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?
Jesus Christ
This is war
“Must I be carried to the skies on flow’ry beds of ease?” asked Isaac Watts many years ago. Well, nowadays that seems to be exactly what we expect Christian life to be like. Is it any wonder that so many folks find Christian life to be boring and unfulfilling? Jesus didn’t promise “flow’ry beds of … Continue reading This is war
Evangelical hubris
[The following paragraphs are quoted from Less Than Conquerors: How Evangelicals Entered the Twentieth Century, by Douglas W. Frank, copyright 1986 by William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company.] I suspect that the wildfire growth of premillennialism in the decades after the Civil War really represented a bold move on the part of evangelicals to recapture their … Continue reading Evangelical hubris
Evils of the Dispensational Viewpoint
[The following paragraphs are quoted from The Reign of Christ by Charles Ewing Brown, copyright 1948 by the Gospel Trumpet Company.] This view ministers to spiritual pride. People who vaunt themselves on understanding the dispensations often look down with contempt on other Christians, charging them with ignorance and incompetence in properly dividing the Bible. If … Continue reading Evils of the Dispensational Viewpoint
Dispensationalism Begins to Unravel
My new Christian friends said that they believed the Bible spoke of only one return of our Lord, at the time of the resurrection and the last judgement. I was shocked at first, but then those niggling little doubts grew louder and louder. Isn’t that what the Scriptures appear to say, after all? “And this … Continue reading Dispensationalism Begins to Unravel
My Introduction to Bible Prophecy
One Sunday in the fall of 1971, it was announced to the congregation of the Mennonite Church in Carman, Manitoba that bishop D.D. Klassen would be leading a Bible study on prophecy over the winter months. I was a new Christian and of course I wanted to learn more about the Bible. Thus, each Wednesday … Continue reading My Introduction to Bible Prophecy
Why I prefer the AV Bible
Critics of the Authorized Version often appear to be more than a little disingenuous. Some make an issue of minor variations in words and say that Peter, Paul & Jesus did not always quote from the same version of the Old Testament. It is commonly accepted that Old Testament quotations in the New Testament come … Continue reading Why I prefer the AV Bible
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
Are we accumulating friends or enemies?
I once read this statement and it has stuck in my mind: "Friends may come and friends may go, but enemies accumulate." It was probably said by some famous person or by a character in a famous book, but that part didn't stick. I think there are two reasons why it stuck in my mind. … Continue reading Are we accumulating friends or enemies?
Flatlander Faith 