Hassle-free piety? Jesus said: “And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil” (John 3:19) . The apostle Paul wrote: “And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove [them]” (Ephesians 5:11). Those people who were … Continue reading PIETISM
persecution
The Martyrs Mirror: The Testimony of a Faith that would not be Repressed
The Martyrs Mirror, a monumental work of Anabaptist literature, chronicles the lives and tribulations of faithful Christians throughout history. It is a profound reflection on faith, suffering, and the enduring spirit of those who stood firm in their beliefs. The persecution of Christians was begun by pagan authorities and later continued by the Roman Catholic … Continue reading The Martyrs Mirror: The Testimony of a Faith that would not be Repressed
Letter from Menno Simons to the wife of Leenart Bouwens
The year is 1553, the Anabaptists in the Netherlands are being fiercely persecuted and Leenart Bouwens has just been elected to the ministry by the congregation at Sommeldyk. His wife fears for his life and writes to Menno Simons, hoping that he can relieve her husband from such a frightening responsibility. This is his replay. … Continue reading Letter from Menno Simons to the wife of Leenart Bouwens
We must use words
There is a saying that we hear from time to time that goes “preach the gospel at all times, and if necessary use words”. This is attributed to Francis of Assisi from long ago. I’m not sure why we should consider him to be a wise counsellor for Christians today when it comes to sharing … Continue reading We must use words
The rights of a Christian
There is no hint in the New Testament that a Christian has rights such as those the people of the world expend so much effort in demanding. Jesus told us not to expect those kind of rights:If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the … Continue reading The rights of a Christian
Anabaptists were persecuted because of their purity
The following statement was made in 1538 by an unnamed Anabaptist leader during a meeting between the Swiss Reformed and Anabaptists in Berne: “While yet in the national church we obtained much instruction from the writings of Luther, Zwingli, and others, concerning the mass and other papal ceremonies, that they are vain. Yet we recognized … Continue reading Anabaptists were persecuted because of their purity
Homeopathic dilution of Christianity
First posted ten years ago. To describe it very briefly, homeopathy is a branch of alternative medicine that treats diseases with natural substances that are diluted well past the point where any trace of the original substance can be detected. Some call it quackery, others say that it works where other methods fail. It does … Continue reading Homeopathic dilution of Christianity
What is courage? Do I have it?
The root word of courage is cour, from the French word for heart, denoting the heart as the seat of feelings. The Oxford dictionary defines courage as: the ability to do what frightens one; strength in the face of pain or grief. The unknown in every new life situation brings an element of fear, such … Continue reading What is courage? Do I have it?
Let’s be Christians, not chameleons
[A slightly revised version of an article first posted March 31, 2019] Some members of the early church wanted Gentile converts to be chameleons. They thought that circumcising Gentile believers would make them appear to be converts to the Jewish religion, thus sparing Jewish believers from persecution by other Jews for associating with Gentiles. Such … Continue reading Let’s be Christians, not chameleons
The kingdom of God is within your reach
“A stand can be made against invasion by an army; no stand can be made against invasion by an idea.”-Victor Hugo John the Baptist and Jesus both began their ministry by saying “Repent, for the kingdom of God is at hand.” The effect of those words is the most remarkable example of Victor Hugo’s statement. … Continue reading The kingdom of God is within your reach
Flatlander Faith 