The Roman Catholic Church endeavoured to destroy all evidence of the faith of those whom they persecuted. Nevertheless, much can be learned from their accusations against those they called heretics. For instance, here is the accusation of Peter of Cluny against Peter de Bruys: “They deny that infants who have not yet attained the years … Continue reading Truth or heresy?
A living faith
I CAN NEITHER TEACH NOR LIVE BY THE FAITH OF OTHERS. I MUST LIVE BY MY OWN FAITH AS THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD HAS TAUGHT ME THROUGH HIS WORD. -MENNO SIMONS THE TITLE ITSELF (MENNONITES) HAS NO SAVING POWER, IT'S VALUE LIES ONLY IN THE FACT THAT MENNO'S TEACHING IS ENTIRELY IN ACCORD WITH … Continue reading A living faith
Sympathy to our Friends
a tragic loss
Hard work is not a Christian virtue
The robots are coming. Technology already exists that could eliminate almost half of all jobs over the next ten years. Working harder isn't going to save your job if it is on that list. Working smarter isn't going to do it either. The economy is changing and the best way to ride the wave of … Continue reading Hard work is not a Christian virtue
The breaking point
Dad and I had never been close; fear of his impatience and anger made me keep a safe distance. As I grew up the gulf between us widened and neither of us knew how to bridge it. One Sunday in June of 1959 we were on our way home from church. I was driving, Mom … Continue reading The breaking point
The problem of ethnic pride
I read a number of English language historical novels when I was young. The English heroes were brave, honest, noble and kind. The villains, often French or Spanish, were shifty-eyed, cowardly dishonest and cruel. I accepted this as truth, and, being of English ancestry, it felt good to be able to identify with the good … Continue reading The problem of ethnic pride
What is an indigenous church?
An indigenous church is one that has been planted in a new environment, taken root and grows and thrives without outside support. People in the community do not see a cultural barrier between themselves and members of the church and conclude that any differences between them and the members of this church are due to … Continue reading What is an indigenous church?
Worship styles – what is essential?
I was reading articles about the history of church pews and it seems most writers feel that pews became important at the time of the Reformation. In Roman Catholic worship the focus was on the communion and provisions for congregational seating were not of major importance. With the Reformation, the focus switched to the sermon … Continue reading Worship styles – what is essential?
A parable about a parable
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 Renowned investigative reporter Ernest Digger has just returned from a trip to the Middle … Continue reading A parable about a parable
Missionary hymns
I think the old missionary hymns leave many of us feeling a little uneasy. Those references to carrying the gospel to every dark land – was there a deliberate inference that lands where white people dwell are more enlightened and the lands where darker skinned people dwell are in spiritual darkness? I fear that idea … Continue reading Missionary hymns
Flatlander Faith 