Judith Adler teaches a course on families and the cultural traditions of families the world over at Memorial University of Newfoundland. A few years ago she began to suspect that her students had no idea where some of the places she was talking about actually were. So she gave them a quiz. The quiz consisted … Continue reading Where is Ottawa?
The price of sin
Sin will teach you more than you ever cared to know. Sin will take you farther than you ever planned to go. Sin will cost you more than you ever planned to pay. Sin will keep you longer than you ever planned to stay. -Author unknown (If anyone knows who wrote … Continue reading The price of sin
The worthy poor, and other heresies
Charity, with all its shades of meaning, is one of the chief virtues of Christianity. We know that one way to exercise charity is to help those who are unable to buy the necessities of life. But we don’t want to be too profligate with our largesse, so we decide to limit our giving to … Continue reading The worthy poor, and other heresies
Is the trumpet giving an uncertain sound?
For if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to the battle? So likewise ye, except ye utter by the tongue words easy to be understood, how shall it be known what is spoken? for ye shall speak into the air. (1 Corinthians 14:8-9) The issue in question when Paul wrote those … Continue reading Is the trumpet giving an uncertain sound?
Why I go to church on Sunday
It's not because the Fourth Commandment demands it. The Fourth Commandment says nothing at all about worship. It's not because the ceremonies of the church are a means of imparting the grace of God. I was a member of a liturgical church in my youth, and took part in the Eucharist every Sunday, as much … Continue reading Why I go to church on Sunday
Discovery learning
The Province of Alberta recently announced a complete transformation of their teaching methods. The new model is based on the wonderfully naive expectation that a classroom of 30 children of the same age will learn much better if the teacher is relegated to the background and not allowed to teach. Where does this dewy-eyed credulity … Continue reading Discovery learning
Seasons
Seventeen years ago we travelled south at Easter time. The destination was Arkansas where our daughter was teaching school and Deborah, one of our daughters friends, was with us. As we drove south through Arkansas, we noticed numerous mounds of dirt in the fields. After reaching our destination, we asked about those mounds. “Oh, they’re … Continue reading Seasons
Spiritual starvtion and suicide
[This was written 33 years ago, as you will note by the reference to the IRA hunger strikers.] "But Jesus said unto them, They need not depart; give ye them to eat" (Matt. 14:16). Jesus was out in the hills of Galilee, and the multitudes came there to him to be healed and to learn … Continue reading Spiritual starvtion and suicide
Salt of the earth
“Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men” (Matthew 5:13).“Not only did the Hebrews make general use of salt in the food of both … Continue reading Salt of the earth
Exegesis vs Eisegesis
I know some people will see this title and will already have a pretty good idea of what I am going to say. Others may wonder why I am using such fancy words. I hope you will all bear with me, read the post and feel free to comment. In layman's terms, exegesis is what … Continue reading Exegesis vs Eisegesis
Flatlander Faith 