The Jesus People movement began 60years ago. Young people with no Christian background or instruction suddenly found the Word of God and the person of Jesus Christ to be very attractive and compelling. Can such a thing happen again? I believe it can, and will. That belief is based on the simple fact that there … Continue reading Are the times also changing spiritually?
Faith and life
Light the candle
There is an election in the USA today, and judging by the attention given to it by media around the world, it would seem that no matter who wins half the world will see it as the end of civilization as we know it. Let’s take a deep breath, stop fretfully checking the news, and … Continue reading Light the candle
PHARISAISM
The Old Testament era ends with Ezra, Nehemiah and Malachi. Many Jews had returned from captivity, the walls of Jerusalem had been rebuilt and the second temple was being built. One ancient Jewish source said that five things that had been in Solomon’s temple were missing from the second temple: the ark of the covenant … Continue reading PHARISAISM
PIETISM
Hassle-free piety? Jesus said: “And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil” (John 3:19) . The apostle Paul wrote: “And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove [them]” (Ephesians 5:11). Those people who were … Continue reading PIETISM
PIETY
The Greek word Eusebia “denotes that piety which, characterized by a Godward attitude, does that which is well-pleasing to Him” (Vine’s Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words). Eusebia is most often translated godliness in the AV/KJV translation and by piété in French translations and pietà in Italian. Piety is characterized by a living relationship with … Continue reading PIETY
PIETY / PIETISM / PHARISAISM
There are two kinds of conservatism: a living one by which the faith is passed on intact and unchanged, always being kindled anew by the power of the Word and of the Holy Spirit; and a conservatism without life, that makes outward formalism the exclusive evidence of faith, with no reference to the condition of … Continue reading PIETY / PIETISM / PHARISAISM
The Martyrs Mirror: The Testimony of a Faith that would not be Repressed
The Martyrs Mirror, a monumental work of Anabaptist literature, chronicles the lives and tribulations of faithful Christians throughout history. It is a profound reflection on faith, suffering, and the enduring spirit of those who stood firm in their beliefs. The persecution of Christians was begun by pagan authorities and later continued by the Roman Catholic … Continue reading The Martyrs Mirror: The Testimony of a Faith that would not be Repressed
The three most common errors concerning the Sabbath
1 The Sabbath is a day of rest and refreshment for the mind and body in preparation for work the following week. 2 The Sabbath commandment calls people to gather for worship. 3 Christians changed the Sabbath from Saturday to Sunday. EXPLANATION: 1 We may think that God instituted one day of rest per week, … Continue reading The three most common errors concerning the Sabbath
Blowin’ in the Wind
Just over 60 years ago Bob Dylan wrote and recorded “Blowin’ in the Wind,” asking questions about freedom, peace and justice, then responding “The answer, my friend, is blowin’ in the wind.” The explanation of that thought seems to be that the answer is like piecs of newspaper blowing in the streets that noone bothers … Continue reading Blowin’ in the Wind
Allergies – to peanuts and to doctrine
Some years ago an alarm was raised over the drastic increase in the number of people suffering from peanut allergies. Mothers panicked at the threat posed by peanuts, which led to peanuts being banned from airline flights and from many schools. What is going on here? Peanuts are a healthy and nutritious food. In recent … Continue reading Allergies – to peanuts and to doctrine
Flatlander Faith 