Several weeks ago I wrote about the effect on education of René Descartes’ belief in the ability of the human mind to discover all truth through the exercise of reason. That belief has worked its way into every aspect of Western civilization. It is found in our media, our social institutions, our ideas about business, … Continue reading Consequences of a false gospel
Faith and life
Their citizenship is in heaven
The Kingdom of God is the only kingdom or nation that is rightfully called Christian. The citizens of this kingdom are on earth, but their citizenship is in heaven. They do not treasure things that are highly esteemed in this world, which are an abomination to their heavenly King. Their treasure is in heaven, where … Continue reading Their citizenship is in heaven
Baby steps
"God will provide." We say those words glibly, so certain of their truth that we may appear to have no compassion for people in distress. That isn’t what they are experiencing day after day. Life seems to be stacked against them. Perhaps they don’t have the skills to find a job that will pay a living … Continue reading Baby steps
Mennonites don’t have a social conscience!
During the first few years that we were members of the Church of God in Christ, Mennonite, my wife was often puzzled about why other church members were seemingly unmoved by problems and injustices in the world that moved her deeply. One day a light came on, and she said to me, “Mennonites don’t have … Continue reading Mennonites don’t have a social conscience!
All Christians are hypocrites
□ True □ False I think we have to check the true box on this one. Let’s be clear though, that we are not hypocrites because we are Christian, we are hypocrites because we are human. The desire to appear to be better than we are is endemic in humanity. Becoming a Christian makes us … Continue reading All Christians are hypocrites
Winsomeness
More than 350 years ago, Blaise Pascal described what he hoped to achieve with his writing this way: People despise Christian faith. They hate it and are afraid that it may be true. The solution for this is to show them, first of all, that it is not unreasonable, that it is worthy of reverence … Continue reading Winsomeness
Ten easy ways to squander our spiritual heritage
1. Speak often about our goodly heritage but remain tongue tied when asked to explain what it is. 2. Say we believe everything in the Bible, but never read it from beginning to end. 3. Consider a worship service to be a spectator activity. 4. Never volunteer for any task in the congregation. 5. Be … Continue reading Ten easy ways to squander our spiritual heritage
Change is in the air
A few days ago the days started to grow longer. I can’t tell the difference yet–the sun still rises at 9:15 AM and sets at 5:00 PM. The daily change so far is small: today is 25 seconds longer than yesterday, tomorrow will be 30 seconds longer than today. But I know that soon it … Continue reading Change is in the air
The return of the light
The Israelites had light when the Egyptians were in darkness. The light went with them to show the way when the waters stood aside to let them cross the Red Sea. The light stayed with them for forty years through the wilderness, then led them through the Jordan into the promised land, while the waters … Continue reading The return of the light
A Mother’s Teaching from 1897
Ma was telling us that there are always men rising up and declaring that Jesus could not be the Son of God, but was just a wonderful teacher. But she says not to let that bother us, for none of those men who undertake to explain all the works of God, have been able to … Continue reading A Mother’s Teaching from 1897
Flatlander Faith 