The Old Testament era ends with Ezra, Nehemiah and Malachi. Many Jews had returned from captivity, the walls of Jerusalem had been rebuilt and the second temple was being built. One ancient Jewish source said that five things that had been in Solomon’s temple were missing from the second temple: the ark of the covenant … Continue reading PHARISAISM
Christianity
PIETY / PIETISM / PHARISAISM
There are two kinds of conservatism: a living one by which the faith is passed on intact and unchanged, always being kindled anew by the power of the Word and of the Holy Spirit; and a conservatism without life, that makes outward formalism the exclusive evidence of faith, with no reference to the condition of … Continue reading PIETY / PIETISM / PHARISAISM
The three most common errors concerning the Sabbath
1 The Sabbath is a day of rest and refreshment for the mind and body in preparation for work the following week. 2 The Sabbath commandment calls people to gather for worship. 3 Christians changed the Sabbath from Saturday to Sunday. EXPLANATION: 1 We may think that God instituted one day of rest per week, … Continue reading The three most common errors concerning the Sabbath
Playing hopscotch over the surface of the Bible
Two momentous events occurred in 1955: I became a teenager, and rock ‘n roll was born. I am thus a child of the rock ‘n roll era and still recognize the songs that were hits in that era, especially the 1960s. Those songs are still often heard as background music in the malls. Yesterday, as … Continue reading Playing hopscotch over the surface of the Bible
Allergies – to peanuts and to doctrine
Some years ago an alarm was raised over the drastic increase in the number of people suffering from peanut allergies. Mothers panicked at the threat posed by peanuts, which led to peanuts being banned from airline flights and from many schools. What is going on here? Peanuts are a healthy and nutritious food. In recent … Continue reading Allergies – to peanuts and to doctrine
Christian doctrine is the most exciting story
Somehow or other, and with the best intentions, we have shown the world the typical Christian in the likeness of a crashing and rather ill-natured bore–and this in the Name of One who assuredly never bored a soul in those thirty-three years during which He passed through this world like a flame. Let us, in … Continue reading Christian doctrine is the most exciting story
What will my reward be?
In describing the day of judgment, Jesus spoke of those who believed they had done great works for him, preaching, healing, casting out demons. But they found themselves turned to the left and protested against this great injustice. Jesus replied: “I had nothing to do with what you did. You did these things to receive … Continue reading What will my reward be?
Why does it matter?
After announcing my intention to write a book entitled Wells Without Water, I have posted a number of articles that might be called the raw material for the book. Which is to say that most of them will need a major rewrite before I am satisfied that I have said what I want to say, … Continue reading Why does it matter?
It’s been quite a journey
August 1, 1970, St. Barnabas Anglican Church, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan. Robert Goodnough and Christine Vance stood side by side, answered questions posed by Rev. Kenneth Vickers and were pronounced husband and wife. Today we go by Bob and Chris and marvel at the journey. We have lived in five provinces of Canada, and attended many … Continue reading It’s been quite a journey
Echoes of invention
[First posted 10 years ago.] The Church of God (Anderson, Indiana) gradually began to downplay some of the distinctive teachings of Daniel Warner, leading some of those who believed strongly in those teachings to leave the church. In 1980, Daniel Layne left the Church of God (Anderson, Indiana) and assumed the leadership of those who … Continue reading Echoes of invention
Flatlander Faith 