The PRC Seminary faculty announces that the Fall 2018 issue of the Protestant Reformed Theological Journal is now available in pdf form (see attached).

The print issue and the other digital formats (mobi and epub) will be available in a few weeks, but you can begin to read this new issue now in its pdf version.

As you will see from the cover, the issue is packed with the fruits of solid Reformed reading, research, and reflection - all for the rich benefit of our readers. 

Editor, Prof. R. Cammenga, introduces the issue with these "notes:"

This issue of our journal contains articles that will undoubtedly
be helpful to ministers, elders, and seminary professors and students.
We hope as well that those who do not find themselves at the moment
in any of these categories, but who account themselves “ordinary
believers,” will also be instructed and edified. In the end, this is the
great office in the church, the office of all believer. Each of us, by
God’s grace, occupies this office.

We express thanks to Prof. Douglas Kuiper and Dr. H. David
Schuringa for their contribution, “Prayer of Balthasar Lydius.” If this
is not a name that you immediately recognize, it is one that you will
not soon forget after reading his prayer. It is the prayer that Lydius
offered immediately prior to the opening session of the Synod of
Dordt. So far as we know, our brothers are the first to translate this
prayer into English. Though the synod was a Dutch Reformed Synod,
the prayer was offered up in Latin—still at that time the language of
scholarship and theology. It is a moving prayer by the pastor of the
Reformed church of Dordtrecht where the synod was held. The prayer
breathes the language of Scripture and the deeply held convictions of
the Reformed faith on the part of this servant of God.

Prof. Kuiper has another contribution. It is a continuation of the
bibliography of one of the founding fathers of the Protestant Reformed
Churches, the Rev. George M. Ophoff, fondly referred to even today
as “GMO.” The bibliography contains explanations of the different
types of works produced by one of the original faculty members of the
Protestant Reformed Theological Seminary, as well as an analysis of
the enduring value of that which Ophoff produced in a form in which
it could be preserved for future generations. Ophoff was indeed one
of those men who wrote for the ages.

Prof. Barrett Gritters contributes two articles for this issue of
PRTJ. The first is a continuation of his article in the previous issue
that demonstrates the competency of pastors and elders to care for and
counsel those suffering from depression. Both pastors and elders will
be encouraged, as well as motivated, to carry out their calling with 

respect to those who find themselves “in the depths.” His second
contribution concerns the time-honored practice of family visitation,
a practice that is often threatened and in many churches has been
abandoned. Prof. Gritters’ plea on behalf of family visitation calls
special attention to the positive fruits of this practice in congregations
where pastor and elders take this work seriously.

The undersigned contributes the next-to-the-last section in his
“John Calvin Research Bibliography.” Included in this contribution
are the sections entitled, “Calvin’s Doctrine of the Means of Grace,
Preaching, and Baptism,” “Calvin’s Doctrine of the Lord’s Supper,”
and “Calvin’s Doctrine of Human Government and the State.” The
two remaining sections, which we hope to publish in the April 2019
issue, conclude the bibliography with “Calvin’s Doctrine of the Last
Things,” and “Calvin’s View of Worship.” We hope that this research
bibliography will be a helpful resource to all who are interested in
research regarding aspects of Calvin’s life, work, and teachings.

And, of course, what some would regard as the best for last—the
book reviews. Once again, we have a number of book reviews that
summarize and analyze recent publications that may be of interest
especially to ministers, professors, and students, as well as to the
informed lay person. If there is ever a recently published book that
our readers would like to be reviewed in our journal, do not hesitate
to send an email request to the editor at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. We
are always open to the suggestions of our readers.

Now, take up, read, and enjoy!

Soli Deo Gloria!

PRC Seminary Convocation 2018

The PRC Seminary held its annual Convocation on Wednesday, September 5, as faculty and students marked the beginning of a new season of instruction.

The program was held at Providence PRC (picture above) in Hudsonville, MI at 7:00 p.m. Prof. B. Gritters spoke on Acts 20:24 “None of these things move me…”

On the printed program for the evening (cf. attached), Prof. Gritters has this fitting quote from John Calvin included (taken from his commentary on that passage):

“…it is a filthy thing for us to be so holden
with a blind desire to live, that we lose the
causes of life for life itself; and this do the
words of Paul express. For he doth not simply
set light by his life; but he doth forget the
respect thereof, that he may finish his course;
that he may fulfil the ministry which he hath
received of Christ, as if he should say that he
is not desirous to live, save only that he may
satisfy the calling of God; and that, therefore,
it shall be no grief to him to lose his life, so
that he may come by death unto the goal of
the function prescribed to him by God.

And we must note that which he saith,
with joy, for his meaning is, that this is taken
from the faithful by no sorrow or grief, but
that they both live and die to the Lord. For
the joy of a good conscience is more deeply
and surely laid up, than that it can be taken
away by any external trouble, or any sorrow
of the flesh; it triumpheth more joyfully than
that it can be oppressed.”

During the program special music was provided by Crista Phelps (piano) along with Sam Bergman and Conner and Erin Courtney (violin). See the video attached here to listen to one of their beautiful Psalter number arrangements (bottom of post, under "Media").

After the convocation address the present student body was introduced.

From l-r: Freshman Marcus Wee (Covenant ERC Singapore); Senior Jacob Maatman (Crete & SW PRCs); Senior Matt Kortus (Loveland, Faith, & Zion PRCs); Junior Josiah Tan (Covenant ERC Singapore)

*NOTE: Due to connection issues, the live-stream on the Seminary's YouTube channel did not work. Our apologies! But Nick Kleyn recorded most of it and posted it on his Facebook page.

The Spring 2018 issue of the Protestant Reformed Theological Journal is now available in pdf form (see attached). The print issue and the other digital formats (mobi and epub) will be available in a few weeks.

As you will see from the cover, the issue is packed with the fruits of solid Reformed reading, research, and reflection - all for the rich benefit of our readers. 

Editor, Prof. R. Cammenga, introduces the issue with these "notes:"

The Protestant Reformed Churches in America (PRCA) and the
Protestant Reformed Theological Seminary have throughout their
history opposed the teaching that the gospel is a well-meaning offer of
salvation to all who hear the preaching. This is the popular conception
of the preaching of the gospel that is defended and practiced by most
Reformed and Presbyterian churches, preachers, and theologians today.
The PRCA have always insisted that this is a mutilation of the gospel
and is contrary to Scripture and to the Reformed creeds. You will
find a number of articles and book reviews in the April 2018 issue of
PRTJ addressing this issue. The writers also point out the inevitable
despoiling of the Reformed faith in fundamental respects, for which
they who defend the well-meant offer are responsible—denial of the
extent and efficacy of the atonement, denial of the total depravity of
the natural man, embrace of the teaching of free will, and more. We
plead with defenders of the well-meant offer of the gospel to take stock
of the teaching. We urge them rigorously and honestly to evaluate it
in light of Scripture and the confessions. And we add, take note of
the devastating results of the teaching wherever it has won the day.

Prof. Russell Dykstra concludes his series on the teaching of
God’s covenant in the Psalms. He has shown in his series how rich
the Psalms are in their teaching concerning the covenant of grace. The
comfort and assurance of belonging to God’s covenant is a theme that
runs through the book of Psalms. This last article brings the series to
a fitting conclusion.

Prof. Barrett Gritters, professor of Practical Theology in the Protestant
Reformed Theological Seminary, contributes an article full of
biblical and practical advice for pastors and elders counseling members
of God’s church who suffer from depression. Officebearers will find a
great deal of encouragement to minister to the needs of these anguished
members of Christ’s flock. The greatest help is to bring these saints
the Word of God. Appended to his article is the outline of a sermon
based on portions of Psalms 42 and 43 that applies the Word of God
to the matter of depression.

Besides his several book reviews, emeritus Prof. David J. Engelsma
contributes a review article on the recently published book
by David L. Allen, The Extent of the Atonement: A Historical and
Critical Review. This work is being touted as the new “go to” book in
support for unlimited atonement and refutation of limited atonement.
Engelsma evaluates the book in light of Scripture and the Reformed
confessions and finds it seriously wanting. One important argument
in defense of his contention that the atonement of Christ’s cross is
unlimited is Allen’s appeal to the teaching of the well-meant (free)
offer of the gospel. And indeed, as the PRCA have always pointed
out, if the well-meant offer of the gospel is true, the death of Jesus
Christ, at least in its intention, could not have been limited to some
men only. The well-meant gospel offer demands that the value of the
death of Jesus Christ is wider than the elect alone.

Pastor Martyn McGeown, missionary in Limerick, Ireland on
behalf of the sister church of the PRCA, the Covenant Protestant
Reformed Church of Northern Ireland, responds to a recent article
published in the Puritan Reformed Journal, the journal of the Puritan
Reformed Theological Seminary. The article, by David B. McWilliams,
defends the free offer of the gospel. McGeown takes issue with
the contents and the conclusion of this article. And once again, we
plead for an honest and thorough re-evaluation of the teaching that
reduces the call of the gospel—power of God unto salvation—to a
helpless, ineffectual, pathetic offer.

And then there are the book reviews—summaries and critiques of
recently published works that we bring to the attention of our readers.
Some we recommend; others not. But in either case, the reviews are
a reminder that officebearers, and especially pastors, must be readers.
They must find the time and be given the time, even in busy pastorates,
to read.

Now, read and enjoy!

Soli Deo Gloria!

If you want to be added to our mailing list to receive the PRT Journal free, call or email the Seminary.

The PRC Seminary, with help from Faith PRC's Evangelism Committee, held a special two-day 500th anniversary Reformation conference the weekend of October 27-28 at Faith PRC in Jenison, MI.

The six speeches are now available on Faith PRC's Sermonaudio channel. Here are the links:

1. What Was the Reformation? by Prof. R. Cammenga
2. The Reformation's Return to Sola Scriptura by Rev. David Torlach
3. The Reformation's Restoration of the Office of Believer by Prof. Barry Gritters
4. The Reformation's Recovery of Right Worship by Rev. Martyn McGeown
5. The Reformation's Response to the 'Radical Reformation' by Prof. Russell Dykstra
6. The Reformation's Progress in the Lowlands by Rev. Steven Key

*[The rest of this news item was written for the original announcement of the event.]

The details of the event may be found on the poster below. A special website has also been created for the conference, which you may find at www.500thReformation.com .

Here's the latest bulletin announcement that was sent out:

HERE WE STAND, the seminary sponsored weekend conference celebrating the 500th anniversary of the Reformation is now at hand. The first speech is at 4:00 on Friday, October 27 with additional speeches at 7:00 and 8:15. The conference will continue on Saturday morning. The speeches will be delivered by our three professors (Profs. R. Cammenga, R. Dykstra, and B. Gritters)  and Rev. M. McGeown, Rev. David Torlach and Rev. S. Key. Talk to your neighbors and friends and join us at Faith PRC for this important event. The conference will be live-streamed on the Internet for those who are not able to attend in person.

At the conference there will also be books for sale by the Reformed Free Publishing Association and Gary Vander Schaaf, and special displays of Seminary library books - new and rare - on the Reformation. In addition, the Reformed Witness Hour will have a special table featuring its ministry.

We hope you make plans to attend this significant event! Set aside some time for some or all of the conference and plan to join us as we celebrate God's great work in the sixteenth century of reforming His church according to His Word.

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