrahman Wahid Istana Merdeka Jakarta:

10110 Indonesia

Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr. Alwi Abdurrahman Shihab

Jl. Pejambon No. 6, Jakarta Pusat, Indonesia Tel: 011 62 21 344-1508Fax: 011 62 21 360-517

MalukuProtestant Church/

Gereja ProtestanMaluku (GPM)

“Jemaat Petra” inBenteng Karang was

burned out byMuslims.

Arriving in the hamletOn Monday, April 30, 2001, dele-

gates from different parts of Canadacame by plane and car to the northernAlbertan hamlet of Neerlandia. Thosewho came from the Edmonton Inter-national Airport travelled just undertwo hours on well-paved roads. It wascruise control all the way – somethingnot easily experienced from the Van-couver or Toronto airports!

The first settlers in Neerlandia ex-perienced a somewhat different jour-ney. They came in 1911. It took them afew days to travel from Edmonton to

the Neerlandia area. The last part ofthe journey was through dense bushwhich required a liberal wielding of anaxe. For breakfast, the settlers ate bearmeat. Nowadays it would be an EggMcMuffin . . . but then it was fresh bearmeat. We know that on December 11,1911, sixteen Dutch folk were regis-tered to homestead in what wouldshortly be known as Neerlandia.Among these sixteen, was a man bythe name of Douwe Terpsma. He hada son who was almost two years old,young Norman Terpsma. Norman isstill alive and is now the oldest mem-ber of the Neerlandia congregation.

He can still regale any willing listenerwith stories about the “old days.”There was the time that the dynamitewent off in Norman’s face . . . it is amiracle that he was not killed or blinded.You can find a photo of Norman withthis article.

Still something rugged about thisplace

Today the Neerlandia area is typi-cal Alberta farmland. It is not prairie.It is called parkland. Indeed, Neerlan-dia stands at the very edge of densebush which extends right up to wheretrees don’t grow anymore. There is


General Synod in NeerlandiaBy R. Aasman

Terpsma homestead with young Norman.

Norman Terpsma – oldest member of the congregation.

still an awesome ruggedness about thisplace. Anyone can spot a white-taileddeer or a mule deer, an elk, a moose,a bear, a coyote or even a wolf. Youmight see an ostrich or buffalo – butthey belong to some farmer! AlbertVan Leeuwen has them all on hisproperty, except for the ostrich andbuffalo. Albert kept an eye on oneparticular black bear who was enjoy-ing Albert’s oat field. But as the bearbecame bolder and came mightyclose to where the children wereplaying, Albert reluctantly had toshoot it. The bear now adorns a wallin the family dwelling.

The prayer serviceIn this unique area, Synod Neer-

landia 2001 was convened. The dele-

gates clearly love the beauty of thisarea and they deeply appreciate thehospitality of the community. On Mon-day evening, April 30, a prayer servicewas held. This was led by Rev. R. Aas-man, the chairman of the previousSynod. His text was Ephesians 1:19b-23. The sermon gave encouragement tothe delegates by pointing out that JesusChrist who is the King of this world isalso the King of his church. His powerand authority are used for the gather-ing, defending and preserving of hischurch. Thus He also uses a GeneralSynod for the glory of his name andthe edification of his church. WhenSynod prayerfully and obedientlystrives to give glory to the King, thenthe efforts of Synod will be blessed.

Synod openingOn Tuesday morning of May 1,

Rev. W.B. Slomp, the minister of theconvening church, opened Synod.Soon the officers were chosen andSynod Neerlandia was underway.This article is being written shortlyafter the opening of Synod. In the nextissue of Clarion, we hope to presentmore details.

We are thankful to the Lord thatSynod could be convened in freedomand such a blessed surrounding asNeerlandia. May the Lord bless thedeliberations and decisions of Synodso that truly our Lord Jesus Christmay use this work for the advance-ment of his kingdom and the glory ofhis name.


Brothers at Synod. – Top Row (l to r): Mr. G.J. Nordeman, Rev. A.J. Pol, Mr. W. Gortemaker, Rev. J. DeGelder, Mr. B. Poort, Mr. P. DeBoer, Rev. J. Huijgen; Middle Row: Mr. P. Oosterhoff, Rev. W.B. Slomp, Mr. W. VanAssen,Mr. E. Kampen, Rev. J. VanVliet, Mr. J. Jonker; Front Row: Rev. G.Ph. VanPopta, Rev. R. Aasman, Rev. Cl. Stam, Rev. G.H. Visscher, Rev. E. Kampen.

Breakfast ninety years ago.

Neerlandia church building.

The country of Haiti is one of thepoorest nations in the world. An esti-mated eighty percent of the people livein abject poverty, struggling daily forsurvival. Infant mortality is about 109per 1000 births (Canada is about fiveper 1000 births) and life expectancy isonly forty-five years. For the thousandsof mentally and physically handicappedchildren the situation is considerablyworse. In a voodoo ridden culture thatconsiders them cursed they are oftenabandoned or allowed to die. Thosethat live are denied medical attentionand education. They are the poorest ofthe poor, the worthless, the rejected,the cursed.

And yet there is hope! Even in Haitiamidst all the devastation and squalorour awesome Lord is working mightily.In mid February 2001, eight FAITH-WORKS team members were given theopportunity to witness and partake inChrist’s redeeming work in the Haitiancapital of Port-a-Prince.

Arriving in the crowded capital carry-ing cases of medical and children’s sup-plies we partnered with Karen Bultje’sorganization Coram Deo and the neigh-bouring orphanage NorteMaison. Fortwo weeks our general task was to carefor and show love to the many childrenthat frequent Coram Deo and those thatlive at the orphanage. Starting at 6:30a.m. everyday, we spent two weeksfeeding, cleaning, holding, and playingwith the children. We also changed di-apers, did physiotherapy, scrubbedfloors, painted, built a block wall, visitedthe general hospital and assisted Karenin her daily routine of organizing med-ical assistance to those in need. In addi-tion we taught VBS, participated in afeeding of 5000 woman and children,and spent time each evening in prayerand Bible study.

Despite the disparity, poverty, andour own sinful weakness the Lord wasgood, revealing many reasons to praiseHim. We witnessed the Christian dedi-cation of those working alongside thepoor, and the blessings on their labour

. . . the joyous worship of a poor localchurch . . . the wonderful confession“Jesu is Lord!” on the lips of strugglingchildren . . . the loving care of deaconsfor a “cursed” young brother . . . and thelist goes on. God’s blessing on our ownefforts allowed us to witness childrenresponding and smiling for the first timein months: mothers encouraged andstaff refreshed; a disillusioned youngman stating “Now I know what realChristians are!” . . . an orphanage giventhe gift of running water for the first timein over thirty years. So many blessings!

Walking through the slums of Port-a-Prince I saw an old man dressed in

dirty rags as he pushed a decrepit oldcart over an open gutter flowing withhuman sewage. As the cart turned to-ward us, its metal wheels careeningsideways on a crooked axle and itswooden frame looking to splinter apartat any moment, I noticed these wordspainted in bright red across the side:CHRIST IS CAPABLE. Indeed our Sav-iour is capable, in the midst of the mostdevastating of circumstances He isworking to “set the captives free.” As Hecontinues to unveil his Kingdom allover the world let us be diligent in walk-ing through the doors of service heopens for us.


FaithworksBy Jason Bouwman

Team members building a wall atCoram Deo.

Christina (born with no arms) happilyfeeding herself.

Feeding John Florale, an sickly child at NorteMaison.

Responding to the charge of“Intolerance”

Not long ago Calgary Bishop, TheMost Rev. Fred Henry, publicly rebukeda federal politician who is part of hisdiocese. The Bishop chastised Progres-sive Conservative leader Joe Clark, aCatholic, for his strong pro-choiceviews. Clark was warned that he mightbe banned from every separate schoolin the city. Furthermore the Bishopimplied that should the politician pre-decease him, Clark might not receiveburial rites from the cathedral.

Rodewalt, political cartoonist at theCalgary-Herald, charged to the rescueof the beleaguered Clark. In a poiso-nous little cartoon (Calgary-Herald01/03/01) he verbally speared the hap-less bishop, who for his trouble foundhimself pinned to the wall with Rode-walt’s deadly lances of “religious nuts”and “intolerance.”

This incident aptly illustrates howthe postmodernists attack supporters ofthe unborn. In present social and polit-ical conditions the good is increasinglyslandered under the guise of politicallycorrect language. To cry out on behalfof the innocent is judged an evil bydamming it as intolerance.

The postmodern critic stretchingfor moral high ground uses moralisticlanguage against those who seek to pro-tect the innocent. For instance pro-lifepeople are often accused of being judg-mental. Moreover they are frequentlyvilified as “oppressors” for they do notsupport the woman’s right to freely acthowever she chooses.

Those who care about life must winthe battle of the words. Surprisingly

enough they will overcome by admit-ting the charge of the accusers. Advo-cates for life must say something like:“You are correct sir. I am totally intol-erant of moral evil. I despise the rapeperpetrated in Bosnia. I abhor the sav-age murders in Rwanda. I cringe whenI hear how the Taliban in Afghanistanbrutally oppress their women. Further-more I do not tolerate lying, stealing,incest, or adultery, and I am intoleranttoward the killing of innocent lifewhich we call abortion. I bear thecharge proudly!”

It has done supporters of life littlegood to be defensive towards a slan-derous word like “intolerant.” Theymust own it, expand on what is meantby it, and show that he who tolerateseverything thereby gives consent to agood deal of evil.

Some raise the cry of judgmental-ism. “You have no right to judge me,”they say. Often they refer to the bibli-cal story about the woman caught inthe act of adultery who was in danger ofbeing stoned to death because of hertransgression. And in this context theypiously quote Jesus who said in that in-stance, “let him who is without sin castthe first stone.” We must say, “You arequite right that Jesus demonstratedmercy for he did not allow her to bestoned to death. But you are wrong ifyou think that Jesus did not judge heraction. For he told her, ‘Go and sin nomore,’ and by doing so he judged heradultery to be wrong.”

It is true that we are not to con-demn people, but their actions must beevaluated. Do we really want to con-clude that Bernardo and Homolka’scold-blooded child murders cannot

be condemned as unspeakable evil? Itshould be obvious to everybody that inmatters large and small every man,woman and child is called to judge be-tween good and evil every single dayof their lives.

The postmodern critic seeks to sub-vert language by redefining good(compassion for the unborn) so that itbecomes evil(intolerance). Those whooccupy the moral high ground mustshow that everyone of good charactermust oppose evil, and must judge cer-tain behaviours as being abhorrent tohuman values.

Postmodernists really want to saythat all values are equal because novalues are absolute. They want every-body to agree that there are only pref-erences. They obviously have notthought this through – but they do insiston pushing it upon all and sundry byusing the shibboleths of “tolerance”and “intolerance.”

They need to recognize that the per-son who tolerates evil and manifestsinjustice becomes complicit in that evilby giving silent consent. To be suremany issues demand that tolerance beextended. Intolerance in matters ofrace, religion, styles of dress, taste inmusic, etc., is never appropriate. Butgood and evil are real distinctions. Andtolerance of evil has never been virtu-ous in any civilized society.

Anyone today who speaks againstevil and is speared by the politicallycorrect term of “intolerance” shouldconsider it an honour.

And in Calgary Bishop Henryshould wear the badge of “intolerance”with pride.


READER’S FORUM

Responding to the charge of “Intolerance”

By R. Hamel

Re: Letter of Terry M. Veenendaalon “Women’s Voting Rights” (April 13, 2001)

Allow me to point out an error inreasoning in the letter of Mr. Terry M.Veenendaal.

From his assertion that, with fewexceptions, women are not as wellequipped for leadership as are men,he concludes that the sisters shouldnot vote for office-bearers. He ne-glected to notice the difference be-tween serving in an office and votingfor a candidate to fill an office. Hisargument about the suitability forwomen to serve as leaders speaks(somewhat, at best) to the questionof women office-bearers in thechurches and not to women votingfor office-bearers.

In fact, his argument about the suit-ability of women to serve in leadershippositions is not very useful. Mr. Vee-nendaal mentions five women in thefederal cabinet who, I would agree,do not do our nation proud. However,we could just as easily point at fivemen in cabinet who engender equalembarrassment in Canadians. Whatthen, have we proven? Perhaps thathuman beings are not suitable to servein leadership positions.

The argument about “suitability tolead” is not only useless; worse, it isdangerous. Reasoning this way, wecould point at five excellent womenleaders, such as Queen Elizabeth II,Margaret Thatcher, Golda Meir, In-dira Gandhi, and Deborah Grey, andconclude that the sisters should votefor, even be eligible to serve in,church offices.

Let us keep our thinking straight.Women may not serve in church officesbecause Scripture forbids it. When it

comes to voting for office-bearers, weneed to ask: what does Scripture teach?

George Philip van PoptaAncaster, ON

Dear Editor, In response to the letter of Terry

M. Veenendaal of Calgary, Alberta,printed in your April 13, 2001 issue,it’s curious that Mr. Veenendaal statesthat, “I thought our synods and otherecclesiastical assemblies need God’sWord to guide them in such matters,”but continues his letter stating hisstrong opinions without any referenceto the Word.

The issue is not about “rights.” It isabout “responsibilities.” All communi-cant members should exercise their re-sponsibility to elect to church officethose who meet the Biblical criteriastated in Timothy and elsewhere. It’snot a right. It’s a responsibility.

A. Ben Harsevoort, Stoney Creek, Ontario

Dear Editor,With interest I read the report of

the combined meeting of the FreeReformed Church and the CanadianReformed Church in the March 30,2001 issue.

Rev. Wullschleger stated that whensomeone leaves the Canadian Re-formed Church to join the Free Re-formed, we announce that they left“the church of Christ.” To my surprise,this statement was not corrected – ordo some churches really use thatwording? How could we say that theyleft Christ’s church – that would mean

that they broke their vows. This rea-soning would alter article 28 of theBelgic Confession to read that outsidethe Canadian Reformed Church thereis no salvation! I’m sure no one couldagree with that. That thinking wouldbe sectarian!

Locally we announce that when acertain brother or sister leave, theyhave withdrawn from Christ’s churchat this place. By this, all we state is thatthey left Christ’s church at a certain ad-dress, and thereby do not imply judge-ment to where they are going. The sadreality of the statement that one leavesthe church of Christ is that the samewords are used for a person going tothe Free Reformed Church as someonewho rejects the gospel.

The Lord is blessing us richly withmen who have a desire for church unity.I pray that we may step forward in faith,and strive for this unity, to his glory!

Clarion is a joy to receive, and passon! Keep up the good work!

Fred Van GorkumPort Lambton, Ontario


CHURCH NEWS

As of May 1, 2000 the times ofworship services in Smithville,Ontario are as follows:

9:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m.1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Please mail, e-mail or fax letters for publication to the editorial address.They should be 300 words or less.

Those published may be edited for style or length.Please include address and phone number.


OUR LITTLE MAGAZINE

By Aunt Betty

Dear Busy BeaversDo you know what Ascension Day is all about? Do you

remember when it was Easter? Well, forty days after Christdied on the cross and was raised from the dead, after He hadspent some more time on the earth with His disciplestelling them the deeds they had to do after He was gone,Christ ascended once again. On that day, He had completedHis work on earth and He went to be with His Father untilthe day He will return again.

We will soon be celebrating Ascension Day. Rememberwhen you listen to the sermon that the Minister will preachto you what it means. It is very important because if Christhad not come back to talk to His disciples before He leftthe earth, then maybe we would not even be Christians, be-cause it was after that that the heathens began to becomechildren of God, like we are today.

Lots of love, Aunt Betty

PuzzlesWhat Fools!

1. He exchanged his birthright for red pottage.2. He tore down his barns and built larger ones.3. They imagined that they could lie to God.4. He built his house upon sand.5. In their pride, they thought they could build a tower

whose top would reach to heaven.6. They asked the blessed Saviour to leave their country.7. They tried to hide from God.8. He preferred his riches to the blessing Jesus could

bestow.9. He told his innermost secret to a woman.

10. He expected a fortune teller to reveal to him whatGod had refused to make known to him.

FROM THE MAILBOXI received four letters from new Busy

Beavers this time. Welcome to the Busy Beaver Club,

Deana DeBoer. You must live on a smallfarm if you have animals of yourown. And you are studying about Aus-

tralia at school. That must be very interesting. Did youknow that because Australia is on the other side of the world,they are now going into winter, whereas in Canada, we arenow going into summer? Their seasons are the opposite ofCanada’s. Write again, won’t you, Deana?

Welcome also to Janell DeBoer. You must have a great timebeing in such a big family. And to have your Aunt get marriedmust be very exciting. That will be lots of fun. Are you all go-ing to be at the wedding, too? I will put an advertisement inthis Little Magazine for a penpal for you. Bye for now, Janell.

Welcome to Keleigh Bartels. Do you make sure yourfish always gets the food it needs to eat? I hope you look af-ter it very well. It seems you like to keep very active in yourspare time. But reading and knitting are good hobbies tohave, too, aren’t they? Till next time, Keleigh.

Lastly, welcome also to Stephanie Bartels. Thank you foryour letter. You have your own fish, too. Do you and Keleighhave your fish in the same aquarium or do you have yourown separate ones? I hope you look after your fish well,too. Bye, Stephanie.

Match the THINGS and CITYby Busy Beaver Jolene Breukelman

1. Temple a. Lebanon2. Walls b. Tarsus3. Cedars c. Jerusalem4. Ships d. Bethlehem5. Star e. Jericho

Match the PEOPLE and PLACES1. Jesus a. Babylon2. Pontius Pilate b. Jerusalem3. Samuel c. Egypt4. Abraham d. Tarsus5. Queen of Sheba e. Shiloh6. David f. Nazareth7. Pharaoh g. Ur8. Nebuchadnezzar h. Jericho9. Saul (Paul) i. Sheba

10. Rahab j. Rome

00000 PEN PALS 00000We need four pen pals!

Are you approximately 9 years old and would like apen pal? Deana DeBoer likes horses, cats and dogs. Shehas her own kitten and three goats. Please write to Deanaat 6311 Silver Street, St Anns, ON L0R 1Y0.

Janell DeBoer is 10 years old and would also like apen pal. She goes to ACRES school. Her address is also6311 Silver Street, St Anns, ON L0R 1Y0.

Stephanie Bartels is 11 years old. She has two brothersand two sisters. She looks after her own fish. Her addressis RR 1, 7966 Canboro Road, Dunnville, ON N1A 2W1.

Keleigh Bartels is 9 years old and also has her ownfish. She likes to jump rope, knit, read and do cart wheelsin her spare time. Her address is also RR 1, 7966 Can-boro Road, Dunnville, ON N1A 2W1.

If you would like a pen pal and are about the same ageas these girls, please write to them. They would reallylike to hear from you.

Aunt Bettyc/o Premier Printing Ltd.

One Beghin Avenue, Winnipeg, MB R2J 3X5Email: [email protected]


With much joy we may announce that our Heavenly Father hasblessed us with another one of His precious covenant children whomwe have named BROOKLYN DAWNBorn March 26, 2001 A sister for Levi, Dustin, Dalles, Jordan, Jesse and CharityAllan and Diane Bergsma (nee Tamminga) 887 Shetland Road, RR 2, Florence, ON N0P 1R0

Great is the LORD and greatly to be praised; and His greatness is un-searchable. Psalm 145:3With much joy and thankfulness to our Heavenly Father who has an-swered our prayers and has made all things well, we announce thebirth of our healthy daughter DANIELLE LOUISAborn on the 13th of February, 2001A sister for KatelynWe have received many cards, emails and gifts from our brothersand sisters all over the world. Our heartfelt thanks to all those whoshared this wonderful occasion with us. Henk and Christine PlugC.P 2031, Maceió, Alagoas, Brazil 57061-970

Psalm 95: 6, 7: Let us kneel before the LORD, our Maker; for He isour God.God has blessed us with the birth ofLAUREN MARIAH Born on 17 April, 2001Anthony, Corien, and Bryan NienhuisBox 111, RR4, Saskatoon, SK S7K 3J7

Glory be to God the Father. Hymn 5:1With thankfulness to the Lord who has made all things well andrichly blessed us with a covenant child, we announce the birth of ourdaughter KENDRA MARIANABorn April 8, 2001 First-time parents Jay and Denise VanderHoeven (nee Hoeksema)1st grandchild for Warren and Mary Ann Hoeksema7th grandchild for John and Mary VanderHoeven445 Diltz Road, RR2, Dunnville, ON N1A 2W2

With thanks to God for his precious gift, we announce the birth ofCASEY RICHARDBorn January 30 2001Brother for Martin, Nicholas, HollyJohn and Jackie Vanderwel7th grandchild for Rev. M. Vanderwel14th grandchild for Herman and Martha Kobes4777 Cultus Lake Road, Chilliwack, BC V2R [email protected]

The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases, His mercies never cometo an end; they are new every morning; great is Thy faithfulness.Lamentations 3:22, 23With thanks to God, who has answered our prayers in His time, andhas made everything well, we joyfully announce the birth of our daugh-ter and sister TORI BROOKE She was born on February 19, 2001John and Shannon Bergsma (nee Koster) Braeden, KieraBox 1200, Carman, MB R0G 0J0

Your hands have made and formed me; give me understanding tolearn your commands. Psalm 119:73With great thanksgiving to the Lord we celebrate an answer to ourprayers, the birth of our daughter PAITON ALLEGRA Born March 22, 2001 Adrian and Kerri Bartels (nee Hofsink)149 Calvin Street, Ancaster, ON L9G 2G8

With great thankfulness, we announce that the Lord has graciouslyblessed our family with the birth of our first-born sonBENJAMIN SAMUELBorn on February 23, 2001John and Andrea Dam2726-124B Street, Surrey, BC V4A 3P2

Praise God from whom all blessings flow.With thankfulness to God we announce the arrival of our second son DAVID MICHAEL KOK Born January 31, 2001 Parents: Rod and Dianne Kok Michael Jeffrey†13520-134th Street, Edmonton, AB T5L 1W5

Acknowledging the awesomeness of our LORD in giving and preserv-ing life, we announce with thankfulness the birth of MICAH DREW OOSTERHOFF Born April 14, 2001Micah means “Who is like the Lord?”Carl and Monica OosterhoffRichard, Felicia, Natasha, Aaron, Timothy, Ruth-Ann, Samuel4301 Yonge St., RR1, Vineland, ON L0R 2C0 e-mail [email protected]

Sons are a heritage from the LORD. Psalm 127:3 Rejoicing in the LORD for His precious gift, we announce the arrival ofour fourth son JASON DUANE WESTRIK Born May 4, 2001 John and Robin Westrik (nee VanDriel) Matthew, Marty, James 27 Bedford Road, Guelph, ON N1H 6J2

CLARION ADVERTISEMENTS

Births


You created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’swomb. Psalm 139:13Our Creator has blessed us richly with the birth of a covenant child,our daughterBRIE SYDNEYBorn May 9, 2001A sister for LaurenBrad and Debbie AlkemaFifth grandchild for Sid and Hilda Alkema and Lammert and Marianne Jagt22 Victor Boulevard, Hamilton, ON L9A 2V4

For great is his steadfast love toward us; and the faithfulness of theLORD endures forever. Psalm 117:2With thankfulness to our heavenly Father who has brought us together,weJENNIFER JONKER and JACK THALEN joyfully announce our engagement.April 8, 2001 33 Carlton Drive, Orangeville, ON L9W 2X8

Mr. and Mrs. John Woelders are pleased to announce the recentengagement of their eldest daughter ANDREA to TONY VANLAARson of Mr. and Mrs. Jake VanLaar.Wedding to take place, D.V., October 6, 2001.42292 Yale Road West, Chilliwack, BC V2R 4J4

Love and faithfulness meet together, righteousness and peace kisseach other. Psalm 85:10United in Christ, we MATTHEW and KERRY BREUKELMANtogether with our parents, Mrs. Anna Breukelman and Mr. and Mrs.Bill Raap, joyfully announce our marriage. The ceremony took place on May 19, 2001 at 10:00 a.m. in the RedeemerCanadian Reformed Church of Winnipeg. Pastor Ted VanRaalte officiated. Mailing Address: 802 Bond Street, Winnipeg, MB R2C 2M6

A threefold cord is not quickly broken. Ecclesiastes 4:12bEach of us alone is incomplete, together with Christ we are joinedas one . . .We, FRAN REININK and JOHN PENNINGAtogether with our parents, Mr. and Mrs. Kor and Hilda Reinink and Mr.and Mrs. Hein and Christina Penninga, announce our marriage to takeplace, the Lord willing, on Friday, June 1, 2001 at 7:00 p.m. at MaranathaCanadian Reformed Church, Fergus, ON. Rev. J.G. Slaa officiating. Future address: 14 Eastview Drive, Arthur, ON N0G 1A0

Thank YouWe would like to thank all our brothers and sisters for the cardsand best wishes we received on the occasion of our 60th WeddingAnniversary! The blessing of the communion of saints made thisoccasion especially memorable.

John and Frances Oostdyk

Birthdays

1911 – June 1 – 2001

On June 1, 2001, the Lord willing, we hope to celebrate the 90th birthday of

OMA JISSINK

BERTHA CATHERINA JISSINK(nee de Zoete)

wife of the late Jan Jissink (†1980).

All thanks be to God, who has sustained her all these years.

Winnipeg, MB: John and Helen JissinkNeerlandia, AB: Harry and Cathy Peters

Josh, Chad, Travis and StaceyHerman and Marianne Barendregt

Dean, Kevin, Luke, Kyla, Seth, Ray and Keri

Grand Rapids, MI: Jeanette Caroline Jissink (†1975)Owen Sound, ON : John and Lisa Jissink (nee Werkman)

Johnny, Vanessa and BraydenVega, AB: Andrew and Mona Jissink (nee Dofka)

Wyat and TristanWinnipeg, MB: Michael Benjamin Jissink (†1995)

Marvin JissinkBurlington, ON: Leonard and Audrey de GelderSmithville, ON: Tom and Sandra Linde

Tim, Jason, Adam, Rachel, Shannon and Joshua

Owen Sound, ON: Tim and Angeline de Gelder (nee VanderVelde)

Sylvia, Joanna, Bryan, Rebecca and Benjamin

Smithville, ON: Michael and Tara de Gelder (nee Smith)Jordan, Arynn, Meghan and Sidney

Hamilton, ON: William and Anne HelderFergus, ON: Jeff and Alison VanderVeen

Brent, Cameron, Sarah and BethanySault Ste. Marie, ON: James and Kirsten Sloots

Tamsin, Jacob and KatieBurlington, ON: Jeremy and Susan JagtHamilton, ON: Lois Helder and Martin Vanderwal

Hannah Helder and Mark TimmermanPeter Helder

Corresponding Address:204-337 Stone Church Road East, Hamilton, ON L9B 1B1

Weddings

Engagements

Advertise in the


June 12, 1961 – June 12, 2001O give thanks to the LORD for He is good; for His steadfast love en-dures forever. Psalm 107:1With gratitude and praise to our Heavenly Father for His constant carewe announce the 40th Wedding Anniversary of our dear parents andgrandparents BERT and EKE KLOSBrandon, MB: John and Joyce Nijeboer

Michael, SavannahRiverview, NS: Benne and Rita Faber

Joel, Sarah, Geoffrey, William, AdrianLynden, WA: Henry and Corrie Klos

Lorelle, Jocelyn, Hannah, AlecChilliwack, BC : Neil and Linda Rook

Brent, Ashley, KariAbbotsford, BC: Nancy Klos

Christopher, David, Eric, JasonAbbotsford, BC: Andy and Esther Klos

Nathan, Tyler1304 – 8485 Young Road, Chilliwack, BC V2P 7Y7

1971 – June 4 – 2001The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want. Psalm 23:1It is with great joy and thanksgiving to our Heavenly Father, who hasprotected and guided them, that we celebrate the Thirtieth Anniversaryof our dear parents and grandparentsLAMMERT AND MARIANNE JAGT (nee Vermeulen)May our God and Father continue to surround and bless them withHis love and care.With love,Ottawa, ON: Marc and Jody Jagt (nee VanGrootheest)Hamilton, ON: Debbie and Brad Alkema

Lauren, BrieAimee and Mike Ludwig

Hannah, SamuelAncaster, ON: Kristen and Ian Bartels

MayaWaterdown, ON: Joel Jagt

Ashlea Jagt21 Carl Crescent, Waterdown, ON LOR 2H4

25th Wedding Anniversary ofGARRY and RITA HOVIUS (Thalen)

1976 – June 4 – 2001Listowel, ON Chilliwack, BCDo not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and pe-tition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. Philippians 4:6 Together, with our children, we give praise to the Lord, for thisblessing of celebration.Chilliwack, BC: Doug and Wendy Ede

Rachelle and AlyssaCalgary, AB: Joe and Becky Schouten

Richard and Brenda BysterveldGarry and Gina RoukemaJacob and Grace TimmermanSarahMelissa

#7-8979 Broadway Street, Chilliwack, BC V2P 5V9

1956 – May 30 – 2001The Lord will watch over your coming and going both now andforevermore. Psalm 121:8With thankfulness to the Lord who has guided, protected andblessed them, we hope to celebrate the 45th Wedding Anniversaryof our parents and grandparentsHENRY and FENNIE VERSTEEG (nee Dallinga)An Open House will be held, D.V., May 30, 2001 from 2 p.m. - 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. - 9 p.m. at their home.Their thankful children and grandchildren.1117 Pandora Avenue West, Winnipeg, MB R2C 1N4

1956 – June 5 – 2001Psalm 32:8b I will counsel you with my eye upon you.We are thankful to our Father in heaven that we may be able to cele-brate, with our parents, their 45th Wedding Anniversary. AUKE and FENNIE MEINTS (nee Post)We pray that He will continue to guide and keep them in His loving care. With love, their thankful children and grandchildren:Houston, BC: Andy and Jan Meints

Tanya, Brenda, Marcel, Ashlee, Kyle, TravisJack and Regina Meints

Jesse, Brett, Byron, CodyClarence and Sharon Meints

Justin, Dwayne, Graham, LindseyHenry and Bonnie Meints

Brandon, JenniferTiemo and Shelly Meints

Courtney, QuinttenJane Meints

Smithers, BC: Clarinda and Tim PenningaIan

A reception will be held June 5, 8 p.m. at the Canadian ReformedChurch in Houston, BC., D.V.Box 121, Houston BC V0J 1Z0

Obituaries

Anniversaries

January 12, 1929 – April 7, 2001The Lord, in His infinite wisdom, and on His time, took untoHimself, our dear brother-in-law and uncleJOHN TENBRINKE beloved husband of our sister Fimke. We pray that the Lord be with her and her children and grand-children.Houston, BC: Tieme and Alie Meints

Auke and Fennie MeintsAbbotsford, BC: Klaas MeintsSmithers, BC: Clara and Ralph Paize

Lucy and August BarendregtAbbotsford, BC: Rosa and Albert WitteveenHouston, BC: Diane and Martin Onderwater

Andy and Sandra MeintsSmithers, BC: Theo and Lesley MeintsHouston, BC: Henry MeintsPrince George, BC: Charlie and Meg MeintsAnd nieces and nephews.


Come and teach in the heart of the beautiful Fraser Valley wherespring comes early!

The Board of the Canadian Reformed School Society of Abbotsford, B.C. operating the John Calvin School invites applications for:

PRIMARY AND INTERMEDIATE TEACHERSSuccessful applicants must:• be a communicant member of a Canadian/American Reformed

Church or a sister church;• be able to obtain an Independent School certificate or certification

from the BC College of Teachers;• be able to commence duties as of September 1, 2001;• furnish two letters of reference;• furnish a character reference from the applicants’ pastor.For information contact the principal, Mr. P.H. Torenvliet1-604-823-6814 (school); 1-604-854-5851 (home)1-604-823-6791 (fax)[email protected] (e-mail) or Mr. F. Flokstra (chairman) 1-604-864-8029Send applications to the Secretary of the Board:c/o John Calvin School4268 Stewart Road, Chilliwack, BC V2R 5G3

Ebenezer Christian School, Chatham, Ontario invites applications for FULL TIME TEACHERSOur school has an enrolment of 60 students in grade K-8 with 4 full-time and 1 part-time teachers.We are situated a short distance from the “golden horseshoe” of On-tario in a smaller city with lower housing costs and many “small town” advantages.Qualified persons are asked to submit their letter of application andresume to the chairperson of the Education Committee: Mrs. Teresa Bergsma, 91 Harvest Crescent, Chatham, ON N7L 5C7, or fax to the school directly at 519-354-2159For more information about the school or the surrounding district,please contact the principal, Mrs. WillaDale Smid at the school 519-354-1142 orhome 519-674-2356or e-mail [email protected]

The K. Schilder School of Grand Rapids, MI, USA urgently needs aPRINCIPAL/ TEACHERWe are inviting applications for a Principal/Teacher. Requirements:• Must be Canadian/American Reformed or communicant member

of a sister church.This is a small school of approximately 24 students with grades 1-12.If a teacher cannot be found, there is a possibility of the school closingfor the year 2001-2002.For information please contact:John Van Middelkoop, Secretary3167 - 68th Street SE, Caledonia, MI 49316Phone: (616) 698-9604e-mail: [email protected]

Teaching Positions The Board of the Canadian Reformed School Society of Winnipeginvites applications for TEACHING POSITIONSin the elementary division K-6 of Immanuel Christian School.Immanuel Christian School currently has 12 full time teachers, a fulltime special needs staff member, and three teacher assistants.There are 200 students in grades K-12.Duties to commence August 1, 2001.Applicants should be able to obtain or be willing to work towards ac-quiring a Manitoba Teacher’s Certificate.If you are interested or would like additional information, please contact:Mr. H. van Delden, Chairman of the BoardPhone 204-224-1620 (home); 204-663-9000 (work)Mr. A. Gunnink, Principalphone 204-224-9206 (home); 204-661-8937 (work)Please mail, e-mail or fax your application to:Immanuel Christian School215 Rougeau Avenue, Winnipeg, Manitoba R2C 3Z9Fax 204-669-7013e-mail: [email protected]

The Board of Ebenezer Canadian Reformed School of Smithersand Houston invites applications for the following position for the2001 – 2002 school year: KINDERGARTEN, 40% full time.Duties to commence August 1, 2001. Please direct your inquiries tothe principal, Mr. Derek Stoffels (250-847-3492 or [email protected]) or the chairman of the board, Mr. Jack Vanderveen (250-846-9052 or [email protected])You may mail your application or inquiries to:The Board, Ebenezer Canadian Reformed School Box 3700 Smithers, BC V0J 2N0

Timothy Christian School, Hamilton, OntarioFor the 2001-2002 school year (August 1 to July 30) we are in needof an EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANT to work with a number of special needs students in Grade 2-Grade5. We are searching for a person who is committed to Reformed ed-ucation and is willing and able to provide in-classroom support as wellas individualized instruction in some of the basic subjects. Our educational assistant is expected to work quite independently, yetalways within a sound team framework.Interested persons are invited to contact the Principal or the chairmanof the Education Committee for further information.Miss Debbie deBoer, interim principal Timothy Christian SchoolBox 20007, Upper James Postal Outlet, Hamilton, ON L9C 7M5Phone: 905-385-3953 (school) 905-389-2501 (home)Mrs. Ellen Hekert, education committee chair Phone: 905-679-4897 Fax: 905-679-1116


The MARANATHA/EMMANUEL CANADIAN REFORMED SCHOOLSOCIETY INC. of Fergus, Guelph and district invites applications for A TEACHERwith qualifications in science preferred, to finish the school year inMay and June, 2001. We also need the same position filled for the2001/2002 school year.This position is at the Junior High School level.For information contact the principalH.J. NobelSchool: (519) 843-3029; Home: (519) 848-3922Applications to be addressed to:Maranatha/Emmanuel Christian Schoolc/o Education CommitteeRR 3, Garafraxa Street, Fergus, ON N1M 2W4

The Board of Dufferin Christian School, Carman, Manitoba invitesapplications for teaching positions at theHIGH SCHOOL LEVELespecially in the areas of English, Senior Math, and Social Studies.Applicants must hold a valid Manitoba Professional Teacher’s Cer-tificate (or equivalent credentials from another jurisdiction).Duties to commence on August 1, 2001.DCS is a K to 12 school with 234 students and 20 full-time staff.Additional information on the school, the community, and educationin Manitoba can be found on-line at <www.mbnet.ca/~dufferin>.Applications can be sent to: Mr. Ron DeRuiterP.O. Box 1450, Carman, MB R0G 0J0Fax (204) 745-3441, e-mail: [email protected] can be directed to: Mr. Rob vanSpronsen, PrincipalPhone (204) 745-2278 – school, (204) 745-3996 – homee-mail: [email protected]

JOE A. BOERSEMA, R.R.S.Sales Representative

A professional who honours the Lord’s Day!

It is my privilege to assist you withcompetence and confidentiality in allyour buying and selling needs.

Garden City Realty Inc., Realtor720 guelph lineburlington, ontario L7R 4E2bus: (905) 333-3500res: 333-1753 fax: 333-3616

Timothy Christian School, Hamilton, OntarioFor the 2001-2002 school year we are in need of an experiencedTEACHER for Grade 5. A strong interest in and an ability to work with special needs stu-dents and an educational assistant will be an asset. An appointmentto organize and monitor the school’s special needs program will beconsidered for the suitable candidate. The successful applicant must be committed to Reformed education.Qualified persons are invited to submit a letter of application and a re-sume with a statement of your philosophy of education and refer-ences.Please forward inquiries and/or applications to our interim principalor chairperson of the education committeeMiss Debbie deBoer, interim principalTimothy Christian School Box 2007, Upper James Postal Outlet, Hamilton, ON L9C 7M5 Phone: 905-385-3953 (school) 905-389-2501(home) Miss E. Hekert, education committee chair Phone: 905-679-4897 Fax: 905-679-1116

Credo Christian School, Woodbridge, Ontario (Brampton andToronto) invites applications for FULL-TIME TEACHERS for Grades 1/2 and Grades 7/8starting in the 2001/2002 school year.For information, contact the Principal, Miss L. MaatSchool: (905) 851-1620; Home (905) 453-7480e-mail: [email protected] of application stating qualifications, experience and referencesshould be sent to:Jack Vanderee, Secretary, Education Committee42 Springhead Gardens, Richmond Hill, ON L4C 5B9e-mail: [email protected]

The Women’s Societies of Yarrow would like to extend an invita-tion to attend the

Annual Women’s League Day D.V., June 20, 2001

Time: 10:00 a.m. Place: Yarrow Theme: “Raising the family of God in the New Millennium”

Morning session: “Building the Church of God from the cradle on up: (Nehemiah)

– Mrs. Erica HoltvluwerAfternoon session: “Raising Children in a Technological Age”

– Mrs. Michelle Faber If you are in the area come join us for a day of

Bible Study and Fellowship!


107 Griffin St. S.Smithville, ON L0R 2A0

Cell 905-517-1451Res. 905-386-7494Fax 905-957-1204

“Serving the Smithville, Attercliffe and surrounding areas.

Call today for area information”(905) 957-5000

24 hr. pager

COUNTRY TOWN REALTY INC.

Mark vander VeldeSales Representative

HERITAGE CHRISTIAN SCHOOLViola Van Otterloo5611 E. Amherst AvenueDenver, CO 80222 - 7014303-759-0984

In keeping with our promise to educate our children inthe Reformed faith, we are asking for your support in thecontinuing operation of our school. Heritage ChristianSchool faces a deficit of $25,000 for the coming year.Please prayerfully consider assisting our school.

I would like to support Heritage Christian School witha donation of

____ $50 ____ $75 ____ $100 ____ $250 ____ $500

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LIFE INSURANCE RATES

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FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL:

P.V. & V. Financial Centre3050 Harvester Road

Burlington, ONL7N 3J1

Phone – (905) 632-7751Fax – (905) 632-4837

E-mail – [email protected]

Your Independent Insurance BrokerUnderstands!

To complement the growing needs ofour Carman, Manitoba and Guelph,Ontario operations, we are invitingapplicants for the following positions:

Welder/Fitter (BOTH LOCATIONS)Machinist (CARMAN, MB)

Truck Trailer Mechanic (BOTH LOCATIONS)Automotive Painter (GUELPH, ON)

We are willing to train and we offer excellent remuneration anda complete fringe benefit package. If necessary we can assistwith relocating to the respective locations. We are looking forambitious, self motivated, and quality minded team players.

Applicants please contact:

Carman, ManitobaCor Lodder

Box 1790, 70 3rd Ave. NECarman, MB R0G-0J0

Tel: (204)745-2951Fax: (204) 745-6309

e-Mail: [email protected]

Guelph, OntarioButch Medemblik

R.R. #5,Guelph, ON N1H-6J2Tel: (519) 824-8520Fax: (519) 824-5651

e-Mail: [email protected]

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Journey Through the Nightby Anne De Vries

After the second world war, Anne DeVries, one of the most popular novelistsin the Netherlands, was commissionedto capture in literary form the spirit andagony of those five harrowing years ofNazi occupation. The result was Jour-ney Through the Night, a four volumebestseller that has gone through morethan thirty printings in the Netherlands.“An Old Testament Professor of minewho bought the books could not put themdown — nor could I.” — Dr. Edwin H.Palmer“This is more than just a war-time ad-venture. The characters have vitality,depth and great humanity.” — The Ot-tawa CitizenTime: 1940-1945 Age: 10-99

ISBN 1-984666-21-6 Reg.Can.$19.95 U.S.$14.90SPECIAL PRICE CAN. $16.95 U.S.$12.90

The Spanish Brothersby Deborah Alcock

A Tale of the Sixteenth Century“He could not die thus for his faith. On thecontrary, it cost him but little to conceal it.What, then, had they which he had not? Some-thing that enabled even poor, wild, passionateGonsalvo to forgive and pray for the murder-ers of the woman he loved. What was it?”The Spanish Brothers is an accurate historicalaccount of the rise, progress, and downfall ofthe Protestant Church in Spain. Especially maybe mentioned the story of the two great Autos-da-fé (Acts of Faith — parade and executionof “heretics”) at Seville. Only what concernsthe personal history of the brothers and theirfamily is fiction.Time: 1550-1565 Age: 14-99ISBN 1-984666-02-x Can.$14.95 U.S.$12.90SPECIAL PRICE CAN. $12.75 U.S.$10.90

With Wolfe in Canada by G.A. HentyWith Wolfe in Canada is a model of what a chil-dren’s book should be with its moving tale ofmilitary exploit and thrilling adventure. Thisclassic provides a lesson in history instructivelyand graphically, while infusing into the dead factsof history new life. Mr. Henty’s classic WithWolfe in Canada is a useful aid to study as wellas amusement.Time: 1750-1765 Age: 14-99Cloth ISBN 0-921100-86-8 Can.$28.95 U.S.$19.99Special price Can. $24.99 U.S.$16.99

Paperback 0-921100-87-6 Can.$20.95 U.S.$13.99Special price Can. $17.95 U.S.$11.90

Abraham’s Sacrifice by Cor Van RijswijkAbraham was rich.He had many cows and sheep,donkeys and camels.He also had lots of gold and silver.The Lord had given himall these animals and things.This book is part of The Word of the King Series.The purpose of this series is to present Bible sto-ries in such a fashion that young children can readthem.Read them to your four or five-year-old, and letyour six or seven-year-old use them as readers.Time: Abraham Age: 4-8

ISBN 1-984666-21-6 Can.$8.95 U.S.$7.90Special price Can. $7.60 U.S.$6.70

Little Meg’s Children by Hesba StrettonAuthor of Jessica’s First Prayer

“Oh, if you please, Mr. Police,” said Meg, in aplaintive voice, “I want to get these two little childrenover to the other side, and I don’t know how to do it,except if you would please hold baby while I takeRobbie across.”Subject: Fiction Age: 9-99ISBN 0-921100-92-2 Can.$8.95 U.S.$7.90Special price Can. $7.60 U.S.$6.70

Hubert Ellerdale by W. Oak RhindA Tale of the Days of Wycliffe

“Edith,” he said, seating himself, “I wish to have a little quiet talk about thefuture.” And she put her hand in his with the art-less simplicity of the country maiden that she was,and looked into his thoughtful brown eyes withthe confidence and love she long had felt for him.“You know I asked your father last time I was here,whether he would consent to our marriage at theend of the coming term, and that he said he wouldfirst like to see me thoroughly established as a mer-chant. That was reasonable enough; but for sometime past my mind has been uneasy, for mercan-tile affairs have become entirely distasteful to meof late.”Time: 1380-1420 Age: 13-99ISBN 0-921100-09-4 Can.$12.95 U.S.$10.90Special price Can. $10.95 U.S.$9.50

New from Inheritance Publications

The Romance of Protestantismby Deborah Alcock

The Romance of Protestantism addresses one of the mostdamaging and (historically) effective slanders against theReformed faith, which is that it is cold and doctrinaire.What a delight to find a book which documents the truewarmth of the Protestant soul.I recommend this book highly.— Douglas Wilson, editor of Credenda/AgendaTime: 1390-1800 Age: 12-99ISBN 0-921100-88-4 Can.$9.95 U.S.$8.90

Special prices expire June 30, 2001

Please order from your favourite book supplier, or directly from

Inheritance PublicationsBox 154, Neerlandia, Alberta Canada T0G 1R0Tel. 780-674-3949 Fax 775-890-9118

Please add $2.50 per order and enclose paymentCanadian customers: please also add 7% G.S.T.in the U.S.: Box 366, Pella, Iowa, 50219

Toll Free Order Number in Canada & U.S.A.

1-800-563-3594e-mail: [email protected]

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CLARION, MAY 11, 2001

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serving Hamilton, Ancaster, Dundasand surrounding areas.100% Club Member

john van andel

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WANTED:Testimonies of families providing protection to Jewsduring WW II. If you, your family or your neighbors

were involved in rescuing Jews from the Nazis, please contact us.

Messiah’s Congregation is putting together a tribute to these heroes of the Faith.

Please contact

Rev. Tom Trouwborst at (718) 769-9272if you or someone you know can help us collect

accounts of such Christian resistance.

The Board of Directors of ClassisHamilton Homes for Aged, Inc.,operating as

Shalom Manor

a 132 bed, Christian, Long Term Care Facility,serving seniors of Dutch descent from the ReformedChristian community, requires a qualified andexperienced

Chief Executive Officer The successor to the retiring CEO must have:

• a university degree in Business Administrationand/or Health Care Administration

• experience in working successfully with a volun-teer Board of Directors

• qualifications to be, or become, an administratorin Ontario

• exceptional leadership, financial managementand administrative skills, with a focus on pro-grams, care and services for the elderly

• minimum of three years senior managementexperience in Long Term Care

• a good working knowledge of the Dutch lan-guage to interact with the residents, as well ascomputer skills, will be definite assets.

Please mail your resume stating qualifications,experience and compensation expectations, inconfidence, no later than June 30, 2001, to theChair, CEO Search Committee

Shalom Manor12 Bartlett Avenue

Grimsby, ON L3M 4N5

Documents

Clarionclarionmagazine.ca/archives/2001/253-276_v50n11.pdf · VOLUME 50, NO. 11 MAY 25, 2001 Faithworks in Haiti. Anyone who is not a stranger in Jerusalem will by now, I’m sure,