I used to think that when a Christian died he or she was ushered straight through the pearly gates into heaven. I guess I got that from the popular cultural perception of how Christians believed. Ten years ago, the picture that I had was challenged on Scriptural grounds, and my thinking has changed. Today I … Continue reading Do the saved go to heaven when they die?
faith
Leadership in the church
The church needs leaders to guide and teach the members and to be examples to them. Yet the ministers are servants of the church. Minister, bishop, elder, pastor and evangelist are not different offices in the church but describe the various responsibilities of a minister. The responsibility of deacons lies more in the area of … Continue reading Leadership in the church
Christian fellowship in the church
The New Testament depicts the church as a body where believers of many backgrounds are united in true brotherhood. The disarray in many churches should not cause us to abandon hope that this is still possible in our day. It is yet God's plan for His children. Are we humble enough to trust the Holy … Continue reading Christian fellowship in the church
Porcupine allegory, part one
Once upon a time, in a land far away, there was a porcupine named Rolly. Like the other porcupines in this far away land, Rolly was big, much bigger than the little porcupines that we mostly see as road kill along our highways. Because of his size and his quills, other animals did not bother … Continue reading Porcupine allegory, part one
Conservatism vs Liberalism?
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 Conservatism vs Liberalism?
In praise of pilgrims and strangers
It is right and good to honour outstanding Christian leaders and missionaries of the past, and to follow their example. However, they are a very small part of the story of Christianity. Throughout the centuries since the time of the apostles, a vast number of unknown believers, led by the Holy Spirit, have kept the … Continue reading In praise of pilgrims and strangers
The Bible is our heritage, let’s get to know it
In Genesis 13:17 God said to Abraham: Arise, walk through the land in the length of it and in the breadth of it; for I will give it unto thee. For Christians today, the Holy Bible, the Word of God, is our heritage. Have we walked through the length of it and the breadth of … Continue reading The Bible is our heritage, let’s get to know it
Is friendliness next to godliness?
Paddy Davis was a lonely old man, a widower whose only son was divorced, depriving Paddy of any contact with his grandchildren. We could often hear him out in his backyard in the early morning singing the old, familiar hymns. He had once been a song leader in his church and still had a good … Continue reading Is friendliness next to godliness?
Thoughtless generosity
The rain began July 19, 1996 over the semi-mountainous terrain surrounding the Kenogami basin in Québec and continued for three days, dropping enough water to fill the Kenogami reservoir one and a half times. Unfortunately, it was nearly full to begin with. Torrents of water flowed over the dam and into the cities of Chicoutimi … Continue reading Thoughtless generosity
I dreamed there was no God
Another post from When I Was Thirteen by Christina Young, the followup from yesterday's post. June 1, 1897 This is Sunday morning, and also the first day of June. Everyone else is sleeping still, as the sun is just coming up over the trees at the ditch. I got up early like this, because I … Continue reading I dreamed there was no God
Flatlander Faith 