There was a Bible College in the city where I was living forty years ago. At that particular time, there was an emphasis in this school on overcoming the inhibitions that would prevent one from freely following the leading of the Holy Spirit. At least that was the intention. A lady in the church my … Continue reading A tactless conversation starter
evangelism
A tale of two missions
Missionaries were sent forth into a poor country where few people knew of the salvation made possible through the blood of Jesus shed at Calvary. They went with much zeal and enthusiasm and had no trouble finding people who wanted to hear the gospel. Before long they had gathered many converts. In fact, it seemed … Continue reading A tale of two missions
The impossibility of the missionary’s task
We have this delightful mythology of the middle class white Christian who goes to some “dark heathen land” to preach the gospel and finds people who respond to the message with enthusiasm. He reports large numbers of conversions and baptisms, he establishes churches and all is wonderful. This mythology is fed by missionary hymns and … Continue reading The impossibility of the missionary’s task
Contagious holiness
“True evangelism is the result of a contagious holiness. Untrue evangelism is simply marketing or recruiting.” -Doug Wilson, from Blog & Mablog, http://www.dougwils.com Doug Wilson writes from a Calvinist / Reformed point of view, therefore we differ on some very fundamental issues of the Christian faith. Yet a lot of what he writes about the … Continue reading Contagious holiness
How to choose a religion
"Fightin' is no way to make converts; the true way is to win them. You may stop a man's mouth Sam," says he, "by a crammin' a book down his throat, but you won't convince him. It's a fine thing to write a book all covered over with Latin, and Greek, and Hebrew, like a … Continue reading How to choose a religion
Relevant to what?
Relevant to what? Everybody talking about the decline of Christianity in the Western world says that it is because the faith preached over the pulpit is no longer relevant to our society. What they cannot agree on is in what way it is no longer relevant. For over a century now, many churches have struggled … Continue reading Relevant to what?
Uncompromising faith
"Anabaptism was essentially a movement which insisted upon an earnest and uncompromising endeavour to live a life of true discipleship of Christ, that is to give expression in fellowship and love to the deepest Christian faith, with full readiness to suffer in conflict with the evil world order. So long as this willingness to suffer … Continue reading Uncompromising faith
The curse of knowledge
“Once you know something, it’s hard to imagine not knowing it.” The title for this post, and the quotation above, are taken from the book Made to Stick, © 2007, 2008 by Chip and Dan Heath, published by Random House. The curse of knowledge is a stumbling block for every Christian who attempts to speak … Continue reading The curse of knowledge
Blessed are the meek
— for they shall inherit the earth. (Matthew 5:5) I believe I have located one of the weak points in my faith. I love the promise in this verse, who wouldn't? But I don't really want to be a poor, timorous, vacillating wimp. However, the promise is for the meek. Thus I am faced with … Continue reading Blessed are the meek
There oughta be a law
Every time there is some terrible crime committed or a horrific disaster, someone is sure to say "there oughta be a law" to prevent such mayhem from ever happening again. Governments are happy to oblige, but is there any evidence the laws are helping? A poem that was often recited in the Christian school which … Continue reading There oughta be a law
Flatlander Faith 