Theology and Classics
De onkunde van hedendaagse theologiestudenten over de eigen hervormde/katholieke traditie is werkelijk ontstellend. Ik beperk me tot mijn eigen kerk, de HHK. Een geleerde collega was onlangs onderweg met een aantal seminariestudenten. Ze raakten in gesprek, maar toen hij naar het Reveil verwees, begreep geen van hen waarover hij het had… Ik behoor tot de …
Van andere christenen kun je leren. Vooral als ze hetzelfde soort problemen hebben meegemaakt als waar jij mee zit. In de eerste eeuwen heeft de kerk te maken gehad met de meeste uitdagingen die we vandaag tegenkomen. Soms is wat ze meemaakten superspannend. De vroege kerk kan ook jou verder helpen als je op zoek …
Mensen zoals jij: een duik in het avontuurlijke leven van de vroege kerk Read More »
Not many people can say that they have personally known all presidents and prime ministers of South Africa since the days of apartheid. In my lastest podcast, John Matisonn emphasizes the importance of truth and availability of facts as basis for good journalism and a functioning democracy. The movie title “There’s a Zulu on My …
Should women be allowed at university? The nearly unanimous verdict of humanity until the twentieth century was: most certainly not, not even as students. In the 17th century there was one notable exception: Anna Maria van Schurman. At the time, the Academie van Vriesland was one of the most influential universities in the Protestant world. …
The last ‘Knysna elephant’ may not be a proper Knysna elephant. Compare pictures and judge for yourself. Nearly all Knysna elephants were butchered by hunters before 1920. By that time there were possibly 7 left. Towards the end of the 20th century, in 1996, the population was reported to be functionally extinct, with only a …
Did you know that St Nicolas day was once the start of an evil abuse, called the “boy bishop”? On the 6th of December a boy from the choristers or the local grammar school was chosen to be ‘bishop’. He dressed up like one, with staff and miter, plus friends as ‘priests’ to match. This …
All Hallows Eve 2024 is nearly upon us. A suitable time to reflect on the state of the western church. Where has existentialist theology brought us? Back to pagan religion, if Harvard University is any indication. Monday evenings worship at the Harvard Memorial Chapel, the campus church of Harvard University, tells us all about it: …
My longtime friend the Rev. Raeburn Cameron-Smith has passed from this life to be with Christ. We had a fellowship in the gospel for many years, for which both of us have expressed our thankfulness. Today was his memorial service in Australia. With fondness I recall his biblical preaching, aimed at expounding the Word of …
Hoe kun je weten of je een kind van het verbond bent dat in de hemel komt? Uit de Bijbel is immers duidelijk dat er mensen zijn die doorgaan voor christen, maar toch niet gered zijn. Onder het oude verbond waren er Joden die ondanks het verbond toch onder Gods oordeel vielen. Niet iedereen die …
From an evolutionist perspective mankind should not exist anymore. We are genetically moving downhill with 62 random mutations added per new generation. In this episode we have a conversation with Dr Don Batten, former CEO and senior scientist with Creation Ministries. Don is a horticulturalist, with a PhD from Sydney University, in New South Whales …
In this conversation with Dr Ralph Martin we discuss the life changing impact of the Word of God. The reverse is also true. Most problems in the Church are related to how one views the Bible. Meet a Catholic professor who believes that we have an inerrant Bible that contains the Word of God. Dr …
Dr David Daintree is director of the Christopher Dawson Centre for Cultural Studies in Australia. In this conversation we discuss the state of Western civilisation and its important features, perhaps the most important one that it is grounded in a material and spiritual reality that cannot be changed by our perception and only ignored to …
Dr David Daintree: I think about death every day Read More »
Hugh Owen was raised in a highly succesful and well connected family. His father, Sir David Owen, was the first assistent secretary general of the United Nations and also the first chairman of Planned Parenthood international. He was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II for his achievements. In short, with a secular mother in the mix, …
Hugh Owen: Discovering truth in unexpected places Read More »
This summer I had the priviledge of visiting the lovely town of Marburg in Germany. Having been at the Wartburg Castle earlier, I continued to follow in the footsteps of Elizabeth of Thuringia and Martin Luther. Both have an important connection to Marburg as well. Elizabeth founded a Franciscan hospital, which continued to be administered …
Dit weekend heb ik geschreven over de frustratie die veel zusters terecht kunnen hebben in onze tijd. Zie het Reformatorisch Dagblad. Daarom heb ik voor jullie, vaders, een speciale boodschap: