Philo of Alexandria, defending Jews from Roman accusations of laziness because of their strict observation of the Sabbath, wrote: “On this day we are commanded to abstain from all work, not because the law inculcates slackness. . . . Its object is rather to give man relaxation from continuous and unending toil and by refreshing … Continue reading The Sabbath: rest for the body or for the soul?
Faith and life
Restless Christians
Throughout the Bible there is a promise of rest for the people of God, typified by the seventh day when God rested from His labours. The Bible tells us that after Joshua led the people of God into the promised land they had rest from all their enemies round about (Joshua 23:1). However, the book … Continue reading Restless Christians
Verla’s first prayer
Verla didn’t know what to think when a group of Mennonites came to sing for her husband. Neither did they for that matter; they did not know the people in this house. However, someone had suggested they sing for this dying man and so they did. Verla and the children stayed in another room until … Continue reading Verla’s first prayer
Doctrines of the humanist religion – conclusion
Almost everything that a man does is governed by his religious beliefs, even when he professes to have no religion at all! There is within each human a hunger that compels him to seek for answers about his existence. Why am I here? Where did I come from? Where am I going? He needs to … Continue reading Doctrines of the humanist religion – conclusion
Doctrines of the humanist religion
1. Nothing is real that cannot be understood by the human mind. People choose to believe in spirits, magic, witchcraft, astrology, scientific theories or various "holy books." These are merely attempts to fit all things seen and experienced into a framework that appears to give a logical explanation for every detail and event. I may … Continue reading Doctrines of the humanist religion
The couple that prays together . . .
I was looking over the latest issue of Christianisme aujourd’hui today via the internet and came across a marvellous article by Nancy Decorvet on the subject of why so many Christians divorce. Chrisitanisme aujourd’hui is published in France, the name translates to Christianity Today, but it has no affiliation with the US magazine of that … Continue reading The couple that prays together . . .
Submission = Freedom
I realize this is a counter-cultural statement in the present day and age where liberty is prized above all other virtues. But are people more free today than they were in ages past? Consider the example of a shepherd and his flock. The shepherd watches over the needs of the flock, guards them from enemies, … Continue reading Submission = Freedom
Knowing who the true enemy is
While driving through downtown Saskatoon today, my wife and I noticed a billboard for the University of Lethbridge, which boasted “We teach you how to think, not what to think.” I wonder how true that is. As far as one can tell, the whole public education system in our country is committed to teaching and … Continue reading Knowing who the true enemy is
The suicide of civilizations
I have been pondering the thoughts that Jacques Ellul expressed in Presence au monde moderne. I don’t know if this book has ever been translated into English, as most of his other books have. This book was first published in 1948, shortly after World War II. The following excerpts are my translation. “Thus we see … Continue reading The suicide of civilizations
The way of peace
Forty-five years ago I was picking up my mail in a village post office when I heard two older men reminiscing about the war. Somehow the subject of Mennonites came up. “Mennonites!” one of them said angrily, “They should all be lined up against a wall and shot!” The other agreed. This was at a … Continue reading The way of peace
