The Suffering of the World and the Hurt of God

There seems to be no end to people’s questions regarding the suffering of the world. Our secularized culture does not automatically direct those questions to God. Often the only conclusion arrived at is that it is impossible for there to be a God. And beyond that, people essentially carry on in the vicious circle of violence and suffering all around. This article explores the question of how there can be a God amidst all suffering.

The Elder: Overseer, Shepherd or Coordinator? About the position and task of the elder in the Church

This article asks whether an elder is an overseer, a shepherd or a coordinator and after a survey of both biblical material (Old Testament and New Testament), and study of what John Calvin believed, it concludes that in fact the elder is all three. The burden of the paper is that the elder should be aware of and not neglect his pastoral duties, especially the visitation of the congregation for the spiritual edification of its people.