JOwen
Puritan Board Junior
Recently I took a course at Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary on the Dutch Second Reformation (Nadere Reformatie), and the Secession of 1834. As a pastor trained in the Scottish vein, I sat enthralled as I discovered the several similarities of the Dutch and Scottish Reformations and Secessions. Subjects like Justification, Sanctification, the Covenant, Saving Faith, and Assurance were given new light through the eyes of men like Willem Teellinck, William Ames, and a' Brakel of the Nadere Reformatie, and Scholte and De [C] ock of the Secession of 1834.
I was very intrigued with the Secession of 1834, not only because its history was previously unknown to me, but also for the striking reasons of its development. The parallels between the Dutch and Scottish Secessions (1834 and 1843 respectively) are note-worthy, and can be summarized in a few points:
1. German Rationalism enters the seminaries and pulpits.
2. Scholastic preaching prevails as opposed to experiential.
3. Heavy handed State involvement in Church affairs.
4. Incipient Arminianism.
5. Anti-Confessionalism.
Yet there was one addition to the foundation of the Dutch Secession of 1843 that interested me very much. It was De [C]ock's belief that the Psalms alone were to be used in the public worship of God contrary to the new hymn book introduced by the prevailing authorities.
A close friend of mine, Dr. James Wanliss (Scot. Presbyterian), along with Rev. Wes Bredenhof (Can. Ref) have done the English speaking world a favour by translating De [C]ock's tract, "THE SO-CALLED EVANGELICAL HYMNS, THE DARLING OF THE ENRAPTURED AND MISLED MULTITUDE IN THE SYNODICAL REFORMED CHURCH".
What I intend to do is post De [C]ock's tract as translated on my blog, in an attempt to remind us all of our Biblical heritage of exclusive Psalm Singing. The authors in their preface say, “In the late twentieth century there are still some churches of Dutch heritage that worship God in simplicity of "spirit and truth" as enjoined by our blessed Lord Jesus (cf. John 4:22-26).” I am glad to say that the Free Reformed Churches of North America are such churches.
Without further delay.... [click]
I was very intrigued with the Secession of 1834, not only because its history was previously unknown to me, but also for the striking reasons of its development. The parallels between the Dutch and Scottish Secessions (1834 and 1843 respectively) are note-worthy, and can be summarized in a few points:
1. German Rationalism enters the seminaries and pulpits.
2. Scholastic preaching prevails as opposed to experiential.
3. Heavy handed State involvement in Church affairs.
4. Incipient Arminianism.
5. Anti-Confessionalism.
Yet there was one addition to the foundation of the Dutch Secession of 1843 that interested me very much. It was De [C]ock's belief that the Psalms alone were to be used in the public worship of God contrary to the new hymn book introduced by the prevailing authorities.
A close friend of mine, Dr. James Wanliss (Scot. Presbyterian), along with Rev. Wes Bredenhof (Can. Ref) have done the English speaking world a favour by translating De [C]ock's tract, "THE SO-CALLED EVANGELICAL HYMNS, THE DARLING OF THE ENRAPTURED AND MISLED MULTITUDE IN THE SYNODICAL REFORMED CHURCH".
What I intend to do is post De [C]ock's tract as translated on my blog, in an attempt to remind us all of our Biblical heritage of exclusive Psalm Singing. The authors in their preface say, “In the late twentieth century there are still some churches of Dutch heritage that worship God in simplicity of "spirit and truth" as enjoined by our blessed Lord Jesus (cf. John 4:22-26).” I am glad to say that the Free Reformed Churches of North America are such churches.
Without further delay.... [click]
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