The New Testament admonishes us to “redeem the time”. Our understanding of this phrase is closely bound to our concept of stewardship. Those who see stewardship primarily in material terms interpret this phrase as an injunction to occupy every minute with some gainful employment. Interestingly enough, if we look at the context, we find the … Continue reading What is Christian Stewardship? Part 3
Holy Spirit
Conservatism / Liberalism
[I believe this writing must originate with Robert Friedman. There is a paragraph on page 92 of Mennonite Piety Through the Centuries which briefly states the same thoughts in almost identical words. I'm not sure if Mr. Friedman expanded on those thoughts in another writing, or if another writer did it. In any case, it … Continue reading Conservatism / Liberalism
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
Where did those words come from?
A friend and I had spent the night in the bar and it was around midnight when we arrived back in the little town where I lived. We weren’t ready to call it a day yet, so when we saw a light in a friend’s house we went and banged on the door. They let … Continue reading Where did those words come from?
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
Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy
Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work: But the seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy … Continue reading Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy
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
Spirit, Water, and Blood
“And there are three that bear witness in earth, the Spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one.” (1 John 5:8) The water, blood and Spirit can all be seen in the consecration of Aaron, at the very beginning of the organized worship of the people of Israel. In Exodus … Continue reading Spirit, Water, and Blood
What is the New Birth?
Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born? Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That … Continue reading What is the New Birth?
Flatlander Faith 