RFPA Blog News

Quiz Your Knowledge of the Canons of Dordt (6)

Today in our Canons of Dordt quizzes, we continue with Head Two. (Head Two, Questions 26 to 45) Read More

Book Review - Through Many Dangers

The following review was written by Dr. Robert P. Swierenga, Research Professor, A. C. Van Raalte Institute, Hope College, and Professor of History Emeritus, Kent State University, on the book Through Many Dangers Books 1 and 2, by P.M. Kuiper, illustrated by Paula Barone (Jenison, MI: Reformed Free Publishing, 2021). This review was originally published in the February 1, 2024 issue of the Standard Bearer. Read More

Quiz Your Knowledge of the Canons of Dordt (5)

Today in our Canons of Dordt quizzes, we begin with Head Two. (Head Two, Questions 1 to 25)

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Quiz Your Knowledge of the Canons of Dordt (4)

Today in our Canons of Dordt quizzes, we continue with Head One. (Head One, Questions 76 to 95) Read More

Quiz Your Knowledge of the Canons of Dordt (3)

Today in our Canons of Dordt quizzes, we continue with Head One. (Head One, Questions 48 to 75) Read More

Quiz Your Knowledge of the Canons of Dordt (2)

Today in our Canons of Dordt quizzes, we continue with Head One. (Head One, Questions 26 to 47) Read More

Book Review - Biblical and Religious Psychology

The following review was written by John P. Jambura, M.D. of Boise, Idaho on the book Biblical and Religious Psychology by Herman Bavinck (Jenison, MI: Reformed Free Publishing, 2024).

Herman Bavinck was a man who reflected on the data of Scripture and the issues of his (and frankly, our) day substantively, challenging his readers to view their suppositions and pre-suppositions under his unique and penetrating lens. The volume under consideration is no exception.

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Quiz Your Knowledge of the Canons of Dordt (1)

The RFPA blog editor, Rev. Martyn McGeown enjoys teaching the creeds in his capacity as pastor of Providence PRC. To that end, he has written a series of quizzes for our blog readers, to test readers' knowledge of the Canons of Dordt. Try them out, test yourselves and your friends and family, and may the questions spur you on to familiarize yourselves with the confessions. (Head One, Questions 1 to 25) Read More

The Time Appointed by the Lord - A "Believing and Confessing" Meditation

It must be of great comfort to us as we see the unfolding of history around us—a history which is often chaotic, confused, and frightening—that the future is not in the hands of men and nations, or even in the hands of the devil. The future is in the hands of God. “Known unto God are all his works from the foundation of the world” (Acts 15:18). Therefore, history cannot either end one moment before God has determined or continue one moment longer than he has planned. Article 37 calls this “the time appointed by the Lord.” Read More

Book Review - The Savior's Farewell

The following review was written by Roger G. DePriest of Virginia Beach Theological Seminary, Virginia Beach, VA, on the book The Savior’s Farewell: Comfort from the Upper Room, by Martyn McGeown (Jenison, MI: Reformed Free Publishing, 2022). This review was originally published in the Detroit Baptist Seminary Journal.

To be sure, McGeown’s work is a treasure trove of exegetical and pastoral insights, and, from that interest alone, pastors will want to lean into this resource. There are several places, however, where those who do not share the Reformed hermeneutic (such as this reviewer) will find reasons to balk here and there. This is because McGeown stands firmly in the Reformed camp, so it is to be expected that his theological commitments will inevitably show.

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Book Review - The Mystery of Bethlehem

The following review was written by Joshua Vink on the book The Mystery of Bethlehem by Herman Hoeksema (Jenison, MI: Reformed Free Publishing, 1986). This review was originally published in the December 2023 issue of The Grandville Gleaner.

A multitude of books, articles, and sermons have been written on the topic, but the story of Christmas can never be exhausted. Where would we be without the birth of our Lord and Savior? Herman Hoeksema writes in the hope of kindling anew that interest in the heart of the reader.

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Use Your Brain!

Is this the way we want our children and those in our community to think—to simply accept what their authority holds to be true? Fast-forward fifteen years, and now the authoritative figure in their life is an intelligent professor, an engaging author, a popular actor, or some random podcast or figure to follow. Have you taught your children to simply absorb what an authority figure claims to be fact? Read More

Apostasy (6): Unto What?

Surely, we need to end on a positive note as well as on a serious warning. We would be untrue to the text if we did not. “But, beloved we are persuaded of better things of you and things that accompany salvation though we thus speak” (v. 9). Why is such a warning necessary and what should we learn from it?  Read More

Apostasy (5): What?

The word “if” might leave the impression that apostasy is hypothetical. But the writer to the Hebrews is not writing about a hypothetical, theoretical, possible apostasy. He is warning his readers about real, actual apostasy. There really is a hell and there are really people who once professed Christianity who perish forever under God’s wrath. The warning is serious. We could translate the passage this way: “impossible the ones once enlightened having tasted, having become partakers, having tasted and they falling away to renew them again to repentance, they crucifying…”  Read More