[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
God
Theory, hypothesis, fallacy
People despise Christian faith. They hate it and are afraid that it may be true. -Blaise Pascal Pascal wrote these words at the beginning of the scientific era. All attempts made during succeeding years to disprove Christianity by scientific means have been motivated by this fear. For, if Christianity is true, if there really is … Continue reading Theory, hypothesis, fallacy
The Essence of Pietism
Pietism has appeared in so many forms over the years, from the extreme asceticism of the hermit monks to the ecstatic antinomianism of some segments of the charismatic movement. The common thread running through all aspects of pietism is the conviction that I have attained to a level of spiritually and communion with God that … Continue reading The Essence of Pietism
The Perils of Pietism
Glenda Careless sat enthralled as the speaker told of the hundreds who had been delivered from sin and addictions by the blood of Jesus through his ministry. She drank it all in and realized that she needed that deliverance — she wanted it with all her being. He said God would do the same thing … Continue reading The Perils of Pietism
The significance of baptism
This post consists entirely of excerpts from the chapter on Baptism (pages 81 to 88) in A Third Way, by Paul M Lederach, © 1980 by Herald Press. In essence, baptism is the means through which the reborn believer commits himself or herself to a life of obedience, in the fellowship with other believers, and … Continue reading The significance of baptism
What Colour is Your Bushel?
Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may … Continue reading What Colour is Your Bushel?
Respect of Persons
“My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons.” James 2:1. The hardest thing for a person to conceal is his opinion of himself, including his concept of where others rank in relation to him. The world has developed a corresponding expertise in detecting hypocrisy … Continue reading Respect of Persons
What kind of people do we think we are?
An encounter between Jesus and a group of Pharisees is recorded in the 18th chapter of the gospel of Luke. The Pharisees are described as “certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others.” Jesus then told a parable of a pharisee and a publican (usually considered by the Jews to be … Continue reading What kind of people do we think we are?
“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”
Father Goose
I was working outside this afternoon, putting our water hoses away for the season and listening to the chatter of Canada geese from a pond about a half mile away. I couldn’t see the pond from ground level, there is a railway line between here and there that is built up high enough to block … Continue reading Father Goose
Flatlander Faith 