This excellent booklet presents the Reformed and Presbyterian position on baptism by setting forth the various passages of Scripture dealing with this important and controversial subject. It is essentially a detailed Bible study, though the writer has drawn on a number of commentators and theologians. After considering the meaning of baptism, the main part is a thorough examination of the texts relating to mode. Not one clear example of baptism by immersion is found in the New Testament. Indeed, the circumstances of text after text point to affusion or aspersion as the only possible way in which baptism could have been administered. This conclusion is strengthened by the fact that the baptism of the Holy Spirit is spoken of in terms of coming from above in pouring, and that affusions and aspersions are frequent in the Old Testament. Baptism: Meaning, Mode and Subjects concludes with a brief treatment of the covenant position of believers’ children.

Baptism: Meaning, Mode & Subjects, by Michael Kimmitt. 48 pages. [Reviewed by David J. Engelsma]

In six, brief chapters, this booklet treats of baptism’s meaning, mode, and subjects, as well as three main objections against infant baptism and certain implications of the study.

The short study of the biblical doctrine of baptism is especially helpful regarding the mode of baptism, whether immersion or some other mode, e.g., sprinkling. Mr. Kimmitt takes a “scientific approach” to the subject, examining all of the references to baptism in the New Testament, in order then to draw the conclusion demanded by the evidence. His study shows that not only is there a complete lack of evidence in the New Testament for the dogma of immersion, but also in most of the instances of baptism immersion is improbable and often impossible. “… there is not a single certain case of immersion in the New Testament and that the probability in case after case is that Baptism was administered by sprinkling or pouring” (p. 33).

This bears, of course, on the issue of the baptism of the infants of godly parents, since immersion rules out the baptism of infants.

A scientist himself, Mr. Kimmitt has the scientist’s appreciation for mathematics: “Mathematics is a marvellous science; the one exact science we have” (p. 15). A theologian may be forgiven for demurring at this point. Nevertheless, Kimmitt intriguingly employs mathematics in the service of demonstrating that John the Baptist could not have immersed all those who came to him (pp. 14, 15).

Brief as it is, the chapter on the subjects of baptism is also very good both to confirm the faith of the Reformed Christian that infants of believers are to be baptized and to reprove the Baptist of his sin of excluding the children of the godly from the covenant and church of God.

The author carries on a controversy against the Baptists with a good spirit. But he does not minimize the seriousness of the issue: “… we invite them (all Baptists—DJE) to abandon their schismatical divisions and return to the Reformed Faith” (p. 33).

There is the greatest need for such a witness to the truth of infant baptism in the British Isles. Those with some reputation for Calvinism—the “Calvinistic Baptists”—deny infant baptism altogether, thus forfeiting the right to the name “Reformed.” Ian Paisley’s Free Presbyterian Church of Ulster has all but abandoned infant baptism, thus making a mockery of its own name. And, of course, the Anglican Church has turned infant baptism into the superstition of “christening.”

This booklet can be read on-line.

This booklet can be read on-line in Dutch, Italian and Polish. An excerpt of this booklet can also be read in Portuguese.

Come, Ye Children had gone out of print because of its popularity with our readers. A reprint with a durable cover was done so that children who grew up with this book may order copies to read to their children after a meal or at bedtime. Now it has been reprinted again. Come, Ye Children has been a favourite for over twenty years! The author recommends it especially for children ages 4-8. In truth, anyone new to Bible history can learn from it! A Christian school teacher and gifted storyteller, the author tells 198 Bible stories from Genesis to Acts with a biblical, covenantal interpretation in language easily understood by young children. Each story is true to Scripture and includes a thought to remember and an illustrative drawing. The author echoes David’s sentiment: “Come, ye children, hearken unto me: I will teach you the fear of the Lord.”

“To be clear, this is not a Bible. It’s a storybook that covers the stories in the Bible. This book does not shy away from the uncommon stories that you typically won’t find in a children’s storybook … [It] also has the ‘main’ ones (creation, Noah, Abraham, etc.). The truth is clear and presented nicely with the important details being highlighted. It’s a quick easy read with each story being about a page and a half. Perfect for morning or dinner devotionals … This book is great for children ages 3–10 years old. I love how thorough it is.”—an Amazon.com customer

Read a chapter of this book in Tagalog.

Many books concerning the place of women in the kingdom of God are negative. Women may not preach; women may not be elders; women may not be deacons. This book, however, seeks to do more than affirm that women are excluded from the special offices of the church. Their positive contribution, a vital one, an indispensable one is set forth.

Far Above Rubies extols God-fearing women and underlines their importance. Without godly and pious women the Church could not survive. Infected by feminism, many in the professing church-world view the work of the home as “an intolerable bore” (p. 136).  However, as the book points out, “the Scriptures do not present it that way. The Scriptures speak rather of the fact that there are few, if any, callings in all of life that are more noble than the calling [of] Christian mothers” (p. 136). Bringing forth children was the hope of Old Testament women, because they believed that the Seed of the women (Gen. 3:15) would bring salvation: they longed to bring forth the Christ. That is why women like Jehosheba (II Chron. 22:11) risked life-and-limb to save the seed royal during the dark days of godless Athaliah; that is why Hannah poured out her heart for a son during the apostate days of the judges (I Sam. 1:11). New Testament women bring forth the church, future members of Christ’s body.

One contributor describes the role of covenant mothers as “shaking Satan’s kingdom” because “there is no sound more grating to the ears of Satan than the groans of mothers bringing forth the true Israel. In that cry he does not gloat. Who knows what these little ones will grow up to be and how they will withstand his kingdom!” (p. 80).

Feminists claim that Christians and the Bible are “against” women, because the Bible does not allow women to hold special offices in the Church. Far Above Rubies demonstrates that only the biblical position is for women’: “the Bible has the woman’s own best interests in view, and prescribes what is best for the woman herself” (p. 158).  Office-bearers are not lords over God’s people (I Pet. 5:3), rather “to occupy a place of authority means very, very simply that you be a slave to God’s people, the lowliest of slaves to God’s people” (p. 133) so the idea that forbidding women office is to treat them as inferiors is mistaken. Another contributor reminds us that the Bible is “very concerned to guard against the headship of the man being interpreted to justify a harsh, tyrannical, domineering rule of the man over the woman” (p. 159).  Facing the objections head-on, he dismisses as ridiculous and a mere emotional appeal the argument that not to ordain women is to waste their gifts, and he issues this challenge to those who believe the Bible is culturally-conditioned: “Do you suppose for one minute that the Lord Jesus would allow Himself to be pressured by the cultural situation of His day? Did He ever cave in to the prejudices and wrongs of the culture of His day?” (p. 169)  Such a rhetorical question ought to silence all objection.  At stake is the doctrine of Scripture.

There is also practical advice on finding a godly woman and maintaining a godly marriage: “Young men even in the church often look only for a woman with physical attractiveness and charm. And if a girl lacks what the advertisers are looking for in a ‘cover girl’, even if she is marked by godliness and the fear of the Lord, then many young men in the church look away from her. Who is looking for a virtuous woman? I warn you, if you look for less, then the Lord may well give you what you are looking for, and you can spend a life-time learning that ‘favour is deceitful and beauty is vain.’ How many men are there, even in the church, whose lives are a little bit like hell, because God gave them that pretty she-devil that they were seeking?” (p. 8).  This is the stark warning to young men in the church.

The daughters of Sarah, therefore, ought not to envy the godless women of the world, for “generally speaking there has never been a more troubled, dissatisfied, unhappy and ungodly woman than the modern emancipated American woman” (p. 66), writes one contributor. Rather they ought to find satisfaction and fulfilment in their God-given role. The Proverb says of the virtuous woman, “Her children rise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her” (31:28). Thus this book will also encourage the men of the church to bless God for their godly wives, mothers and sisters.

REVIEW

Far Above Rubies: Today’s Virtuous Woman, edited by Herman Hanko; Reformed Free Publishing Association, 1992; 187 pp., paperwork. [Reviewed by Rev. Dale H. Kuiper.]

The1atest offering of the RFPA is a compilation of eleven sermons, speeches, pamphlets, and magazine articles by five ministers and three professors from the Protestant Reformed Churches. Editor Hanko has also included four articles of charming simplicity by Abraham Kuyper from his popular book, When Thou Sittest in Thine House. As the subtitle of the book indicates, the subject of all this writing is the woman, more particularly, today’s “virtuous woman.”

Several words come to mind as one reads through these chapters: timely, biblical, consistent, practical, and positive. Timely because the place of the woman in marriage, the home, the church, and society needs definition today. Biblical because only God may, can, and does define these important roles. Consistency is itself a ruby because it is rare that across a denomination and its seminary a unified, certain sound is sent forth. The great need is for the practical application of the Scriptural givens, so that a woman’s daily problems are addressed and she knows where to turn and how to behave. Believing women are not only informed what they are not to be doing, but are in every chapter encouraged positively in the calling whereunto God calls them. A few chapter headings will whet the appetite: “A Virtuous Woman,” “Children in Marriage,” “The Calling of the Truly Liberated Woman,” “Women in Church Office.”

A couple of criticisms come to mind. Perhaps it is inevitable with a compilation such as this that there is a degree of overlapping or repetition in the articles. In several chapters the same biblical passages are treated, identical arguments are made, and the same examples employed. While this results in some reinforcement of the reader in the biblical positions, it does become tedious if several chapters are read in one sitting. Perhaps it would be best to read the book over a period of time.

The second matter that we question is the elevating of the place and work of the woman to such exalted heights that the labors of others are made all but insignificant. For example, the work of “mothers in the home is an everlasting work. From a certain point of view, it is the only work that will ever endure” (p. 72). The work of artists and craftsmen, etc., will not endure; “there is one great work that will not be removed, but shall endure, and that is the life of the child who has been formed and molded by believing hands” (p. 82). We are of the conviction that all the labors of every child of God are kingdom labors, that none of them are in vain, and, that God is faithful to reward every one of them in time and in eternity. Among those labors of the faithful are those performed by believing women in the home. With the thoughts that a mother’s work is of great significance, and that the work is one which only she can perform, we heartily concur!

This book ought to be in every Christian home. The older girls and young women should read it to learn what they are called by God to be. The older women should read it to discover what they should be teaching by word and example. The young men must read these things to know what to look for in a wife. The older men should also read it, that they might know what to guard against and what to stand for in the home and church. A profitable book, then; one that the Holy Spirit will surely use to bring forth fruit in the home and in the church of Gods Son.

To read chapter 7 of this book in Afrikaans, click here.

To read chapter 11 of this book in Afrikaans, click here.

Marriage: The Mystery of Christ and the Church is a Reformed pastor’s instruction and exhortation to married couples, especially young married couples, with the purpose that they glorify God in their marriages and enjoy the bliss of this blessed communion of life.

Section 1: The Biblical Gospel of Marriage, includes the following topics:

• The Christian man as husband
• The Christian woman as wife
• Sex in marriage
• The unbreakable marriage bond

Section 2 is a history of the church’s doctrine and practice of marriage from Augustine and the early church through Calvin and the Reformation to the contemporary lawlessness.

This is the newly revised and significantly expanded edition of Professor Engelsma’s book on marriage. Its predecessor went through four separate printings, and the new book has already generated considerable interest, even beyond the Reformed community.

Retained in this new edition is the development of the rich meaning of Christian marriage in light of the apostle Paul’s teaching in Ephesians 5 that marriage is the great mystery of Christ and the church. With a vigorously Scriptural approach, the author shows what this implies for such timeless—but timely!—matters as the relationship of husband and wife; sex; children; divorce; and mixed marriage. The book concludes with a spirited defence of an unbreakable marriage bond.

Revision of content to the original edition includes a different interpretation of I Corinthians 7:10-11, which sheds light on the right understanding of the controversial “exception clause” in Matthew 19:9.The book is significantly expanded by the addition of a second section consisting of the history of the church’s doctrine of marriage, divorce, and remarriage. Working with the writings of the church fathers, the Reformers, and contemporary Protestant theologians, as well as with various studies on marriage and divorce, Professor Engelsma traces the fatal departure of the Reformers from the doctrine of marriage held by the early church. He demonstrates that this departure has led inevitably to the marital chaos that devastates Reformed and evangelical Christianity. In the light of this fascinating history, the book calls especially the churches of the Reformation back to their catholic Christian tradition by upholding the biblical gospel of marriage.

Intended to give godly, biblical, practical instruction to believers and their children concerning their behaviour in the fundamental ordinance of human life, the book also utters a vehement protest against the compromise and corruption of marriage by the churches and their theologians in our day. Helpful indexes of names mentioned and Scriptures cited in the text were prepared for the new edition.

“This is one of those books that you wish you could put into the hands of every married couple and those contemplating marriage … If the contents of this book were put into practice, society would become more stable and broken homes would be few and far between” (The Gospel Witness).

“… one of the finest among such books flowing off the presses … The book [has] a theological depth and seriousness often lacking in non-Reformed books on this subject” (Reformed Herald).

“A book that says many biblical things about sex, children, family, the mystery of marriage. Recommended for laypersons and preachers alike” (The Reformed Journal).

“This book does faithfully reflect the teachings of God’s Word of marriage” (The Banner).

“A pastor, husband, and father speaks of marriage and its relationships in terms that few want to hear today—even in the church” (Moody).

“My wife is reading Lori and I am reading Marriage, The Mystery of Christ and His Church. I believe that this is the best book defending God’s institution of marriage ever written.” – United Kingdom

“I am writing to thank you for the truth of God’s word you shared in your book, Marriage, the Mystery of Christ and the Church. It is not often that this topic of divorce and remarriage is spoken in the churches today.” – Pennsylvania, USA

“Thanks very much for the book [Marriage, the Mystery of Christ and the Church]! I pray that God will bless this book to me and my fiancée!” – United Kingdom

“This book is the best book I have read on marriage. I have given and/or recommended this book to just about every married Christian couple I know.”

Click here to read a review by one of our readers.
Click here to read a review in the Protestant Reformed Theological Journal.

To watch the video of the author interview concerning this book, click here.

This book can be read in Korean.
Click here to read a Slovak translation of this book.
Click here to read excerpts of this book in Portuguese.
Click here to read a chapter of this book in Italian.

In a tradition that goes back hundreds, even thousands, of years, godly parents in the churches of the Protestant Reformation establish and maintain Christian schools for the instruction of their children. This involves struggle and sacrifice. These parents willingly pay the price in the conviction that, as one of the Reformed confessions expresses it, good Christian schools are a “demand of the covenant.”

Reformed Education is an explanation for the people of God of the fundamentals of Christian day-school education. The book demonstrates that the basis of the Christian school is God’s covenant of grace with believers and their children. Treating such vital subjects as the place of Scripture and the creeds in the school, the biblical view of culture, the qualifications and calling of the Christian schoolteacher, and the goal of education, the author contends that the covenant of God controls and shapes all aspects of the Christian school.

In the course of this explanation, the book defends Christian schools against serious challenges – challenges as old as the claim that the state schools are adequate and challenges as new as the home-schooling movement.

This is the book to put in the hands of all believing parents. It will encourage those committed to Christian education. It will educate those who are doubtful. Christian schoolteachers will benefit from the book’s description of their work: a divine calling to help in the rearing of the covenant child. Indeed, if the author is right in saying that all members of the church, whether parents or not, should support the Christian education of the children of believers as the church’s own children, all can read the book with profit.

Reformed Education, The Christian School as Demand of the Covenant, David J. Engelsma. Grandville, MI: Reformed Free Publishing Association, 2000. Pp. x-101. [Reviewed by Ron Koole.]

The Reformed Free Publishing Association has done all Reformed believers a great favour by publishing a revised edition of Reformed Education. This is a book which Reformed parents who seek to rear their children in the fear of the Lord, and Reformed teachers who seek to assist believing parents in this calling will want to read and periodically reread. This book provides encouragement as well as biblical direction to parents, teachers, and all involved in the task of educating the children of believers.

The original edition of Reformed Education, out of print for a number of years, contained five lectures which Prof. David J. Engelsma presented in 1975 to a gathering of Protestant Reformed teachers at a summer mini-course sponsored by the Federation of Protestant Reformed School Societies. This revised edition has undergone thorough editing and contains a few significant additions which add to the quality and value of the book. One such addition addresses the increasingly popular home-schooling movement. Prof. Engelsma shows why home-schooling is not an option for Reformed parents where good Christian schools exist or where the possibility of the establishing of a Christian school presents itself.

The author shows from Scripture that the basis of Christian education is God’s covenant of grace. This covenant is explained as a relationship of friendship between God and His people in Jesus Christ; as a cosmic covenant, a covenant established with believers and their children in the line of continued generations. On this basis the whole endeavour of Reformed, Christian education depends. This basis determines the nature of the instruction in the Christian school and also defines the goal. Many attack this covenantal basis and establish Christian schools on other bases today. Some seek simply to escape the evil of the public schools, others seek to evangelize the children, while so many today attempt to provide education which will work to reform society and Christianize the world. Fail to establish the Christian school on this covenantal basis and the school will fail to accomplish its proper biblical goals, or the school will pervert the goals to fit its own basis.

The nature of the instruction in the Christian school must be biblical and confessional. The teaching of all the subjects in the light of God’s Word gives unity to the instruction and is the only possible way to teach the truth. The activity of rearing covenant children in the fear of the Lord finds its foundation in the Scriptures and the Reformed confessions, which are the authoritative interpretation of the Scriptures. This, says the author, is the hard work which every Reformed teacher must strive to carry out.

The goal of Reformed, Christian education flows out of the covenantal basis. The author warns that Christian education must not start in the Spirit and then end with some fleshly goal such as the successful, cultured gentleman. The goal rather is the “mature man of God, who lives in this world in every area of life with all his powers as God’s friend-servant, loving God and serving God in all of his earthly life with all of his abilities, and who lives in the world to come as a king under Christ, ruling creation to the praise of God, his Maker and Redeemer” (p. 84). This goal has two aspects. One aspect is that the child eternally praises God, and the other is a temporal aspect in which the child lives a life of holiness in this world.

Yes, the Reformed child of God must be taught to live antithetically in this world. A chapter entitled “Reformed Education and Culture” deals specifically with the justification and possibility of a Reformed school’s teaching a liberal arts education and making use of the works of unbelievers. The author warns against the dangers of world-conformity on the one hand and world-flight on the other. The Reformed world and life view recognizes that this world is God’s creation, which has been redeemed by Jesus Christ. It is in this context especially that the author shows the devastating effects of the false doctrine of common grace. This false doctrine minimizes the fall, breaks down the antithesis, and calls the Christian to cooperate with the world to build up society. Following this doctrine to its conclusion eliminates any need for Christian education.

God places the responsibility to teach covenant children on believing parents. This is why Christian schools must be parental schools. This is also why the teacher stands in the place of parents and is a humble servant. The teacher must love the children of God’s covenant. In a chapter dealing with the Protestant Reformed teacher, the author states the following as the credentials of the good teacher: full of the Spirit and grace of God, thoroughly Reformed, and possessing the ability to teach. Every teacher should be awestruck with his calling and “should feel that he would not accept such a position for a million dollars, and that he could not leave it for two million” (p. 78). With a proper understanding of the relationship of parent and teacher there will follow a close unity of home and school.

In the preface the author informs the reader that in this revision he resisted the temptation to expand the subjects. The average reader thanks him for this. The book presents the truth concisely, as well as defends and warns against dangers and attacks on that truth. For those who desire to read further on particular topics, the author provides an extensive list of other works, in a bibliography and within the footnotes.

As has been stated, all believers will benefit from reading this book. Parents will strive with greater zeal and with all their heart to maintain or establish a good Christian school. Teachers and administrators will grow to understand better their calling and the nature of their work. Board members will be better qualified to observe, interview, and hire teachers. They will also glean principles which should govern decision making in the areas of enrolment and curriculum. Aspiring teachers will be better prepared to interview for a teaching position. And all believers will grow in their understanding of this glorious work. There is power in education. May Reformed Christians use that power to the development of the whole of the child to the service and glory of God—because Christian education is a demand of the covenant.

“[Reformed Education] is a return to the teaching of Scripture … The final chapter on the goal of Reformed education is a gem in many ways” (The Outlook).

“Three essential aspects of the covenant are shown to apply to the way we view education—in it God gives us work to do—by it God gathers up the whole of His creation—and God establishes His covenant with believers and their [elect] children in the line of continued generations … READ THIS BOOK!” (The Evangelical Presbyterian).

“I finished reading Reformed Education yesterday. What a blessed book it is! I was particularly struck by the section on ‘Reformed Education and Culture’ … I found the chapter on the ‘Protestant Reformed Teacher’ really moving! I studied for a post-graduate certificate in primary school teaching at the Church of England Teacher Training College in Norwich, where I’d studied for a degree in Social Studies at the University of East Anglia … Our tutor was a retired lecturer in the Philosophy of Education but ‘in loco parentis’ was not mentioned … Only fairly recently, on reading about the development of education for all here in England, did I come across the fact that schools and their teachers were supposed to be ‘in loco parentis’! It makes all the difference in the world, doesn’t it? It has so much opened my eyes to what is tragically happening here now, with the state taking over the education of children and out of the hands of their parents—very socialist, even communistic!” – England

The first chapter, “The Covenant Basis of Christian Education” and the second chapter, “Scripture in the Schools”, can be read on-line in Spanish. The Spanish edition of this book can be purchased through Amazon.

Book 1 – Genesis through I Samuel (347 pp. Softback, £14.00)
Book 2 – II Samuel through Malachi (195 pp. Softback, £8.00)
Book 3 – Intertestamentary Period through Acts (204 pp. Softback, £8.00)
Workbooks (2 – 57 pp., 3 – 56 pp. Softback, £4.00 each)

Suffer Little Children is a series of three teacher manuals for grades 1, 2, and 3 with student workbooks to accompany Books 2 and 3. The material was written to provide unity and continuity to Bible curriculum in Christian schools.

There are five divisions in the teacher manual lessons. They are:
1. Background and introduction
2. Lesson material in semi-outline form
3. Point(s) to remember
4. Memory work of a text that states the central theme of the lesson
5. An enrichment activity, usually interdisciplinary, in art, music, or science.

Instruction is centred around Bible stories. Vocabulary fits the child’s level, and abstract concepts, such as grace, repentance, and faith, are explained and made concrete for the students’ understanding by using examples or picture-words.

Book 1 contains 125 lessons, designed to be taught at the rate of four lessons a week with a fifth school day devoted to review, testing, or supplemental activities. The amount of material is too much to be covered in one week, but because there are only 125 lessons, the teacher may proceed slowly and still finish the manual in one year.

Starting with Grade 2, student workbooks stress review of the facts of the lessons and make use of puzzles, filling in blanks, colour-cues, maps, charts, and some work directly from Scripture.

The author draws from her extensive experience as an instructor of children. she gives in the general introduction to the series in Book 1 a basis and approach to teaching Scripture, as well as the implications of a Christian worldview, and a number of practical tips concerning the art of story-telling, of asking questions, and of using visual aids. It can be profitably read by school teachers, parents, and Sunday school teachers. The curriculum is adaptable for Sunday school lessons.

“Thanks to solid Dutch Calvinism, your children are expected to learn something … Delightful, easy to use … No hype or tinsel, and definitely none of this wretched pandering to self-esteem” (Mary Pride, Big Book of Home Learning).

“We did find the children’s curriculum [Suffer Little Children and Show Me Thy Ways] very helpful. Thanks a lot!” – Lincolnshire, England

This alphabet book is a beautiful collection of Bible passages, short rhymes and detailed illustrations designed to teach young children of their heavenly Father’s almighty power and His faithfulness to fulfil the promises He makes to them as children of His covenant. Use this book to instruct your children in the truths of salvation for all of God’s people and especially His littlest lambs.

“Share this lovely ABC book with your youngest children. Mrs. Meyer’s colorful, detailed illustrations please the eyes; her simple, rhyming verses gratify the ears; and the selected scripture texts delight the soul. What better way to introduce our little ones to the alphabet than with the word of him who is the Alpha and Omega, the first and the last?” — Sarah Mowery, children’s and youth literature reviewer for Perspectives in Covenant Education.

Reformed theologian David J. Engelsma contends for Calvinism against one of the gravest threats to Reformed Christianity since the Synod of Dordt in the early seventeenth century. The threat is the denial not only of justification by faith alone, but also of all the doctrines of grace. Like the Arminians heresy, the contemporary attack on the Reformed faith comes from within. It is found in those Reformed and Presbyterian churches that still claim adherence to the Reformation creeds. Those who launch the attack occupy pulpits and seminary chairs in these reputedly conservative churches.

What makes the attack especially dangerous is that it consists of a development of a doctrine of the covenant that is popular in Reformed and Presbyterian churches. The newest form of the age-old attack on the gospel of salvation by sovereign grace is covenant doctrine. It called itself the “federal vision,” that is, “covenant vision.”

The Covenant of God and the Children of Believers defends the Reformed faith against the current attack by exposing the doctrine of the covenant from which the attack arises. This is something that few, if any, of the opponents of the federal visions have done. At the same time, the book sets forth the doctrine of the covenant that safeguards and promotes the gospel of sovereign grace, demonstrating that this covenant doctrine is biblical, confessional, and traditionally Reformed.

Since the controversy centres around the inclusion of the children of believers in the covenant, this book emphasizes the rightful place of children in the covenant of grace and the proper rearing of them. These are truths of the greatest practical importance for godly parents, as also for Reformed churches and Christian schools. Consideration of the inclusion of children in the covenant enables the author to distinguish the covenant views of the Protestant Reformed Churches, Baptists, the Netherlands Reformed Congregations, and the Canadian Reformed Churches (“liberated”). Leading representatives of these churches and traditions join in the discussion.

An entire chapter is devoted to the comfort of godly parents at the death of infant children.

All those who are concerned about the contemporary controversy over justification, as well as those who simply have an interest in the covenant of God with the children of believers, will benefit from this book.

“I find The Covenant of God and the Children of Believers very helpful and insightful … here in the Netherlands this topic leads to a lot of ‘views’ of which many are not (biblically) precise. But what is even more disturbing is the lack of want for discernment. In so-called Reformed circles among church councils, lay men and certain denominational institutions, they seem to be more busy with ecumenical efforts than standing for the truth once delivered to the saints.” – The Netherlands

“I am going back through The Covenant of God and Children of Believers now. It is a great book. I was listening earlier to Prof. Engelsma’s question and answer session after his speech against the Federal Vision heresy and I am glad to know that the PRC understand that with marriage being a picture of Christ and his church, it is therefore a picture of God’s unconditional covenant and therefore marriage reflects this.” – England

“Another precious jewel of Prof Engelsma.” – Namibia

Click here to read a review of this book.
Click here to read a review of this book in the British Reformed Journal.
Click here to read a review of this book in the Protestant Reformed Theological Journal.

To read chapters of this book in Italian, click here.
To read chapter 2 of this book in Spanish, click here.
To read the Dutch translation of the book, click here.
Appendix 4, “Sovereign Grace in the Sights of the ‘Federal Vision’” can be read in Portuguese and in Russian.

To watch the video of the author interview concerning this book, click here.

A comprehensive look at marriage as the principal pillar of church and society.

Contents
1. Marriage: God’s Good Creation
2. Marriage: A Beautiful Reflection
3. The Single Life: Good!
4. Sexual Purity, For Christ’s Sake (Hungarian)
5. Husbands, Love Your Wives
6. Wives, Be Subject to Your Husbands
7. Sex in Marriage
8. Children: Heritage of the Lord  (German)
9. Parental Love  (German)
10. Honour Required of Children
11. God’s Will Concerning Divorce  (Italian)
12. God’s Will Concerning Remarriage  (Italian)  (Portuguese)
13. Family Worship

This book can also be read on-line.

“I just finished reading ‘The Family: Foundations Are Shaking’ which I found excellent.” – the Netherlands

This is an excellent, little book, covering the key elements in the meaning and mode of baptism. What is the meaning of the Greek word baptizo? What are the baptisms in Hebrews 9:10 and how were these Old Testament ceremonial cleansings performed according to the Pentateuch? How was Christ baptized and what is the idea of His baptism? What was the mode of baptism with the Spirit on the day of Pentecost? What is baptism “into Christ”? Is it by immersion followed by emersion? Or is it (abiding) union with our Lord Jesus? The latter pages of Adam’s fine book give additional support for his argument and clear up several objections.

This is a refreshing and convincing read especially because it is so biblical. You don’t need a knowledge of the Greek classics in order to understand baptism! Instead, Adams gives us solid exegesis of God’s Word, shedding fresh light on many passages. Heartily recommended!

This book teaches children …

• what God’s law is: His ten words to His people
• how we obey God’s law: by loving Him and our neighbour
• why we keep God’s law: to thank and praise Him for delivering us from our sin

This book explains and applies each commandment in two to three chapters, covering both what God forbids and requires. Chapters include discussion questions, a Bible memory verse and a related psalm to be sung.

Ronald L. Cammenga is professor of Dogmatics and Old Testament Studies at the Protestant Reformed Theological Seminary in Wyoming, Michigan. He is a former pastor, and he and his wife, Rhonda, have eleven children and many grandchildren living in four states.

Ana Sebastián is a digital illustrator and visual development artist based in Madrid, Spain. Ana also likes to work with coloured pencils and watercolours, and enjoys reading and traveling in her free time.

The following review was written by Todd and Nicole Kooienga on The Ten Commandments for Children by Ronald Cammenga (Jenison, MI: Reformed Free Publishing, 2023). This review was originally published in the July 2023 issue of The Grandville Gleaner.

The Ten Commandments for Children is a valuable book for all ages. The book includes twenty-eight chapters. Each “chapter” is contained on two facing pages with illustrations. The first seven chapters give instruction on what God’s law is and why He has given us His law. Then there are two chapters for each commandments, with the tenth commandment having three. Usually the first chapter teaches what the commandment forbids, and the second teaches what the commandment requires.

The book can function as either instructional or devotional. We used it for family devotions and it worked very well. Each chapter includes a suggested applicable Bible passage (usually around 10 verses long), a memory verse, and a Psalter number. The length of the passages and chapters worked well without being so long that the children lose focus.

There are also three questions at the end of each chapter. These questions were excellent for reviewing and reminding what was taught. The questions in each chapter vary in difficulty, making it beneficial for both younger and older children, and even adults.

We appreciate how Prof. Cammenga does more than make general statements of what we are to do and not to do. But he makes pointed statements and questions to show how we are to apply the law to the lives of children, like reminding them that they are obeying the 1st commandment when they are listening in church on Sunday. Also, the book does well in the beginning and end of reminding us of how the law shows us our great need for Christ.

The book was written with children ages 6 – 9 in mind, but it can be of great benefit to older children and saints of all ages. The length of the “chapters” make the book well-suited to be used as a devotional. While the book is concise, it is by no means simplistic. There are many examples in the book that show what we might consider small or insignificant sins for what they really are; sins against God’s law whereby we see our old man’s hatred for God or our neighbour. The book shows how quickly we can forget God, His love for us, and our love and obedience to Him. Let us always be singing “Oh how love I thy law. It is my meditation all the day.”

The following review was written by Amanda DeBoer on the book The Ten Commandments for Children by Prof. Ron Cammenga (Jenison, MI: Reformed Free Publishing, 2023). This review will be published in the Clarion, a biweekly magazine of the Canadian/American Reformed Church federation, Vol. 72 No. 14, in November 2023.

In today’s day and age, where God’s law is more and more blatantly disrespected and ignored, it is so important to teach our children God’s most wise ways for our lives. The Ten Commandments for Children by Ronald L. Cammenga is an effective resource in this regard. Cammenga not only teaches the commandments, but also explores their depth and practicality in an age appropriate way. He has a kind, yet unwavering, manner of writing that is very appropriate for the topic. The Ten Commandments for Children will undoubtedly be a blessing for many families.

This book has been arranged logically. The first 7 devotionals talk about the commandments in general. This includes topics such as why we have the commandments and knowing our sins. After this, the author spends 2 to 3 devotionals on each commandment. There are 28 devotionals in total.

For each devotional, Cammenga included 5 different sections to work through. One section is called “Let’s learn a Bible verse” in which parents and children can read a short Bible verse aloud a few times. The other sections include the devotional, reading another, longer Bible passage, answering questions, and even singing a psalm! Cammenga used the 1912 Presbyterian Psalter for this, but the beauty of our Book of Praise is that it is easy to sing the same psalm. Parents could even look through the psalm suggested and find the stanza that best connects with what was taught in the devotional. It is clear through these sections that Cammenga’s desire was for the devotionals to be truthful and God-honouring.

Because some sections go deeper than others, this book could be tailored to each family’s need. For those who choose to use it as a bedtime devotional for one child, parents could pick certain sections to work through, based on their child’s age and abilities. Since my daughter loves singing before bed, we always included that as part of our devotional routine! Parents could also choose to do all the sections as an addition to family devotions after dinner with multiple children.

Here are a couple comments on some different aspects of the book. First, it was good to see that Cammenga did not shy away from practical examples that may even tickle an adult’s conscience, such as how we spend our Sundays. We all can be encouraged through this book in our thankful obedience! Cammenga also did not neglect to use the teachings of the Catechism. In one of the devotionals about the sixth commandment, the author defined what patience, peace, meekness, and kindness are. He also talked about loving our enemies. Does this not drip of Lord’s Day 40, Q. & A. 107? What a wonderful way to strengthen the Church-Home connection for our children! Third, since this is a book for children, there are, of course, illustrations. These are tastefully done and modestly presented. For each devotional, the different section titles all have their own colours. “Let’s Learn a Bible verse,” for example, is always yellow. In these ways the book is presented attractively to the readers.

Finally, Ronald L. Cammenga is a professor at the Protestant Reformed Theological Seminary … It is clear from the book that Cammenga is seasoned in teaching children. And he was, being blessed with 11 of his own to raise and teach! Cammenga has nicely, and wisely, come down to a child’s level to explain the commandments.

Overall, in the age that we live in, it is very good to have a book for children that teaches the commandments and does not shy away from explaining practically how we should be obeying them. I would recommend this book for children ages 8-10.

Read more reviews by Judy Joyce (Embracing a Healthy Family), Abby VanSolkema (The Left Fork), Dawn Peluso (Schoolin’ Swag), Lauren DuPrez (A Beautiful Inheritance), and Vanessa Le (The Outlook)!

“It is exactly what I was looking for in preparing messages for the youth in the congregation I serve. It’s first of all biblical. Secondly, it has depth of insight. Thirdly, it provides excellent application to our lives.” – USA

Watch an author interview on this book.

Although baptism is the main thought of all the author writes, this is also a book about the elect people of God, the Christian church in all ages. It is also about their children—hence, We and Our Children. In Reformed, Presbyterian and Paedobaptist circles, the two are—or should be—inseparably connected. In Baptistic circles, no such connection exists. The author shows that the connection is provided by the doctrine of God’s gracious covenant, a truth which counters any idea of a division between the Old and the New Testaments, and which runs like a golden thread through all the pages of Scripture from Genesis to Revelation.

To state it slightly differently, “we” (the elect people of God) and “our children” are and should be inseparably bonded because they both belong to the covenant of grace. Many Baptists deny this beautiful truth when they refuse to baptize their children. Using Scripture as his infallible guide, Prof. Hanko develops the truth of God’s covenant as it relates to the baptism of the infants of believers.

“Read this book carefully, read it thoughtfully, read it prayerfully, and you will find it a mine of information, a river of pleasure, and a source of immense spiritual comfort.” — Mr. Tony Horne, deputation speaker for the Trinitarian Bible Society in Scotland

“I read We and Our Children this week—an antidote to the lack of a consistent doctrine of infant baptism that, I think, abounds in Presbyterian circles in Ireland.” – Co. Antrim

This book was reviewed by Prof. Dykstra in the Protestant Reformed Journal.  Click here to read this review.

To read chapters of this book in Portuguese, “The Reformed Baptist Argument Concerning the Lord’s Supper,”  “Two Dispensations” and “Male Circumcision” click here.

To read chapters of this book in Italian, click here.

To watch the video of the author interview concerning this book, click here.