In Holy Service

In Holy Service covers a wide range of interesting and practical topics which can help to answer questions such as: what does it mean to be a believer and share in Christ’s anointing? What is the place and calling of a woman as a single person, as married, as a member of the church? How can she best use her gifts? What exactly is the calling of a minister of the gospel? What do his duties entail? What about the office of elder? How is our secular age similar to what the early Christian church experienced? How can we learn from their example? And much more can be found in this book.

Worship Matters

In Worship Matters, Dr. Cornelis Van Dam explores the foundations of worship including the whom, why, where, when and how of worship.

In the Beginning: Listening to Genesis 1 and 2

Concerned with an apparent shift among conservative scholars to answer in the negative, Cornelis Van Dam argues that reading Genesis 1 and 2 as history is not only justified but necessary. Van Dam clarifies the different roles that ancient Near Eastern literature and scientific theories should play in our understanding of the Bible as he carefully deals with the exegetical details of the first two chapters of the Bible.

Your Word is Our Light: Celebrating Fifty Years of the Canadian Reformed Theological Seminary

This commemorative book not only relates the reason for and the history of the seminary but also gives an insight into how this institution functions and strives to excel.

Antoine de Chandieu: The Silver Horn of Geneva's Reformed Triumvirate

Offering the first study in any language dedicated to the influential theological publications of Antoine de Chandieu (1534–1591), Van Raalte begins by recalling Chandieu's reputation as it stood at the death of Theodore Beza in 1605. Poets in Geneva mourned the end of an era of star theologians, reminiscing about Geneva’s Reformed triumvirate of gold, silver, and bronze: gold represented Calvin (d. 1564); silver Chandieu (d. 1591); and bronze Beza (d. 1605). Van Raalte's work sets Chandieu within the context of Reformed theology in Geneva, the wider history of scholastic method in the Swiss cantons, and the gripping social and political milieux of this tumultuous time. Chandieu was far from a mere ivory-tower theologian: as a member of French nobility in possession of many estates in France, he and his family acutely experienced the misery and triumph of the French Huguenots during the Wars of Religion. Connected to royalty from at least the beginning of his career, Chandieu later served the future Henry IV as personal military chaplain and cryptographer. His writings range from religious poetry (put to music by others in his own lifetime) to carefully crafted disputations that saw publication in his posthumous Opera Theologica in five editions between 1592 and 1620. Van Raalte argues that Chandieu utilized scholastic method in theology for the sake of clarity of argument, rootedness in Scripture, and certainty of faith.

The Bond of the Covenant within the Bounds of the Confessions: : A Conversation Between the URCNA and CanRC

This book records the written and oral debate of several seminary professors of Reformed Protestant persuasion. In it they discuss the contours and details of the theology of the covenant as it has developed particularly in the Canadian Reformed and United Reformed Churches of North America, in an effort to promote church unity. Co-edited with John A. Bouwers.

Children and the Church: "Do not Hinder Them"

What position should the children of believers have in the church today? And how should this affect the ways in which we nurture them? The authors of this volume share the conviction that children of believers belong to God, and thus ought to be baptized and treated as members of the church, wherein they are called to faith and obedience along with the adults. The contributions in this volume substantiate this foundational conviction through investigations in Scripture and history, and make it clear that the matter of children in the church remains a pressing concern, worthy of our continued attention and energy.

The Deacon: Biblical Foundations for Today’s Ministry of Mercy

The office of deacon is God’s gift to his church to ensure that all can share in the liberating joy of redemption, but today it is often undervalued, misunderstood, and perceived to be of little importance. In The Deacon, the author considers the Old Testament background for this calling, the deacon in New Testament times and in church history, and the current function of the office. You will rediscover the high and privileged calling of deacons and come to a better understanding of what God requires of them.

Hope and Comfort in the Book of Job

Struggling Christians are often drawn to the book of Job, which relates how a suffering child of God wrestled with the problems that threatened to overwhelm his life. We can easily relate to Job’s distress and questions. But what is the main teaching of this part of God’s Word? These sermons show that the focus of the book of Job is on God’s faithfulness to his work of renewal in spite of satanic attacks and human stumbling. This gospel is the true source of hope and comfort for all who experience earthly trials. This book can be used for personal enrichment and encouragement, as a study guide with questions included, or for public worship with liturgy provide.

Growing in the Gospel: Sound Doctrine for Daily Living

Do you want to delve into the riches of the gospel more deeply and live out of them more consistently? This three-volume set explores the central truths of Scripture so that those who are already familiar with the basics of the Christian faith continue to grow in understanding the height, breadth, and depth of God's Holy Word. At the same time, our God gave us sound doctrine for daily living. Thus, each chapter draws connections to everyday life as it is experienced by moms and dads, teens and young adults, married and unmarried, as well as people who are healthy, sick, happy, and distressed--in short, real people living real lives in a really broken world.

Author: J. Van Vliet. Publisher: Lucerna: CRTS Publications, 2016. ISBN 9780994805935

As You See the Day Approaching

We are in the last days. Living well in such a time depends upon believing that Christ has conquered sin and death and is ruling today, alive at God's right hand. These essays on the end time will help Christians live like people who really have eternal life already--the life of the Spirit of Christ who lives and moves in both Christ and Christians.

Editor: T. G. Van Raalte. Publisher: Pickwick/CRTS Lucerna Publications, 2016. ISBN: 9781498234061

Correctly Handling the Word of Truth

How should the Word of God be interpreted and applied today? In this volume, no less than sixteen Reformed scholars from four different countries join together to tackle the hard questions that often arise when we busy ourselves with the weighty responsibility of interpreting Holy Scripture. As iron sharpens iron, so also these Reformed scholars challenge each other and their readers to ask not only how hermeneutics can be done, but ultimately, how it should be done so that God's Word of Truth may be handled correctly (2 Tim 2:15).

Editor: M. te Velde, G.H. Visscher. Publisher: Wipf and Stock, 2014. ISBN 9781625649119

God and Government

This book addresses such fundamental issues through the eyes of Scripture and against the backdrop of North America's dual heritage of Christianity and humanism. Government, politics, and the Bible do not seem like a good mix. But as this book aims to show, the Bible has much wisdom to teach us about the place and role of government and its citizens.

Author: C. Van Dam. Publisher: Wipf and Stock, 2011. ISBN 9781610973267

Living Waters from Ancient Springs: Essays in Honor of Cornelis Van Dam

Which fountains of wisdom, which never-failing streams, which wells of joy-filled salvation are we missing out on, if we neglect the Old Testament? In this celebratory volume, fifteen scholars collaborate to explain diverse aspects of the Christian life, with a special focus on drawing lines from the Old Testament.

Editor: J. Van Vliet. Publisher: Pickwick Publications, 2011. ISBN 9781608999491

Early French Reform: The Theology and Spirituality of Guillaume Farel

Offering both a scholarly overview of Farel's life and access to his own words, this book demonstrates the importance of Farel to the Reformation. It will be welcomed not only by scholars engaged in research on French reform movements, but also by students of history, theology, or literature wishing to read some of the earliest theological texts originally written in French.

Authors: T.G. Van Raalte and J. Zuidema. Publisher: Ashgate, 2011. ISBN 9781409418849

Teaching and Preaching the Word

With this collection, some of the most important studies of Dr. N.H. Gootjes are made available to a wider readership. The topics covered remain as relevant as ever: creation and general revelation, the birth and work of Christ, the work of the Holy Spirit, the Reformed Confessions, sacraments, and preaching.

Author: N.H. Gootjes. Publisher: Premier Publishing, 2010. ISBN 9780887560989

Translated Hallelujahs: A Linguistic and Exegetical Commentary on Select Septuagint Psalms

This book explores the meaning of five psalms in the Septuagint version (Pss 104, 105, 110, 111, 112), not as interpreted in later reception history but as originally intended by the translator. The author retraces the translator's path, accounting for translation choices by comparing the Greek with its Hebrew source, and measuring the impact of the translator's decisions upon the profile of the Psalter, such as the effect of semantic shifts and the extent to which Hebrew poetic features, lexical links, and Pentateuchal intertextuality have been lost or preserved.

Author: J. Smith. Publisher: Peeters, 2011. ISBN 9789042923843

Children of God: the Imago Dei in John Calvin and His Context

Jason Van Vliet examines Calvin's explanation of the image of God within the times and ecclesiastical circumstances in which he lived. He aims at giving a satisfactory answer to the question of whether Calvin's teaching on this subject can be considered one of the stronger or weaker points of his reformatory work.

Author: J. Van Vliet. Publisher: Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht, 2009. ISBN 9783525569184

Prayers of the Saints

A collection of fourteen congregational prayers that can be used by ministers and elders in the worship service. It also includes an appendix with helpful guidelines on how to lead the congregation in prayer.

Author: J. Smith Publisher: Reformed Guardian, 2010.

Romans 4 and the New Perspective on Paul: Faith Embraces the Promise

As the vigorous debate over the New Perspective on Paul will only be decided by means of careful consideration of the relevant Scripture passages, this book makes a significant contribution to the discussion. Interpretations by scholars promoting the New Perspective approach are reviewed in detail and contrasted with those of scholars who are critical toward this method. A detailed analysis of the context and exegesis of Romans 4 completes the work. By suggesting a more nuanced exegesis of Romans 4, this book is able to offer a careful critique of the New Perspective while still noting the positive aspects of this approach.

Author: G.H. Visscher. Publisher: Peter Lang, 2009. ISBN 9781433105371

The Elder: Today's Ministry Rooted in All of Scripture

To rediscover God’s gift of eldership for the church today, we need to go back beyond the New Testament to the origins of the office of elder in ancient Israel. There we discover the enduring principles that guided the elder in antiquity—and that guide the church today. In this book you will develop a renewed understanding of the office of elder and of godly discipline.

Author: C. Van Dam. Publisher: P&R Publishing, 2009. ISBN: 9781596381414

Evangelism

This small volume contains a collection of speeches that arose out of the Western Australian Evangelism Convention in Rockingham, held on May 18 and 19, 2007.

Author: J. Smith. Publisher: Reformed Guardian, 2008.

The Belgic Confession: Its History and Sources

The Belgic Confession is one of the most important and oldest doctrinal statements of the Reformed churches. Written in 1561, it became a confession of Protestant believers in the Netherlands in the face of persecution from the Roman Catholic government. Despite its importance, there has been no comprehensive study on the history and background of this confession in English—until now. In this volume, Nicolaas Gootjes explores several key aspects of the confession, including its early history, authorship, authority, translation, revision, and relationship to Calvin and Beza. It is a valuable contribution to the field of Reformation studies.

Author: N.H. Gootjes. Publisher: Baker Publishing Group, 2007. ISBN 9780801032356

Treasures New and Old: Exploring the Riches of Scripture

Dr. J. De Jong’s passion was to search the Scriptures and to bring its treasures, both new and old, to the attention of God’s people. With his insights into God’s Word he was able to encourage, instruct, and comfort many when his meditations were first published in the Clarion magazine. His work retains its value and can be used for personal Bible study and devotions as well as for group study into God’s Word.

Author: J. De Jong. Editor: C. Van Dam. Publisher: Premier Publishing, 2004. ISBN 0887560857

Perspectives on Worship, Law and Faith: The Old Testament Speaks Today

The principles underlying the laws respecting worship, clean and unclean, and the care of the poor and needy are as applicable today as they were back then. God’s Word includes the Old Testament laws and their message still needs to be heard. The purpose of these lectures is to show something of the truth and substance of the gospel that is embedded in the Old Testament laws and to help sensitise us to the fact that the New Testament gospel has its basis in the Old Covenant.

Author: C. Van Dam. Publisher: Pro Ecclesia, 2000.

Fathers and Mothers at Home and at School

This short volume explores the role that parents should play in the education of their children, as well as the importance of a close working relationship between parents and Christian schools.

Author: C. Van Dam. Publisher: Reformed Guardian, 2000. Available for purchase from Pro Ecclesia.

Credo: An Overview of the Church's Confession as summarized in the Three Forms of Unity

“What do you believe about God? About salvation and redemption? About the Ten Commandments?” These are the kinds of questions young people are confronted with in today’s climate of religious pluralism. This book—originally designed as a course for public profession of faith classes—has been structured to help young people answer these questions and to confirm them in their own faith. It presents an overview of the continental Reformed confessions known as the Three Forms of Unity: the Heidelberg Catechism, the Belgic Confession, and the Canons of Dort.

Author: J. De Jong. Publisher: Premier Publishing, 1997. ISBN 0887560687.

The Urim and Thummim: A Means of Revelation in Ancient Israel

This is the first exhaustive study of the Urim and Thummim since 1824, and in this book Professor Van Dam investigates all of the biblical data concerning them and their connection to the phrase "to inquire of Yahweh / God" in the historical books. He traces the use of the Urim and Thummim from the time of Joshua through the early monarchy under David and describes its apparent disappearance by the time of the classical prophets, where a shift to primarily verbal oracles occurs.

Author: C. Van Dam. Publisher: Eisenbrauns, 1997. ISBN 9780931464836

Divorce and Remarriage in the Light of Old Testament Principles and Their Application in the New Testament

Divorce and remarriage are not pleasant topics. The beautiful institution of marriage is under siege in our day. The result is that also in Reformed circles the subject needs to be discussed more and more. The questions that come up raise sensitive and emotional issues. This publication is a look at what Scripture says on the topic. Highly recommended for office bearers and also very useful as a guide for Bible discussion groups.

Author: C. Van Dam. Publisher: Premier Publishing, 1996. ISBN 0887560644

Always Obedient

In this compact volume, seven contributors examine Klaas Schilder's life and his thought regarding five crucial topics: revelation, covenant, culture, church, and heaven.

Editor: J. Geertsema. Publisher: P&R Publishing, 1995. ISBN 9780875522394

Bound Yet Free: Readings in Reformed Church Polity

The aim of this book is to set forth the Scriptural principles of Reformed church polity. The articles will assist churches grappling with the issues of independence and hierarchical government to implement patterns of church government that model Biblical teaching.

Editor: J. De Jong. Publisher: Premier Publishing, 1995. ISBN 088756061X

Both in Life and in Death

The topic of euthanasia is current and much debated. Does suffering serve a function? Are we to preserve life at all costs and resist death in all situations? Is death a natural consequence of life or is it foreign to human life? Are we to be active or passive with respect to life? These are some of the questions raised when confronted with our human frailty. In this booklet, Dr. Gootjes offers an overview of this topic.

Author: N.H. Gootjes. Publisher: Inter-league Publication Board, 1994. ISBN 9780886660451

Fulfil Your Ministry

A series of twenty-two articles for ministers of the Word and for all who have to fulfil their service before God. The diverse selection of topics covered include: the responsibilities of parents, Reformed liturgy, preaching, mission, and church government.

Author: K. Deddens. Publisher: Premier Publishing, 1990. ISBN 0887560482

Unity in Diversity

A collection of essays by ten different contributors presented to Jelle Faber at 20th Anniversary Meeting of the Theological Seminary on September 8, 1989.

Editor: R. Faber. Publisher: Senate of the Theological College, 1989.

Zechariah's Night Visions: 6 Outlines

The night visions of Zechariah show us how the Lord remembers His church in a time of reconstruction and restoration after the dark years in exile.

Author: K. Deddens. Publisher: Premier Publishing,1988. ISBN 0887560415