About 35 years ago I read a magazine article about a famous (notorious?) Canadian rock musician. Near the end of the article, this musician was quoted as saying, “I love the Lord; but I don’t have much use for his ground crew.” That statement has stuck in my mind, perhaps because it seems that so … Continue reading God’s ground crew
evangelical
Catholicism or catholicity?
I believe in the Holy Ghost; the holy catholic church, the communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. This is the final clause of the ancient confession of faith which is commonly known as the Apostles’ Creed. It is the earliest complete confession of the Christian … Continue reading Catholicism or catholicity?
On second thought
I posted a couple of articles this week that would have benefited from some sober second thought before sending them out into the unsuspecting world. It's not that I think I shouldn't have said what I said, but i think the articles needed to be turned inside out and upside down, with some things pruned … Continue reading On second thought
There is a famine – part two
Yesterday I wrote a little about the famine of hearing the words of the Lord. Today I want to write about another kind of famine that is spreading over our land: a famine of community among those who would follow the Lord. This kind of famine is just as deadly as the first, especially since … Continue reading There is a famine – part two
Parents and contagious faith
In June 1953, at the age of eleven, I was confirmed and became a full member of the Anglican Church of Canada. After the service, our local minister handed me a little red book, containing questions for self-examination before communion. They were searching questions and I remember taking that little red book on a Saturday … Continue reading Parents and contagious faith
Separate from the world
The text which follows is a very much abridged excerpt from J. C. Ryle's Practical Christianity, which was first published in 1867. John Charles Ryle (1816-1900) was a leader of the evangelical wing of the Church of England, and bishop of Liverpool from 1880 to 1900. The subject perhaps was never more important than it … Continue reading Separate from the world
Epistle from a Waldensian Barbe
[Barbe, meaning uncle, was the name given by the Waldensians to their ministers.] An Epistle of the Barbe Bartolemi Tertian to the Evangelical churches of Pragela, circa 1420 AD. Jesus be with us. To all our faithful and beloved brethren in Jesus Christ. I greet you all. Amen. This Epistle is to alert your brotherhood, … Continue reading Epistle from a Waldensian Barbe
“They feared the LORD and served their own gods”
The title comes from 2 Kings 17:33 and describes the people of Samaria during the time of their subjection to the king of Assyria. We shake our heads in disbelief, wondering how those long ago people could have been so blind. What were they thinking? Let’s take a closer look; who was the LORD and … Continue reading “They feared the LORD and served their own gods”
WWJD is the Wrong Question
In His Steps, first published in 1897, is Charles Sheldon’s tale of the transformation of the fictional town of Raymond when people began to ask “What would Jesus do?” Many of us have read it. It sounds inspiring, doesn’t it? The Bible is read, powerful prayers are offered up, good things happen. However, when answers … Continue reading WWJD is the Wrong Question
Benjamin Eby’s “Origin and Doctrine of the Mennonites” – Part 6
BIOGRAPHY OF MENNO SIMONS, continued The following is an extract from Book 16 in the Downfall of the Tyrants, by Peter Jantsz Twisck, pages 1074-1075. A daughter of Menno Simons, a praiseworthy woman, in our presence related the following incident: A certain traitor who had agreed, for a certain sum of money, to deliver without … Continue reading Benjamin Eby’s “Origin and Doctrine of the Mennonites” – Part 6
Flatlander Faith 