Introduction The first and second commandment are closely related. So closely that in the past they were considered a single commandment together; the Roman Catholic church still calls it the “first commandment”, and they make up for it by splitting the tenth commandment into two parts. The first and second commandments belong so closely together, … Continue reading Freedom to worship God as he is (LD 35)
Author: arjenvreugd
Educator and Christian minister. Interest and experience in theology, mathematics, science, and linguistics.
The Greatest Reformer
Speech delivered at the Reformation Day Rally of Eben-Ezer CanRC, Living Hope FRC, and Trinity ARP in Chatham, Ontario, on October 31, 2023. Today we celebrate and commemorate the Great Reformation. In the 1500s, the Lord used men like Luther and Zwingli and Calvin to point out error and corruption in the church, and to … Continue reading The Greatest Reformer
Retrospective and prospective (2): Isolation
This is a translation of chapter 2 of Prof. Dr. J. Douma's essay "Bezinning en uitzicht" in "Het vuur blijft branden" (1979). See here for an overview and discussion. Conviction of faith It cannot be denied that the liberated-Reformed churches are in an isolated position. There are many things in which we don’t participate. We … Continue reading Retrospective and prospective (2): Isolation
Retrospective and prospective (1): Why still liberated-Reformed?
This is a translation of chapter 1 of Prof. Dr. J. Douma's essay "Bezinning en uitzicht" in "Het vuur blijft branden" (1979). See here for an overview and discussion. 1. Why still liberated-Reformed? Separatist or catholic? We liberated ourselves in 1944 to remain Reformed, and our forefathers at the time of the great Reformation became … Continue reading Retrospective and prospective (1): Why still liberated-Reformed?
Retrospective and prospective (introduction)
In 1979, a book was published to commemorate the 35th anniversary of a federation of Reformed Churches in the Netherlands: the Gereformeerde Kerken (vrijgemaakt); here we will use the name "liberated-Reformed". The title of the book is Het vuur blijft branden: "The fire keeps burning." It describes the history and life of these churches. Here … Continue reading Retrospective and prospective (introduction)
Freedom to love the one, true God (LD 34, q&a 94-95)
Introduction “I am the LORD, your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. You shall have no other gods before me.” So begin the “Ten Words” or “Ten Commandments”. After our God presented himself as Yahweh, the God who brought the Israelite slaves into freedom, he put their claim … Continue reading Freedom to love the one, true God (LD 34, q&a 94-95)
The law of freedom (LD 34, q&a 92-93)
Introduction In LD 34 and following, the catechism embarks on a discussion of the law. At first glance, you might think that it teaches about the Ten Commandments. Indeed, the Ten Commandments are the organizational principle of this part of the catechism. It is like a coat rack with ten pegs. But what is hanging … Continue reading The law of freedom (LD 34, q&a 92-93)
Welcome to your new self (LD 33, q&a 90-91)
Introduction The old self must go! That is what we learned last time about true conversion. Being a Christian is not something extra, on top of the life you would normally live. If you are a real Christian, who is (as the catechism says) grafted in Christ by true faith, there are parts of you … Continue reading Welcome to your new self (LD 33, q&a 90-91)
Getting rid of the old self (LD 33, q&a 88-89)
Introduction A few years ago, a farmer in Australia cut off his own leg. While unloading corn, his ankle got trapped in the grain auger, which threatened to pull him into the machine. He was alone and couldn’t call for help. If he passed out, sooner or later the machine would pull his own body … Continue reading Getting rid of the old self (LD 33, q&a 88-89)
There must be good works (LD 32, q&a 86-87)
Introduction Throughout history, people have often made the mistake of thinking that their good works are the basis for their salvation. As if God saves us because we do so many good things; or because our good deeds outweigh our evil deeds. Already in Lord’s Day 24 the catechism said: our good works cannot be … Continue reading There must be good works (LD 32, q&a 86-87)