Wednesday June 12, 2013: The truth of God’s Word that unifies our churches was confessed today as Mr. Erik Guichelaar was examined in the sections of Reformed Dogmatics. From 8:00am until noon, Mr. Guichelaar was asked questions in Theology, Anthropology, Christology, Soteriology, Ecclesiology, and Eschatology. He gave a good account of his knowledge of this truth. As churches we have many reasons to give thanks – for the truth of God’s Word, the gifts God has given to this young men who confessed the truth so beautifully, and a seminary which faithfully teaches these truths so the church receives the truth each Sunday. The rest of his examination will begin tomorrow morning at 8:00am and should finish by noon. Again the examination will be live-streamed on Hudsonville’s website.
After the examination was finished for the day, synod entered into some of the material of the agenda. Here are a few highlights. Synod treated the material of eastern home missions. Rev. Bruinsma addressed synod, expressing the greetings of the Pittsburgh Fellowship to synod and reporting on recent developments in the work in Pittsburgh and Cranberry. Synod took the opportunity to thank Rev. Bruinsma for using the gifts God has given him in the service of the church.
Not only did synod give thanks for the work of our seminary after the examination of Mr. Guichelaar, but also there were opportunities to give thanks to God in the decisions synod made regarding our Theological School. Synod granted to Prof. Cammenga permanent tenure as Professor of Dogmatics and Old Testament. One of the requirements for a professor to receive this is that he finishes his Masters’ degree. It was reported that Prof. Cammenga successfully completed his degree. Synod took the opportunity to thank God for the gifts He has given to Prof. Cammenga and his use of them in the service of our churches. Synod approved a partial sabbatical for Prof. Gritters during the 2013/2014 school year. A highlight of synod was admitting nine men into our seminary beginning in the fall. Synod also noted that although we can be thankful for a class of nine men, more men are still needed for future ministers in our denomination.