Some News from Our Theological School

The instruction at our theological school commenced on Wednesday, August 24, in its own classroom and library located at the Beckwith, Grand Rapids church. As is customary, the school year was opened by a member of the Curatorium. Rev. Adams and Rev. Bazen were present, and this year Rev. Bazen opened with a meditation from Isaiah 41, especially from verse 10. He noted how this text had been a personal encouragement for him when facing the mountains of impossibilities in his first year as a student. It was his wish that the present-day students might also experience this in the coming year.

A special prayer is found in Psalm 51:18, “Do good in Thy good pleasure unto Zion: build Thou the walls of Jerusalem.”

It is again the time that the new school year is beginning, and the instruction of the students will resume. This prayer for Zion is a fitting petition for the new season, for all of the labors in the schools and the churches. It is also a fitting prayer for our theological school. In this prayer the poet prays for Zion:

1. This hill is chosen by God to be His dwelling place. “This is My rest forever” (Psalm 132:14).

2. Zion is loved by Him. “The LORD loveth the gates of Zion more than all the dwellings of Jacob” (Psalm 87:2).

3. Zion was obtained by David. “Nevertheless David took the strong hold of Zion: the same is the city of David” (2 Samuel 5:7).

4. Zion is founded by God. “What shall one then answer the messengers of the nations? That the LORD hath founded Zion, and the poor of His people shall trust in it” (Isaiah 14:32).

5. The Lord has promised to give peace and rest unto Zion. “Look upon Zion, the city of our solemnities: thine eyes shall see Jerusalem a quiet habitation” (Isaiah 33:20).

6. Zion is privileged because the Lord dwells in her and He is her King and Lawgiver. “This is My rest forever: here will I dwell; for I have desired it” (Psalm 132:14).

The poet prays, “Do good unto Zion.” The Lord does good to her if there is peace among them; if there is light in the city, that is, the light of knowledge and instruction. He does good to her if the enemies have to remain outside of the city, also when treasures are brought in and there is prosperity and plenty of food. He does good to her when there is an increase in her numbers as we read in Psalm 87:5, “And of Zion it shall be said, This man and that man was born in her.” The pleading ground of all of these things is, “Do good in Thy good pleasure,” that is, according to Thy favor, Thy free and rich mercy, and Thy gracious promise and purpose. God’s good pleasure is His free and incomprehensible love.

May there be, also in our congregations and among our members, prayer, pleading upon God’s promises for our theological school for both students and instructors. Our only expectation is from Him who giveth to all men liberally and upbraideth not (James 1:5).

Our theological school had its humble beginnings in the early 1980s when the students J. Spaans and J. den Hoed were taught by Rev. A. Vergunst and, after his death, by Rev. Lamain and Rev. den Boer. In 1986 the school moved to St. Catharines, with part of the instruction given in Grand Rapids. After Rev. Vogelaar accepted the call to Franklin Lakes, the students Bazen and Vergunst were also taught there. In 1996 when Rev. Vogelaar accepted the call to Beckwith, the students den Hollander, Verhoef, and Hofman moved with him to Grand Rapids.

A few years later the Curatorium made the decision that from then on the school would be located only in Grand Rapids, and the instructors would travel there as necessary. A library and classroom have been made available in the church building of the Beckwith Church. At the present time there are four students, three of whom may go out weekly to speak an edifying word in the congregations. Before doing this, the students practice speaking to each other and the instructors as well as to the consistories of the Beckwith and Covell congregations. That is presently being done by the second-year student.

These trial sermons, as we call them, are sometimes difficult for the students, but they are necessary and hopefully profitable. The lessons at the theological school are given by Rev. Van Ruitenburg, Rev. Verhoef, and Rev. Vogelaar. When Rev. Vogelaar takes up the shepherd’s staff in Clifton, it means that all of the instructors will spend a considerable time traveling.

Rev. Verhoef had been scheduled to give the opening lessons, but he was prevented from attending because of travel restrictions. Rev. Van Ruitenburg then opened the year with a lesson on an exegetical subject from Hebrews 13.

Prayers

The Lord has brought us hitherto; without Him we can do nothing; therefore, may the labors at our theological school have a place in the prayers of those who have been taught to pray. What a privilege it is when the Lord gives such beggars and supplicants for His church, those who are not quick and eager to point to the shortcomings of others (of office bearers, also) but who may plead with the Lord to build His church, also out of the coming generation of our dear youth. We need Aarons and Hurs who may support the labors in the churches and our school by humble prayers for Zion. This Zion is His cause, His own work. From us there is no expectation. May our only hope be in the faithfulness and power of the exalted Christ. In His work He will be glorified. p

Deze tekst is geautomatiseerd gemaakt en kan nog fouten bevatten. Digibron werkt voortdurend aan correctie. Klik voor het origineel door naar de pdf. Voor opmerkingen, vragen, informatie: contact.

Op Digibron -en alle daarin opgenomen content- is het databankrecht van toepassing. Gebruiksvoorwaarden. Data protection law applies to Digibron and the content of this database. Terms of use.

Terug naar resultaten Printen