The following statement was made in 1538 by an unnamed Anabaptist leader during a meeting between the Swiss Reformed and Anabaptists in Berne: “While yet in the national church we obtained much instruction from the writings of Luther, Zwingli, and others, concerning the mass and other papal ceremonies, that they are vain. Yet we recognized … Continue reading Anabaptists were persecuted because of their purity
Why the top-down church doesn’t work
The pattern of Old Testament history is that as long as the people of God had a Judge or a King who knew God and walked in his ways, the people followed and all was well. All to often though, when that Judge or King died things quickly went downhill. We should not believe it … Continue reading Why the top-down church doesn’t work
It’s that time of year again
There are twenty Manitoba maple (acer negundo) trees between our house and the road. They are not a hardwood tree like the maples of Eastern Canada, but still useful as ornamental and shade trees and perfect for young boys to climb. It is possible to make maple syrup from the sap of Manitoba maples, but … Continue reading It’s that time of year again
Thinking outside the zeitgeist – 4
Thirty years ago, renowned child psychologist made the observation that the world was all taken up with ecology and trying to preserve all flora and fauna in their natural settings. But, he said, that didn't seem to extend to human children. His view was that the natural, and ideal, ecosystem for raising a happy and … Continue reading Thinking outside the zeitgeist – 4
Where have all the children gone?
I remember a time when most children were taken or sent to Sunday school. When those children grew up and became parents, many of them did not see the need of Sunday School for their children. And with each generation there is a diminishing number of children who have any contact with Biblical Christian teaching. … Continue reading Where have all the children gone?
Two or three gathered together doth not a church make
[Another post from 10 years ago] Why do people stop going to church? Could it be because so may churches are not really churches? Matthew 18:20 does not speak about Christians gathering for worship. It is a continuation of the passage beginning at verse 15 and speaks of the testimony of two or three witnesses … Continue reading Two or three gathered together doth not a church make
Homeopathic dilution of Christianity
First posted ten years ago. To describe it very briefly, homeopathy is a branch of alternative medicine that treats diseases with natural substances that are diluted well past the point where any trace of the original substance can be detected. Some call it quackery, others say that it works where other methods fail. It does … Continue reading Homeopathic dilution of Christianity
Schooling versus learning
“My schooling not only failed to teach me what it professed to be teaching, but prevented me from being educated to an extent which infuriates me when I think of all I might have learned at home by myself.” George Bernard Shaw “My grandmother wanted me to have an education, so she kept me out … Continue reading Schooling versus learning
What’s in the bottle?
[First posted in October, 2017.] Image by Dmitriy from Pixabay Once upon a time a man was given a wonderful elixir that would cure every disease of mankind. He bottled it in plain brown bottles and offered it for sale to others. The price was very high and it didn’t taste very good, but it worked. As time … Continue reading What’s in the bottle?
A parable about a parable
[First posted July 2017.] The kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls: who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it. The words of Jesus recorded in Matthew 13:45-46 Image by picasso from Pixabay Renowned investigative reporter Ernest Digger has just returned from … Continue reading A parable about a parable
Flatlander Faith 