Reviewed by J.H. (Hans) Kouwenberg. Heschel’s concept of spirituality and of the holiness of the sabbath day is a broad, open-ended one, parallelling Christ’s view of the sabbath. It is not merely a day of abstention but of affirmation. … Read more
Preaching, by Fred B. Craddock
Reviewed by J.H. (Hans) Kouwenberg. Craddock is one of those in the school of preaching who pays as much attention to those who listen to preaching as to the liturgical reading and interpreting of Scripture. … Read more
Answering God, by Eugene H. Peterson
Reviewed by J.H. (Hans) Kouwenberg. The subtitle of the book is “the Psalms as Tools for Prayer”. It is one man’s journey through the Psalms with a deliberate attempt to see what might resonate and echo, “deep unto deep,” soul unto soul, person unto God. … Read more
Prayer, by Hans Urs Von Balthasar
Reviewed by J.H. (Hans) Kouwenberg. This may be a theological book but it is theology as poetry, theology as a way of understanding the language of the Scriptures as much as the doctrine of the Scriptures. … Read more
Preaching for Today, by Clyde E. Fant
Reviewed by J.H. (Hans) Kouwenberg. Incarnational preaching: “the incarnation is the truest theological model for the mysterious divine-human preaching event, which is neither all of the human nor all of God, but which partakes of both with precisely the same degree of mystery and humility” … Read more
A Primer for Preachers, by Ian Pitt-Wilson
Reviewed by J.H. (Hans) Kouwenberg. This book’s stated intention is both to inspire beginning students of homiletics and to refresh and recharge experienced pulpiteers. … Read more
The Reformed Church of Quebec/L’Eglise Réformée du Québec
By J.H. (Hans) Kouwenberg. Although the Presbyterian Church in Canada has supported work in a French Canadian context, nevertheless, the General Assembly did not see fit to second any of our workers who might now already be working within a French Canadian context to the new Reformed Church of Quebec. … Read more
Channels Editorial: Sexuality and the Church
By J.H. (Hans) Kouwenberg. The ecclesiastical landscape of Canada will change significantly if The United Church of Canada adopts the recommendations of its National Coordinating Group for the Programme of Study and Dialogue on Sexual Orientations, Lifestyles and Ministry. But what are the implications for Presbyterians in Canada? … Read more
The Power to Make Things Happen, by Bruce Larson, ed.
Reviewed by J.H. (Hans) Kouwenberg. This book is a collection of light but inspirational messages by the major participating speakers at the 1985 Presbyterian Congress on Renewal meeting in Dallas, Texas. … Read more
Letters
Readers correspond with approval for the ministry of Channels. Greg Dallimore responds with an update on his previous Review … Read more
Why I Need a Small Group (and maybe you do too!)
By J.H. (Hans) Kouwenberg. Why do I need a small group? To study and grow together. To learn to work together with variety of viewpoints. To be held accountable. To be encouraged and supported. To share deeply: to sorrow and to celebrate together. … Read more
Dutch Calvinism in Modem America: A History of a Conservative Subculture, by James D. Bratt
Reviewed by J.H. (Hans) Kouwenberg. With its well-documented research (18 pages of selected bibliography) and 80 pages (!) of helpful notes, this book is literally a “Who’s Who” of Dutch Calvinism in America. … Read more
Letters
The Editor shares letters received in appreciation for the Wedding Album in the Summer ’85 issue of Channels. … Read more
The Resistance to Church Union in Canada, by N. Keith Clifford
Reviewed by Hans Kouwenberg. This book provides an excellent overview of the events leading up to and following that hopeful or fateful (depending upon your point of view) marriage or disruption of churches in Canada, outlining the fascinating story in well-documented detail, rich with vignettes. … Read more
Along the Way
By J. H. (Hans) Kouwenberg. Our fine concern for a professional, academic, and well-trained ministry has led us to the possibility of idolizing “professionalism”. … Read more
The Wedding Program
By Rev. J. H. (Hans) Kouwenberg. The Wedding Program for the marriage of Mark Hayden Lane and Lynn Catherine Dickens is presented as a model for all those considering marriage. … Read more
On Being Reformed: Distinctive Characteristics and Misunderstandings, by I. John Hesselink
Reviewed by J. H. (Hans) Kouwenberg. This is a fairly easy-to-read primer on the topic of what makes up the essential Reformed distinctives of the church. … Read more