But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear (1 Peter 3:15). The three highlighted words: “give an answer” are a translation of a single Greek word: apologia. The … Continue reading Giving an answer
humility
Apologetics and humility
[Here are a couple of short excerpts from Relational Apologetics, Defending the Christian Faith with Holiness, Respect and Truth, Copyright © 2012 by Michael C Sherrard. This is the first book I have ever bought from Amazon, I have it on the Kindle app on my smart phone. Michael also blogs on the same subject, you … Continue reading Apologetics and humility
A gentle admonition
[Benjamin Eby was bishop of the Mennonite churches of Waterloo County. The other Mennonite churches in Ontario, in the Markham and Niagara areas, had their own bishops. Nevertheless, Benjamin Eby was highly regarded and he was often called upon by the others for counsel. This letter gives a hint of the reason for this respect. … Continue reading A gentle admonition
The foolishness of preaching
For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect. For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. For it is … Continue reading The foolishness of preaching
Kindness does more than violence
Here is another story that was told to Ruben Saillens. An Anabaptist and his wife were sleeping peacefully in their hut at the edge of the road, when some young men returning from a party in a neighbouring village passed by. “Look. Here’s the home of the old Anabaptist. Why don’t we play a trick … Continue reading Kindness does more than violence
The power of turning the other cheekl
I had devotions at our school this morning. Part of what I told the chlidren and their teachers was the following story from the life of Albert Tait. Albert Tait lived on a Saulteaux Indian Reservation in North-Western Ontario. The Saulteaux (pronounced Soto) are one of the most widespread First Nations groups in Canada, called … Continue reading The power of turning the other cheekl
The importance of being weak
Maria Braun was arrested in 1966 for teaching a foreign ideology to young children in the Kirghiz Soviet Republic. She had organized classes for preschool and older children to teach about faith in Jesus Christ. Another lady was arrested with her and at their trial the judge sentenced the other lady to five years in … Continue reading The importance of being weak
The worthy poor, and other heresies
Charity, with all its shades of meaning, is one of the chief virtues of Christianity. We know that one way to exercise charity is to help those who are unable to buy the necessities of life. But we don’t want to be too profligate with our largesse, so we decide to limit our giving to … Continue reading The worthy poor, and other heresies
Why I go to church on Sunday
It's not because the Fourth Commandment demands it. The Fourth Commandment says nothing at all about worship. It's not because the ceremonies of the church are a means of imparting the grace of God. I was a member of a liturgical church in my youth, and took part in the Eucharist every Sunday, as much … Continue reading Why I go to church on Sunday
Salt of the earth
“Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men” (Matthew 5:13).“Not only did the Hebrews make general use of salt in the food of both … Continue reading Salt of the earth
Flatlander Faith 