Moralistic, therapeutic deism, a term first used by Christian Smith, seems a fitting description of much of what passes for Christianity in North America. This philosophy leads people to believe in a God who wants them to be good, wants them to feel good about themselves, doesn’t need to be consulted except in case of … Continue reading Moralistic, Therapeutic Deism
Faith and life
Fast food Christianity
Since I started this blog almost ten years ago, I have attempted from time to time to point out the fallacies of what passes for evangelical Christianity in our day. Perhaps this is a good time to repeat some of those posts. Image by OpenClipart-Vectors from Pixabay We are told, and it is obvious if we are paying … Continue reading Fast food Christianity
Scriptural use of the sacramental signs
The Bible instructs us to observe two sacraments: baptism and communion. They are the essential means for gathering a church of born-again believers and for maintaining the unity of that church. There is a lot of confused thinking about both of them. As a boy, I learned from the Anglican catechism that a sacraments is … Continue reading Scriptural use of the sacramental signs
Pure doctrine
Doctrine: a word of Latin origin meaning a teaching, or collectively, a set of teachings. Pure Christian doctrine then is a set of teachings whose sole source is the Bible. In accepting the Bible is the Word of God, this means that its teachings come from our Creator, who has a full understanding of the … Continue reading Pure doctrine
Confused churches
Louis Riel, the 19th century Métis leader, was troubled by the things he experienced from the churches of his day. He read in the Bible about a Church of Jesus Christ that was characterized by love and peace. What he saw in both the Roman Catholic and Protestant churches was oppression and pride. The churches … Continue reading Confused churches
The presence of God
The funeral was in the church that was the city's most famous landmark. Inside, there were vaulted ceilings, stained glass windows on each side and tiered rows of seating. The music from the Casavant Frères organ that filled the east wall, its largest pipes stretching from floor to ceiling, completed the atmosphere of reverence. The … Continue reading The presence of God
Antichrist
The following passages are a brief summary of a writing entitled Antichrist which is at least 900 years old. It originated among the Albigensian Christians of southern France, around the time of Pierre de Bruys, and was preserved by the Waldensians. Readers who have a copy of the Martyrs Mirror will find a brief excerpt … Continue reading Antichrist
The weapons of a Christian
The whole world is in a mess. What can we do about it? The answer Jesus gives is : Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you. That's counter-intuitive isn't it? Our intuitive response is to answer … Continue reading The weapons of a Christian
So Send I You
After the resurrection and before Jesus departed from this world, He told His disciples "As the Father hath sent me, so send I you" (John 20:21). Just a few simple words, so clear and plain that we are apt to miss their implication. The Father sent Jesus into the Jewish nation to teach and portray … Continue reading So Send I You
Uncomfortable truths taught by Menno
Yes, dear reader, true Christian faith as it is required in Scripture, is so living, active and strong in all those who through the grace of the Lord have rightly obtained it, that they do not hesitate to forsake father, mother, wife, children, money and possessions for the Word and testimony of the Lord; to … Continue reading Uncomfortable truths taught by Menno
