Overview

What does it mean to be a Christian? In a time when many have an identity crisis, it is good for Christians to pose this question. Using the Bible, the Word of the Creator who placed us on earth and who made us a new creation in Christ, Dr. Cornelis Van Dam unpacks the glory, challenges, and privilege of being a Christian, that is, of having the office of prophet, priest, and king, with all its implications for today. But the discussions go beyond that. In a series of essays in his book In Holy Service, Dr. Van Dam addresses many aspects of our service to God, such as the tasks and opportunities which the Lord gives to women, single and married, as well as the calling of mothers, husbands, and wives. He also delves into the offices that function in the church: the identity and tasks of ministers, elders, and deacons. Issues dealt with include the calling of the church in relation to the civil government, the matter of women in ecclesiastical office, and the service of women in the church. Finally Dr. Van Dam also compares the pagan context in which the early Christian church found itself to the reality of a rising neo-paganism today and how Christians should respond. This book will help Christians function as God intended in holy service to him in all of life.

Full Product Details

9781990650048

Table of Contents

Reviews

""The book In Holy Service is a great resource on the role of office-bearers (pastors, elders, deacons) and ordinary members in the church of Christ. While setting forth foundational perspectives, the author also addresses topics that are very much in discussion in our time and age (for example, the role of women in church ministry). The strength of Dr. Van Dam's book is the combination of thorough Biblical scholarship, drawing on insights developed during centuries of Reformed theological thinking, and addressing topics that are relevant in the 21st century. On the top of that, the clarity of writing makes it a pleasure to read. This book should find its way to the reading desks of office-bearers, church members, and seminary students."" Arjan de Visser, Professor of Ministry and Mission, Canadian Reformed Theological Seminary ""Grounding both the general and special offices in the history of revelation, Professor Van Dam exhibits beautifully how the Second Adam has restored believers to the dignity of prophets, priests and kings. The way he works this out into the life of the church gathered on the Lord's Day and then scattered into worldly callings reflects the rich resources of classic Reformed interpretation of Scripture. In modern societies, where authority is surrendered to autonomy and even churches often capitulate to cultural pressures, this book comes as a bracing challenge. Reformed readers will be edified by understanding the rationale for practices often taken for granted, while other brothers and sisters will find scripturally-based reasons for cherishing the visible form of Christ's church. I highly recommend In Holy Service to its intended audience: all of the Lord's people!"" Michael Horton, J. Gresham Machen Professor of Systematic Theology and Apologetics, Westminster Seminary California

"""The book In Holy Service is a great resource on the role of office-bearers (pastors, elders, deacons) and ordinary members in the church of Christ. While setting forth foundational perspectives, the author also addresses topics that are very much in discussion in our time and age (for example, the role of women in church ministry). The strength of Dr. Van Dam's book is the combination of thorough Biblical scholarship, drawing on insights developed during centuries of Reformed theological thinking, and addressing topics that are relevant in the 21st century. On the top of that, the clarity of writing makes it a pleasure to read. This book should find its way to the reading desks of office-bearers, church members, and seminary students."" Arjan de Visser, Professor of Ministry and Mission, Canadian Reformed Theological Seminary ""Grounding both the general and special offices in the history of revelation, Professor Van Dam exhibits beautifully how the Second Adam has restored believers to the dignity of prophets, priests and kings. The way he works this out into the life of the church gathered on the Lord's Day and then scattered into worldly callings reflects the rich resources of classic Reformed interpretation of Scripture. In modern societies, where authority is surrendered to autonomy and even churches often capitulate to cultural pressures, this book comes as a bracing challenge. Reformed readers will be edified by understanding the rationale for practices often taken for granted, while other brothers and sisters will find scripturally-based reasons for cherishing the visible form of Christ's church. I highly recommend In Holy Service to its intended audience: all of the Lord's people!"" Michael Horton, J. Gresham Machen Professor of Systematic Theology and Apologetics, Westminster Seminary California"

Author Information

Cornelis Van Dam is emeritus professor of Old Testament at the Canadian Reformed Theological Seminary in Hamilton, Ontario.

Tab Content 6

Customer Reviews

Recent Reviews

Countries Available