Status Updates From Neo-Calvinism: A Theologica...

“Because every creature of God is good and not to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, because everything can be sanctified by the Word of God and prayer, rejection of any one of His creatures would be ingratitude to God, a denial of His gifts. Our conflict is not with anything creatures y but against sin alone.” Bavinck quote p288

“Christ, argues Bavinck, has given the church a twofold office of elder and deacon as exemplary of the twofold ministerial call that extends to all Christians: the ministry of Word and deed. While the formal ministry of the Word happens within the institute, the missional ministry of the Word extends into the life of this world.” Ministry of evangelism & ministry of mercy. P285

“Thus, Kuyper & Bavinck do not seek to Christianize everything as in the sense of Rome, but to witness and call people to see God’s creational norms & to understand that Christianity fits reality best-for people to see themselves as thinking and living pro Rege (for the king) in the world.” P283

“The institute (physical building of church and physical people attending plus their offices) as mother serves that organism (living, true believers & members of Christ’s body) in feeding it and equipping it for life in the world.” P278. A beautiful picture of the church as institution’s role.