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
faith
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
The Sabbath: rest for the body or for the soul?
Philo of Alexandria, defending Jews from Roman accusations of laziness because of their strict observation of the Sabbath, wrote: “On this day we are commanded to abstain from all work, not because the law inculcates slackness. . . . Its object is rather to give man relaxation from continuous and unending toil and by refreshing … Continue reading The Sabbath: rest for the body or for the soul?
Verla’s first prayer
Verla didn’t know what to think when a group of Mennonites came to sing for her husband. Neither did they for that matter; they did not know the people in this house. However, someone had suggested they sing for this dying man and so they did. Verla and the children stayed in another room until … Continue reading Verla’s first prayer
Doctrines of the humanist religion – conclusion
Almost everything that a man does is governed by his religious beliefs, even when he professes to have no religion at all! There is within each human a hunger that compels him to seek for answers about his existence. Why am I here? Where did I come from? Where am I going? He needs to … Continue reading Doctrines of the humanist religion – conclusion
Doctrines of the humanist religion
1. Nothing is real that cannot be understood by the human mind. People choose to believe in spirits, magic, witchcraft, astrology, scientific theories or various "holy books." These are merely attempts to fit all things seen and experienced into a framework that appears to give a logical explanation for every detail and event. I may … Continue reading Doctrines of the humanist religion
Submission = Freedom
I realize this is a counter-cultural statement in the present day and age where liberty is prized above all other virtues. But are people more free today than they were in ages past? Consider the example of a shepherd and his flock. The shepherd watches over the needs of the flock, guards them from enemies, … Continue reading Submission = Freedom
Knowing who the true enemy is
While driving through downtown Saskatoon today, my wife and I noticed a billboard for the University of Lethbridge, which boasted “We teach you how to think, not what to think.” I wonder how true that is. As far as one can tell, the whole public education system in our country is committed to teaching and … Continue reading Knowing who the true enemy is
The suicide of civilizations
I have been pondering the thoughts that Jacques Ellul expressed in Presence au monde moderne. I don’t know if this book has ever been translated into English, as most of his other books have. This book was first published in 1948, shortly after World War II. The following excerpts are my translation. “Thus we see … Continue reading The suicide of civilizations
A simple question
The following paragraphs are quoted from By My Spirit, written by Jonathan Goforth. I would like to add a simple question to what Mr. Goforth has written: In this age of leisure, why do so many of us struggle to find time for reading the Bible? During my student days in Toronto my one weapon, … Continue reading A simple question
