The Reformation was born out of Luther’s famous question, “How am I righteous before God?” It is the question of a believer in desperate need of God’s mercy. But is it also the question of people in the twenty-first century? 

What is the difference between the old covenant and the new covenant? This article discusses the newness of the new covenant.

This article discusses the words of Ephesians 5:16, “making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.”

This article discusses the difference between Christianity and Islam with regards to the image of God, Jesus Christ, and sin.

For Calvin, reformation is nothing else than a revival, an awakening, a resurrection from the dead. Nevertheless, his writing echoes that it is God who calls and awakens us. I am thinking of that beautiful line in which Calvin says that God paves the way forward right through all despair: per mediam desperationem prorumpere convenit. Despair about the church can do no harm, for there is a way, right through all of it. God raised Christ from the dead. And that is how the church lives at Easter: in hope against hope, right through all human despair toward his future.

This article on Galatians 4:4 explains the counsel of God and the fulfillment of God’s promises.

“The relationship between Word and Spirit has been justly characterized as the pivotal point of the theology.” Read this article to see why.

Through the fellowship with Christ we have fellowship with one another. This article discusses how the Spirit constitutes communion.

Is the death penalty justifiable? There are solid grounds for arguing for the death penalty under strict provisions.

What place do the youth have in the sermon? This article engages with this question, indicating they ought to be addressed.

What does the blessing in Numbers 6:25–26 mean when it makes double reference to the face of God? This article explains the meaning, also showing how in Christ God’s face has become even more clear.

This article evaluates the doctrine of universal atonement, and then speaks of the assurance of salvation that a true believer can experience.

God gave us prayer to communicate with him. Through prayer, we have communion with the holy and living God. This already makes prayer an astounding gift, which we often take for granted. In Calvin’s words, we may through prayer enter the holiness of the heavens to speak with God about his promises.

How priestly are our churches? I was challenged by this question and I am laying it before you. The purpose is that we as churches will take a closer look at this question. Let there be an urgent prayer for the Spirit of Pentecost to make you and me into priests.

This article unfolds the meaning of the confession found in the Second Helvetic Confession: “The preaching of the Word of God is the Word of God.” Is the sermon the Word of God, or is God’s Word found in man’s word?

This article underlines the authority of preaching that faithfully exposits the Word, for that is when Christ is revealed in his authority and power.

This article explains that while visitation in the congregation is first of all a task of the office-bearers, it is by no means a task limited to them. The congregation as a whole shares this calling, in the office of all believers. The author outlines key elements that need to characterize a house visit, whether done by office-bearers or members in general.

A few years ago, a Swiss pastor of Dutch descent asked me whether we still preached from the Heidelberg Catechism in our churches. When I answered in the affirmative, he said, “Hold on to that! Hold on to that for sure!” Curiously, I asked, “Why?” His reaction was, “Because through it the congregation is being built up.”

What is the special nature of biblical truth? This article reflects on the question, explaining that the truth of God demands a response from its hearers.

This article considers the kind of leadership that needs to come from the office-bearers in the congregation. A congregation is in need of a vision, yet above all it needs faithfulness in order to grow in spiritual maturity.

This article shows how the resurrection reveals Christ’s kingship. It pays special attention to his journey with the two disciples on the way to Emmaus (Luke 24).

This article underlines that the believer is in a battle of faith in this life, and so it calls the Christian to fight the good fight of the faith in the strength of Christ, to inherit everything.

This article reflects on the blessing of singing, and encourages singing to the Lord in both joy and trouble.

Is the Bible a book full of violence? This article shows that indeed, the Bible abounds with stories of violence. It also explains that this is more bothersome to today's Christians than it was to earlier generations of Christians.

How does the Bible speak about confessing? This article surveys some of the biblical data, and offers up some conclusions based on the data.

This article identifies what it means for Christians to share in the sufferings of Christ, carry their cross behind him, and live a life of self-denial.

This article considers the topic of [[congregational upbuilding]]. It explains both the human and divine dimensions to this upbuilding.

This article is about church attendance, particularly the subject of attending twice on Sunday. The author offers some practical questions on this subject, to provide a guide for conversation.

How does the Lord look at people? Some say he regards and accepts us the way we are. But the Bible offers a different reason for the love of God. God loves because of who God is.

When sharing in each other's sufferings, we are to show compassion. This article discusses how this is our responsibility as kingdom citizens, and as priests.

How is a Christian to engage with the culture? This article explores the concept of culture, and the kinds of spiritual influences working in culture. The occult and the work of Satan are discussed in this regard. The article stresses that the Christian needs to understand his place in the culture, and lean upon the Lord to remain faithful.

This article discusses a number of ways in which the element of praise in the worship service can be given meaning and content. It needs a place in the singing, the sermon, and in the prayers.

What is the character of the office of minister? Should his work be considered a profession? This article shows that it is an office, and provides some characteristics of the office: Christ instituted it, he provides the way in which it should be fulfilled, and he gives the grace and gifts to fulfill the office. All ministerial service, therefore, should constantly point to Christ.

What should be said in response to arguments for re-baptism? This article explains that baptism can only happen once, since God's name can never be erased from one's forehead. Further, baptism calls for living altogether for the Lord, in true love for him.

Does preaching today lack the aspect of the struggle of faith, where church members are nurtured in the idea that they can take everything for granted? This article raises the concern that there can be stagnation in a congregation, and emphasizes the value in warnings in the preaching, when appropriate.

Is it possible to be a child of God and yet be lost? This article considers the various ways in which one can live as a child of God. All those who are baptized are children of God by virtue of the covenant, yet among them are those who do not want to know about the God of the covenant. Yet the Father does not want to lose any of his children, and so he urges all to repent and believe.

This article looks at the danger of following our own hearts and seeing this as the leading of God. It is important that we have training in the understanding of the guidance God gives.

This article explains from the Psalms and the life of Joseph that sometimes God’s children can struggle with the providence of God. It underlines that in every way we are dependent upon the leading of God and are to surrender ourselves to him in faith.

How does God lead our lives? This article raises the question in several different ways whether God really has his hand in all things. It wrestles through whether God leads through very difficult circumstances.

This article explores biblical examples where God’s providence and leading are evident in the lives of his children.

This article shows that although there is a limit to how well other people can understand what we go through, God has created us in such a way that we can nevertheless still share our joys and sorrows and suffering with one another. It is important that we share our lives with one another in fellowship.

This article explains how preaching is the application of the keys of the kingdom. It considers the place of judgment in the preaching as well.

What are we doing in the house of God? What are our minds busy with in worship? This article considers this matter by highlighting the action of the Lord Jesus in Mark 2:16, 17, where he shows his zeal for the house of the Lord that had been turned into a marketplace.

When we bring up the notion of the [[wrath of God]], a range of negative reactions is raised. One can hesitate to speak about it, another can have an aversion to tackle it, yet another can deliberately avoid the topic or treat it even with outright defiance. All of these tendencies can be found in Christianity, and in increasing measure!

This second of a three-part article considers the significance that the lordship of Christ over his church has for both its governance and its agenda.

Part 1 explains that there have always been different focus points in the Reformed tradition with regard to the doctrine of election, but the unifying theme has always been that election gives comfort and assurance to the believer.
Part 2 discusses the viewpoint of Johan von Staupitz on election, as well as the nature of his friendship with Martin Luther.

Over time, the church acquires a certain reputation in the eyes of the community. Sometimes that reputation can be deservedly negative, as also the people of God in Scripture experienced on account of their sins. This article explains that the Lord does this in order to bring his people to their senses, and to turn them in faith to him.

This article considers some ethical questions relating to stem cell research. It considers three specific ethical approaches: duty ethics, goal ethics, and virtue ethics. Afterwards, it considers the use of human embryos, therapeutic cloning, and the use of adult stem cells.

This article considers an aspect of the sermon preparation process: namely, meditation. This is the reflection on the text with a view to the needs of the congregation on the minister’s mind and heart. The article discusses the need for meditation to be combined with prayer. Meditation is a critical point in preparing a sermon, so the minister needs to devote the time to it.

This article explores how the preacher ought to go about his sermon preparation. It stresses that he must ensure that he is a spiritual being, and that he gives himself to prayer, sustained meditation on Scripture, and pastoral care, for such will the Lord use to yield a rich harvest in the hearers.

This article considers how ministers choose sermon texts for preaching. It highlights the Roman Catholic practice of the pericope system and its development in history. It then discusses the principle behind the typical Reformed approach of the free choice of a text, and the limits that have often been applied to this in order to prevent one-sidedness in the choice of texts: catechism preaching, the ecclesiastical calendar, and the use of sermon series.

From Matthew 24:12-13 Jesus warned against the love of many growing cold. This article looks at the cause of this and it calls Christian to perseverance with focus on Christ.

How should Christians deal with anxiety? This article discusses the effects of anxiety and shows that since Christ also experienced anxiety he is able to help the believer.

What is the place of the kingdom of God in preaching? This article examines the centrality of the kingdom in the Bible in order to answer this question.

The problem of sex addiction through the internet is a reality in the church. How should pastoral care be done in this context? This article offers four guidelines.

According to Romans 8:15 and Galatians 4:6 the work of the Holy Spirit is to help the believer raise their cries to God in prayer. The article explains that the Spirit points the believer to the Father and the future, and it shows how the Spirit does this in our weaknesses.

What is the difference between the Roman Catholic way of celebrating the Lord’s Supper and the Reformed way? Looking at Lord’s Day 30, this article shows that the concept of the Eucharist from the Roman Catholic perspective is based on the continual sacrifice of Christ. Therefore, the Reformed believer cannot participate in the Roman Catholic celebration of the Eucharist.

How can pastors give guidance to young people? This article explains the double image of the good Shepherd and the men of Emmaus to show the kind of guidance that needs to be given to young people. Pastoral guidance needs to come from a pastoral heart, it has to search out the wandering sheep, and it has to protect the youth.

Ordained office-bearers make a promise of confidentiality. What does this mean? This article explains the background and biblical basis of this promise.

What role ought the return of Christ to play in our Christian life? This article explores this question and shows that his return is an essential part of his work of salvation, and thus we cannot afford to neglect thinking about it as well as living in light of it.

This article explores the concept of piety as it is depicted throughout the Bible.

This article considers the matter of forgiveness, namely, both the need to ask for it from God and the neighbour, and the willingness to forgive the neighbour.

This article considers the matter of being assured of God’s forgiveness. It urges faith in the promises of God, and thereafter experiencing the joy of forgiveness.

This article explains why a Christian needs to pray repeatedly for the Holy Spirit. It also discusses the attitude with which a Christian must pray, and how groaning can be part of prayer.

Listening well is an art. This article stresses the importance of listening to your neighbour in conversation.

This third of a three-part article considers the significance that the lordship of Christ over his church has for the future and victory of the church.

This article considers the practice of self-harm, whether spiritually or physically, and the hope we have through the gospel and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.

This article considers some of the characteristics of the Christian life. It speaks mainly of sanctification and a Christian lifestyle.

This article, through the lens of Psalm 27:3, encourages prayerful perseverance by faith through the sorrows and griefs of this life.

This article discusses the problem of loneliness in the church. It shows how the Scriptures, particularly the Gospel of John, advocate for living in community. It also reflects on how the lifting of loneliness always goes together with the removal of guilt from the past.

Does God still perform miracles today? This article’s answer is "Yes." If so, what is the place of miracles in the church? Listen to how the article answers.

John 16:8-11 reveals the work of the Holy Spirit as the Prosecutor. In this work the Spirit uses the church. This article explains how.

Based on Philippians 4:5 this article argues that friendliness should mark every congregation. It shows how friendliness relates to mission and self-denial.

Racism has a root somewhere, and it manifests itself in a certain way. It can also be cured. This article explains how.

Does God listen to and answer prayer? This is a question that some Christians ask, and that this article seeks to answer.

The Great Shepherd uses shepherds to care for his flock. This article looks at what it means to be a shepherd. It shows that shepherding the church means having a heart for the flock, and being there for and with the flock.

The resurrection of Jesus is of greater significance than we often imagine. This article looks at the meaning of Jesus’ resurrection in relation to creation. It argues that Jesus’ resurrection points to a certain hope of the new heaven and earth, which is brought by the power of the Spirit for the glory of the Father.

The death of Jesus is of greater significance than we often imagine. This article looks at the signs surrounding Jesus' death, as recorded in Matthew 27:51ff. — the signs of the torn curtain, the earthquake, the open tombs, and the confession of the centurion — and how they relate to creation.

Jesus’ suffering has an impact on the mourning of creation. This article is based on Romans 8 and argues that just as Adam’s sin affected creation, Jesus’ suffering brings reconciliation and renewal. This article shows how the curse has been dealt with.

Old age has its shadows. This article indicates the challenges of old age, including isolation, loneliness, hurtful past experiences, and unmet expectations. Hope is in knowing that God knows the shadows of old age.

Can Christianity advance through the use of violence? The answer is "No." Then why is there so much violence in the Old Testament? This article answers the question by pointing to principles that must govern our thinking about violence in the Old Testament.

There is a process in backsliding. This article explains that this process starts with devaluing the treasures of the Word of God. It thus encourages a struggle against spiritual sluggishness by hearing and interacting with the Word of Christ.