JAN/FEB 2018 Reformed A MAGAZINE FOR THE CHRISTIAN FAMILY Volume 37 Issue No. 2

CELEBRATING 35+ YEARS

PRACTICING THE SABBATH ON LIVING OUT THE 4TH COMMANDMENT P.40

ORTH N W O S TI W N E G N .. . NOTA BENE p. 8 IN A NUTSHELL • FROM THE EDITOR • BOOK REVIEWS • CROSSWORD Is this not your copy of Reformed Reformed PERSPECTIVE Perspective? A MAGAZINE FOR THE CHRISTIAN FAMILY

Published monthly by the Foundation for the publication of a ­Reformed Social-Political Magazine (Reformed Perspective Foundation). For Subscriptions or to Change your address, contact: Joanna deBoer - Reformed Perspective Administration, Box 1328, 230 2nd AVE NW, Carman, MB, R0G 0J0 [email protected] 1-855-527-1366

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Editor: Jon Dykstra

Regular Contributors: Sharon Bratcher, Christine Farenhorst, Margaret Helder, Rob Slane, Michael Wagner

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2 / JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2018 CONTENTS

PRACTICING THE SABBATH ON LIVING OUT THE 4TH COMMANDMENT p.40-44

THE SURPRISING SECRETS OF HIGHLY HAPPY MARRIAGES P.54 – Annie Kate Aarnouste

FROM THE EDITOR P.6 – Jon Dykstra NOTA BENE P.8 IN A NUTSHELL P.22 SPEAKING AGAINST SUICIDE P.38 GOD'S WORD: WHAT – Jeff Dykstra BETTER GIFT IS THERE TO HOSPITALITY HACKS WORK IS WORSHIP P.50 GIVE? - Rebecca Korvemaker – Darren Bosch - Mark Penninga p.16 p.45

REFORMED PERSPECTIVE / 3 READERS' RESPONSE

DEAR EDITOR, I read with interest Mark Reimer’s Nota Bene contribution “Canadian couples may have had adoption/fostering nixes because of their Christianity” (Nov/Dec 2017) regarding Christians’ challenges to adopt and foster children in Canada. Related to this, I thought I would share our experience with fostering to adopt. For many years, we have prayed for wisdom and guidance from God concerning fostering and adoption. I have read many books and articles, talked to people who have adopted and had many discussions with my husband. We have 9 children ranging in age from 4-18 so we decided that if we would go ahead with fostering to adopt, we would start with newborns to age 2 so that it would not interfere as much with the raising of our family. This past summer, I attended an information session at the Family and Children's Services for Guelph and Wellington County in Ontario. This was an exciting step because it would give us a better idea whether this was something we could do. However, it became clear almost from the beginning that this organization was not supportive of Christian values and principles, and there was a strong emphasis on what they call "anti- oppression." The presenter explained that, of the 30 hours of training, the first three hours would deal primarily with an openness and support of homosexuality and gender identity. This was the first of two “deal breakers,” home so that anyone who was not able to adhere to their policy (we never spank in front of others, always in private, in this regard would not be able to foster children. My heart in love and without anger) but the social worker was not sank, knowing this would be a tough battle to fight. willing to make concessions. She then went on to explain the second “deal breaker.” I felt compelled to respond because there are indeed Foster parents would not be allowed to spank their children, Reformed families who are willing to open their hearts and and this would apply not just to their foster children, but homes but who are faced with roadblocks that are difficult, also to their own. I understand that foster parents should if not impossible to navigate. It is sad that families who have not spank their foster children, but it came as a surprise that so much to offer to society with a stable, loving home and a spanking our own children would be forbidden. I asked heart to help children in need are not able to do so because for clarification, which made it all the more clear that this of societies anti-Christian stance. It is our prayer that our organization was not interested in families that uphold to voices will be heard and that the door may yet be opened for Biblical teachings and practices. children in need to be received into Christian families. This was a big disappointment. When I got home, I sent another email to explain how we implement spanking in our Joanneke Kottelenberg Hillsburgh, Ontario

4 / JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2018 DEAR EDITOR, I’d like voice a polite and respectful “booo” to the article involved). on school sports you recently reprinted online and in your Parents weekly RP Roundup email newsletter. I’m referring to Shauna didn’t Stam’s “Sports teams are important for Christian schools.” lean on The article begged one very important and obvious their local question: Why should schools be the sole institutional schools. sponsors of sport for our youth? Where is that written in the They took law of the Medes and Persians? I’d like to invite more careful personal thought and biblical reflection on the “sphere sovereignty” responsibility angle of this issue. for their own Let’s assume sports are biblically lawful and terrific things kids and for our kids to be involved with. Let’s grant the general value organized of sports for personal development, etc. The big question themselves to remains, How is that activity best organized, and by whom? make their sports experience possible. Why do we (and millions of secularists) automatically assume In other words, there are clearly other options, other that schools should be the primary institutions to organize, models to follow, besides imposing on our schools or our fund, coach, and conduct youth sports? churches. Try this thought experiment: Let’s make churches the I don’t have firm answers here, but it seems to me that the primary institution to fund and organize all youth sports question of who or what institutions should bear primary teams. Local churches could surely handle sports teams for responsibility for sports in the Christian context has been our kids, right? “Whoa! Wait a minute,” you might say. “That’s largely assumed and not carefully and prayerfully considered. not what the church is for!!” And I’d agree. Now shift back to It’s time to stop begging that question. It’s an appropriate schools: Are sports really what schools are for? Why reject time to start discussing it seriously with intentionally the one and then automatically tilt toward the other? On what Reformational perspective after having so recently concluded principle? By what standard? The case for making schools celebrating the 500th anniversary of intercollegiate door responsible for youth sports simply hasn’t been made. nailing. Play ball! Why not community-based teams? I grew up playing on community Boy’s Club teams in southern California Roy Atwood and Washington state. Those were great experiences and Buçimas, Pogradec, Albania the whole community (not just a couple of schools were

True Right: Genuine Conservative Leaders of Western Canada

True Right provides an introduction to important western Canadian conservative leaders. The first part focuses on political leaders while the second part offers an analysis of the political thought of Ted and Link Byfield, the father/son team behind Alberta Report magazine and the Christian History Project.

"The Byfields were Canada's preeminent conservative prophets and teachers.... Wagner's sterling achievement has been to distill and present to his readers the pure essence of their thinking on the relevant issues of our time. One feels that no one can read this material without being inspired to pray and, one hopes, to work for the day when conservatism once more guides the nation."

– Shafer Parker, Jr., Pastor, Hawkwood Baptist Church, Calgary, and former Senior Editor of Alberta Report magazine.

You can buy a copy for $15 at Merchantship.generationalfamilies.net FROM THE EDITOR

FEMINISTS versus TRANSGENDERS Why the Left is turning on itself

by Jon Dykstra

n Judges 7 Israel is faced with a “the experience of a woman who is grant a man can become a woman, what fearsome foe, and God decides to born a woman is completely different logic prevents us from acknowledging use that foe's strength against it. from the experience of a man who a white man can become an Asian IGideon and his 300 get to watch as “the decides one day to present himself as woman? Why is that a bigger leap? Lord set the sword of one [Mideonite] a woman.” Of course we knew it wasn’t going to against another even throughout be long before “transracialism” was the whole army.” Might God have While the protest against Bouchard going to be embraced too, and this past something similar in mind for today’s has been limited, it has garnered some month the National Post’s Barbara Kay liberal Left? favorable coverage from a mainstream reported that the State of Delaware is Consider the case of Gabrielle press that isn’t sure which side they going to allow students to self-identify Bouchard. This past December, should pick when one leftwing group not only their gender, but their race Bouchard made news, and drew the ire takes on another. too. of a small number of vocal feminists, A month earlier a similar sort of But the more the Left embraces this when he became head of Québec’s conflict occurred south of the border. craziness, the sooner the infighting is largest feminist group. Bouchard is a An American white man, Ja Du, going to get serious. The conflicts we man who identifies as a woman, and publicly identified as a Filipina woman see here – one feminist group vs. the the group he now heads, the Fédération and the mainstream press didn’t know transgender head of another, and the des Femmes du Québec (FFQ) has how to handle that either. The liberal liberal media picking transgenders the typical feminist stands: abortion Huffington Post decided to accept he over transracials – might not seem to is good, capitalism is exploitive, the was a woman, but wasn’t yet ready to matter. But the problems these groups patriarchy is evil. do the same for his transracial claims. have with one another are only going It’s on this last point – men running Their headline read: to grow. too much of the world – that the FFQ Why? is getting attacked. Diane Guilbault, “Filipinos aren’t happy with this Because at their core, feminist, the head of a rival feminist group, white woman claiming to be a transgender, and transracial views told the National Post that she doesn’t Filipina.” contradict. And it’s only a matter of appreciate a man being in charge of a time before these unnatural allies turn feminist group because: Their hesitancy is puzzling: once you on one another.

6 / JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2018 ARE THE DIFFERENCES REAL starting. We can tear it wide open if we 3. What does it mean to be of a OR NOT? press that question: what exactly does different race? And if I can be a The divide between feminists and being female or male mean? different race, can I be a different transgenders comes down to how age? Or a different height? How each answers this question: are the ARE THE GROUPS FIXED OR NOT? about a different weight? Or differences between the sexes real? When it comes to transracialism, socio-economic status? Why, or The typical feminist is going it might seem surprising that even a why not? to answer with a “no.” They’ll liberal-leaning publication like the acknowledge reproductive differences Huffington Post is slow to embrace the We can also point our culture to only because those are impossible to idea. Why would any on the Left have the one worldview that’s built on a overlook. But when asked why there a problem with accepting that a person firm foundation. We can begin by are far fewer female CEOs, or why can swap ethnic identities? teaching them that God made us male the overall average wage for women is Maybe it’s because, on some level, the and female, and that can’t be changed lower than that for men, the standard Left understands that transracialism (though our feelings about our gender feminist line attributes the difference (along with transgenderism) can be). We can share that gender- to discrimination. It is most certainly undermines identity politics: minority based differences do exist and they are not a result of men and women groups pressing for preferential significant, but they aren’t scary, and having different interests, or different treatment to compensate for past don’t have to be ignored or diminished. strengths and capabilities – after all, wrongs (real or supposed) done to We can explain that acknowledging anything a man can do a woman can their group. After all, what happens men are physically stronger than do too! To put it another way, the to identity politics when it becomes women isn’t an attack on women’s predominant feminist take is that the possible to switch groups? What worth, because our worth doesn’t come differences between men and women happens to demands for preferential from our muscle size, or any other are only outward and insignificant – we treatment when a white man can be ability. We can point out that there is look different, but we aren’t actually acknowledged as black and female? only one way in which we are all equal, different. What happens to hiring quotas when and so, only one basis for any claim Meanwhile when a man like an applicant can choose to identify to equality: we are all made in God’s Gabrielle Bouchard claims that, despite as whatever combination of special image. We can clarify that there is just how he looks, he feels like a woman identities a company is looking to one race – the human race – and the then he is, unavoidably, attacking check off? denial of that truth has led to untold the feminist position. After all, he’s It becomes hard to pit one group discrimination and persecution. implying that there is something, against another when the lines between And we can explain that the reason outside of the outward appearance, that them are being erased. this all makes sense in a way that makes a woman different than a man. their secular worldview just doesn’t, In making his claim to be the other THE TIPPING POINT is because it is God’s truth, and it is gender, Bouchard is acknowledging Christians might be discouraged at trustworthy because He is. RP that there are differences between just how fast our culture is embracing the genders that are both real and ideas that, only a few short years ago, significant. would have been dismissed as crazy What exactly those differences are, by just about everyone. But there is a isn’t generally discussed. That’s where bright side to the speed at which the Christians need to press the issue Left is adopting one incoherent idea and ask: what does it mean to feel after another: the more craziness they like a woman? What does that feeling stack on their shaky foundation, the involve? Imagine if a man said he knew sooner the whole mess is going to tip he was actually a woman because he over. felt more sensitive and emotional, liked We can hasten that tipping point by dresses and the color pink, and felt so asking questions that highlight that very nurturing. What would feminists incoherence, like: think of that? It doesn’t really matter what differences a transgender might 1. Are the differences between the point to, feminists are going to either genders real and significant? deny the differences are real, or that Jon Dykstra can be reached at editor@ they are important. 2. What does it mean to feel like a reformedperspective.ca. So we can see the rupture already woman, or feel like a man?

REFORMED PERSPECTIVE / 7 MOVIEGUIDE: “SEX DOES NOT SELL”

n their annual survey of the previous years top films I Movieguide.org discovered once again that sex is not the key to big box office returns. For News 2017, they found that among the top films, those with “heavy depicted sex” worth earned an average of only $18 million, noting whereas those with no sexual content

BY JON DYKSTRA were more than double that, with an average earning of $46 million. MovieGuide.org has been conducting this review annually for years now, and the groups founder, Dr. Ted Baehr, says that this year’s findings echo those of previous years.

SOURCE: “Sex does not sell!”, posted to MovieGuide.org on January 29, 2018.

CHICK-FIL-A IS ALWAYS CLOSED ON SUNDAY… EXCEPT WHEN AN OX FALLS INTO A PIT

he American fast food chain Chick-fil-A is a favorite T among Christians for the owners’ unwavering stand against Sunday opening. But it turns out this unwavering stance has some jiggle room to it, when needed. In the past they’ve been so firm about their Sunday-closing position even their outlet in the Atlanta Falcon’s football stadium stays closed for the son or an ox fall into a well, and will by someone else: “@Chick-fil-A will 7 out of 8 home games the NFL team not immediately pull him out on a provide food for passengers.” plays on Sunday. Not that it’s hurt Sabbath day?” A store that’s always closed on their business - even though they miss For Chick-fil-A an exception Sunday was happy to open their doors these 7 games, ESPN’s Darren Rovell occurred this past December when on this particular day of rest because reports that the Chick-fil-A stand “sold the Atlanta International Airport was thousands of people needed their the third most items of any stand in the hit with a complete blackout. This is help. Not only is this a wonderful stadium.” one of the world’s busiest airports, observance of the 4th commandment, But, as consistent as their closed-on- and the blackout resulted in hundreds it is Matthew 5:16 lived out as well: Sunday position has been, they’re not of cancelled flights and countless Pharisaical about it – they recognize stranded passengers. While Atlanta’s “Let your light shine before men in there can be a need for exceptions. We municipal government was busy trying such a way that they may see your know Jesus healed on the Sabbath, to find accommodations for these good works, and glorify your Father and, when the Pharisees confronted passengers they tweeted out that the who is in heaven.” him about it, he put them in their place passengers’ meals would be handled asking, “Which one of you will have a

8 / JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2018 CHIP AND JOANNA GAINES AND GLOBAL WARMING

hen Fixer Upper’s Chip and Pyszczyk gets some facts wrong Joanna Gaines announced, – she claims that “populations are W on Jan. 2, that they were multiplying exponentially” and they pregnant with child number simply aren’t. But Christians don’t need five, the congratulations rolled in. to know the latest statistics to see Thousands of encouraging messages through her argument. We just need to flooded the home-improvement-show know our Bibles. hosts’ Twitter and Facebook pages. It’s there we find that procreation But over at CBC.ca there was one isn’t a “public heath concern” and large just consumers, but producers and voice of dissent, notable for the families aren’t a problem. Children are innovators too! objection she raised. In her Jan a blessing, not a curse (Ps. 113:9, Ps. The reason this matters is because 13 article, “It shouldn’t be taboo to 127:3-5, Deut. 7:13, Gen. 48:4, etc.) Pyszczyk’s short-sighted “children as criticize parents for having too many But what of the increasing numbers a concern” narrative isn’t just a minor kids” Kristen Pyszczyk characterized of mouths to feed that Pyszczyk is mistake. As calmly as she presents the Gaines’ decision to have baby #5 worried about? Well, her worldview it, this perspective has been a major as “a choice that affects everyone who blinds her to the full truth. Yes, justification for abortion, which, inhabits our planet.” children all come with their own over the last half century, has killed Yes, she was making the case that, carbon footprint, and a mouth that hundreds of millions. due to the threat of climate change, needs filling, but they also come So it’s vital then that we teach the Gaines’ newest little one shouldn’t with two hands to work, and a brain the world to see children as God be seen as a blessing: to dream up innovations. And as sees them. We can do that by Solomon teaches us, we can “sharpen” congratulating families, like the “Procreation is becoming a global one another (Prov. 27:17). Why have Gaines, who are blessed with growing public health concern, rather than a we seen so many technological families, and we can do so by, when personal decision. So when people leaps this past century? Because we God allows, embracing that blessing do irresponsible things like having have more minds than ever, and that ourselves. five children, we absolutely need to means all the more opportunities for be calling them out.” one to sharpen another. We are not

A PERSON’S A PERSON, NO MATTER HOW SMALL-HEARTED (OR NOT SO) PRO-LIFERS MIGHT BE

Christians adopting more children? failings don’t have the power to grant, It’s a question intended to shut pro- or do away with, their humanity. It's not lifers up, so, for the sake of the unborn, about us. it’s important we understand the two In addition, the charge doesn't problems with this accusation: stick. In Lifeway Research's poll of 1,010 American Protestant and 1. it’s beside the point nondenominational churchgoers 2. it isn't true (people who went to church at least once a month) 40% of respondents Why is this hypocrisy charge beside said that over the last year someone in new study, released in the point? Because in the abortion their church had been involved in foster January by LifeWay Research debate there is only one issue that care, or had adopted, or their church A is part of an effective rebuttal matters: whether the unborn are leaders were encouraging foster or to a common pro-abortion human beings. If they are, then they adoption. Much more could be done argument. Pro-lifers are often accused deserve the same protection as all – there is still a pressing need for more of hypocrisy – we’re said to only be other human beings, and that isn't willing families – but these numbers interested in life before birth, but that going to change no matter how caring show that Christian pro-lifers are if we truly thought life was precious or uncaring pro-lifers might be. Even concerned with children after birth too. from conception onward, wouldn’t we if pro-lifers really are the nastiest sort do more to help children after they are SOURCE: “Adoption, Foster Care Commonplace in Churches” posted to of two-faced frauds, our personal LifeWayResearch.com on January 24, 2018. born? Why, the question is asked, aren’t

REFORMED PERSPECTIVE / 9 THE MIKE PENCE RULE WON’T SAVE US…BUT CAN IT HELP US? n the spring of 2017 the Washington Post got settings…though mainstream media pundits chortling, when they a smart boss will I revealed that US Vice President Mike Pence had a be sure to create rule that he wouldn’t dine alone with any woman such opportunities other than his wife. The media hated this “Mike Pence rule” other ways for mocking it as some combination of childish and prudish. It was valued female said to be sexist, suppressing advancement opportunities for employees. But women since they wouldn’t be able to get the same alone time even if we grant with the boss as the boys. the rule can cause A half year later the New Yorker ran an exposé on Hollywood such hindrances, so long as we live in an imperfect world, mogul Harvey Weinstein, accusing him of sexually harassing we need to acknowledge there are no perfect solutions, or assaulting 13 women. The publication of these accusations only tradeoffs. So then the issue is not, is the Mike Pence rule prompted dozens of other women to come forward with perfect? It is not. Instead we should ask, does it help more than further accusations. This spawned a “#MeToo movement” with it hinders, and is it better than the available alternatives? And in more and more women coming forward, alleging abuse at answer to that, consider: the hands of powerful men of all sorts, including US senator Al Franken, Today host Matt Lauer, storyteller Garrison Keillor, US • A large numbers of men have been accused of, and many senate candidate Roy Moore, actor Dustin Hoffman, and, just have then admitted to, victimizing women. The harassment this week, the now former leader of the Ontario Progressive or assault often occurring when they got a woman alone. Conservative Party, Patrick Brown. And while most of the • Other men have been accused of assault or harassment accused admitted to at least some sort of misconduct, others, and deny it by women they spent time alone with. like Brown, claim to be completely innocent. • One man has a system by which he not only would never So in light of the #MeToo movement, and the enormous commit sexual sin, but could never even be accused of it. abuse of power it exposed among influential men of all sorts, is • That man is mocked as a prude, Pharisee, fool, misogynist, it time to revisit the Pence rule? etc. Some say no, Christians among them. A month after the Weinstein allegations came out, Katelyn Beaty, an editor at The Pence rule does more than shield women from male Christianity Today wrote and article titled, “A Christian case predation, so, no, it doesn't simply presume every man is against the Pence Rule” for the New York Times. In it she gave a "lustful beast." It acknowledges that sexual temptation is this less than flattering assessment of the rule: real, and the workplace environment involves long hours of time spent together. This rule, then, also helps both men “The Pence rule arises from a broken view of the sexes: and women avoid workplace temptation. And it serves as an Men are lustful beasts that must be contained, while assurance to their spouses. Finally, it helps protect men from women are objects of desire that must be hidden away. false accusations. There are downsides to this rule, but it also Offering the Pence rule as a solution to male predation is has quite the upside. like saying, ‘I can’t meet with you one on one, otherwise I It's important to note that, while there is a biblical basis to might eventually assault you.’ If that’s the case, we have far the Pence/Graham rule – it acknowledges the fallen nature of deeper problems around men and power than any personal men and women and the powerful pull of sexual temptation conduct rule can solve.” – we aren’t going to find the rule itself in Scripture. That’s why we mustn’t treat it as something sacred or something every This is quite the condemnation! And yet Beaty granted that Christian business owner must be implementing. Maybe they the Pence rule – also known as the Billy Graham rule, as he have their own ways to combat sexual harassment, minimize adopted it long before the Vice President – has saved Pence temptation, and protect against false accusations. But there is from ever facing the same allegations that were leveled at Roy a reason that Mike Pence and Billy Graham have never been Moore, Patrick Brown and others. Beaty also grants that the tainted by sexual scandal, even as so many others in their “Bible says a lot about humans’ proclivity to sin.” positions have – there is wisdom to be found here. In fact, it seems she is making a good case for the rule That said, we shouldn’t make the mistake of thinking this rule before she then presents her case against: the Pence rule can is going to save us. As Reformed blogger Tim Challies writes: be frustrating to women who know that alone time with the boss, and “the informal and strategic conversations” that can Rules have their place, but they must never be separated occur in that setting are “the stuff of workplace advancement.” from a prayerful determination to put sin to death. There’s something to what she says – the Pence rule may SOURCE: Picture is modified from a file by Laurel L. Russwurm (Flickr.com) and licensed under Creative Commons make it harder for women to advance in some workplace Attribution 2.0 Generic license.

10 / JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2018 BEST PRO-LIFE SIGNS AT THE US MARCH FOR LIFE

his year’s US March for Life PJ media. Some are blunt; others took place on January 19 and are clever. One is simply an offer T marked the 45th anniversary to help. May they serve to inspire! of the Supreme Court’s Roe vs. Wade decision, which struck down 1. GOD PLANNED PARENTHOOD many of the country’s restrictions on 2. I SUPPORT A WOMAN’S RIGHT abortion. Canada also has a March for TO BE BORN Life, but it takes place four months later, 3. THE STRONG MUST PROTECT always on or around May 14, to mark THE WEAK the anniversary of Pierre Trudeau’s 4. I SURVIVED ROE VS. WADE. 1969 Omnibus bill, which first legalized ROE VS. WADE WILL NOT SURVIVE But the very best pro-life messaging abortion in Canada. ME. I think I’ve seen wasn’t at this year’s Both are attended by tens of 5. PRETEND I’M A TREE. SAVE ME. March, and wasn’t even on this thousands. 6. A PERSON’S A PERSON, NO MATTER continent. It came on a pair of t-shirts That means there are thousands of HOW SMALL worn by a couple at last year’s Romanian creative pro-life minds thinking through 7. ME [next to an ultrasound picture]. March for Life. The potbellied husband how best to communicate the truth STILL ME [next to a newborn wore a shirt that read “This was from about the unborn on thousands of picture]. choice” while the obviously pregnant signs, banners and t-shirts. And because 8. ABORTION IS MURDER wife wore a shirt that read, “This was the American event is months earlier, 9. AM I MORE VALUABLE BECAUSE OF from God.” Canadians can be inspired by what we MY SIZE? SOURCE: Katrina Trinko’s “29 of the best signs at the March for Life” posted see south of the border! 10. YOU ARE NOT ALONE. WE WILL to DailySignal.com on Jan. 19; “The best signs we saw at the 2018 March for Life” posted to LifeSiteNews.com on Jan. 22; Tyler O’Neil’s “15 Creative What follows is a dozen of the best HELP YOU. signs that made the March for Life stand out” posted to PJMedia.com Jan. 19; “Press Release: The March for Life 2017 in Romania: 110,000 de signs and slogans as shared by sites like 11. ALREADY BORN? CHECK YOUR participants in 138 cities” posted to FamilyNews.co on March 28, 2017 The Daily Signal, LifeSiteNews.com and PRIVILEGE.

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REFORMED PERSPECTIVE / 11 WHEN MARRIAGE MEANS ONLY: but said that I could live with him and 9). The State undermined the “for life” “A WAY TO AVOID TAXES” he would give me his house when he part with no-fault divorce, and the “man passed away as payment.” and woman” part by recognizing same- sex couplings. The act of homosexual The problem was, if Murphy simply sex makes a mockery of the “one deeded the house to O’Sullivan in his flesh” part, and, in a different way, the will, O’Sullivan would be faced with Murphy/O’Sullivan “friendship marriage” a €50,000 tax bill under Ireland’s does too. inheritance tax. And since the formerly So what then are we left with? homeless O’Sullivan doesn’t seem to Marriage has been redefined to mean have a lot of money lying about, such only “a means of tax-avoidance.” a bill might well have forced him to sell the home to pay the taxes. And then Death taxes are problematic att Murphy and Michael he’d be homeless again. Another problem lurking in the O’Sullivan are good friends However, spouses seem to exempt background of this story is the nature M – they’ve been friends for from this inheritance tax, and when the of the tax they are working so hard almost 30 years. They are two straight men heard of this option to avoid. Of course, taxes are never also straight. And, as of today, according they decided it only made sense to get popular, but inheritance taxes are to the Irish government, they are “married.” particularly problematic. husband and husband. The two decided There’s an obvious problem here, and How so? to get “married” so that 85-year-old another lurking underneath. Well, consider the basis on which the Murphy could pass on his house to State is taking in these taxes. Normally the younger 58-year-old Sullivan, Marriage becomes meaningless taxes are justified as a trade of sorts. We tax-free. As O’Sullivan explained the First up, we can see here that when fund the government and in exchange arrangement to Independent.ie: God’s standards are abandoned, the we get benefits from that government, State’s replacement has no foundation. like policing, roads, healthcare, “I was homeless, sleeping in my car Redefining marriage hasn’t left us with unemployment insurance, etc. But and [Murphy] needed someone to a different version of this institution, what services will Murphy get? None at move into his home and take care but only turned “marriage” into a all – the tax only kicks in after he has of him. He was losing his sight and meaningless term. As God defined departed. It is something for nothing. needed a full-time [caregiver]. He told it, marriage is a man and a woman Consider also that while elections me that he couldn’t afford to pay me becoming one flesh, for life (Mark 10:8- give us a say in how taxes are used,

26-YEAR-OLD WOMAN GIVES BIRTH TO 25-YEAR-OLD GIRL

e start counting our age from the day of our birth, article put the but if we think on that for a moment we realize number at W that’s not, technically, accurate. Life begins at 60,000. conception, not birth, so most of us are nine To the world, months older than we’ve been owning up to. But in the case these hundreds of little Emma Gibson, the difference between conception of thousands of and birth wasn't nine months, it was just over 24 years. embryos are a When she was born this past November, she was already 25 legal headache. years old because Emma had been conceived, via in vitro While they fertilization (IVF), back in 1992. And at that time her adoptive don’t acknowledge them as human, they do seem to mother, Tina Gibson, was just 18 months old. recognize there is something special about them, which is Since 1992 Emma had been left in frozen storage. As why so many of these children are not being destroyed but WORLD magazine’s Jamie Dean reported, Emma isn’t the being indefinitely stored, without plans as for what to do with only child that’s been left waiting. them. At least 600,000 embryos sit frozen in storage facilities Emma’s rescue underscores the opportunity Christian across the United States, according to the Department of couples have to save embryonic children via what’s called Health and Human Services. Some reproductive experts “snowflake adoption" – a frozen embryo can be thawed, believe the number is closer to 1 million. and if it survives that thawing, can then be implanted in its Canadian estimates are hard to come by, but a 2014 CBC adopted mother’s womb and, hopefully, carried to term.

12 / JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2018 an inheritance tax is “taxation without STUDY: CANADIANS TWICE AS MISERLY AS AMERICANS respiration.” A death tax is revenue without accountability, since (at least in nder what circumstances pre-tax income in 2015. most electoral districts) the dead don’t would giving 1.43% of your Not only are Canadians more get to vote. U income to charity be seen miserly than Americans, they are This type of taxation also undermines as generous? Not too many. getting more so. From 2005 to 2015 property rights. Do we really own But what if your neighbor gave less there’s been a steady decline in something if we can’t give it to than half of that? Then, in comparison, Canadians giving, from 25.1% of tax whomever we wish? Murphy wants to you would seem generous. filers claiming a charitable deduction give his home to his friend, but he can’t In a study of “Generosity in Canada in 2005, to just 20.9 in 2015. (or at least he can’t unless he resorts and the United States” the authors The difference between Canada and to these extreme measures). He can found that while most Americans the US came out in other ways too. only given a portion of it, with the State don’t give much, they look like There were only three states “where demanding the rest. But Murphy’s wealth Santa Claus himself when compared the percentage of aggregate [pre- has already been taxed when he first to Canadians. Fraser Institute tax] income donated was less than earned it, so why isn’t the remainder – researchers, Charles Lammam, Sazid the percentage donated in Manitoba the after tax portion – now finally his to Hasan and Hugh MacIntyre found that (0.83%) Canada’s highest ranked do with as he wishes? Canadians gave just 0.56% of their province.” Finally, we should consider what such Is there an opportunity a tax encourages. If parents spends all here for God’s people? their wealth and leave their children If God’s people gave nothing, then the State is satisfied. But generously and carefully if parents save, and invest, and build just imagine the good a business that they want to hand we could do and – in on to the next generation, then the comparison to these State demands a share. So such a tax miserly numbers – the encourages spending, and penalizes light we could be! investing. SOURCE: Charles Lammam, Sazid Hasan, and SOURCES: Emma McMenamy’s “Irish straight best friends marry to 'avoid Hugh MacIntyre’s “Generosity in Canada and paying €50,000 inheritance tax' on house” posted to IrishMirror.ie on Dec. the United States: The 2017 Generosity Index” in 22, 2017; Sasha Brady, Denise Calnan, and Kathy Armstrong’s “It all worked the Fraser Research Bulletin, Dec. 2017, posted out' - friends getting married to 'avoid inheritance tax' tie the knot in Dublin to FraserInstitute.org ceremony” posted to Independent.ie, on Dec. 22, 2017.

But even as Christians are involved in rescuing children from 4) The rest are left in a frozen state, waiting to be born. But this frozen state, what should we think about IVF for our own unless something dramatic happens – unless “snowflake infertility treatments? When couples struggle with infertility, adoptions" start happening by the hundreds of thousands IVF is presented as a near miraculous means to help them get – the most likely fate for these children is eventual death. the baby they’ve been yearning for. IVF is all about babies, and we’re pro-life, so we’re all about babies too! On the face of it, Christian couples struggling with infertility need to IVF would seem a life-affirming medical procedure. understand that the IVF industry offers hope, but has a great But there is a reason hundreds of thousands of children darkness to it. We don’t think of IVF doctors as abortionists, are left frozen, waiting to be born. IVF, as it is commonly but when we recognize that life begins at conception then done, involves the intentional creation of “excess” embryos it’s no slur to make the comparison. Abortionists kill half their – the creation of more children than will be implanted in patients and it seems the same, or worse, can be said about their mother’s womb. That’s not how it has to be done, but IVF doctors too. that’s how it is done most of the time for reasons of cost So, of course, to rescue babies like Emma, we’ll need help effectiveness. These embryos then face one of four fates: from this IVF industry – there is a right way that IVF can be done. But we mustn’t be naïve about the darkness underlying 1) As a rule, any that seem abnormal are “discarded” – British this industry, lest, in our ignorance, we get caught up in it. numbers indicate this happens to roughly half the children. SOURCE: Jamie Dean’s “Hope for the unchosen” posted to World.WNG.org on Jan. 20, 2018; “Prospective 2) Some are implanted in the mother. Canadian parents turn to the U.S. surplus embryo donation” posted to CBC.ca Nov. 4, 2014; Andrew Hough’s “1.7 million human embryos created for IVF thown away” posted to Telegraph.co.uk Dec. 31, 2012 3) A small number are donated to science for experimentation (where they are killed).

REFORMED PERSPECTIVE / 13 FIVE FUN FAMILY FRIENDLY FILMS MOVIES By Jon Dykstra

THE BOXCAR CHILDREN POLLYANNA THE GRUFFALO ANIMATED / CHILDREN'S FAMILY ANIMATED / FAMILY 2013 / 81 MINUTES 2003 / 99 MINUTES 27 MIN / 2009 RATING: 7/10 RATING: 8/10 RATING: 8/10

The Boxcar Children is the first title in Aside from a change of setting – from How can a mouse meet up with a a popular and still expanding children's Vermont, to England – this is a faithful hungry fox, snake, and owl, and live series of books. And just like the book, adaption of the source book (and far to tell the tale? It helps that he has a the film is about four children - three more so than the 1960s Disney version). monstrously big friend who is just about brothers and one sister - who have lost Pollyanna is a poor but cheerful to meet him. And a fox, or a snake, or their parents, and have been told they girl who, after becoming orphaned, is an owl, wouldn't dare eat a small mouse will have to live with their grandfather. sent to live with her very rich, and very who has such a big friend! But Henry, Jessie, Violet, and Benny strait-laced aunt Polly. The two have But...what if they found out what the don't know their grandfather at all, and very different ways of viewing the world, mouse knows: "There's no such things imagine that, because he never came with the joyful Pollyanna seeing nothing as a Gruffalo"? to visit, he must be a cruel man. So they but wonder, despite the losses she's Or is there? run away. faced, and aunt Polly seeing nothing but This short film, based on the book of The first part of the story is about how the problems, despite the riches that the same name, is a clever tale about they get by, all on their own. It's when surround her. So whose worldview is a mouse who thinks his way out of they find a long abandoned railway going to win out? Is Pollyanna going to trouble. It is beautifully rendered, visually boxcar that things start looking up for stop giving out hugs, or is her aunt Polly and musically, with the only concern them. Then the older brother can go going to get over her reluctance to be being that everyone wants to turn this into town to do odd jobs, and the other touched? Something has to give! little mouse into a little morsel. So in three can start setting up the boxcar as The only caution concerns one our household the pause button had a real home for them. Of course it has shocking/sad moment that will cause to be used a few times to calm some a happy ending and I don't think I give young viewers distress – Pollyanna gets anxious viewers. For those under eight, away too much to say it involves their seriously injured. It all happens in a flash, especially if they don't watch much TV, cruel grandfather not being cruel at all. so nothing gory is shown, but our girls there is a little bit of tension here. In fact, The only cautions would concern needed to be reassured that Pollyanna kids under three might find it just too language: in one instance a character would recover. scary. says "holy mollie" and in another Young ladies are going to love this But it does all work out in the end, and someone utters "oh my gosh" but that is one, and I think young lads may even be reassuring any little ones of that might the extent of it. up for it, with a little encouraging. And help them make it through. There's a brief chase scene early on if mom and dad can get past the British So, two thumbs up for this short, fun, but otherwise this is just such a gentle accents, they, too, are sure to love this and clever story. Who could ask for movie. That makes it perfect for kids well-acted, authentic adaption of a more? who can't handle on-screen tension. timeless classic. Our daughters loved it!

14 / JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2018 WINNIE THE POOH SHERLOCK JR. ANIMATED / CHILDREN / FAMILY COMEDY / FAMILY 63 MIN, 2011 1924 / 44 MINUTES RATING: 8/10 RATING 9/10

For anyone who wants to get their kids interested in the golden oldies, Sherlock Jr. may be the perfect introduction. This is a black and white classic with the frenetic pace of a Saturday morning cartoon – the action never stops! Buster Keaton plays the part of a movie theater janitor/projectionist who has ambitions about becoming a great detective and winning the hand of a certain beautiful girl. But he's not the only fellow It takes a little prodding from the interested in the lass. Standing in his way is a tall, dark, and handsome narrator but once our favorite silly little rival who, we quickly find out, has no scruples – when no one's looking bear gets out of bed, he proceeds to this scoundrel steals a watch from the girl's dad. But wait, there's a theft? have quite the series of adventures. Isn't this an opportunity for a detective wannabe to show his stuff? Buster The first involves Tigger and a balloon, offers to do an investigation, but he is humiliated twice over when the and the second, a fearsome beast (or clever scoundrel frames him for the theft, and then the girl's father asks as fearsome as a Pooh cartoon can Buster to leave and never come back. be) named the Backson. The longest Things are looking bad for Buster, but the story just keeps getting adventure of all is a search for Eeyore's better and better. Dejected, Buster returns to the theater in time for the tail... or for some substitute that could afternoon showing and gets the movie started. But as it's playing he falls serve in that role. This is a gentle family- asleep, and in his dream he joins in on the action. friendly gem. It just so happens to be a detective story. And it just so happens that One caution concerns the language. Buster dreams himself in as the suave and savvy star detective. In this film After the films’ ten minutes of credits within the film it goes a lot better for Buster, as he brilliantly tricks and there is one final, very short, scene in evades and a whole horde of villains. which the word "gosh" is used twice. The best action scene in the movie is when Buster, in hot pursuit of The other caution is about Pooh the villains, hops on the front handlebars of a motorbike being driven by who is even more selfish than usual. As his trusted sidekick. But, unbeknownst to Buster, just as the motorbike an example, when the group sets out started off, his sidekick fell off – Buster is on it alone, up front on the to trap the Backson, Pooh is content handlebars of the speeding bike, urging the absent driver to be a little to let his little friend Piglet do all the more careful about the way he's driving! work. Pooh's shallowness (including But what's going to happen when Buster wakes up? Well, even as he's his obsession with honey) is the solving mysteries in his dream world, his beautiful girl is figuring out central "conflict" in the story, and one things in the real one. that parents should point out to their children – the "hero" of this little story Cautions is not being a good friend. Of course, There are moments of peril, and a brief occasion or two of fisticuffs Pooh does get his priorities figured that might be a bit scary for the very young. out in the end. When faced with the choice of finally getting some honey, or Conclusion bringing Eeyore his missing tale, Pooh At just 44 minutes, and jammed pack with action, this might be the chooses friend over food. best silent film to share with modern audiences.

REFORMED PERSPECTIVE / 15 God’s Word: What better gift is there to give? by Mark Penninga

y phone buzzed, alerting me to THANKS AND MORE THANKS We also received a warm letter of a new voicemail. I wasn’t quite But her message was not the only appreciation from Alberta’s Premier, prepared for the message: one, nor was it representative. In fact, it Rachel Notley, even though the Bible M arrived around the time that she was was the only critical correspondence we “Hello Mark. I am a legislator in the received in response to the Bibles. And receiving thousands of ARPA Easymail province of Saskatchewan, and when we got some very encouraging cards and messages critical of her government’s Bill I came into my office today I found a letters, some of which were downright 24. She told us: Bible on my desk from ARPA…. I’m surprising. very offended by it…. I think there From a NDP MLA: “Your organization has brought is no place for religion in the state together many people from across our and I’m doing my best to separate it. “Thank you so much for your nation, supporting each other in their Even the quote you have in your card thoughtful gift of a beautifully-bound daily lives, and forming a stronger about the Charter [‘whereas Canada Holy Bible in recognition of Canada’s community in the process.” is founded upon principles that 150th birthday which I saw in my recognize the supremacy of God’] I mailbox minutes ago. It is a gift that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau sent think is offensive and would work hard I will treasure and will pass on to the us a letter thanking us for the Bible and to remove that from the Charter and next generation of family members…. adding (in French) “your good words have am working on that in my own way….” God bless the work and ministry of touched me and I wish you great success ARPA. In the coming days (when work for the continuation of your project.” She told me to make sure she doesn’t is not as hectic as the next two weeks) We received similar letters and cards get mail from ARPA again. I wish to share with you how the Lord from Opposition Leader Andrew Scheer, This MLA was one of over 1,150 led me to the work that I am doing Saskatchewan Premier Brad Wall and (so elected representatives who received now.… Once again, please accept far) twenty-three others. a leather-bound Bible from ARPA in my prayerful appreciation for the Saskatchewan MLA Greg Ottenbreit November, along with a card thanking thoughtful gift.” even shared his appreciation with the them for their service. world via twitter:

16 / JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2018 “Thankyou ARPA Canada for Van Dam’s God & Government book to leaders, let us not miss the opportunity the amazing gift! #HolyBible Alberta MLAs. In 2016, when I visited to use this knowledge to ask them about #BasicInstructionsBeforeLeavingEarth some of these MLAs regarding Alberta it. It can be a part of an effort to build a ;)” education, I was surprised to see these relationship with a government official. books clearly on display on their office Pastors, this is a great opportunity for Some other feedback we received from bookshelves. Unlike an email or paper you as well. Many government officials the Bible recipients included: document that will get quickly lost are lost and lonely. They need the truth under thousands more, these books of God’s Word to lead wisely, but they • “I will treasure this gift and were still close on hand and accessible. also need the grace revealed in the read sections of it as often as I My hope is that this will be even more Gospel to truly live. can. I appreciate your work and true for these Bibles. They may forget May the Holy Spirit work though His communications with policy makers that they have been given a particular Word and soften hearts across this land, to keep us ever-aware of our duties to book on a particular topic. But they beginning with our own every day again. Canadians and to each other.” likely won’t forget that they now own a RP Bible, with their name on • “Even though I already have and it. The leaders who may daily read one of my own, I think this not respect the Bible will Bible sends a stronger message to all likely not throw it away members than would a simple card or but rather put it on a shelf. letter… thanks again.” And it will be waiting for them if and when their • “It was a pleasant surprise. It will hearts are softened to open be kept on my desk and read with it. regularity.” NOTHING WE CAN • “It will be a reminder to me of the GIVE THAT IS MORE Creator’s Word for life, hope, and POWERFUL wisdom as I serve my constituents and The cards and letters the people of Nova Scotia.” are momentary and yes, they may even be SOWING THE SEED dismissed by politicians It is easy to assume that the Bible is as superficial. But that something to which most Canadians, is not true of the Bible. including our leaders, are already well As Hebrews 4:12 shares, exposed. That may lead us to conclude “the word of God is living that this Bible Project is a waste of time and active, sharper than and money. But the fact that the Bible any two-edged sword, is the most popular book in the world, piercing to the division and available online, does not mean we of soul and of spirit, of can expect our leaders to read it or know joints and of marrow, and what God’s will is for them. We have a discerning the thoughts responsibility to be instruments of God’s and intentions of the grace to our neighbors, including our heart.” You may be one leaders. My hope with this project is that of those who have been it will make a difference if our leaders praying, asking God to actually get their own Bible, while God’s use these Bibles to work in people pray that the Holy Spirit will the hearts of our leaders. work in their hearts to read it and take Please don’t stop. it to heart. Perhaps they won’t be ready Many across the country to read it now. But there may be a time have given generously. down the road when they are at a place Even more have prayed. in life where they will open it. But the project is not Some years ago, some Alberta ARPA complete. Now that we volunteers gave free copies of our know a Bible is in the Christian Citizenship Guide and Dr. offices of many of our

REFORMED PERSPECTIVE / 17 DNA: Good Discovery,

Bad Agenda by Margaret Helder

hat a difference 65 years NOBODIES ARE SOMEBODY TOO merely a graduate student, but he was makes. It was in April of The big surprise in 1953 was not that nevertheless skilled in the methods of 1953 that a one-page letter the structure, and by implication the X-ray diffraction, so useful in searching Wappeared in the journal Nature. Two for the structure of large organic function, of DNA had been discovered, young scientists believed that they had but rather who had done it. With molecules. Moreover he had devised figured out the double helical structure established scientists like American a theoretical method for interpreting of deoxyribonucleic acid or DNA. In Linus Pauling of Caltech in Pasadena, X-ray derived images of long chain their communication to the journal, and British scientists Maurice Wilkins molecules (polymers). This was a highly these men remarked with masterful and Rosalind Franklin at King’s College, significant skill. understatement that, “This structure has University of London, carrying out novel features which are of considerable such research, it was expected that REBELS WITH A CAUSE biological interest.” This was indeed the the problem would soon be solved. The lead author of the April 1953 case. These scientists all had research funds, letter was James Watson. He had What these two men had achieved was equipment and established names in actually already earned his doctorate to explain how the long DNA molecule science. in bacterial genetics. Then in 1951 at in chromosomes stores information On the other hand, the British Francis age 23, he arrived at the Cavendish which can be accurately duplicated. Crick (1916-2004) and American lab to carry out post-doctoral work on This discovery has led directly to James Watson (b. 1928) were basically myoglobin, an oxygen storing protein DNA fingerprinting, biotechnology, nobodies in the scientific community. found in muscles. Crick, for his part, the sequencing of the human genome Crick for his part, his career having been had been assigned to carry out X-ray and evolutionary theories based on interrupted by war service, was still a diffraction work on hemoglobin (the all DNA sequences in various organisms. graduate student in 1953. Four years important oxygen carrying molecule Although 65 years ago it was much too earlier, he had come to the Cambridge in red blood cells). Although they came soon to foresee all these developments, Medical Research Council Unit. His from different backgrounds, Watson and nevertheless informed individuals base of operations was the Cavendish Crick were alike in many ways. Both of understood that a significant milestone physics lab where Nobel laureate them had, for example, read the 1944 had been achieved. Ernest Rutherford had achieved great book What is Life? by quantum physicist things in the 1930s. Crick might be Erwin Schrodinger (1887-1961). In this

18 / JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2018 work, far outside the author’s field of expertise, Schrodinger had speculated that there must be a code of some kind in cells that allows molecules to carry information. Watson and Crick both suspected that DNA was such a molecule. They were fixated on the problem of DNA structure. It mattered little that they had been forbidden to work on this problem. By gentleman’s agreement between laboratories, the DNA problem had been allocated to the people at King’s College in London. Nevertheless nobody could forbid this irrepressible duo from bouncing ideas off each other, could they?

JUST BECAUSE YOU’RE PARANOID The more we learn, the more we learn there is to learn. DOESN’T MEAN YOU’RE WRONG Meanwhile at King’s College, the most capable person carrying out research carried out. It was X-ray images that The son showed it to friends Watson there in X-ray diffraction was Rosalind would provide vital clues about DNA and Crick. They were relieved to see Franklin (1920-1958). She was a shy, structure. She was quite sure about that Pauling had made a simple but very work oriented Jewish young lady one thing; the images did not suggest a significant error in the chemistry and who suspected that her male Anglo- helical structure in DNA. was proposing a triple helix structure. Saxon fellow scientists were trying They had a reprieve which might last a to steal the results of her research. In TWO’S COMPANY, few weeks. this suspicion she was entirely correct. THREE HELIXES IS A CROWD Two days later Watson visited Unfortunately as a result of her attitude, It is traditional for scientists involved Franklin. The exchange of views did not she had few people-handling skills and in research to occasionally give lectures go well. Watson taunted her that she thus she found herself isolated and to update colleagues on what they are was inept at X-ray interpretation. He unprotected. She was one of two people doing. Rosalind Franklin delivered then encountered Wilkins who showed allocated to research DNA structure. such a seminar in November 1951. Her Watson the best image Franklin had The other was Maurice Wilkins, who colleague Maurice Wilkins invited his ever taken. From it Watson was able to was much better known in the scientific friend James Watson from Cambridge. see clear indications of helical structure community. He hardly ever spoke to his Francis Crick did not come because his and even measurements of angles. female colleague. interest in DNA was too well known. Wilkins also showed Watson a Franklin It was Rosalind Franklin who Watson listened carefully, but he did research proposal which contained managed to overcome the difficulties not bother to take notes. That might further crucial details. Based on these of working with DNA. She designed a look too eager. Watson’s recall of what insights, Watson and Crick solved the special X-ray camera for this work and he had heard proved faulty however DNA conundrum within four weeks, protocols for handling the molecule. and progress on the issue was very slow. proposed a double helix, and the rest is Soon enough, she began to produce Then in January 1953, word came that history. X-ray images. What they meant American Linus Pauling was about to When they published, they failed however, she refused to speculate upon publish a proposed structure. This man to acknowledge any contribution until her entire program had been sent a preprint to his son at Cambridge. of Rosalind Franklin. She died five years later, never having heard of her contribution to this story. In 1962 Crick, Watson and Wilkins were awarded It was Rosalind Franklin who managed the Nobel Prize in Physiology and Medicine. The achievement of Watson to overcome the difficulties of working and Crick reveals how important with DNA. theoretical analysis is to the solving “ REFORMED PERSPECTIVE / 19 tried to respect the past, we’ve tried to Crick’s hope was to dispense with improve on it....” any excuse for attributing natural That’s his opinion at any rate. NO END TO THE WONDERS phenomena to the work of God. TO EXPLORE It is apparent that from the start, the of many scientific problems. However organic compounds. Indeed what they objectives of Drs. Watson and Crick were they could not have done it without the had achieved was to describe how atheistic in nature. They were bitterly experimental foundation of Rosalind information is stored in DNA but they opposed to religious faith of any sort. Franklin. Theory and empirical research had not explained how that information For example, Francis Crick resigned as a go hand in hand. came to be stored in the DNA molecule fellow of Churchill College, Cambridge in the first place. when that college embarked on plans to DRIVEN BY AN AGENDA Nevertheless, under the mistaken build a chapel. He suggested alternatively In the decades that have followed, both assumption that their explanation “ that a brothel would be nice, a not too Watson and Crick enjoyed long careers. did away with the need for a Creator subtle put down of places of worship. Interestingly, both attribute their success of living cells, Dr. Crick turned The ultimate objective of these two to their atheistic views. James Watson his attention to the problem of men then was to explain both life itself went on to a faculty position at Harvard consciousness. He wrestled with the and consciousness in chemical terms University where he soon proved himself problem for more than twenty-five which would completely exclude any adept at fund raising and administration. years, but still the solution eluded supernatural element. Of course in Eventually he became director of the him. One might imagine that after all neither instance have they succeeded. Human Genome Project. that time, he might concluded that his The mystery of life cannot be explained Francis Crick also enjoyed a long program has no hope of success – that in chemical terms. It is indeed ironic career and in his later years turned his he might even grow discouraged with that our understanding of DNA has attention to the seemingly unrelated his atheistic agenda. On the contrary, led to a greater appreciation of the gulf issue of human consciousness. In Crick’s right up until his death, Dr. Crick between nonliving chemicals and the mind, however, there was a connection remained as firmly committed to his living cell. No spontaneous or natural between the human brain and the position as ever. process can ever explain how a code such DNA helix. During an interview with Throughout his career, James Watson as DNA came to be, or the astonishingly Matt Ridley, Dr. Crick described the too has steadfastly declared his atheism. concentrated storage of its contained connection. Apparently his interest in In an interview with editor John Rennie information. Instead of providing us science came entirely from his atheistic of Scientific American, Dr. Watson with an explanation of how we could views. Because of his distaste for religion, confided: “I never thought there was have come about without God, their Dr. Crick said, he set out to research the a spiritual basis for life; I was lucky to discoveries have only help show that two main topics often cited as support be brought up by a father who had no we are more “fearfully and wonderfully for religion: namely the gulf between religious beliefs.” In another interview made” than was understood before. life and nonlife, and the phenomenon of he suggested that one of the benefits of Thus this objective of atheists consciousness. As a hardcore materialist, DNA research was to provide mankind Watson and Crick has been met with it was Crick’s objective to explain both with godlike powers. Thus he remarked: utter failure. In addition even Dr. these phenomena in chemical terms. His Crick admitted that the search for an hope was to dispense with any excuse “Only with the discovery of the explanation for consciousness had been for attributing natural phenomena to double helix and the ensuing frustrating. No solution is in sight even the work of God. After all, as colleague genetic revolution have we grounds after all those years of study. James Watson once remarked “Every for thinking that the powers held Christians for their part, still celebrate time you understand something, religion traditionally to be the exclusive the achievements of April 1953. The becomes less likely” (or so they would property of the gods might one day be motives of Watson and Crick were both like to believe). ours.” all wrong, but the nature of their information does not depend on attitude A DESCRIPTION ISN’T When it was pointed out to him that whether good or bad. RP AN EXPLANATION his sentiments were a far cry from A little reflection on our part, those of the founding Pilgrim fathers, A version of this article first appeared in however, will show that Watson and he replied: “America isn’t what it was the June 2003 issue of Reformed Perspective Crick had in no way explained the like when the Pilgrims came here. under the title “DNA and the atheists gulf between living cells and mere We’ve changed everything. We’ve never agenda.”

20 / JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2018 GOOD HABITS CAN HELP MINIMIZE TROUBLE by Wes Bredenhof

hough his name has long escaped recommended some soft inter-dental A GOOD HABIT FOR MY SOUL me, I will never forget his rage. brushes that could help in cleaning My lowest points, spiritually speaking, We had just moved to a new city between my teeth. Regularly using these have always come when I’ve been Tand my mom was looking for a family would make my visits to the dentist a neglecting discipline in my spiritual dentist. Why a relative recommended this bit less traumatic. As I developed better life, especially the reading and study of fellow, I'll never understand – he was the habits in dental hygiene (with some God’s Word. I will always be thankful angriest dentist I’ve ever encountered. helpful tips), I was experiencing far less for an elder who challenged me on this His patience for children was non- grief in the dental chair. point about five years ago. You may existent. Once the door was closed and So much of our grief in life can be think it odd for a pastor to admit this. I was cut off from my mother, if my alleviated through developing good It’s true that I’m always busy with the mouth didn’t open wide enough, his habits. Sometimes we just need to be Bible, but usually I’m busy with it for mouth opened wide with the most foul taught. At other times, we need to the benefit of others. Yes, I’ve always cursing I’d ever heard, all directed at me. become teachable and it can take some gotten some benefit from it too. But Thankfully, Mom only took us there a time. This is true when it comes to this elder challenged me to be busy with couple of times. dental hygiene, but also when it comes to Scripture on a daily basis for my own While our next dentist was a far kinder spiritual hygiene. benefit. He said, “Have you ever tried man, his dental hygienist was another I’ve learned that developing good reading through the Bible in a year?” I story. I called her “Carol the Butcher” as spiritual habits or disciplines is just as hadn’t up to that point, but he really got there was a butcher shop next door and valuable to our spiritual health as good me thinking. I was getting into good I was quite convinced she went back and habits are to our dental hygiene. When habits for my dental health, but what forth. These two forever put the fear of you ignore your spiritual hygiene, you about good habits for my spiritual health? dentistry (ondontophobia) in my blood. oftentimes bring grief on yourself. For And which is more important? The Lord It can be hard to get past traumatic example, if you think that you can be worked through that elder to introduce childhood experiences. As a result, I’ve spiritually healthy while seldom going me to the habit of reading Scripture always hated going to the dentist: the to church to be under the Word, you’re every day, two or three chapters, for my blood, the pain, the way my body seizes just deceiving yourself. It’d be like own benefit. Good dental hygienists up in the chair. I come away sore and thinking that you’re going to have healthy introduced me to good habits for my worn right out. teeth while seldom brushing. Or if you teeth; a good elder introduced me to a think that you can be spiritually sound good habit for my soul. For both, I’m MINIMIZING TROUBLE without reading and studying the Bible forever grateful. Eventually it dawned on me that I for yourself on a regular basis, you’re Looking for a Bible reading plan to could minimize some of my trouble in a dream-world. It’d be like thinking start on a good habit for your spiritual through regular dental hygiene. Other, that your next dental visit will go fine health? A good place to start is more friendly, dental hygienists down the without you having regularly flossed, Biblegateway.com/reading-plans. RP track taught me some helpful disciplines. or using something like an inter-dental I learned that regular brushing with a brush. Good hygiene is essential to good Dr. Wes Bredenhof blogs at Yinkahdinay. soft toothbrush was a key. I couldn’t health — and it always requires effort and wordpress.com where a version of this article really floss because I have sensitive gums discipline. first appeared. (and I’m a bit clumsy), but a hygienist

REFORMED PERSPECTIVE / 21 TIDBITS RELEVANT, AND NOT SO, IN A TO CHRISTIAN LIFE saw 10 burly young men who just stepped out of a dwelling coming toward you, would it or would it not make a difference to you to know they BY JONNUTSHELL DYKSTRA were coming from a Bible study?” WELL SAID As Christians we profess that – Dennis Prager making “We are finished with the lie, that Scripture is God’s Word, but we all it clear to atheistic philosopher women aren’t free unless babies die.” too often skip right over it when Jonathan Glover that the Bible – as seen on a pro-life protester’s someone quotes it. Instead we form our does indeed have a positive effect handmade sign opinions based on experts’ analysis, on society, as recounted by Ravi or pithy slogans – no taxation without Zacharias in The Real Face of Atheism ON THE NEED TO READ representation – and don’t give God’s WHAT’S OLD Word the weight it is due. ARE YOU INFLUENCING, “Every age has its own outlook. It is But if God has said, then we must OR BEING INFLUENCED? specially good at seeing certain truths listen. That means when Christians “If the Church is not transforming and specially liable to make certain discuss, if a biblical passage is cited then the culture around her, then the culture mistakes. We all, therefore, need the what follows has to be about the text. around her is transforming the Church. books that will correct the characteristic We can’t ignore God’s Word. Instead There is no static equilibrium point.” mistakes of our own period. And that we have to address it in one of three – Douglas Wilson means that old books.” ways: – C. S. Lewis A REASON NOT TO GAMBLE • If it’s applicable, we need to Fred Couples recounts when he first CHRISTIAN DEBATE 101: submit to it learned that there is no such thing as a DON’T SKIP OVER SCRIPTURE • If it’s not, we need to explain why sure bet. The lesson was learned when Pages of History is a fun Christian it’s not the late tennis player Bobby Riggs, book for kids about history, but in • If we aren’t sure, we need to challenged him to a golf money match. its justification for the American study further There was one condition though – Riggs Revolution it gave a lesson in how not wanted one “throw” per hole. Even with to argue like a Christian. The debate What we mustn’t (but regularly) do one throw it seemed highly unlikely between the main characters, James and is counter one text with another. In the Riggs could beat the professional golfer, Lance, doesn’t last long: homosexual debate liberal Christians so Couples took the bet. will cite texts about God’s love as a “On the first hole I hit my approach JAMES: The Loyalists (those who means of obscuring or dismissing shot to 15 feet. Meanwhile it took Riggs stayed subjects of the British King) texts that express God’s disapproval four shots to reach the green,” said were right because in Romans 13 the of homosexuality. This is pitting Couples. “But just as I got set to putt Bible says we should submit to the Scripture against Scripture. But God Riggs walked over, picked up my ball governing authorities. doesn’t contradict Himself. If one text and threw it out-of-bounds.” appears to conflict with another, that Riggs started laughing and wouldn’t LANCE: "Yeah, but the colonists only means we don’t understand one, accept Couples money. didn't have any representation in or both texts. The proper approach is “You’ve heard the lesson before, Parliament." going to involve resolving how the two but here it is again,” Couples said, “If texts fit with one another. something sounds too good to be true, JAMES: "I see your point. I can see God’s Word is authoritative in a way then it probably is.” good arguments on both sides." that nothing else is. As Paul says, it is SOURCE: In the November 2000 issue of Golf Digest useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting What just happened here? James and training in righteousness, so in our CAN’T DO BETTER THAN gives a biblically based objection to discussions and debates, we need to THE BIBLE… the American Revolution, and Lance turn to it. And then we need to submit Sam Harris, Richard Dawkins and counters with a reasonable enough to it. And as RC Spoul has said, “When Christopher Hitchens discovered that sounding objection, but one that has no God says something, the argument is the surest way to make it to the best Scriptural basis. So why are both treated over.” sellers list is to write a book attacking as equally valid arguments? The issue the existence of God. But while these here isn’t the rightness or wrongness of BIG AND BURLY, BUT… prominent atheists want to make the Revolution, but how very wrong this “If you, Professor Glover, were doubters of us all, Philip Yancey has a way of debating it is. stranded at the midnight hour in a ready answer. desolate Los Angeles street…and you Yancey may be staunchly Arminian,

22 / JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2018 but he’s struggled with doubt for years you spank your kids?” He encouraged course, is captured in the doctrines and has a couple of insights worth listeners to give a “contextual answer” of grace, and Reformed theology. sharing. He offers doubting Christians that presents spanking as the small People look at the Church today and this bit of advice: “Learn to question part it is of all that’s involved in the what’s going and very often they say your doubts just as much as you raising of children – just one tool in the to me: ‘This is a very sad time, there question your faith.” After all, atheists toolbox. is so much bad preaching, so much and the doubts they raise and the unbiblical ecclesiology, there so much arguments they make are nothing new. “Those questions often come loaded. poor spiritual leadership, there is so Yancey sees their disciples on every There’s a lot more behind that much disinterest in the doctrine of campus he visits, but they don’t bother question and you would like to know sanctification. There’s no real sense of him. what sort of experience have they holiness and worship.’ You know all had, have they been a part of, that these things. At the same time there “When I speak on college campuses I totally turns them off to the whole has never been a time in the history of like to choose the most skeptical, the idea of spanking. Especially [when the the world where sound doctrine is so most rebellious people - the kids who question is phrased as] ‘Do you hit available in a split second anywhere are reading newspapers instead of your child?’ on the planet.” listening – and speak to them. And I “A good friend…Dr. Bill Goode…. tell them this, ‘I challenge you to find was counseling a guy who was going SPURGEON ON THE DIFFERENCE a single argument against God from to appear in court and was going to BETWEEN WISDOM & KNOWLEDGE the great atheists – David Hume, be asked in court ‘Do you hit your “Wisdom is the right use of Bertrand Russell, Voltaire, people like child? Do you spank your child?’ to knowledge. To know is not to be wise. that – that is not already included in try and entrap him. Many men know a great deal, and are the Bible!…I can find every argument “Dr. Goode counseled this young all the greater fools for it. There is no – in the book of Job for example – man not to say, ‘Yes I do’ or ‘No I fool so great a fool as a knowing fool. that these great philosophers have don’t’ but instead to give a contextual But to know how to use knowledge is to used against God.” answer. And this was the contextual have wisdom.”

SOURCE: When God is hiding: A candid conversation with best- answer. The man said: ‘When I raise selling author Philip Yancey my child, I encourage a lot, I play a IS MOM #1? lot, I pray a lot, I teach a lot, and I use On evangelist Ray Comfort’s website AN ODE TO DIVERSITY cause and effect a lot, so that when www.hollywoodandgod.com there's a Up is like down I do spank I do it lovingly, slowly, video in which Comfort hits the streets when left is like right, prayerfully, and thoroughly so I don’t and asks people whether they would sit Cold may be hot have to do it often.’ through a movie that took the Lord’s when the day is like night. “I thought that a pretty wise name in vain. Then he asks them if The cat and the dog answer.” they would sit through a movie that are the same only when, took their mother’s name in vain. The The men are like women ON TRUTH VS. LOVE answers provided seem to show that and the women like men. I've learned that truth without love is while we all love our mothers, God cruel; love without truth is cowardly. doesn’t rate as highly. Celebrate diversity for sure, – Phil Callaway, author of To Be but recall, Perfectly Honest ALZHEIMER'S AND THE HOPE That small really is small OF THE REFORMED FAITH and tall really is tall. NEVER A BETTER TIME… Christianity Today’s former editor Calling smiling a frown It’s so easy to get caught up in what’s in chief David Neff once pointed out will not make it a frown, going wrong with the world that we how little hope liberal theology offers Up really is up can lose sight of all the wonders God the family and friends of Alzheimer’s and down really is down. is working in the here and now. Pastor patients. Such theology, he wrote: – Rob Slane, author of A Christian John MacArthur reflected on this, in his and Unbeliever Discuss: Life, the eulogy given at Sproul’s funeral on Dec “requires Christians to act for their Universe and Everything 20, and noted how very blessed we are salvation/liberation. That is no to live at a time such as this. comfort to those whose dementia WHEN YOU’RE ASKED, “DO YOU leaves them without the capacity SPANK YOUR CHILD?” “I think you have to understand this. to act.” After his father-in-law was On a December edition of the This is the greatest time in this history stricken, Neff took comfort in a more Association of Certified Biblical of the church for the expansion Reformed understanding that instead Counselors podcast, Stuart Scott was of sound doctrine. You might say emphasized, “that it is God who acts asked how he would answer if someone this is the greatest explosion of the on our own behalf.” RP who opposed spanking asked him “Do Truth in history. And the truth, of

REFORMED PERSPECTIVE / 23 A Plea To Read or, the story of a Boy, a Repairman, and the Truth

by William den Hollander

n the title of this article I promised It’s a sketch of a family gathered around years. Thankfully… and by the grace of you a story. Actually that was a television set in the living room. Two God. mainly to draw you in. I figured ladies on the couch are talking to each Well, we were back home in Richmond Istories sell more magazines. But it’s not other and looking rather concerned Hill for the weekend. We got invited to entirely untrue. I want to start with a about the boy in the foreground who’s my wife Diane’s Opa and Oma Kampen’s couple of stories. They happen to be curled up in a chair reading a book, for dinner (don’t tell them I told you autobiographical. oblivious to the rest of the family. The this story) and we were sitting around The first story starts at about grade 3, caption at the bottom reads, “We’re waiting for dinner to be ready and around the age of 8. You may think that rather worried about William.” I kid you chatting and what not. my qualification for making a “plea to not. That was the name. Google it if you Now, before I continue, I have to give read” is my current calling as pastor, or don’t believe me. It doesn’t quite work a quick character sketch. Opa Kampen my (excessive) years of education before because we never had a TV in the house, is retired now, but he was an appliance this. But that’s not really it. That’s not but you get the picture, I think. repairman all of his years in Canada. I’m really why I agreed to share this article So that’s where this story begins. My not sure when his education stopped, but about reading. Instead, the story begins, plea to read is in part a plea for you to he definitely didn’t have anything like once upon a time, when I was 8. That join me in the best hobby there is. the years of education that I had at that was the year I discovered reading, or at point. least my passion for reading. In the years A DOG-EARED COPY OF So, anyway, we’re talking together that followed it became my number one REFORMED DOGMATICS about one thing or another, and suddenly activity. I was almost always reading, But that’s not a terribly convincing the conversation shifts. I don’t remember probably at an unhealthy level. appeal. That comes in the next story (I why anymore, but rather unexpectedly You want to know why I say that? hope). We have to jump forward about Opa asked me whether I favoured Well, my parents would often ignore my twenty years to what was one of my Infralapsarianism or Supralapsarianism. lengthy birthday or Sinter Klaas lists and more embarrassing moments in recent Remember, I was the first year seminary buy me things I didn’t ask for and, truth years, which for some reason I’m sharing student and he was the appliance be told, I didn’t necessarily want. I asked publicly with you all. repairman. for the next book in a series; they bought You have to try to imagine the scene I don’t remember why it came up, me a hockey stick. I asked for the first with me. I was in first year at the but I definitely remember my reaction. book in a new series; they bought me a seminary at the time. And you have to Vividly. I started sweating. I had heard Lego set. know that first year seminary is that those words before, but I had almost Actually, we used to have a cartoon stage where you feel like you know no idea at that point what they meant, on our fridge. I think it was from Punch everything. You have an opinion on let alone which one I leaned towards. Comics. One of my siblings stumbled everything. And you want to fight about I thought, here we go, Opa’s about to across it, cut it out, and posted it there. everything. Things change after four expose me as a complete fraud. My

24 / JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2018 education has meant nothing! I was theologian. That’s because theology is, (as the Facebook status often says) then tempted to slip out quickly to the essentially, thoughts or words about you can’t expect anything but superficial bathroom so that I could Google it, but God. And the atheist has thoughts about knowledge. there was no time. I actually don’t even God. Now, his thought happens to be That, I think, is the biggest danger know what happened in the end, but that that God doesn’t exist – and he happens with losing our interest in reading deeply moment of panic has stuck with me. to be wrong – but that still makes him a and studying deeply the doctrines of So why am I sharing this story? theologian. God found in his Word. We end up Well, to me it illustrates a change over So, if we’re all theologians then the with an overall superficiality in terms the years in terms of our investment important question is what kind of of our theology, what we know about into reading and educating ourselves theologians are we going to be? You see, God. Worse, we can rely more on our in Reformed doctrine. Gone are the the problem with the atheist isn’t that subjective experiences than the objective days when your appliance repairman he’s a theologian, it’s that his theology truth we find in God’s Word. read through Bavinck’s Reformed is coming from the wrong source. If Dogmatics, in Dutch or in English. Gone we don’t study theology from the right FEELINGS AREN’T RELIABLE… are the days when you can expect men sources – if we don’t allow our thoughts BUT THERE IS A BOOK nominated as elders or deacons to have and words about God to be shaped by THAT CAN BE TRUSTED invested significant time into studying the right sources – then our theology is Let me explain that. What is subjective Reformed doctrine over and above their going to be shaped by the wrong sources. is based on our own experiences, our catechism instruction as young people. If we don’t consciously do theology – feelings, our emotions. We can’t really Now, before you get up in arms, I’m that is, if we don’t consciously train our call it truth – although as postmoderns not saying there are none of these. minds in the knowledge of God – we’re we might want to – because we aren’t I’m just saying that with the younger going to end up basing our theology reliable sources of truth. Our sinful, generations this breed is not as common. either on our own experiences and our fallen nature means that we can’t be And I’m indicting myself with this too. I own feelings or on whatever else we trusted to process things correctly, was a deacon before coming to seminary. happen to be taking in. understand things properly. We can’t be Well, if that’s the case with those being Because we are reading. Maybe trusted to theologize helpfully on our put up for church leadership, then how some of us – and I’m talking especially own. General revelation can only go so about the other people in the pew? about my generation and Before I continue, I should add a younger – are reading more disclaimer. My comments here are than ever. I’m thinking of completely unscientific. My doctoral social media. Don’t tell me supervisor would never forgive me for you’re not a reader if you’re my poor research. I haven’t crunched on Facebook or Twitter. any numbers or done any surveys. I’m Maybe those who only use basing this on my experiences as an Instagram, which focuses office-bearer, both before and after I on pictures, can have a went through seminary. If you have a legitimate claim not to be more positive outlook, I’d love for you to readers, but the other social convince me. But right now, this is my media users can’t.2 article, so you’ll have to bear with me. But the problem with So why should we care? Why should only reading online, and I make this plea for us to read more not engaging in books, is widely and more deeply today, in the 21st that by its very nature the century? Let me devote the next half of online world tends towards this article to exploring an answer to that the superficial. Let’s think question. specifically of theology – of the study of God. If your THEOLOGIANS SHOULD READ thoughts are shaped by (AND WE’RE ALL THEOLOGIANS) your reading of little quotes Well, first of all, everyone is a that someone decided to theologian. (If you’re on Twitter, you share, taken out of context, might want to tweet that, although I written by who knows who, certainly can’t take credit for coining the or if all you read are the phrase,1 so don’t quote me). Everyone musings of someone who is Are you a grandparent? Stimulate the love for is a theologian. Even the atheist is a just “feeling philosophical” reading good books in your grandkids.

REFORMED PERSPECTIVE / 25 ourselves.3 That’s what I mean by looking at our experiences and filtering our emotions through our objective knowledge of God… our theology. The prophet, sitting among the ashes, knows this truth because God has spoken it, and so he applies this truth to his troubled soul and to his experiences, which appear to contradict it. Like the prophet, it’s our knowledge of the objective truths of God’s Word that gives us the wherewithal to process our experiences and feelings. Not vice versa. Then our theology lets us speak truth to our souls when our experience doesn’t seem to line up with our knowledge. That’s part of why we read. That’s part of why we pursue a deeper and deeper knowledge of God, above all through his far (Rom. 1:19-23). We need objective where the believer directs his experience Word, but also through reading deeply truth. We need something to build our of reality by the truth that he knows from and widely with the church. lives on that is absolutely rock solid, God’s revelation. unshakeable. We find that foundation It lies at the very center of the most HOW CAN WE ENCOURAGE in the Word of God alone. Because it’s tragic book in the Bible, Lamentations, READING? a revelation from outside of us, from traditionally understood to be written by I want to explore the answer to one outside of this fallen world. It’s special Jeremiah. The prophet is lamenting over last question before I let you go: what revelation from the unshakeable source the destruction of the city of Jerusalem. should we do? I don’t have space to pay of truth, God himself. His world, the world of God’s own people, much attention to this, but let me make That’s why we’re called to pore over has completely fallen apart. He finds a start by saying what we shouldn’t do: Scripture, to internalize it, to let it light himself sitting in the ashes and ruins of we shouldn’t do nothing. We shouldn’t our path, to let it shape our thoughts, the holy city. Many of the people of God finish reading this article, muse about it to let it cut deeply into our hearts. And have died in the Babylonian invasion. for a few moments, and then just move we have to trust that the Spirit works Many others have been deported to far on, mildly annoyed at the fact that this transformation through the Word. We away Babylon. wasn’t a story like it was advertised to be, have to believe that. And then live like we The whole poem is centred around but otherwise untouched. We shouldn’t believe it. the question: how could God allow this do nothing. But we also don’t read Scriptures alone. to happen to his chosen people? The So what should we do? Well, let me We read them with the church of all prophet’s present experience is of pain, issue a plea to all of you reading this to do times and places. That’s why we guide disillusionment, disappointment. Almost something. What that something is will and inform our reading with creeds the entire book is a long cry of deepest depend on who you are and what you do. and confessions. That’s also why we despair. But then, at the very heart of the supplement our reading of Scripture with poem, in the middle of “the wormwood • Are you a parent or grandparent? studying good theology, with reading and the gall” (3:19), we get this incredible Stimulate the love for reading good solid literature. Because it all helps confession of faith, books in your kids and grandkids. ground us further in the objective truth of God’s Word. “The steadfast love of the LORD never When we’re deeply grounded in the ceases; his mercies never come to an truth of God’s Word, then we are better end; they are new every morning. Great able to process our subjective feelings is your faithfulness” (3:22-23). Buy them books – and emotions. The psalms in Scripture provide us with great examples of what One Bible teacher suggests that we good books, mind that looks like. But let me explain what imagine ourselves sitting in the ashes of I mean by what I think is the most the World Trade Center in New York City you – and then talk powerful and poignant illustration of this, after 9/11 and speaking these words to about them. 26 / JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2018 “ Do that by modeling it for them and • Start with the people closest to you, do theology because we exist to glorify by giving them the right resources for your friends within the church. Buy God and because we were created to know it. And if you can’t stimulate a love them books – good books, mind Him. So as you read and discuss, do it for it, then at least impress on them you – and then talk about them. Start with a conscious posture of worship. Let their responsibility to keep educating with easier (but not easy) reads and your increase of knowledge lead to an themselves in the doctrines of the Word then make your way into heavier ones. increase of worship. Soli Deo Gloria! RP of God. Stretch yourself and stretch them too. ENDNOTES • Are you an elder or deacon or • Plan book review nights where you 1 R.C. Sproul wrote Everyone’s a Theologian: pastor? First of all, create a culture of get together with your friends and you An Introduction to Systematic Theology. 2 “professional development” within all share thoughts and insights from For this point, see Aimee Byrd’s No Little your church council and consistory. the books you happen to be reading at Women: Equipping All Women in the Secondly, stimulate that same love and present. It doesn’t have to be formal or Household of God, page 202. 3 Donald E. Curtis made the suggestion in his that same sense of responsibility for complicated. Just talk. And when you’re article “Lamentations: The Fall of Jerusalem” reading in the sheep under your care. done your book (and it’s a good one), which can be found at Bible.org/seriespage/ pass it along to someone else. Don’t let lamentations-fall-jerusalem. • Are you a member of the body of it collect dust on your shelf. Christ? Develop your own desire to Rev. den Hollander is the pastor of Langley grow in the doctrines of the Word of In all this, though, never forget that Canadian Reformed Church. This article God, in sinking the objective truths of studying theology ought to be an act of was originally delivered as a speech at the Scripture into your hearts and minds. worship. We can’t let our reading become December 8, 2017 Reformed Perspective And then make it your mission to share an end in itself. We can’t become obsessed fundraising dinner at the Aldergrove that love with your fellow members. with theology for the sake of theology. We Canadian Reformed Church.

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REFORMED PERSPECTIVE / 27 PROVERBS: 3,000 YEARS AHEAD OF ITS TIME by Jay Younts

olomon did not have a web page. He didn’t blog. He didn’t trying to gain your support in a dispute? Are you being asked tweet. He wasn’t on on Snap Chat or Instagram. But he for information that could compromise you in some way? Is can still help you navigate the seas of social media. someone else being put in a bad light by what you hear? Are SHere are three important terms to know when using the you being intentionally or unintentionally misled? internet: Verify, Verify, Verify! VERIFY that the person you are communicating with has In the world of social media, little is as it seems. You must done their due diligence in verifying what you are being told. verify that what you read and see is not just a half-truth or flat- Simply asking “how do you know that” is a great way to avoid out deception. Proverbs 18:17 says: gossip. Someone reading this might well ask, “Well this article is The first to present his case in a dispute seems right, online, how can I trust what you are saying?” until his opponent comes and cross examines him. That is exactly the right question to ask! In this case you know the source of the article, ShepherdPress.com. You can It is easy to accept texts, tweets, posts, emails, etc., at face know who the author is by checking out the webpage. You value. Don’t! This isn’t cynical, but just realizing that the Bible have the ability to communicate and ask for verification either warns about the deception of the human heart. The online by comment or via email from the Shepherd Press web page. chat can be with a predator. The text or email can sound like You have the ability to check out the background and beliefs a real need, but it may well be only half of the truth. Someone of Shepherd Press by checking out that same page. This is the who is struggling may be telling you only one side of the story. sort of verification you should engage in with any information Remember what is important about Internet communication: gained via social media. Protect yourself and your children by VERIFY what you hear or read by way of another source. acting on the truth of Proverbs 18:17. Just because one person or source says something is true, Solomon may not have had internet access. But his wisdom is doesn’t make it true. If verification is not possible then you timeless! RP must withhold judgment about the truth of what you read. Also verify the identity of whom you communicate with. Predators Jay Younts is the author of “Everyday Talk: Talking freely and are a serious threat! Naturally about God with Your Children” and “Everyday Talk about VERIFY that the person you are communicating with has Sex & Marriage.” He blogs at ShepherdPress.com where this article nothing to gain from the information you receive. Is the person (reprinted with permission) first appeared.

28 / JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2018 ENTICING ENIGMAS & CEREBRAL CHALLENGES

Chess Puzzle #244 Riddle for Punsters #244 “Animal Hospital?” Did you hear about the new animal hospital opening up? All the animal doctors have to sign a cratic oath to do no harm to any animal. The business is honest: no -business such as overcharging customers. There is to be true compassion for the patients – no dile tears. L -hearted doctors will be the administrators.

Problem to Ponder #244 “The Goal is to Find the Team’s Net Worth?” Suppose that your favourite hockey team has won 20 games and lost 12 games so far. a) What is, in simplest form, the ratio of wins to losses? b) What % of their games have been won so far? c) How many of that team’s next 12 games would have to be won to make the win-loss ratio 7:4? d) If that happens and the win-loss ratio is now 7:4, what fraction of the next 16 games must be won so that the team will have won 65% of their games played?

Send Puzzles, Solutions, Ideas to Puzzle Page, WHITE to Mate in 4 43 Summerhill Place, Winnipeg, MB R2C 4V4 or [email protected] Or, If it is BLACK’s Move, BLACK to Mate in 3 HINT: White only makes moves involving a white queen as black is forced into check mate in 4 moves by white.

Last Month’s Solutions Answer to Riddle for Punsters #243 – “Dessert going Bananas?” Solution to Chess Puzzle #243 Why did the banana split? Being in a bowl with cold ice cream no longer had apeal for the banana. Why did the milk shake? If you had to go into a mixer with stirring blades and cold ice cream you would shake too! Answer to Problem to Ponder #243 – “The True Meaning of Christmas Jumbled Words” Unscramble the words, most of which are anagrams. They will produce words (esp. words found in the gospels) related to Jesus Christ’s birth. For example, A MIG = MAGI. Two blanks means two word answers. BE THE HELM BETHLEHEM SHE AIMS MESSIAH OUR VISA SAVIOUR FENCE RANK SIN FRANKINCENSE HD SPHERES SHEPHERDS AN ICON TRAIN INCARNATION RAG MEN MANGER GRAY MINI RV VIRGIN MARY GLEANS ANGELS DOG HER INK KING HEROD

WHITE TO MATE IN 4 BLACK TO MATE IN 3 Descriptive Notation Algebraic Notation Descriptive Notation Algebraic Notation 1. d7-d8=Q + Kb6-a6 1. ----- N-K7 dbl ch 1. ----- Nc1-e2 dbl + A beautiful queen sacrifice! 2. Qd8-a5 + Nb7xa5 2. K-N2 Q-KN8 ch 2. Kg1-g2 Qa1-g1 + 1. P-Q8=Q ch K-R3 3. b4-b5 + c6xb5 3. K-R3 N-B5 mate 3. Kg2-h3 Ne2-f4 ++ 2. Q-R5 ch NxQ 4. a4xb5 ++ 3. P-N5 ch PxP 4. PxP mate

REFORMED PERSPECTIVE / 29 ONE YEAR LATER

t’s been some 36 years since the first print edition of Reformed Perspective came out, and a lot has Ichanged since then. A BIG CHANGE Back then, we were still distributing content in a way that Johannes Guttenberg would have readily understood: the publication went out on paper, and had to be transported to each individual reader. It wasn’t exactly the same – Guttenberg’s printings would have been sent out via horses, carts and ships, and in the five centuries since then we’ve invented Mercatornet, Faith in Focus, the Christian Study Library, planes, trains and automobiles, so Reformed Perspective’s Creation.com and more. And we’ve had hard articles translated first issue was sent out much further and must faster. into Portuguese, Dutch French, and even Australian! But distribution was still laborious, and therefore expensive. And to cover that expense, they decided to SOME THINGS STAY THE SAME sell subscriptions – it only made sense. But depending on But as much as has changed, Reformed Perspective’s mission subscriptions also meant that the magazine’s business model remains the same. We still seek to promote a Biblically contrasted with its purpose. The intent has always been Reformed perspective in all spheres of life, and we are doing to equip God’s people by sharing edifying, challenging, so by equipping and encouraging Christians to think, speak, Reformed materials with as many people as possible. But and act in a manner consistent with their confession. our need for subscription revenues meant we had to restrict Will you help us? With your financial support we can distribution to only those who were willing to pay. continue to expand our online presence, but also explore A little over a year ago, that all changed. In December 2016 other means, like our upcoming speaking tour (which you we became donor-supported, which meant we no longer had can learn more about on page 37). You can also help by to restrict who could see our content. That’s when we began pointing others to our Facebook page, and website, and to fully embrace the possibilities that came with the Internet, letting them know about the speaking tour. Finally, we ask and started distributing all our content for free online via for your prayers. God has kept this magazine going for 36 Facebook, a website, and an email newsletter. years now, and created opportunities for us. Please ask Him There are still costs that come with making a magazine, to continue to guide us in the direction we head, and in the but now an article that was once distributed to a couple content that we share. RP thousand subscribers can go out to thousands more for almost no additional cost. God has blessed this effort, and we’ve seen a steady growth in our reach and impact. For example, in the month of January 2017 we reached 6,000+, while by Decmeber, we saw more than 20,000 visit the website that month. We started 2017 with just 43 email newsletter subscribers, and ended with more than 600. Over the course of the year our articles were featured on LighthouseNews and Challies.com, and have been reprinted in Creation Science Dialogue, Una Sancta,

30 / JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2018 By filling out the form below, and becoming a monthly contributor, you give the RP Foundation the steady support that will enable us to reach many, many more with a thoughtful, thought- provoking and thoroughly Reformed perspective on every sphere of life.

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REFORMED PERSPECTIVE / 31 CROSSWORD PUZZLE BY JEFF DYKSTRA LAST MONTH’S SOLUTION

SERIES 3-9

DOWN through the air 1. Small, exquisitely wrought 37. Enemy of your enemy trinket (somewhat naturally) 2. Owner’s stamp on a cow’s 38. “saw his ____ when it rose” hide (Matt. 2) 3. Train unit, or what a train 40. Too much is part of what may carry makes a glutton. 4. Riders of the Purple ____, 44. “grain offering cooked in a by Zane Grey ___” (Lev. 2) 5. Become exhausted or 47. “big ___ of his right foot” fatigued (Lev. 8) 6. Ruined medieval Turkish city 49. “to ___ out the land” (Num. SERIES 3-10 54. “To ___ is human…” 7. What came from Aaron’s 13) (Alexander Pope) staff (Num. 17) 51. Irritate; get to PUZZLE CLUES 56. _____ of Dort (1618-1619) 8. “the one who _____ awake” 53. Suffix for capital or social ACROSS (2 Tim. 2) 60. Sports association that (Rev. 16) 55. Japanese dish featuring 1. Broadcaster of Planet Earth 28. Dad's better half covers all the bases 9. A peasful home noodles 4. Attack with knife 30. Polynesian staple food 63. Abbreviation on a wanted 10. Genus of dabbling ducks 57. “Then Naomi… became his 8. Length of bridge or width 32. Narcissus’s lover in Greek poster ( = alias) 11. Nearby (at least near night, _____.” (Ruth 4) of wings mythology 65. Hoover has one named anyway) 58. Meat not found in a steak – 12. Current currency of Turkey 36. It stings… sometimes after him. 12. 3 Down manufactured in sounds awful? 13. Indigenous people of Japan repeatedly! 67. “Flying saucer” – first Russia 59. Tip (one’s hat – in the pres- 14. Carbonated drink found in 39. “Wisdom is with the ___” claimed sighting 1947 15. Mediocre grade, or grade ence of a lady) drinks (Job 12) 68. Jewish festival celebrating of 100 in Rome 60. Fuel economy abbreviation 16. What you may find in 41. Last name of Kublai or Esther’s success 20. “Me ___, please!” (line in 61. “like a leopard I will ____” slightly open fridge Genghis 70. Short form for toothy Nile old gum ad) (Hosea 13) 17. Network of lines that cross 42. High-flying computer key predator 22. Positively French reply 62. Typically Scottish word for each other to form squares 43. “to wake from _____” 72. Composer, in 1936, of “O 25. a small, mischievous sprite. a hillside 18. Proverb (from a (Rom. 13) Fortuna” 27. Reaction to mouse in a 64. Corrosive liquid commercial era?) 45. “___ we there yet?” 73. “but gives _____ to the cartoon 65. Deduct pay (for a worker on 19. Leader of an organized (road trip question) humble.” (James 4) 29. Plural synonym of 28 the pier?) crime family 46. “so that the tent lay ____” 74. Possible skin disease symp- Across 66. “the heart may ____” (Prov. 20. First thing a golfer takes out (Judges 7) tom (Lev. 13) 30. A fair jury is made up of 14) of the bag 48. ____ Minor (and Major) – 75. American defense over- yours. 69. Frozen assets, especially 21. Type of “milk” for the nocturnal bears head (abbreviation) 31. Poems in praise of natural diamonds lactose-intolerant 49. After he tires of standing, 76. “You are ____, my lord,” things 71. Atlas or road sign 23. Title of novel by H. Rider he ____ (Ophelia in Hamlet) 33. Traditional Indian tea abbreviation Haggard 50. Beginner; novice; 77. Fake an opposing player out 34. “As the ____, about to 72. “cried ___ with a loud 24. The part of the film you greenhorn (eg. in hockey) falter” (old Ps. 42) voice” (Rev. 6) hear 51. Belonging to it 78. Abbreviation in resume or 35. Former Canadian bills that 26. “vessel for honorable ___” 52. Quick bite (but not to eat) application form are now loonies 36. Drift down to the ground or

32 / JANUARY-FEBRUARY32 / JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2018 2018 by David Murray Four Reasons To Remember Your Creator In Youth

ur enemy says, “Youth for pleasure, middle age for value and use whatever time the Lord gives them, but they often business, old age for religion.” The Bible says, “Youth, feel they have to study twice as hard to learn half as well. middle age, and old age for your Creator.” OBut as it’s especially in our youth that we are most inclined 4. DANGEROUS YEARS (determined?) to forget our Creator, it’s especially in these Young years are minefield years: hormones, peer pressure, years that we must work to remember our Creator (Ecc.12:1). alcohol, drugs, pornography, immorality, testosterone, etc. Few Remember that he made you, that he provides for you, that he navigate these years without blowing up here and there. Dangers cares for you, that he watches you, that he controls you; and abound on every side – and on the inside. How many “first” remember that he can save you too. That’s a lot to remember, but temptations become “last” temptations! How much we need our it’s much easier to start memorizing when we are young! Creator to keep us and carry us through this battlefield. 1. ENERGETIC YEARS REMEMBER TO REMEMBER However, that’s not the only reason why God commands us to Let me then give you some helps to remember your Creator remember our Creator in our young years. It’s also because these during these best of years (and “worst” of years): are our most energetic years. Why wait until we are pegging out, until we are running down, • BE PERSUADED THAT YOU HAVE A CREATOR: Get well until our gas is almost empty, before serving our Creator? The grounded in a literal understanding of Genesis 1-2 and shun all God who made us deserves our most active and healthy years: evolutionary influences. our bodies are strong and muscular (well kind of), our minds are • GET TO KNOW YOUR CREATOR: Study his Word using sharp and clear, our senses are receptive and keen and sensitive, sermons, commentaries, and good books. But also study our enthusiasm is bright and bushy, our wills are steely and his World using microscopes and telescopes and any other determined. Remember him in your energetic years. instruments he gives. • JOIN WITH YOUR CREATOR'S FRIENDS: Build friendships 2. SENSITIVE YEARS with other creatures that love to remember and respect their Why do far more of us become Christians in our youth than Creator. in our middle or old age? It’s because youthful years are sensitive • FOLLOW YOUR CREATOR'S ORDER: He set and gave years. Without giving up our belief in “Total Depravity” we can the pattern of six days work followed by one day of rest for say that it’s “easier” to believe and repent when we are younger. contemplation of His Works. It’s never easy, but it’s easier. And it’s easier because as we get • ASK FOR YOUR CREATOR'S SALVATION: Even if your older our heart is hardened thicker, our conscience is seared rejection of your Creator has broken you in pieces, he’s willing number, our sins root deeper, our deadness becomes deader. to re-create you in his image. Use youthful sensitivity and receptivity to remember your Creator before the evil days of callous indifference set in. And while we’re on the subject of salvation, I don’t want older readers to be discouraged. Compared to the eons of eternity, you 3. TEACHABLE YEARS are still in your “youth.” It’s not too late to remember Him, before We learn more in our youth than in any other period of these evil days come even nearer. RP life. That’s true in all subjects, but especially true in religious instruction. All the Christians I’ve met who were converted to Dr. David Murray is Professor of Old Testament and Practical Christ late in life have expressed huge regrets about how little Theology at Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary and pastor of Grand they know and how little they can now learn. I encourage them to Rapids Free Reformed Church. This article first appeared on his blog HeadHeartHand.org and is reprinted here with permission.

REFORMED PERSPECTIVE / 33 Evidential Apologetics: the right way There is no neutrality, so we shouldn’t pretend otherwise

by Greg Bahnsen n popular misconception today, the choice of an apologetical method facing a Bible-believing Christian is between arguing presuppositionally or appealing to Ievidences from history and nature in support of Christianity. But that is entirely wrong. Presuppositional apologetics endorses and indeed encourages the use of evidences – but not evidences offered in the "traditional" manner as an appeal to the authority of the unbeliever's (allegedly) autonomous reasoning. Unbelievers who are self-conscious in their autonomy will usually fight against the force of the "facts" to which we can appeal in favor of the Bible's veracity. When unbelievers resist the factual arguments which apologists can and should readily set before them to confirm or defend the Christian position, [Cornelius] Van Til said we must then realize and take seriously that

"the battle is not one primarily of this fact or of that fact. The battle is basically with respect to a philosophy of facts.... No one can be a scientist in any intelligible way without at the same time having a philosophy of reality as a whole."1

Evidential apologetics done wrong supposes there is some non-Christian, neutral set of scales by which the evidence can be fairly weighed and evaluated. Then the Christian’s role is simply to present as much compelling evidence as possible. But this approach overlooked the antithesis – that there are two sides, God’s and Satan’s, and neutrality isn’t possible – there is no unbiased set of scales outside of God's own. This approach also misunderstands what the argument is most often about: it’s about how the evidence is to be weighed. So, if we were, for example, to put God’s views on parenting

34 / JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2018 ONE WORLDVIEW VS. THE OTHERS even though we know the outcome of the game, we are still The presuppositional use of evidences in apologetics recognizes astounded by that shot and can watch it in awe when we observe that ultimately the intellectual conflict between believers and the videotape replay of the game. The shot is still impressive, even unbelievers is a matter of antithetical worldviews. We must show when you know the context and outcome. that the unbeliever's worldview, by which he wishes to oppose And the resurrection of our Lord is far more impressive, even the claims of the faith, would not only preclude the facts of when we approach it within the context of the Bible's presupposed Scripture, but the very intelligibility of any facts about any subject truth. Christians should readily say to unbelievers: "Within whatsoever. our worldview the evidence shows that God raised Christ from For that reason Van Til was adamant that the apologist not the dead! (even more amazingly, He did it out of saving love for make the mistake of pretending to be neutral or autonomous in sinners like us) – and your worldview has nothing as impressive reasoning, but present his factual defense in the right way and in as that, but actually makes nonsense out of history and science the right light to the unbeliever. and reasoning." The choice should be obvious. RP "Christianity does not thus need to take shelter under the roof of a scientific method independent of itself. It rather offers itself END NOTES as a roof to methods that would be scientific."2 1 The Protestant Doctrine of Scripture, p. 51. 2 Christian Theistic Evidences, p. 56. If the intelligibility of the inductive, empirical reasoning used by the unbeliever to oppose the faith is to make any philosophical This article was first published in the November, 1995 issue of Penpoint sense, the unbeliever will need to affirm the Christian faith (Vol. VI:11) and is reprinted with permission of Covenant Media as his presupposition or worldview! The efforts of unbelievers Foundation, which hosts and sells Dr. Bahnsen resources at cmfnow.com. should be turned against their own unbelief. That is simply the presuppositional way of defending the faith and pressing evidential arguments. Is the evidential power of (say) Christ's resurrection lost when the evidential argument for it is presented to the unbeliever within the context of Biblical presuppositions? Not at all. Presuppositional apologetics calls for the Christian and non- Christian to set side by side their two worldviews and do an internal examination of them both (and their respective "inner logics"). In such a comparison the evidential power of Christ's resurrection is easily set forth. ONLY ONE WORLDVIEW MAKES SENSE Yet somebody might wonder: "But if the presuppositions already require that the Bible be true and thus that Christ rose from the dead, how could the evidence be impressive?" Well, after the game-winning shot at the buzzer has become a matter of past history, and to the test the secular scale will evaluate them by secular standards. It might find Christian parenting to be a failure because these parents aren’t teaching their children to embrace alternative lifestyles. The secular scales are tipped, and on them Christian parenting will be found intolerant. So, most often, the debate isn’t about who has the more compelling evidence, but about how the evidence will be evaluated.

REFORMED PERSPECTIVE / 35 I LOVE APOLOGETICS Don’t be intimidated; sharing the good news isn’t as complicated as we make it by Ray Comfort

he Evidence Bible is filled with my favorite apologetical The “hook” that Jesus used was the moral Law (the Ten arguments. I love to use these arguments to pursue the Commandments), and the “jaw” is the sinner’s conscience. lost. I also enjoy watching instructional videos about the It is because of this knowledge that I can let him run off in any Tsubject of apologetics. direction he wants to, because I know that any time I choose I One of my favorite Bible teachers explains how to defend the can take complete control, simply by asking the question, “Do faith. He is so eloquent and has such a brilliant mind, it makes you think you’re a good person?” and bringing out the Ten me want to never open my mouth again. Plus, he is incredibly Commandments as Jesus did in Mark 10:18–21. gracious and humble. I say that because I want you to know that That gives me a level playing field because I’m not talking to his what I’m going to say is not a criticism. It simply illustrates a very contentious intellect. I have moved to his conscience. This puts important point when it comes to sharing our faith. even Einstein on the defensive. I remember him speaking of the importance of truth when Never be intimidated by so-called intellectuals. Our Creator reasoning with the unsaved. He spoke of five critical grades to has put something infinitely more powerful into our hands: the keep in mind when it comes to reaching the lost. He said that gospel. It is “the power of God to salvation” (Romans 1:16). RP when testing truth there are two theories – the “correspondence theory” and the “coherence theory” – plus there is consistency, This article is reprinted with permission from LivingWaters.com empirical adequacy, and experiential relevance. Then he added, “There are four questions to be dealt with – our origin, meaning, morality, and destiny – and to deal with those questions there are five disciplines you have to pull together: theology, epistemology, metaphysics, ethics, and anthropology.” He also spoke of three cultures that we deal with: the theonomous culture, the heteronomous culture, and the autonomous culture, which dictates a “mutual autocracy.” Got it? If you did, you’re more intelligent than most people. Most people have trouble even pronouncing those words, let alone knowing what they mean. And that’s okay. That’s because proclaiming the gospel can be as simple as doing what Jesus did: use the Ten Commandments to stir the conscience, and show the sinner that he needs the Savior. I rarely get into arguing about apologetics, the infallibility of Scripture, the deity of Christ, evolution, why there is suffering, etc. When I do enter that territory, I am always aware that there is a way out, and I take it. I can get out, because I have learned the importance of having control of the conversation. I know our ultimate agenda; it’s to “preach the gospel to every creature” (Mark 16:15). If I wanted to teach you how to fish, I could take you to a quaint little pond and catch a nice small fish. But I’d rather

take you deep-sea fishing and let you see some action. RP If you watch a deep-sea fisherman, when he gets a marlin on his line he will let it run. He does this because he knows that at any time he chooses he can pull back the rod and get the hook deeper into the fish’s jaw.

36 / JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2018 I LOVE APOLOGETICS Reformed Perspective presents our 2018 Spring Speaking Tour: Tactics in Defending Your Faith

To defend God’s Truth you need to know it. And if you’ve been hearing God’s Word preached, and been reading your Bible regularly, then you have that knowledge. Why, then, does it sometimes seem like we still don’t know enough to defend God’s Truth like we want to? That’s where wisdom comes in. We will never finish learning who God is; there will always be more we could know. We need to learn how to take what we already know and use it effectively. That’s what Tim Barnett does in Tactics: he equips us with simple to remember and easy to use tactics that allow us to make our best defense of God’s Truth. This is a not-to-be missed presentation! MARCH 19-23 APRIL 2-6 March 19 – Smithers, BC April 2 – Burlington, ON March 20 – Aldergrove, BC April 3 – Chattam, ON March 21 – Edmonton, AB April 4 – Woodstock, ON March 22 – Ponoka, AB April 5 – Guelph, ON March 23 – Coaldale, AB April 6 – Smithville, ON

Tim Barnett trains Christians Jon Dykstra has been the editor to think clearly about what they of Reformed Perspective since believe and why they believe 1999. He blogs on books at it. Tim is a full-time apologist, ReallyGoodReads.com, reviews and having earned an MA in movies at the ReelConservative. Philosophy from Southern com, and is a contributor at Evangelical Seminary. Tim lives CreationWithoutCompromise.com. with his wife and two children in the great province of Ontario.

REFORMED PERSPECTIVE / 37 SPEAKING AGAINST SUICIDE A summary review of A Guide to Discussing Assisted Suicide by Jeff Dykstra

o you find it harder to make the for killing him or her. case against euthanasia than As in Blaise Alleyne and Jonathan against abortion? That might be, Van Maren’s explain in their new Din part, because we have less experience book, A Guide to Discussing Assisted – abortion has been legal in Canada Suicide, the crux of opposition to since 1969, and euthanasia only since euthanasia can also be boiled down to 2016. just one question: Also, in abortion, we have victims who need advocates because they can’t speak How do we help those who are for themselves, whereas in euthanasia feeling desperate enough to want to the victims are also the perpetrators. kill themselves? How do you help someone who doesn’t want to be helped – who wants to die? And again, there are only two And consider how, in euthanasia, options: either we prevent suicide, or many of the cases involve terminal we assist it. illnesses, and so have the same Alleyne and Van Maren have emotional tension as the hardest cases – given us a wonderful tool in this book. • the split position – we should prevent those involving rape and incest – have in Their extensive experience in the pro-life some suicides while helping others the abortion debate. movement is evident as they start by • the total choice position – anyone who That’s why it’s more difficult. framing the debate. If we’re going to be wants to commit suicide should be effective, pro-lifers need to understand helped to do so JUST TWO OPTIONS the three possible positions that people • and the pro-life position – all life is But, just as in the abortion debate, the hold on this issue. They are: precious, and all suicides are tragic key is to first find the central issue. With abortion, the main question is, "Who is the unborn?" There are only two options. If the unborn is not human, there is no justification needed for “its” …there are only two options: either we surgical removal. But if the unborn is human, then no justification is sufficient prevent suicide, or we assist it. 38 / JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2018 “ THE SPLIT POSITION the total choice position, because So how do we respond to the split position? Van Maren and Alleyne say 1) they have always involved a slippery that it is the job of pro-life apologetics slope toward more and more assisted is to show the split position’s inherent killings inconsistency. Suicide is tragic sometimes, 2) they reduce the willingness to prevent but to be celebrated other times? suicide The authors then give ways to counter 3) they undermine the morale of everyone the reasons often used to justify some who works in any facility that provides suicides, given by the acronym QUIT for suicide assistance The Canadian Reformed School Society of Edmonton, operating • Quality of life THE PRO-LIFE POSITION Parkland Immanuel Christian • Unbearable suffering Finally, the authors show the pro-life School, • Incurable condition position. We know, on the one hand, that invites applications for the 2018- • Terminal prognosis life is a gift from God, so it is not to be 2019 school year for the following thrown away, but on the other, that all life full-time position: They spend 20 pages showing why these ends, and because of Jesus we need not are fallacious reasons, so I can’t properly fear death. So the pro-life position is not GRADE 6 TEACHER sum up their argument in just a line or about continuing life at all costs. It allows for: Parkland Immanuel Christian two, but one underlying flaw to these School operates a reformed K-12 justifications for suicide is that they are school that offers a supportive based on ageism and ableism. • the refusal of burdensome treatment school community, competitive So in much the same way we can • the use of pain medication, even when wages, and a collaborative expose the inadequacy of many that risks hastening death, as long as and professional environment justification for abortion by bringing the intent of such medication is to that encourages and supports out an imaginary "two-year-old Timmy" alleviate pain rather than to kill innovation and excellence in (“What if the mother was too poor to teaching. The school has a have a baby?” “Would that be a good The pro-life position also offers positive population of 360 students and is reason to kill Timmy?”) in the assisted responses to the suicidal: psychological experiencing a time of significant increase in enrollment. suicide debate we can bring out an health resources, pain management, palliative care, and dignity therapy. The imaginary able-bodied 19-year-old. Applicants must be a professed authors end with two pleas: If someone opposes this 19-year-old member in good standing of committing suicide, why is it that they a Canadian Reformed, United are fine with that 90-year-old doing so? • "Let death be what takes us, not lack Reformed, or sister church, and Or that wheelchair bound lass? We can of imagination." In other words, may must have the necessary post- expose them for being ageist and ableist – no-one ever have their death hastened secondary qualifications to teach treating people as less worthy of life based because we refuse to imagine how we in Alberta. on their age or ability – and show them it may show more compassion. is wrong to assist the suicide of anyone, of • "As people who believe in the dignity For further information please any age or level of health because as the and value of every human life, it is our contact the Principal, Mr. Ken Leffers authors put it, "suicide is a symptom [of responsibility to.... persuade people that assisted suicide is wrong." Phone: (780) 444-6443 (school) despair], not a solution." (780) 297-8841 (home) [email protected] TOTAL CHOICE In this Guide to Discussing Assisted Next, the authors take on those are Suicide Alleyne and Van Maren have Applications should be directed to: (sadly) willing to be consistent and done an admirable job of giving us the Mr. Wayne de Leeuw advocate total choice for all who desire to tools to carry out that responsibility. Chair of Personnel Committee be assisted in ending their lives. Given the urgency of the push toward c/o Parkland Immanuel Christian Our only response is to insist that the euthanasia in both Canada and U.S., we School suicidal need love even more than they all need to read this book. 21304 35 Ave, NW Edmonton, AB T6M 2P6 need argument. “A Guide for Discussing Assisted Suicide” can vicepresident@parklandimmanuel. be ordered at lifecyclebooks.com (where you ca THE SOCIAL CONSEQUENCES can also find the option to buy in bulk for your The fourth chapter shows how pro-life group or circle of friends at greatly dangerous it is to accept either the split or reduced prices).

REFORMED PERSPECTIVE / 39 PRACTICING by Ken Koeman THE SABBATH ON LIVING OUT THE 4TH COMMANDMENT

t is not uncommon. Under pressure down to the very depths of our beings, or, the Sabbath day than He does about at the office or on the job, at school as Psalm 23 would describe it, “restores murder, theft, adultery, lying, or coveting or right at home, vacation can’t come our souls”? combined, suggesting to us that one Isoon enough. of the most powerful defenses against “Ah,” we console ourselves, “Three VACATION IS NOT ENOUGH immorality of all kinds is (did this ever weeks away from it all, filled with hiking, What happened is that we confused occur to you?) a soul saturated to the full camping, touring, biking, sailing, rest with respite, as if a 30-second with God’s kind of deep rest. and maybe even a trip to Disneyland timeout in the fourth quarter makes And then, as if to give it even more itself.” When it finally arrives, we throw athletes as full of energy as when the firepower, would you observe that it’s the ourselves into our leisure, making the game began. A vacation is merely a only commandment which reinforces its most of every moment, wringing every respite (which we all need, just like a demand by insisting that we face up to last drop of excitement out of our all too good night’s sleep); it’s far from the kind the compelling reality that this is what brief respite from the drag of our daily of deep rest the Bible calls a “Sabbath.” God Himself did, as if to both warn us grind…and come home plumb worn out. Vacations don’t cut it; real Sabbaths that we best follow our Creator if we We go back to working, lamenting the do. No wonder our Father commanded know what’s good for us, and besides, call brevity of our respite, grudgingly facing that we practice Sabbath every week and us to humble ourselves enough to learn the unwelcome demands of the job once he used plenty of words to insist upon just how to do it from His example. more, trapped into knowing we have no it. Have you ever noticed that in the If you came home tired from vacation, other choice: it’s the only way to keep the NIV, the Exodus 20 version of the 4th or, more seriously, if you sense a wolf from the door. commandment is 99 words long? The weariness in your soul so deep that Whatever happened to real, solid final five commandments, altogether, not even a full night of sleep (induced rest, the kind that refreshes our spirits take up just 53 words. God has almost by medication), or a day of surviving so deeply it reinvigorates us all the way twice as much to say about remembering demands (eased by your regular dose

40 / JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2018 of Xanax) gives you the kind of relief own procrastination, I can virtually in Scripture is the utterly still body of the you crave, perhaps it’s time to seriously guarantee this: that undone work is going One who had just said, “It is finished” reconsider practicing Sabbath as devoutly to infect any rest you try to find on your lying quietly and calmly in a borrowed as you practice your fitness routine. In “day off.” It will weigh on you. It will grave even while His spirit savored the other words, have you ever considered preoccupy you. You’re compromised! joys of Paradise. Imagine the depth of fitting, into the rhythm of your week, a Now I can just hear it already: “My His holy rest having fully drunk the cup 24-hour period where you stop living as a work is never done.” A mother’s work of God’s wrath to the very last drop! Can human “doing” and actually enjoy living is never done. A farmer’s work is never there be any rest deeper than that? The as a human “being”? done. A teacher’s work is never done. wonderfully good news of the gospel is If you’re even slightly curious enough True enough, but then God’s work that, through Jesus, we are called and to keep reading, then let me be audacious is never done either. Jesus said that his welcomed to enter into and savor that enough to prescribe for you the pathway father was always at his work to that finished work. There is no richer Sabbath. to deep rest: watch how God rested, very day (John 5:17). But, what was and then, go and do thou likewise. The finished was the work of creating. That was SAVORING ACCOMPLISHED WORK commandment makes it as simple as completed. True enough: much remained When He finished creating, God imitating God. Of course, where it gets to be done in this creation. There was no savored his accomplishment. Scripture complicated is trying to figure out just pizza or lasagna. Nobody had written puts it like this: “God saw all that He had how God did it. But He has not left us poetry yet, and the only music came from made, and it was very good” (Gen. 1: 31). without a description: birds because there were no violins. There That is how He entered into His rest. was so much yet to do, which we call Now that is something most of us 1. He finished his work: “Thus the culture. But the work of creation itself moderns hardly take the time to do. Look heavens and the earth were completed was fully completed. back? Savor what you’ve done? Who has in all their vast array. By the seventh Every day has its task; every week, its time for that? Who even thinks of that? day God had finished the work He had duties; every meeting, its agenda. You Especially on our days off! We’re just glad been doing (Gen. 2:1-2a). want to know what really kills our rest? to be away from the scene of the grind. Work that should have been finished, I recall a breakfast I had with a friend, 2. He savored the goodness of his and could have been finished, but isn’t a highly paid professional in a tough workmanship: “God saw all that He finished. line of work: lawyering! His iPhone lay had made, and it was very good Unfinished assignments absolutely next to his plate. His eyes darted toward (Gen. 1:31). bar the way into joyful rest. So, be like it frequently as we munched on our your Father. Do it. Get ‘er done, even muffins. I could tell he was preoccupied. I 3. He ceased from all working: “…so if you have to work extra hard as your asked him, “Don’t you ever give yourself on the seventh day He rested (NIV particular work week approaches its a break from that thing?” footnote: “ceased”) from all His final day or hours. Nothing relaxes us “I can’t,” he said; “in fact, I can’t afford work. …because on it He rested (NIV more than being able to look back upon to.” footnote: “ceased”) from all the work of a truly finished task, be it anything from “When do you ever rest?” I probed. creating He had done (Gen. 2:2b, 3b). a reading assignment, having made the “Well,” he said, “I try to rest on the required number of sales calls, or having weekends but….” Each dimension deserves such careful done our rounds in the hospital. I waited. “But what?” scrutiny, we’ll ponder them one at a time. The finest picture of such profound rest Then he opened a glimpse into his uptight world I’ve never forgotten. “I FINISHED WORK never get a full weekend of rest because God entered into his Sabbath by first You want to know already on Sunday afternoons, right having completely finished the work he around 3, every week, it starts,” he set out to do during his “work week.” what really kills continued. If we are to enter into deep rest, we “What?” I asked. simply must get our work done first. our rest? Work that “This tightness in my gut; I can just The commandment is firm on this: Six feel the pressure rising. The stuff waiting days you shall labor and do all your should have been for me in my office on Monday morning work. Finish your homework, your starts forcing its way into my mind, housework, or your assignments at finished, and could and from that point on, I’m toast. I can the office. If you have work that was forget about getting any more rest.” supposed to have been finished during have been finished, “In other words,” I gently teased, “you your six days of labor, and could have actually show up at the office about 17 been finished, but wasn’t due to your but isn’t finished. hours before your body gets there?”

“ REFORMED PERSPECTIVE / 41 “You’re not kidding!!” he moaned. has served. The trucker, the loads he crucial to being able to rest. He affirmed I suspect my friend has plenty of delivered. The teacher, the lessons his his work as valuable; He gave it worth. company. Our driven hearts are forever students learned. He savored its beauty. He celebrated His pushing us forward, even to the point Looking back moves the soul from accomplishment. The three persons of the that we are so focused on what lies anxiety to celebration as it disciplines Trinity rejoiced in what They had made, ahead, Monday pushes itself up into our itself to survey the beauty of a steady rejoiced in Their workmanship. Sundays, as unbidden as acid reflux, and stream of accomplishments, each a They stopped, turned around (unlike as sour. trophy to the God who was right there the other six days which were all forward Not so the Trinity! As God entered empowering us every step of the way. looking, this was backward looking; from into His rest, this is the exercise He That simple exercise has immense all the undone work ahead to the finished went through at the end of the sixth power to lay a soul down into deep rest work behind), looked back, and They day: He looked backward. He surveyed by stiff-arming the intrusions of future delighted in Their finished work. his workmanship. He paused to delight “undones” as it relishes the joys of past Do you ever do that at the end of your over it. He admired the beauty of Eve, “dones.” For what the soul is doing at work week? Your day of rest begins by marveled at the masculinity of Adam. He such moment is supercharging itself with looking back. Let’s say you deliver and saw all with His all seeing eye and rejoiced wonder and gratitude at the remarkable pick up mail. Do you ever think back to over every one of His works. faithfulness of God who was right there all the people you serve every week by That’s the exercise God Himself went with us during every moment of those six bringing them their mail? Think of the through as He entered his rest. He days past, assuring it that so much went hundreds of people who every week find studied what He had done, and celebrated well, once again. something in their mailbox they have just it. In fact, He ended every day savoring I wonder if my neighbors just might been waiting for – and you brought it to what He had done on that particular day, think I’m nuts. Like all good Lyndenites, them. Now that is something to savor, to but at the end of the sixth day, He savored I edge, trim and mow my lawn faithfully celebrate. the whole panorama of His creativity, every Saturday. It’s a rite around here. Most of us try not to think about our from the light He created the first day When finished, I stow my equipment work on our day off. Not God. God to the light-clothed humans He created and then do something which, if they entered his Sabbath by ruminating, on the sixth, and He rejoiced over all his are watching, might suggest to them I’m savoring, delighting in what he had works (Psalm 104: 31). a little “off.” I take a good ten minutes just done. One of the key elements A second key to entering a place of and just walk around my lawn, and of deep rest is savoring a sense of deep rest calls us to imitate God and yes, frankly, I admire what I and my accomplishment. This is what shelters us look back, savoring all that He enabled us equipment have just achieved! I marvel from the tyranny of future tasks charging to do during the previous six days. The at the sharp edges around the flowerbeds in and infecting our rest. You rest when doctor looks back in her imagination and savor the smells of newly mown turf. you learn to resist this “Oh, there is so upon the faces of the patients she has Odd? No. Like God? Yes. much I have yet to do” (which is very treated. The waitress, the customers she Now God did something there that is true for all of us) to “But look at what we

42 / JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2018 have managed to accomplish.” We are In May, 1853, Phoebe and her husband so driven by the demands of the future Holden joined a covered wagon train She grudgingly that we have forgotten to pause and take near Kansas City hoping to reach delight in the regular accumulation of the Washington Territory by mid-October, admitted that accomplishments of our lives. a distance of more than 2,000 miles over the rough Oregon Trail. Like all perhaps the CEASING FROM ALL WORK wagon trains, they elected a captain. His There is a third Sabbath practice to word was the law. Well, they chose Rev. animals needed a consider, but be forewarned: you may not Gustavus Hines, only to be surprised one like this. In fact, you may think I’m just Saturday night when he announced the day of rest. being a fussy old legalist. We cannot truly train would never travel on Sundays. them, waiting for the single “ferry” to Sabbath, unless every 7th day we totally Phoebe was shocked. They had carry them across. They waited 3 days. cease, as much as is reasonably possible, half a continent to cross, at oxen pace On Saturday they resumed the journey, our daily work for 24 hours and refuse (15-20 miles per day on a good trail), only to be told they would still rest the to come anywhere near it. We don’t even with at least four mountain passes and “ whole next day. Phoebe was livid. This check our phones for work-related text innumerable river crossings ahead of made absolutely no sense to her. Still, the messages. Why? Because of the explicit them. She sat in her wagon and just minister’s daughter obeyed. prohibition in the commandment itself: fumed. One family deserted the train and Then, a few weeks later she began to “On it you shall not do any work.” joined another. see scores of dead oxen, mules and horses Worship? Yes! Play? Sure. Work? None. On their first Sunday, while they stood along the trail. They had been driven so Zilch. Nada. still, one train after another passed them relentlessly, they had collapse and died. When deadlines, demands, homework by. But, being the daughter of a minister She grudgingly admitted that perhaps the and duties bear down on us relentlessly herself, Phoebe felt they had no choice animals needed a day of rest. this may seem hard. Who can afford this, but to honor their captain’s scruples. A few weeks later, she ruefully especially in today’s highly competitive, They started out again on Monday, admitted that maybe the men needed it low profit margin, economy? Close bright and early, only to reach their first too, since they walked most of the time. up shop, one day a week? Ridiculous. river cross on Tuesday evening. A long Then she slowly began to notice that as Students stay away from studies a full day line of wagons stretched out ahead of they worshipped, ate, rested and even in every seven? Sure way to flunk out! Really? Are you so sure it’s ridiculous? Have you checked that with conservative Southern Baptist Truett Cathy, who, from the beginning in 1946 insisted that his fast food Chick-fil-A restaurants be closed every Sunday? Today there are over 2,200 of them, and they are flourishing. In 2014 the chain was #9 in total profit among all fast food restaurants, but #1, by far, in profitability per store. Each store earned $3.2 million vs. second place McDonalds at $2.6 million. They have been #1 in customer service for years. Rested and cared for employees are much more industrious and compassionate, and the result is customer loyalty that creates long lines in the drive-in lane and tidy profits at the bank. And they are closed everywhere, every Sunday. But perhaps that’s not convincing. Then consider this remarkable story. My town of Lynden, Washington has a mother, Phoebe Judson, who founded our city, arriving here in 1871. She promoted Sunday closure. Here’s why.

REFORMED PERSPECTIVE / 43 played together on Sundays, it had a remarkably salutary effect upon people’s spirits. There was less grumbling, more cooperation. She even noticed that they seemed to make better time the other six days. Finally, what totally sold her on the value of the Sabbath happened one Sunday evening: the family that had deserted them came limping into their campsite, humbly asking to rejoin them. She had assumed they were at least a week ahead; in fact, they had fallen behind. Their own wagon train had The Board of broken down! Of course they welcomed Covenant Canadian Reformed School invites applications for the 2018/2019 school year them back. And so it happened that for the following full/part time positions: they reached their destination in plenty of time, as friends, and out of the 50 Senior High Science Teacher head of cattle with which they began, and only two were lost. General Elementary/Jr. High/Sr. High Teacher CONCLUSION Covenant Canadian Reformed School (CCRS) is a vibrant K-12 school May I be so bold as to caution us community with a current student population of around 240. We are about spiritualizing the meaning of the situated 3 km east of the hamlet of Neerlandia and approximately 25 Sabbath commandment so much that km north of the Town of Barrhead. Between these two locations there we forget its literal and physical side? are three Canadian Reformed congregations and one United Reformed Bodily stepping entirely away from congregation. CCRS is located about an hour and a half north of the all work for 24 hours is clearly what is cities of Edmonton and St. Albert. prescribed. We anticipate growth over the next number of years and are currently Its benefits are enormous. For one planning for future expansion. day, it moves us from life as a “human doing” to life as a “human being.” For We encourage energetic, qualified (or soon to be qualified) educators, committed to Reformed Christian education, to apply. Under our one day, it compels us to recalibrate our Father’s blessing of a broad, highly supportive membership base and hearts back to the stubborn fact that current levels of government funding in Alberta, we are able to offer “…God is the only source of everything a very attractive wage and benefits package. good, and that neither our work and All interested individuals can apply by submitting a resume, a statement worry nor His gifts can do us any good of faith, a philosophy of education, and references. without His blessing” (L.D. 50, Q&A 125). For one day it allows our souls Please visit our school’s website at www.covenantschool.ca to catch up with our bodies, or vice versa! For one day it arrests our drive Applications can be sent in writing to for profits by reminding us that our 3030 TWP RD 615A real wealth is not in what we have but County of Barrhead, AB T0G 1R2 or to the Board secretary, Mrs. Karen Breukelman: in whom we love and in who loves us. [email protected] For one day it slows us down enough to ease our anxiety over reaching If you would like further information about the school and the area our destination to actually enjoy the please contact the Board chairman: journey. And for one day it brings us Mr. Jordan Tiggelaar – 780-307-8449 back to that Light, in Whose Light, we [email protected] RP see the light which brightens every day. or the principal: Mr. Mike Nederveen – 780-674-4774 (school) Rev. Ken Koeman is a retired pastor living in [email protected] the quite restful town of Lynden, WA. A version of this article first appeared in three parts in Christian Courier and is reprinted with permission.

44 / JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2018 HOSPITALITY HACKS for folks who want to be, but keep finding excuses not to be, hospitable by Rebecca Korvemaker

s Christians, we know that hospitality is important, 3) WHEN INVITING STRANGERS, HAVE SOME but if you've ever tried it, you also know that it can be PREPARED QUESTIONS/TOPICS TO DISCUSS really hard, and we can find so many reasons to put it If I don't know the people coming over, I try to have some Aoff. When I moved out of my parents' house five years ago, I getting-to-know-you-questions and interesting topics in the decided to try to invite everyone from my church over at least back of my mind so that if the conversation gets stale I can once in the space of a year. As a single person, I had to get revive it. creative as I set out on this endeavor. Here are some things I learned by doing and by observing. 4) KNOW HOW TO COOK SOMETHING You don’t have to be a master chef to have people over - most 1) JUST DO IT people don't care what you feed them (though it is always wise Hosting people can be very intimidating. What will we talk to ask about allergies and if there are any foods they don't about? What if they don't like the food I made? Just remember like). But it is good to put in some practice until you have few that God blesses all obedience and He has clearly commanded staple recipes up your sleeve so you can cook without getting that we show hospitality (1 Peter 4:9). Even if at the end of the stressed. visit you feel that it went poorly, remind yourself that God is It's also handy to have extra cookies in the freezer – cookies pleased with your obedience, and His pleasure is ultimately are a treat even unthawed – and ingredients for a meal that's what we're after. quick to put together for when you haven't had time to prepare. 2) THINK ABOUT INVITING MORE THAN ONE FAMILY 5) TAKE PEOPLE UP ON THEIR OFFERS When you invite more than one family that means you can Oftentimes, when you invite people over, they’ll ask if leave them to talk to each other while you prepare food/get they can bring something. Say "yes." If you're making soup, things ready. This also takes the pressure off you to keep the one family could bring buns and another family could bring conversation going because if you have more people together, dessert. This helps cover the cost of feeding a lot of people and naturally there will be more opinions and topics coming up. it makes people feel more comfortable when they've helped out.

REFORMED PERSPECTIVE / 45 6) REMEMBER THE KIDS welcome strangers, our neighbours, and our church families. Own toys and books for children. This doesn’t need to be Maybe you're church is too big to have everyone over in a costly if you keep an eye out at garage sales or visit a thrift year. Could you do it in two years? Three years? At the very store or two. least you could try to talk to everyone in the lobby after And if you have children, hosting families with other church in the course of a year. Give it a try. children is a wonderful opportunity to teach them to look Don't know your neighbours? Start by saying "hi" and not only to their own interests but also to the interests of learning their names. You could host a games night, invite others (Philippians 2:4). them over for pizza, shovel their driveway, or plan a block party. The Art of Neighboring by Jay Pathak and Dave 7) KNOW IT DOESN'T HAVE TO BE PERFECT Runyon is a good resource on neighbouring well. It's more important that you actually practice hospitality And remember, hospitality is how you get to know than that you're all put together. It's nice if your house is strangers. Look around you at church on Sunday morning, clean, but it's okay if it's not. We all have homes. We all know I'm sure there will be visitors you could talk to. If you invite homes get messy. Some of the best visits have happened when them into your home that's fantastic, and if you simply I've left the dishes heaped on the counter, thrown together talk to them at church it's still showing hospitality as you some macaroni, and we ate off plastic plates. welcome them in your church setting. Through hospitality we tangibly show God's love to those CONCLUSION around us. Prayerfully consider how much you and your Finally, when it comes to being hospitable perhaps the family can do this year. And then do it. RP most important thing of all is deciding that you will be. God doesn't call us just to host the people we like. We are to

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46 / JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2018 by Christine Farenhorst EVEN A CHILD… Questioning daycare and kindergarten

n this twenty-first century more and “is known by his actions, by whether JOHANN HEINRICH PESTALOZZI: more children are being relegated to his conduct is pure and right.” It seems EDUCATION IS KEY TO A daycare, or other institutions that a simple enough proverb and easy to BETTER SOCIETY Ilook after them for a great many hours understand. We have all encountered To understand today’s education each day outside of the parental home. children’s actions – at home around the system we need to know something of its According to the US Census Bureau, as supper table, in a supermarket while we history. of 2015, about 3.64 million children were were shopping, in a classroom setting On January 12, 1746 Johann Heinrich enrolled in public kindergartens in the or on the street – and frequently found Pestalozzi (pronounced Pesta–lotsi) was United States, and another 428,000 in their actions lacking in moral wisdom. born in Zurich, Switzerland. His father private ones. Statistics Canada reported Greed, selfishness, anger, sloth and you died when he was only 6 years old and that in 2011, almost half (46%) of name it, these vices surround cherubic Johann was sent to school with the long- Canadian parents reported using some faces like black halos. term goal of becoming a pastor. type of childcare for their children, aged So it neither surprises nor shocks us As he grew older he developed a keen 14 years and younger, during that year. when Proverbs adds commandments desire and vision to educate the poor Many children obviously spend more such as: children of his country. After completing time with childcare providers than with his studies, however, and making a their family. “Do not withhold discipline from a dismal failure of his first sermon, he Various studies have shown that child; if you punish him with the rod exchanged the pulpit for a career in law. young children who spend time in he will not die. Punish him with the He reasoned within himself that perhaps daycare may bond less with their rod and save his soul from death” he might accomplish more for the poor mothers than those who stay home. children of his country through law than And it has also been concluded by “He who spares the rod hates his son, through preaching. But after studying other studies, that children who attend but he who loves him is careful to law, as well as opting for a number of daycare experience more stress, have discipline him” other careers, in the long run Pestalozzi lower self-esteem and can be more ended up standing behind a teacher's aggressive. But what does that have to do with lectern. “Even a child,” Proverbs 20:11 tells us, kindergarten and daycare? Read on. Now, throughout these formative

REFORMED PERSPECTIVE / 47 good, as well as creative, and he was convinced that play was a necessary developmental phase in the education of the “whole” child. Dedicating himself to pre-school child education, he formulated a curriculum for young children, and designed materials called Gifts. They were toys which gave children hands-on involvement in practical learning through play. He opened his first school in Blankenburg in 1837, coining the word “kindergarten” for that Play and Activity Center. Until that time there had been no Johann Heinrich Pestalozzi Friedrich Froebel educational system for children under seven years of age. years Johann Pestalozzi had been greatly massive influence on various educators Froebel’s ideas found appeal, but its influenced by Jean-Jacques Rousseau. who followed. spread was initially thwarted by the Rousseau was that philosopher who Prussian government whose education repudiated original sin and who penned FRIEDRICH FROEBEL: ministry banned kindergarten in 1851 the words: “there is no original perversity THE FATHER OF KINDERGARTEN as “atheistic and demagogic” because of in the human heart.” Pestalozzi fell for One such person was a man by the its “destructive tendencies in the areas of these false words – fell hook, line and name of Friedrich Froebel. Born in religion and politics.” sinker. Oberweissbach, Thuringia in 1782, he was In the long run, however, kindergartens Consequently, his principles in the fifth child of an orthodox Lutheran sprang up around the world. teaching strongly reflected the view that pastor. Interestingly enough, the boy education could develop the pure powers heard his father preach each Sunday from MOM SENT ME TO KINDERGARTEN of a child's head, heart and hand. He the largest pulpit in all Europe. On it you My mom was a super-good Mom as thought, and he thought wrongly, that could fit the pastor and twelve people, a perhaps all Moms are who make their this would result in children capable of direct reference to the twelve apostles. children feel loved. Even now, at this knowing and choosing what is right. In Friedrich's mother died when he was only moment when she has been dead and other words, educating students in the nine months old. buried some 25 years, how I miss her! proper way would evolve towards a better Perhaps his father did not have time She had her faults, as we all do, and she society. Such a thing could only happen for the boy, because when he was ten could irritate me to no end at times, as if human nature was essentially good and years old, he was sent to live with an I could her. But she was my Mom and I it was on this principle that Pestalozzi uncle. During his teenage years he was loved her. She was an able pastor’s wife based his teaching. apprenticed to a forester and later he and supported my Dad tremendously. Pestalozzi died in 1827 and his studied mathematics and botany. Visiting numerous families with him, gravestone reads: When he was 23, however, he decided (in congregations in Holland she would for a career in teaching and for a while walk with him to visit parishioners), she Heinrich Pestalozzi: born in Zurich, studied the ideas of Pestalozzi, ideas he also brewed innumerable cups of tea for January 12, 1746 – died in Brugg, incorporated into his own thinking. those he brought home. Always ready February 17, 1827. Saviour of the Education should be child-centered with a snack, she made come-home time Poor on the Neuhof; in Stans, Father rather than teacher-centered; and active after school cozy for myself and my five of the orphan; in Burgdorf and participation of the child should be the siblings, of whom I was the youngest. Munchenbuchsee, Founder of the cornerstone of the learning experience. In later years being the youngest New Primary Education; in Yverdon, A child with the freedom to explore his meant that I was the only one left at Educator of Humanity. He was an own natural development and a child home, and it meant we spent evenings individual, a Christian and a citizen. who balanced this freedom with self- together talking, knitting, embroidering, He did everything for others, nothing for discipline, would inevitably become reading and laughing. She was so good himself! Bless his name! a well-rounded member of society. to me. Perhaps, in hindsight, I remember Educating children in this manner would her kindness so well because I now see As the engraving indicates, Pestalozzi result in a peaceful, happy world. so much more clearly a lot of selfish was much admired, and his approach to As Pestalozze before him, Froebel attributes in myself – attributes for which education lived on after him, having a was sure that humans were by nature I wish I could now apologize to my Mom.

48 / JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2018 stay there as she put the little blue chair Should I send my children to daycare, outside in the sunshine. At lunchtime she brought me home on the back of her and thus help pay off the mortgage or bicycle. Knocking at our door, she called up to the surprised figure of my mother should I stay home and change diapers? standing at the top of the stairs. (We occupied the second and third floor of a home.) “Your daughter’s had an accident.” My Mom was diagnosed with breast pocket ripped. My sister, who was both I think I dreamt those words for a long, cancer when I was 32 – a young mother embarrassed and almost crying herself, long time afterwards. But this I also myself, with five little sets of hands was free to leave. I was taken inside the clearly recall, that my mother was not tugging at my apron strings. I was school by the teacher. angry. devastated. But my quiet mother who It is a bleak memory and still, after all Would I have been a better child had always had been so nervous in leading this time, a vivid memory. I do not think, my mother kept me at home? Felt more ladies’ Bible studies and chairing women's in retrospect, that my mother wanted to “ secure? More loved? Perhaps. Perhaps not. meetings, was very brave. She said she get rid of me. Froebel schools were touted There is always the providence of God literally felt the prayers of everyone who as being very good for preschool children. which like a stoplight on a busy street loved her surround her hospital bed. She She, a teacher herself with a degree in corner abruptly halts one in condemning had a mastectomy, went into remission the constructed, international language the actions of another. God had a purpose and lived eight more good years of Esperanto, possibly thought she was for me, no doubt about it, in all that Many young mothers are presently being progressive as well as making occurred in my life – whether things faced with a fork in the road decision more time to help my father serve the during preschool days or later. And so He – shall I go back to work or shall I stay congregation. has in all our lives. home? Should I send my children Dr. Maria Montessori, a follower of to daycare, and thus help pay off the Heinrich Froebel, established the Dutch CONCLUSION mortgage or should I stay home and Montessori Society in 1917. By 1940, We live at a time when everything change diapers? Times are tough. 5% of the preschools in Holland were is fast-paced – food, travel, and Groceries have to be bought, gas prices following the Montessori system and entertainment. What we often don’t are ever increasing, and so is school 84% called themselves Froebel schools or realize is that time is also fast – fast and tuition. Montessori schools. The general nametag fleeting – gone before we know it. Our I delve back into my memories and is kleuterschool, (kleuter is Dutch and little children, sinful from the time of remember – remember even now as my means a child between 4 and 6). Today conception, two years old today, will be age approaches the latter part of three the age limit is younger because of the twenty tomorrow and thirty the day after score plus years – that my father and increased interest in sending children of that. And when they wear out the coat mother placed me in a Froebel School, a a younger age to school. Creativity and of their allotted time span, will it have kindergarten, when I had just turned four free expression are the curriculum norm. mattered who fed them each meal, who years old. I was not thrilled about the Most of the memories I have of read books to them, who played with idea. As a matter of fact, I was terrified. attending the Froebel School, (and let them and who disciplined them? It is a My oldest sister, who was eleven years me add that it was for half days), are not question we have to answer with the Bible my senior, was given the commission of pleasant. I recall braiding long, colored as our guidebook. walking me down the three long blocks strips of paper into a slotted page. Afraid The strange thing is that I now regret separating our home from the school to ask permission to go to the bathroom, I that I did not spend more time with my which housed my first classroom. My also recall wetting my pants while sitting mother when she was old. I loved her very sister was wearing a red coat and she held in front of a small wooden table in a little much and love usually translates into my hand inside the pocket of the coat. It blue chair. My urine dripped onto the time. must have been cold. When we got to toes of the teacher as she passed through For parents concerned with mortgage the playground which was teeming with the aisle, checking coloring and other and groceries and other bills, the children, she took me to the teacher on crafts. Such an experience as I gave that simple Proverb ‘Trust in the Lord with duty. I believe there was actually only teacher cannot have been inspiring for all your heart and lean not on your one teacher. My sister then said goodbye her. Perhaps she always remembered it as own understanding; in all your ways to me and began to walk away. one of the most horrible moments of her acknowledge Him, and He will make The trouble was, I would not let go of career. In any case, she took me by the your paths straight” is good to hang over the hand still ensconced in the pocket hand to the front of the class and made their lintels. First things should be put of her coat. The more she pulled away, me stand in front of the pot-bellied stove. first. I have never heard God’s people say the tighter I clung – and I had begun Skirts lifted up behind me, she dried that He has forsaken them. RP to cry. Eventually the lining of the me off with a towel. Then she made me

REFORMED PERSPECTIVE / 49 WORK IS WORSHIP Done right, it is an expression of God’s character and beauty

by Darren Bosch

here we sat under the starry simply as a curse, post-Genesis 3. Others they put their head, heart and hands to skies, talking faith, family, fun make a false distinction between what is a form of worship. The same is true for and business. A familiar space. they perceive as the sacred (God), and us. Made in His image, vocation is an TLike many of you, I get to enjoy some the secular (everything else), separating extension of God's work of maintaining nice campfire-convos each summer. Sunday’s worship from Monday’s work. and providing for His creation, bringing But this particular night challenged The problem with these is that these Him glory and enjoying Him. me. It didn’t take long for the business views of work always disappoint. Hundreds of times in the Bible the conversation of this committed Christ- They force us to view God as an evil Hebrew word “avodah” is used to mean follower and marketplace leader to leave taskmaster and you just have to buck-up both “to work” and “to worship.” Our me saddened. “We’ve tried investing in because “that’s your lot in life.” Or, when work is meant to serve God’s purposes people for years, even hired consultants my identity is not a reflection of God’s more than our own, which prevents us to help us! At the end of the day, nothing character and design, that’s because I’m from seeing work as a means to stock works. We’ve just resigned ourselves that choosing to run parts of my life on my up our coffers, set ourselves up for there’s only one reason we’re in business: own, thank you very much. retirement, or just plod away ‘cause it's a to make money. At the root of it, that’s Both these approaches to work will necessary burden. what it’s all about.” leave you banging your head against Simply put, work is worship. The Similarly, a Christian business owner the wall – hungry for something more, Gospel actually gives us new lenses to recently told me the purpose of his because we’ve left God out of the picture. see work through: we actually work for business was to simply retire with a God Himself! Consider Eph. 6: healthy nest egg so that he didn’t have to WORK IS A GIFT worry. It's a familiar business ploy by the Work is God’s gift to us. It’s not a “Slaves, obey your earthly masters great Deceiver. result of the fall into sin. In giving with respect and fear, and with Adam and Eve the job of cultivating sincerity of heart, just as you would SKEWED VIEW and caring for the garden, He not only obey Christ. Obey them not only to See, many Christians hold a decidedly made them the first landscapers, He win their favor when their eye is on skewed image of work. Some view it designed their DNA so that whatever you, but like slaves of Christ, doing

50 / JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2018 “The word glory conveys the idea of beauty. So as we do good work that reflects God’s character graciously, purely, morally, ethically, creatively, and excellently, we unleash his beauty. People see God. Our work is a way to worship God. It has intrinsic value and can demonstrate God’s character when we do good work. Faith and work are to be seamless. Work is an expression of our life in Christ. Separating the two is like separating being from doing. How do you know who you are being without considering what you are doing?” The Canadian Reformed School Society of Edmonton, operating – Dave Gibbons, in Our Souls as Work Parkland Immanuel Christian School, invites applications for the 2018- 2019 school year for the following the will of God from your heart. Serve Col. 3:23 says: “Whatever you do, full-time positions: wholeheartedly, as if you were serving work at it with all your heart, as though the Lord, not people...” you were working for the Lord and SENIOR HIGH SCIENCE not for people.” It’s my prayer that you AND/OR HUMANITIES Now there’s a reason to get out of bed will see your work as significant and in the morning! view that significance in the light of TEACHER (All specializations God’s favor and plan. We are created to welcome to apply) WHY DOES IT MATTER? intimately know God, glorify Him and Martin Luther said that you can milk enjoy Him forever. Let’s do that in our Parkland Immanuel Christian cows to the glory of God. Why? It's work! School operates a reformed K-12 your attitude that says, “God I'm doing school that offers a supportive it for you.” So whether you’re cutting DELIBERATE APPLICATION: school community, competitive flagstone or someone’s hair today, your 1. How does seeing work as a form wages, and a collaborative handiwork, even with imperfection, is of worship change my company’s and professional environment for God’s glory. Your and my work is purpose and values? that encourages and supports an expression of His creativity, because 2. If I begin doing everything "as though excellence in teaching. The school we’re made in His image. That’s a I’m working for the Lord and not for has a population of 360 students calling. That’s worship! people” (myself or others), how would and is experiencing a time of significant increase in enrollment. So why does having the right that change the way I work? understanding of work matter? Because 3. Because God loves business and the Applicants must be a professed it is only when we understand it rightly marketplace, and because we are member in good standing of that we can best use it to: called to imitate God (Eph. 5:1) let’s a Canadian Reformed, United consider, how would Jesus do my job? Reformed, or sister church, and 1. GIVE GOD THE GLORY: a response Which people would He serve? What must have the necessary post- of gratitude for what He did for us would be His vision or S.M.A.R.T secondary qualifications to teach 2. REFLECT HIS CHARACTER: made (or specific, measurable, achievable, in Alberta. in His image, we get to display this to relevant, and time) goals? others 4. When we finish a job, can we say, For further information please 3. SERVE PEOPLE: we are conduits for “Thank you Father, for making me for contact the Principal, Mr. Ken Leffers God’s grace and kingdom to extend this purpose”? Phone: (780) 444-6443 (school) 4. GIVE: we earn so we can to give to (780) 297-8841 (home) others Darren Bosch is a partner at DeliberateU, a [email protected] 5. MEET OUR NEEDS AND INVEST group offering business leadership mentoring OUR TALENTS: by exercising God- for Christian business owners in their Applications should be directed to: given gifts He provides for us workplace, families and communities, with Mr. Wayne de Leeuw the goal of increasing their capacity to grow Chair of Personnel Committee in both faith and business effectiveness. So, the next time you arrive in your c/o Parkland Immanuel Their conviction is that God uniquely uses office, on the plant floor, or at your Christian School the marketplace to extend His kingdom 21304 35 Ave, NW client's site, remember who you are, and purpose – to serve others while growing in then consider what you are doing. Your Edmonton, AB, T6M 2P6 faith, hope and love. You can learn more at [email protected] spiritual life is being expressed through www.deliberateu.com where this article first your work. Your work is worship. It’s life appeared. changing.

REFORMED PERSPECTIVE / 51 What research and the Bible says about: THE SURPRISING SECRETS OF HIGHLY HAPPY MARRIAGES by Annie Kate Aarnouste

arriage is meant to mirror to the conversation. Feldhahn does not do, those in moderately happy or Christ and the church. One offer yet another opinion on what the struggling marriages can improve their can scarcely imagine a higher Bible says but instead gives a research- own relationships, although the most Mcalling than this, yet all marriages based answer: this is what has been troubled couples will likely need other fall far short of the ideal. Thus we shown to work – try it. Not surprisingly, help besides this book. not only misrepresent Christ and the the results of her research mirror what Before we act on anyone’s suggestions church but also experience sadness and the Bible says. about anything, we need to verify that disappointment. they agree with the Bible. Thus this As we all know, the Bible has quite WHAT HAPPY COUPLES discussion of Feldhahn’s research results a few things to say about marriage. DO DIFFERENTLY also notes how, as expected, the truth Unfortunately, both the secular culture Feldhahn and her team, experienced about the happiest couples is in line with and much of the Christian culture researchers, studied almost 1,000 people, biblical principles and admonitions. read the relevant passages through both Christians and non-Christians, to First of all, “A handful of simple day- ideological glasses. This leads to endless understand what the happiest couples to-day actions increases the likelihood controversy but brings about very little did differently. The research showed that our spouse feels that we care deeply improvement to marriages. that there are many “learnable” things about them, instead of feeling that Shaunti Feldhahn’s book, The that can make a big difference in a we don’t.” These are little things, so Surprising Secrets of Highly Happy marriage, regardless of other challenges seemingly insignificant that people are Marriages: The Little Things that Make a couple may be facing. In other words, tempted to shrug them off, but people a Big Difference, is a refreshing addition by learning what the happiest couples who adopt them will have a big impact

52 / JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2018 on their spouse’s happiness. A man Believing that your spouse cares themselves do. The happiest couples tends to be happier if his wife: about you changes everything. It turns keep score, too, but differently. They out that over 95% of people, even in focus on the good things the other • Notices his effort and sincerely thanks difficult marriages, sincerely care about person does and intentionally show him for it. their spouse and want the best for them. gratitude. They also notice and express • Says you did a great job at______. However, in struggling marriages almost more kindness, admiration, respect, and • Mentions in front of others something half think that their spouse does not forgiveness. he did well. care about them. Feldhahn’s research Closely related is that the happiest • Shows that she desires him sexually shows that this is flat wrong. couples actively work to change their and that he pleases her sexually. As mentioned above, there are things negative feelings and responses. This • Makes it clear to him that he makes we can do to help our spouse believe countercultural idea of replacing her happy. they are cared for. On the other hand, unhappy or angry thoughts and actions spouses also need to choose to believe with positive ones, instead of venting, A woman tends to be happier if her the best about each other — that our has an enormous impact on marital husband: spouse does care and that when they happiness. The research is simple: Stop cause hurt it is unintentional. We need focusing on, thinking about, or speaking • Holds her hand. to choose to bear all things, believe about what irritates you; rather, honor • Leaves her a message during the day all things, hope all things, endure all the other person in your thinking and to say he loves and is thinking about things, and to think about things that base your responses on that instead. In her. are true and honorable. A worthwhile fact, if you do and think what is right • Puts his arm around her or lays his sentence to ponder is, “He/she must not instead of what you feel like, then your hand on her knee when they are have known how that would make me feelings will change. Or in the words of a sitting next to each other in public. feel, or he/she wouldn’t have done it.” happy couple, “We have found that when • Tells her sincerely, “You are beautiful.” The research shows this is almost always we act loving, then eventually, wow, we • Pulls himself out of a funk when true. are loving!” he’s morose, grumpy, or upset about The happiest couples not only adjust something instead of withdrawing. EPH. 4:26: “DO NOT LET THE SUN their attitudes, feelings, and opinions, GO DOWN ON YOUR ANGER…” but also adapt their expectations of From a biblical point of view, it is not Another research result, surprising each other. A clear factor in unhappy at all surprising that these powerful, to Feldhahn who is a Christian, is that marriages is a longing for the other gender-specific actions involve respect, while many think the Bible instructs spouse to be or do something that they appreciation, kindness, and caring. The us not to go to bed mad, the happiest find difficult or impossible. happiest couples have also discovered couples often do. Rather than staying up, The happiest spouses, on the other other individual little things that make exhausted, debating until they agree on hand, are grateful for the ways their their spouse feel loved. Usually what a topic, they reconnect (i.e. assure each spouse is able to meet their needs and matters to men are things that make other that the relationship is okay even do not ask for the impossible. In other them feel appreciated, and what matters if they still disagree), put the issue aside words, they do not tell themselves, to women are actions that communicate, until the morning, and go to bed. “If he/she really loved me, he/she “I care about what matters to you.” From A careful reading shows that the would_____.” Closely tied to this, a practical point of view, these things are biblical principle in Eph. 4:26 isn’t about happy couples tell each other what they simple, learnable, and doable and have a delaying bedtime, but involves not need, but struggling couples assume the huge impact on marriages because they allowing anger to drag on. This principle other person can, and should, figure this communicate care in a way the other is part of the lifestyle of the happiest out on their own. person values. couples, whether they are Christian or not. Emotional reconnection, often a TOGETHER TIME personal bit of sign language, needs to be Research shows that “Not only do both initiated and accepted, something happy couples spend time together Believing that that very happy spouses excel at but because they are happy; a big part of the struggling spouses do not practice. reason they are so happy is that they are your spouse cares spending time together.” They prioritize 1 COR. 13:5 “LOVE…KEEPS NO hanging out together and doing things about you changes RECORD OF WRONGS” together even during seasons of travel, In unhappy marriages, spouses tend busyness, or marital difficulty. What everything. to keep score of the bad things the other does this look like? It can involve person does and the good things they romantic dinners, but more often it’s “ REFORMED PERSPECTIVE / 53 Thinking the best of your spouse might be the difference between complaining “You mussed my hair!” and proclaiming “You are a goof and I love you!”

something simpler, like going for a walk, MANY OF THE HAPPIEST COUPLES hold back emotionally, financially, or watching the kids play sports, or carving ARE CHRISTIAN in other unhealthy ways. They do not time out of a busy schedule just to be Feldhahn found that the happiest have a secret stash of money “just in together. The happiest couples all see the couples focus on something greater case,” they are open with each other, other person as their best and closest than their marriages and that many of they trust each other, and they work at friend, a friend they want to stay close to them are Christian. In fact, couples who their marriage. In biblical words, they no matter what, and their actions reflect agree that “God is at the center of our act as though they are one, even though that. marriage” are twice as likely to report the world says that is a dangerous thing Finally, the happiest couples are kind, that they are very happy than others. to do. gentle, and self-controlled in how they Many of the happiest couples worship In most highly happy marriages, talk to each other. Yes, they bring up together, share key values, focus on each spouse credits the other for the all sorts of topics and they are honest serving their spouses instead of being happiness in their marriage, “and they with each other, but they do so without served, look to God for power to be live in regular, conscious gratitude as disrespect and they carefully avoid selfless, and trust God for the outcome. a result.” They are amazed that things hurting each other. What’s more, they They emphasize they do not look to are so good, as this one quote from a are at least as considerate in private as in marriage for fulfillment and meaning, grateful wife sums up, “The fact that I public. “If you wouldn’t say it that way but to God. get to live with him over the course of to a close friend, don’t say it that way to The happiest couples are fully my lifetime is one of the biggest scams your spouse,” seems to sum it up. invested in their marriage and do not I’ve pulled off.” Many spouses feel this way, but the happiest ones make a conscious effort to let the other person know. In most highly happy marriages, So, in a general overview, what do the research results suggest? Although each spouse credits the other for the Feldhahn does not discuss this, the happiness in their marriage… happiest couples tend to be the ones 54 / JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2018 “ Some encouraging know. What’s more, it turns out that even if only one person commits to change, the marriage will benefit. marriage statistics Feldhahn gives ten suggestions for implementing her by Jon Dykstra research results, but the basics are simple: Rely on God, build only one or two new habits at a time, and set up daily In their book, The Good News about reminders so you won’t forget them. Above all, be grateful Marriage: Debunking Discouraging Myths for success and patient with setbacks; in this broken world about Marriage and Divorce authors Shaunti learning godly habits and attitudes is no easy matter. How does this all apply to those who are not merely hoping Feldhahn and Tally Whitehead share the to improve a good marriage but are struggling in a very following encouraging statistics: difficult one? Struggling couples and those who help them can 1. Contrary to what commonly said, the find hope in the statistics shown in the sidebar, especially #4 actual divorce rate has never gotten close which emphasizes that these principles of a happy marriage to 50%. Instead almost 75% of people are are simple and can be learned. It may also help to note #2, still married to their first spouse and some that many of the happiest couples in Feldhahn’s research were of those who aren’t have experienced the deeply unhappy before they learned how marriage works. death of a spouse, not divorce. THE CHANGES ARE HARD 2. Most marriages, about 80% of them, are Do note that, although the principles suggested by the happy. If those who are most unhappy research are simple, they are not easy for anyone, whether stick with it, they rate their marriages as happily married or struggling, to apply. Change is never easy, among the most happy within five years. nor are repentance, apologies, and forgiveness. 3. The rate of divorce in the church is not the The research reminds us that a good marriage requires same as the rate among those who don’t the fruit of the Spirit, love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, attend worship services. In fact, church goodness faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. We not attenders have a 25-50% lower divorce only need to pray for the fruit of the Spirit, but we also need rate. to make every effort to add virtue, godliness, self-control, affection, and more to our faith. 4. Most marriage problems are not caused In other words, we need to live close to God and humbly by big-ticket issues, and simple changes immerse ourselves in his wisdom instead of the world’s. This, can make a big difference. one of the blessings of marriage, brings us closer to God as we Thus the statistics encourage hope about seek to understand how He wants us to live with the spouse marriage, not futility. He has graciously given us. Although all of this is a work of the Holy Spirit, it also involves our deliberate, thoughtful effort, and in the case of struggling couples, it may require outside help. who live according to biblical principles. They accept the Our marriages are important and we need to obey God in fact that marriage means oneness and that divorce is not an them. Feldhahn’s research, reflecting the Bible, helps us make option. They aim to show gratitude, kindness, respect, and wise daily choices about our attitudes and actions that will consideration. They accept the biblical view that feelings simultaneously enhance our representation of Christ and are not the standard by which they must operate but rather the church and increase the joy in our marriages. May God adjust their feelings by adjusting their thoughts and actions. bless us all as we strive to have better marriages to his glory They do not expect happiness and meaning from their spouse and for the benefit of our spouses, children, churches, and but look to God instead. Conversely, research suggests that communities. RP struggling couples are much more likely to be self-centered, seek meaning in their spouse or marriage, have unrealistic For a thorough explanation of expectations, hold back, criticize, avoid each other, be nicer in Feldhahn’s research and results, public than private, and be negative. please read “The Surprising Secrets of Highly Happy Marriages.” THE CHANGES ARE SIMPLE For those who wish to work through The good news in Feldhahn’s research is that, once people these ideas systematically, some know what behaviors and attitudes are good for a marriage, simple worksheets are available at once they understand how biblical principles apply, they can tinyurl.com/AnnieKateWorksheet make an effort to change. They are no longer left wishing they knew what to do in practical, everyday terms. Now they

REFORMED PERSPECTIVE / 55 150+ FREE E-BOOKS WORTH CHECKING OUT by Jon Dykstra

ou’re sure to find some real gems among the books the books on this site are by Piper, there are exceptions, and if it shared below, but due to the sheer number mentioned it isn’t by him, it may not be free. is impossible to vouch for the contents of them all. So (as Yalways) discernment is needed. 31 DAYS OF PURITY The books are divided into three categories based on whether tinyurl.com/31purity you can easily download them, or whether some personal This is a 31-day devotional to encourage and challenge the information might be required, or whether the book has to be Church in regards to sexual purity. Contributors include Tim read online. Challies, David Murray, and Joel Beeke.

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56 / JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2018 SOCIAL JUSTICE: HOW GOOD INTENTIONS Michael Spielman is the founder of Abort73.com, one of the UNDERMINE JUSTICE AND THE GOSPEL most comprehensive pro-life websites on the Internet. And tinyurl.com/BeisnerSJ his Love the Least (A Lot) is one of the most readable, most E. Calvin Beisner is probably best known as the head of motivating, pro-life books you could ever read. the Christian stewardship group the Cornwall Alliance. But before he started speaking on the environment, he researched GOD AND THE GAY CHRISTIAN and wrote a lot on poverty and economics. In this booklet he tinyurl.com/Mohlerresponse outlines how good intentions are not enough. This is a response, by Reformed Baptist leader R. Albert Mohler Jr., to a popular book by Matthew Vines called God and 20+ FROM THE OPC the Gay Christian: The Biblical Case in Support of Same-Sex tinyurl.com/OPCfree Relationships. Interesting books and booklets here, including Ned B. Stonehouse’s J. Gresham Machen: A Biographical Memoir. PARENTING THE INTERNET GENERATION covenanteyes.com/parenting-the-internet-generation DOES THE BIRTH CONTROL This is by Luke Gilkerson, of Covenant Eyes, a Christian PILL CAUSE ABORTIONS? Internet accountability company and his goal with this tinyurl.com/AlcornBCP thoroughly biblical resource is to help equip parents to guide It’s a question that any Christian and protect their children when it comes to all things online. considering the pill needs to look into, and Randy Alcorn gives a READ ONLINE well-supported answer in this free These books are free too, but are only 200-page book. available to be read online, usually one chapter per webpage. ABOLITION OF REASON tinyurl.com/abolitionofreason 29+ CREATIONIST RESOURCES Jonathon Van Maren, Scott Answersingenesis.org/answers/books Klusendorf and other “incrementalist” pro-lifers argue against Answers in Genesis has made a “immediatism.” number of their books such as In Six Days, Old Earth Creationism on Trial MEMOIRS OF AN ORDINARY PASTOR: and In the Beginning was Information THE LIFE AND REFLECTIONS OF TOM CARSON available for free online reading but tinyurl.com/TomCarson you can’t download them. Instead you can read them, chapter Well-known Reformed Baptist pastor D.A. Carson on his by chapter, on their website. unknown, faithful father. EVEN MORE GREAT CREATIONIST BOOKS FALSE MESSAGES: A GUIDE FOR THE GODLY BRIDE Creation.com/books-online challies.com/books-e-books Dr. Jonathan Sarfati’s Refuting Evolution, and Refuting Aileen Challies, wife of the Reformed blogger Tim Challies, Evolution 2 are available for online reading here. has written a booklet for women on a biblical view of sexuality. LETTERS TO A MORMON ELDER DOWNLOAD FOR FREE, BUT EMAIL REQUIRED tinyurl.com/letterstoaMormon These books are free, but getting them will require you to James White’s fantastic resource can be read for free online. give your email address, or create an account, or in some way Be a bit patient – it does seem to take a few moments to load. provide them some information. But these aren’t spammers, so you can always opt out of their email lists. 3 ON JOURNALISM FROM MARVIN OLASKY Worldmag.com/world/olasky 28 BOOKLETS FROM R.C. SPROUL The editor of the Christian WORLD magazine has written 3 freeRC.notlong.com books on the media and how Christians should read the news RC Sproul has a series of 28 booklets and write it. Telling the Truth is fantastic! RP in his "Crucial Questions" series that tackle topics like Can I Know God's A longer version of this article is available online at Will? and Who is the Holy Spirit? ReformedPerspective.ca with clickable links under the same title. If you know of any more great free e-books, please let the editor know at LOVE THE LEAST (A LOT) [email protected] Abort73.com/gear/books

REFORMED PERSPECTIVE / 57 BOOKS ON CREATION VS. EVOLUTION BY DESIGN: EVIDENCE FOR…THE NO ADAM, NO GOSPEL: ADAM AND GOD OF THE BIBLE THE FACES OF ORIGINS THE HISTORY OF REDEMPTION BY JONATHAN SARFATI BY DAVID HERBERT BY RICHARD B. GAFFIN JR. 260 PAGES / 2008 180 PAGES / 2012 29 PAGES / 2015

The Bible tells us that God’s “invisible It’s often said that new scientific More and more professing Christians are attributes, namely, his eternal power knowledge has made it impossible to accepting scientific theory that suggests and divine nature, have been clearly continue to accept the truth of the that man-like mammals (hominids) perceived, ever since the creation of Genesis creation account, that this new preceded the coming of Adam by the world, in the things that have been knowledge meant scientists had no millions of years. Biologos, a well-funded made, so they are without excuse” (Rom choice but to accept evolution. organization, is also pushing evolution 1:20). One implication of these words Herbert challenges this narrative. He using scholars who have a conservative is that scientists who study creation says it wasn’t the new knowledge, but a reputation to convince people to accept must be able to see something of God’s new worldview that led to the rejection evolution. But what does affirming awesome power and wisdom. Yet, most of the Genesis creation account. Western evolutionary origins of the human race mainstream scientists steadfastly refuse civilization left a worldview based on do to the gospel? Can you affirm that to give glory to God and instead seek biblical revelation, where God was Adam was not historically the first human to honour the god of their making, the actively involved in history, and instead on earth without jeopardizing the Good theory of evolution, to account for the embraced a naturalistic worldview based News? Professor Gaffin clearly shows that wonders of creation. only on reason. Naturalism believes that This delightful book illustrates natural processes alone are sufficient to “the truth of the gospel stands or falls magnificently how God’s glory can account for life and creation. with the historicity of Adam as the first indeed be seen in his handiwork. God’s Herbert shows that for eighteen human being from whom all other design is evident everywhere and it all centuries a biblical understanding of human beings descend.” argues against evolution. For example, origins had the upper hand. Real change God has put an incredible amount came during the seventeenth century. After clearly explaining Romans 5:12-19 of information in creation to enable Indeed, BenoÎt de Maillet (1656-1738) and 1 Corinthians 15:21-22, 45-49, Gaffin everything to work properly. “There is was the first modern uniformitarian and responds to The Evolution of Adam, a enough information capacity in a single evolutionist. book written by a popular Old Testament human cell to store the Encyclopaedia Once scientific findings were scholar, Peter Enns. Gaffin shows how Britannica, all 30 volumes of it, three or interpreted without God, through the the views of Enns lead to a complete four times over.” lens of naturalism, evolution became the abandonment of the Reformed faith in its This book is chock-full of all sorts of most popular explanation of our origins. biblical understanding of sin, salvation, and examples of God’s wonderful design, This in spite of the fact that the empirical death. Indeed, no Adam, no gospel! The including the incredible designs evidence points to design and not results of accepting evolution theory are allowing sight, smell, flight, orientation, evolution. The price of excluding God disastrous for the Christian faith. and stickiness. Critics are answered and and denying Genesis is high. It has led to Although a small publication, this God’s wisdom is celebrated. a resurgence of atheism. booklet is timely and packed with excellent This book is a great and easy read. biblical insights. I highly recommend it. – CORNELIS VAN DAM – CORNELIS VAN DAM – CORNELIS VAN DAM 58 / JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2018 ALIEN INTRUSION: UFOS AND UNDERSTANDING GENESIS: THE EVOLUTION CONNECTION HOW TO ANALYZE, INTERPRET, BY GARY BATES AND DEFEND SCRIPTURE 2004 / 382 PAGES BY JASON LISLE 496 PAGES / 2015 Are people actually being abducted by aliens? That’s the question being asked by this book…and the recently released documentary based on it. The author is Christian, so you might expect he’d answer with an emphatic “no” but Gary Bates response could best be summarized as, “sort of.” The way the book is structured, Alien Intrusion could be given to anyone, Christian or not. The cover and first few chapters hardly give a hint that this is a Christian book since, initially, it seems to be making a case for UFO’s and aliens. Bates notes that millions of people, including a past president of the United States, claim to have seen a UFO, and he discusses how many popular TV shows, likes Star Building on his The Ultimate Proof of Trek and various science fiction movies like 2001: A Space Odyssey Creation (2009), Jason Lisle, who has assume that aliens are somewhere out there. a doctorate in astrophysics, goes into But after delving into what people think about aliens and UFOs, the considerable detail in outlining the rules author then begins, step by step, to explain why aliens could not possibly and principles for correctly interpreting be visiting us from other planets. Most of the reasons are simply practical God’s Word. He wants to logically – the distances are too far and the energy needed simply too immense. refute faulty interpretations of Genesis Despite the fact that it is physically impossible for aliens to be visiting and equip Christians to defend God’s us, the author doesn’t believe that every story of alien abduction is simply Word against compromised positions, a lie or a delusion. After debunking many famous “UFOlogists” Bates especially with respect to Genesis. notes that there are still too many ordinary folks making abduction claims These concerns take up the first half of – people who have nothing to gain, and personal credibility to lose – to the book. simply dismiss the phenomenon altogether. The second part of the book goes This is where the book starts to become clearly Christian. The author into considerable detail in applying argues that it is only now that our world has embraced evolution (and sound principles of interpretation to the dismissed God) that UFO sightings have become so prevalent. There is matter of geocentricity, the age of the also a strong correlation between UFO belief and occult experimentation earth, theistic evolution, and the extent – many of the more famous “UFOlogists” have also dabbled in the “dark of the Genesis flood. Two appendices arts.” It is worth noting, too, that the messages that the “aliens” pass on on a defense of the Trinity and formal are often direct attacks on the Bible, portraying Jesus not as the Son of fallacies round off the book. God, but merely as some advanced alien. Lisle’s approach is sound and he does So are people being abducted by aliens? Bates argues that while some an excellent job in fleshing out how people may indeed be having these encounters it is not with aliens but to interpret Scripture. He resists the rather with demons masquerading as extraterrestrials. temptation which earlier creationists I’ve not yet seen the 2018 documentary of the same name, but the like Henry Morris fell into by claiming trailer looks promising. I suspect that it follows the same sort of format, that the Bible is a scientific textbook, first presenting the evidence for an alien intrusion, before then explaining so this book appears to be a significant why it just isn’t so. improvement in the manner in which As for the book, it is fantastic, and a great gift for anyone interested in the Bible Is used. Lisle rightly prioritizes science fiction. Bates employs a solid Christian worldview to separate the Scripture over scientific theories and fact from the fiction. through careful exegesis wants to let the Word of God speak. – Jon Dykstra This is a very helpful book.

- CORNELIS VAN DAM

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